System and method for controlling a restricted mode in a vehicle

• US 9,452,735 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2011
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Bennie, Brian, Reed, Eric L., Boran, Lisa Therese
• Primary Examiner(s): Karmis, Stefanos
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US13/024,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20120209454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,056 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/18 Distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/12 Limiting control by the driver depending on vehicle state, e.g. interlocking means for the control input for preventing unsafe operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

A device for controlling a restricted mode of a vehicle is provided. The device includes a controller that is configured to receive an input indicative of a request to change a vehicle state from a fully operational mode to a restricted mode and to transmit a first control signal indicative of a request to limit at least one of vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration. The controller is further configured to monitor a distance traveled by a driver when the vehicle is in the restricted mode and to compare the distance traveled to a predetermined distance limit. The controller is further configured to transmit a second control signal to remove the request to limit the at least one of the vehicle speed and the vehicle acceleration in response to determining that the distance traveled exceeds the predetermined distance limit.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a restricted mode of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a controller being configured to;

receive an input indicative of a request to change a vehicle state from a fully operational mode to a restricted mode;

transmit a first control signal indicative of a request to limit at least one of vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration;

monitor a distance traveled by a driver when the vehicle is in the restricted mode;

compare the distance traveled to a predetermined distance limit; and

transmit a second control signal to remove the request to limit the at least one of the vehicle speed and the vehicle acceleration in response to determining that the distance traveled exceeds the predetermined distance limit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to monitor whether at least one portable auxiliary memory device is operably coupled to the vehicle while the vehicle is in the restricted mode.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the controller is further configured to notify a primary driver that the at least one portable auxiliary memory device is no longer operably coupled to the vehicle while the vehicle was in the restricted mode.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the at least one auxiliary memory device comprises one of a universal serial bus (USB) based memory device card and a secure digital (SD) card.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to monitor a distance traveled by a secondary driver and to audibly or visually notify a primary driver of the distance traveled by the secondary driver.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a predetermined code to exit the restricted mode from at least one of a keypad that controls locking/unlocking of the vehicle, a switch positioned interior to the vehicle, and a voice entry interface for changing the vehicle state from the restricted mode to the fully operational mode.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to determine if a primary driver has successfully performed a one-two new programming procedure for changing the vehicle state from the restricted mode to the fully operational mode.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the one-two new programming procedure includes cycling at least two already programmed keys to the vehicle in an ignition of the vehicle from “

RUN”

to “

OFF”

within a predetermined time frame.