Engine start controller

A controller for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle, including a steering shaft, by a user having a portable device, and for controlling power supply to a plurality of electric device systems, the controller comprising:

• a lock mechanism for selectively locking the steering shaft of the vehicle;
• an authentication unit for performing authentication with the portable device to permit use of the vehicle, the portable device being carried by the user of the vehicle;
• an operation unit for generating an operation signal when operated by the user;
• and
• a power supply control unit connected to the lock mechanism, the authentication unit, and the operation unit, wherein the power supply control unit generates an unlock request signal for unlocking the steering shaft and an actuation signal for selectively providing power to the plurality of electric device systems at substantially the same time, wherein the control unit controls the lock mechanism to unlock the steering shaft in parallel with selectively supplying power to the plurality of electric device systems using the unlock request signal and the actuation signal when the operation signal is generated and use of the vehicle is permitted through the authentication.

A method for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle that communicates with a portable device, wherein the vehicle includes a steering shaft that is selectively locked, a plurality of electric device systems, and an operation unit that is operable by a user, the method comprising:

• performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle through communication between the portable device and the vehicle;
• generating an unlock request signal for unlocking the steering shaft and an actuation signal for selectively supplying power to the plurality of electric device systems;
• and
• unlocking the steering shaft in parallel with selectively supplying power to the electric device system when the user operates the operation unit if use of the vehicle is permitted by said performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle.

A method for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle that communicates with a portable device, wherein the vehicle includes a steering shaft that is selectively locked, a plurality of electric device systems including a first electric device system, a second electric device system, and an engine control system, and an operation unit that includes an operation portion pushed and turned in a first direction and a second direction, and that is operable by a user in a plurality of modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, the method comprising:

• performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle through communication between the portable device and the vehicle;
• generating an unlock request signal for unlocking the steering shaft and a first actuation signal for supplying power to the first electric device system at substantially the same time;
• unlocking the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the first electric device system using the unlock request signal and the first actuation signal when the user operates the operation unit in the first mode by turning the operation portion in the first direction if use of the vehicle is permitted by said performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle;
• generating an unlock request signal for unlocking the steering shaft and a second actuation signal for supplying power to the second electric device at substantially the same time;
• unlocking the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the second electric device system using the unlock request signal and the second actuation signal when the user operates the operation unit in the second mode by turning the operation portion in the second direction if use of the vehicle is permitted by said performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle;
• generating an unlock request signal for unlocking the steering shaft and a third actuation signal for supplying power to the engine control system at substantially the same time;
• and
• unlocking the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the engine control system using the unlock request signal and the third actuation signal when the user operates the operation unit in the third mode by pushing the operation portion if use of the vehicle is permitted by said performing authentication for permitting use of the vehicle.