Engine running notice and automatic shut-off
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
a plurality of sensors;
an engine kill device coupled to the engine, wherein the engine kill device is configured to stop the engine;
a notice device;
a response link; and
a controller coupled to the engine kill device, the plurality of sensors, the notice device, and the response link, wherein the controller is configured to evaluate signals from the plurality of sensors and issue a notice when the signals from the plurality of sensors meet predetermined criteria, and wherein the controller is further configured to activate the engine kill device if the response link is not activated after the notice is issued, and wherein the controller is configured to terminate monitoring to determine if the engine has been errantly left running upon activation of the response link indicating the engine should remain running.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle has an engine kill device that can automatically stop the engine. The vehicle has components for determining the engine may have been errantly left running, in which case the vehicle sends a notice to the user. The vehicle is capable of receiving a response from the user with instructions to leave the engine running. If no response is received, the vehicle can activate the engine kill device and stop the engine, or the vehicle can leave the engine running if a response is received from the user indicating the engine should remain running.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine; a plurality of sensors; an engine kill device coupled to the engine, wherein the engine kill device is configured to stop the engine; a notice device; a response link; and a controller coupled to the engine kill device, the plurality of sensors, the notice device, and the response link, wherein the controller is configured to evaluate signals from the plurality of sensors and issue a notice when the signals from the plurality of sensors meet predetermined criteria, and wherein the controller is further configured to activate the engine kill device if the response link is not activated after the notice is issued, and wherein the controller is configured to terminate monitoring to determine if the engine has been errantly left running upon activation of the response link indicating the engine should remain running. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine; an engine kill device capable of turning the engine off, wherein the kill device is coupled to the engine; means for determining if the engine has been errantly left running; means for issuing a notice that the engine has been left running; means for receiving a response from a user; and a controller coupled to the engine kill device, wherein the controller is configured to activate the engine kill device if no response is received from the user within a set response time after the notice was issued, and wherein the controller is configured to terminate monitoring to determine if the engine has been errantly left running upon receipt of the response indicating the engine should remain running. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of automatically turning a vehicle engine off, the method comprising:
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receiving signals from a plurality of sensors at a controller, and wherein the controller evaluates the signals to determine if the engine may have been errantly left running; sending a notice indicating the engine may have been errantly left running; turning the engine off if no response is received within a set response time after the notice was sent; and providing a response link configured for a human to indicate the engine should remain running, wherein activation of the response link to indicate the engine should remain running advances the controller to a stop action that terminates monitoring to determine if the engine may have been errantly left running. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification