Method and System for Controlling an Ignition Switch and an Operational State of a Vehicle
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDavid T. Proefke, David R. Mick, Kimberly A. Morse-Harvey
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Abstract
Methods and systems for controlling an operational state of a vehicle having a keyless rotary ignition switch and a locking mechanism coupled to the keyless rotary ignition switch are provided. The locking mechanism is disengaged to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from a first position to a second position by a user when an electronic authorization is detected. The locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position by the user when no electronic authorization is detected.
Claims20
A method for controlling an operational state of a vehicle having a keyless rotary ignition switch and a locking mechanism coupled to the keyless rotary ignition switch, the method comprising:
- disengaging the locking mechanism to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from a first position to a second position by a user when an electronic authorization is detected;
- and
- engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position by the user when no electronic authorization is detected.
A method for controlling an operational state of an automobile having a keyless rotary ignition switch and a locking mechanism coupled to the keyless rotary ignition switch, the method comprising:
- engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from an ON position to an OFF position if at least one of a transmission of the automobile is in an operational mode and a speed of the automobile is greater than a predetermined threshold;
- and
- disengaging the locking mechanism to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from the ON position to the OFF position if the transmission of the automobile is in a non-operational mode and the speed of the automobile is not greater than the predetermined threshold.
An automotive control system comprising:
- a keyless rotary ignition switch being rotatable between first and second positions;
- a locking mechanism coupled to and engageable with the keyless rotary ignition switch to prevent the rotation of the keyless rotary ignition switch;
- and
- a processor in operable communication with the keyless rotary ignition switch and the locking mechanism, the processor being configured to:
- disengage the locking mechanism to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from a first position to a second position by a user when an electronic authorization is detected;
- and
- engage the locking mechanism to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position by the user when no electronic authorization is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.