Vehicle start/stop button status feedback and lighting
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Costello, James P. Brecht, Tejas B. Desai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A keyless ignition system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that communicates through a wireless link with a start/stop button. The start/stop button includes a plurality of lighting sources to selectively illuminate the start/stop button for communicating current state of a vehicle operating parameter. The lighting sources are powered by a wireless power generating device within the start/stop button.
Claims18
A keyless ignition system comprising:
- a support housing for a vehicle ignition system;
- at least two start/stop buttons independently engageable with said support housing and movable between an actuated position and an inactive position within said support housing, wherein said at least two start/stop buttons each comprise a button housing;
- at least one lighting device disposed within said button housing for selectively illuminating said at least two start/stop buttons;
- and
- a transceiver in communication with a controller of the vehicle for receiving instructions utilized to control said at least one lighting device, wherein each of the at least two start/stop buttons includes an identification code communicated to the controller corresponding to different levels of vehicle operation authorization.
A keyless ignition system comprising:
- a support housing defining an actuating mechanism communicating with an electronic control unit of a vehicle;
- a primary start/stop button movable within said support housing for engaging said actuating mechanism including a primary controller including a transponder and an antenna for communicating a first identification code to the electronic control unit, wherein said primary start/stop button is removable from said support housing;
- and
- a secondary start/stop button movable within said support housing for engaging said actuating mechanism including a secondary controller for communicating a second identification code to the electronic control unit, wherein the primary and secondary identification codes communicate different levels of authorized vehicle operation.
A method of lighting a keyless ignition start button comprising the steps of:
- supporting a plurality of differently colored light sources within the start button;
- supporting a wireless power generating device within the start button for powering the plurality of differently colored 1ight sources;
- communicating with a vehicle controller with a microprocessor supported within the start button though a wireless link to selectively illuminate the plurality of light sources;
- communicating with a vehicle controller with the microprocessor an identification code indicating a level of authorized vehicle operation;
- and
- illuminating a select combination of the differently colored light sources to communicate a current function state of the start button to a vehicle operator.
A method of lighting a keyless ignition start button comprising the steps of:
- supporting at least one light source within the start button;
- supporting a wireless power generating device within the start button for powering the at least one light source;
- communicating with a vehicle controller with a microprocessor supported within the start button through a wireless link to selectively illuminate the at least one light source;
- adapting more than one keyless ignition start button for communication with the vehicle controller;
- and
- communicating between the vehicle controller and the microprocessor an identification code indicating a level of authorized vehicle operation;
- wherein at least one of the more than one start buttons includes an identification code indicating a reduced level of authorized vehicle operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.