Remote-controlled starter apparatus with starting detection capability

A remote-controlled starter apparatus adapted for use in a vehicle having a power supply system and a power mechanism connected to the power supply system via a power conducting line, the power mechanism including an engine and a motor for starting the engine, said starter apparatus permitting remote control of starting operation of the power mechanism and comprising:

• a starter control circuit adapted to receive a start-initiate signal transmitted wirelessly by a remote controller, and adapted to be connected to and to activate the motor for starting the engine upon receipt of the start-initiate signal, said starter control circuit further generating a sensor enable signal upon receipt of the start-initiate signal;
• a current sensing circuit connected to said starter control circuit and adapted to be coupled to the power conducting line, said current sensing circuit being enabled by the sensor enable signal so as to generate a sensor output corresponding to magnitude of electrical current flowing through the power conducting line;
• and
• a signal converting circuit connected to said current sensing circuit and said starter control circuit, said signal converting circuit converting the sensor output into a corresponding voltage output that is provided to said starter control circuit;
• said starter control circuit determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the voltage output received from said signal converting circuit, and being adapted to restart the power mechanism upon determining that the starting operation was unsuccessful,
• wherein the sensor output from said current sensing circuit includes pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs corresponding to the electrical current present in the power conducting line before, during and after the starting operation of the power mechanism, respectively;
• wherein said signal converting circuit generates first, second and third voltage outputs corresponding to the pre-starting, starting and post-starting sensor outputs, respectively;
• wherein said starter control circuit includes a signal receiver adapted to receive the start-initiate signal, and a judging circuit for determining whether or not the starting operation was successful in accordance with the first, second and third voltage outputs from said signal converting circuit;
• and
• wherein said judging circuit determines the starting operation to be successful when the third voltage output is found to be greater than the first voltage output but less than the second voltage output.