Method and system for selecting vehicle performance

• US 9,694,824 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2016
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• 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, Drake, Charles Richard, King, Daniel M., Desjarlais, Frank J., Reed, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIGE, TYLER D
• Application Number:
  US14/989,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20160114802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 701 2, 340 561, 455461
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2900/00 Indexing codes relating to the purpose of, or problem solved of road vehicle drive control systems not otherwise provided for in groups B60W30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob

Abstract

Methods and systems for selecting vehicle operating modes in response to output of remote security token devices are described. In one example, a vehicle operating mode may be determined when two key fobs having different, but valid, security token assignments are present within a vehicle cabin. Further, one mode of a two mode key fob may be selectively deactivated and reactivated to provide system flexibility.

Claims

1. A method for selecting vehicle performance, comprising:

selecting a vehicle performance level via one or more switches located on a key fob; and

locking out a second vehicle performance level in response to selecting the vehicle performance level.

2. The method of claim 1, where a first vehicle performance level is active when the second vehicle performance level is locked out.

3. The method of claim 2, where the second vehicle performance level is a higher performance level than the first vehicle performance level.

4. The method of claim 3, where the second vehicle performance level is locked out for a predetermined amount of time.

5. The method of claim 3, where the second vehicle performance level is locked out until switches on the key fob are operated in a predetermined sequence.

6. The method of claim 3, where the second vehicle performance level is locked out for a time duration defined via one or more switches on the key fob.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the second vehicle performance level in response to a predetermined order of selection of keys of the key fob.

8. A method for selecting vehicle performance, comprising:

activating operation of a vehicle at a first, lower vehicle performance level in response to a key fob being within a vehicle cabin and outside of a key fob holder; and

activating operation of the vehicle at a second, higher vehicle performance level in response to the key fob being within and in mating engagement with the key fob holder.

9. The method of claim 8, where the key fob includes keys to activate and deactivate the second vehicle performance level.

10. The method of claim 8, where the key fob includes a microcontroller for broadcasting a security token.

11. The method of claim 8, where the second vehicle performance level is based on a group of control parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, where the group of control parameters provides for increased boost.

13. The method of claim 11, where the group of control parameters provides for transmission shift times.

14. A vehicle performance control system, comprising:

a key fob including switches for selecting vehicle performance levels; and

a controller including executable instructions stored in non-transitory memory to operate a vehicle in a first or second vehicle operating performance level depending on whether the key fob is within a vehicle cabin and whether the key fob is matingly engaged with a key fob holder, the key fob holder located within the vehicle cabin.

15. The vehicle performance control system of claim 14, where the first vehicle operating performance level is a lower vehicle performance level than the second vehicle operating performance level.

16. The vehicle performance control system of claim 14, where the controller includes control parameters related to the second vehicle operating performance level.

17. The vehicle performance control system of claim 14, where the switches deactivate the second vehicle performance level for a predetermined amount of time.

18. The vehicle performance control system of claim 17, where the key fob includes circuitry for automatically reactivating the second vehicle performance level after the predetermined amount of time.

19. The vehicle performance control system of claim 14, further comprising a transmitter/receiver to communicate with the key fob.