Ignition system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for use with vehicle having a vehicle ignition circuit and a plurality of vehicle function devices comprising:
- a sequencing mechanism operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, the sequencing mechanism being operable to generate a plurality of function outputs, each of the function outputs being in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence;
a timing mechanism operable to selectively provide a timing output in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition for a predetermined time period; and
,a gate mechanism operable to generate an ignition output responsive to each of the generated function outputs and the timing output, wherein the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of function outputs and the timing output are in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition, wherein the ignition output is operable to selectively complete the vehicle ignition circuit when the ignition output is in the logic “
go”
condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for preventing unauthorized or impaired operation of a motor vehicle by requiring a potential operator to sequentially energize several vehicle devices, within a set time period, prior to placing the vehicle ignition into a start position. The system includes a sequencing mechanism comprising an array of J-K flip-flops in a daisy chain configuration and an R-C timer mechanism. Logic outputs from the sequencing mechanism and the timer mechanism are fed to a NAND gate operating as a logic decoder that is used to control the vehicle ignition circuit. Only if all the inputs to the logic decoder are “go” will the output signal allow the ignition circuit to close. A sensory indicator may alert the potential operator as to the condition of the decoder output. An unauthorized user is inhibited from operating the motor vehicle because the performance sequence is unknown to him/her. Slower reflex times or impaired motor skills may prevent an impaired operator from performing the proper sequence within the predetermined time period.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for use with vehicle having a vehicle ignition circuit and a plurality of vehicle function devices comprising:
-
a sequencing mechanism operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, the sequencing mechanism being operable to generate a plurality of function outputs, each of the function outputs being in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence;a timing mechanism operable to selectively provide a timing output in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition for a predetermined time period; and
,a gate mechanism operable to generate an ignition output responsive to each of the generated function outputs and the timing output, wherein the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of function outputs and the timing output are in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition, wherein the ignition output is operable to selectively complete the vehicle ignition circuit when the ignition output is in the logic “
go”
condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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-
12. A system for controlling a vehicle ignition circuit comprising:
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a gate mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle ignition circuit, the gate mechanism being operable to selectively provide an ignition logic output in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition to close the vehicle ignition circuit;a timer mechanism operable to selectively provide a logic timer output to the gate mechanism; and
,a sequencing mechanism in operable connection with a plurality of vehicle function devices, the sequencing mechanism being operable to selectively provide a logic function output associated with each of the vehicle function devices to the gate mechanism; wherein the ignition logic output from the gate mechanism to the vehicle ignition circuit is in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if the logic timer output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition and each logic function output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. A method for selectively controlling a vehicle ignition circuit comprising the steps of:
-
providing a sequencing mechanism operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices and selectively generate a function logic output associated with each of the plurality of vehicle function devices; providing a timer mechanism operable to selectively generate a timer logic output; providing a gate mechanism operable to receive, as logic inputs, the function logic outputs and the timer logic output and selectively generate an ignition output; and
,preventing the vehicle ignition circuit from closing unless the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition.
-
-
15. A method of inhibiting an unauthorized potential operator from causing a vehicle ignition circuit to close, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a system in electrical communication with a plurality of vehicle function devices and a vehicle ignition circuit, the system being operable to prevent the vehicle ignition circuit from closing unless a potential operator causes each of the plurality of vehicle function devices to be energized, in a predetermined sequence, within a predetermined time period.
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16. A system for selectively allowing engagement of a vehicle ignition having “
- run”
, “
start”
, and “
off”
positions, the system being in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical system, the vehicle electrical system being operable to energize a plurality of vehicle function devices, the system comprising;a sequencing mechanism engaged with the plurality of vehicle function devices, wherein the sequencing mechanism is operable to receive a logic input from each of the plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, wherein the sequencing mechanism is operable to selectively generate logic outputs associated with each of the plurality of vehicle function devices, wherein each of the logic outputs are in a predetermined “
go”
condition only if each of the vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence;a timing mechanism being operable to selectively provide a timing output, wherein the timing output is in a predetermined “
go”
condition for a predetermined time period;gate mechanism being operable to receive, as function inputs, the logic outputs associated with each of the plurality of vehicle function devices and to receive, as a timing input, the timing output from the timing mechanism, wherein the gate mechanism is operable to generate an ignition output in response to the function inputs and the timing input, wherein the ignition output allows selective engagement of the vehicle ignition in the “
start”
position only if each of the function inputs and the timing input are in the predetermined “
go”
condition; and
,a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source and the sequencing mechanism, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert a voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the sequencing mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
- run”
-
20. A system for selectively allowing engagement of a vehicle ignition circuit having “
- run/start”
, “
start”
, and “
off”
positions, the system comprising;a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert an initial voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the system, a delay mechanism in electrical communication with the vehicle ignition, the delay mechanism being operable to cause a predetermined delay in an electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition is placed in a “
run/start”
position;a reset mechanism operable to initialize a plurality of system mechanisms, wherein the reset mechanism is operable to respond to the electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition in the “
run/start”
position;a sequencing mechanism operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, the sequencing mechanism being operable to generate a plurality of function outputs, each of the function outputs being in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence, wherein the sequencing mechanism is in operable connection with the reset mechanism, and wherein the sequencing mechanism is operable to “
hold”
the generated logic outputs until a subsequent initializing of logic inputs by the reset mechanism;a timing mechanism operable to selectively provide a timing output in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition for a predetermined time period, wherein the timing mechanism is in operable connection with the reset mechanism;a gate mechanism operable to selectively generate an ignition output responsive to each of the generated function outputs and the timing output, wherein the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of function outputs and the timing output are in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition, wherein the vehicle ignition may be engaged when placed in the “
start”
position only if the ignition output is in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition; and
,an indicator mechanism in electrical communication with the gate mechanism, the indicator mechanism being operable to selectively provide sensory output to indicate a condition of the ignition output.
- run/start”
Specification
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Current AssigneeElaine E. Futrell
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Original AssigneeElaine E. Futrell
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InventorsHale, Howard Stanley, Futrell, Elaine Elizabeth
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Primary Examiner(s)Vo, Hieu T.
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Application NumberUS10/922,212Time in Patent Office334 DaysField of Search701/115, 701/102, 701/112, 340/425.5US Class Current701/115CPC Class CodesB60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion...
