Vehicle drive system controller
AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
InventorsTakashi Ichikawa, Terumasa Suyama
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drive system controller that improves the level of security for a vehicle. A main microcomputer activates an image recognizer when wireless communication is established with a portable device. The image recognizer images a vehicle occupant to generate image data and uses the image data to verify whether the vehicle occupant is an authorized user. The main microcomputer enables the starting of the engine when wireless communication with the portable device is established and the image recognizer verifies that the vehicle occupant is an authorized user.
Claims12
A controller of a vehicle having an engine for use with an authorized key having a communication function, the controller comprising:
- a microcomputer for controlling the engine, the microcomputer being capable of communicating with the authorized key;
- a recognizer activated when predetermined conditions, including establishment of communication between the microcomputer and the authorized key, are satisfied to verify whether a vehicle occupant is an authorized user, the microcomputer enabling the starting of the engine when communication is established with the authorized key and the recognizer verifies the vehicle occupant as being the authorized user.
A method for controlling a vehicle having an engine and a door, the method comprising:
- transmitting a request signal to a predetermined area defined around the vehicle;
- unlocking the door when receiving a response signal in response to the request signal;
- verifying whether a vehicle occupant is an authorized user;
- and
- enabling starting of the engine when the vehicle occupant is verified as the authorized user.
A system for controlling an engine of a vehicle having a passenger compartment, the system comprising:
- an authorized key capable of wireless communication;
- a key receiver arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to receive the authorized key;
- a recognizer arranged in the passenger compartment to image a vehicle occupant and verify whether a vehicle occupant is an authorized user;
- a communication circuit that performs wireless communication with the authorized key;
- a microcomputer connected to the recognizer and the communication circuit, the microcomputer activating the recognizer when wireless communication is established between the authorized key and the communication circuit, enabling starting of the engine when the recognizer verifies that the vehicle occupant is an authorized user, and disabling starting of the engine when wireless communication is not established between the authorized key and the communication circuit unless a predetermined condition is satisfied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.