Field of the Invention:
The present invention generally relates to methods for mobilizing / immobilizing a two-wheeler
vehicle based on wireless communication. More specifically, the invention provides a method of
controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle in a battery less battery condition, the vehicle
implementing an electronic authentication procedure during starting of the engine.
Background of the invention:
Motor vehicles including two-wheelers are a target for theft due to their high value and utility.
To combat such thefts various types of locking / unlocking mechanisms are available in the
market. One such locking / unlocking mechanism available for four-wheeler vehicle implements
an electronic authentication procedure comprising receiving an electronic authentication key via
a wireless communication method, and unlocking the vehicle if the authentication key thus
received matches with a pre-stored authentication key. Using the aforesaid locking / unlocking
mechanism, access to an internal portion of the vehicle can be granted or restricted. Likewise,
using the aforesaid locking / unlocking mechanism, starting of an engine contained in the vehicle
can be allowed or prohibited.
One of the disadvantages of the aforesaid locking / unlocking mechanism is its dependence on a
source of electrical supply. In particular, the vehicle must have a battery providing requisite
electrical supply to various electrical / electronic components that form part of the aforesaid
mechanism. In case the vehicle has no battery or if the battery is unable to provide the requisite
electrical supply, presence of the locking / unlocking mechanism may cause inconvenience to the
user.
Apart from the above, the aforesaid locking / unlocking mechanism have been developed
primarily taking into consideration a four wheeler vehicle. It has been observed that, probability
of a two-wheeler vehicle not having the battery or the battery of a two-wheeler vehicle not being
able to provide the requisite electrical supply, is substantially high as compared to a four wheeler
vehicle and hence, presence of such locking / unlocking mechanism has a higher probability of
causing user inconvenience.
3
Thus, it is imperative to provide improved methods and electronic system for controlling starting
of an engine of a vehicle that address one more of the above mentioned disadvantages.
Summary of the Invention:
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for controlling starting of an engine of a
vehicle, the vehicle implementing an electronic authentication procedure during starting of the
engine, said method comprising: detecting satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions
while starting the engine of the vehicle; in response to said detecting, starting a timer; allowing
the engine of the vehicle to start and run for a threshold time period; and allowing the engine of
the vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold time period, if at least one electronic
authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully completed
before expiry of the threshold time value.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for controlling starting of an engine of a
vehicle, the apparatus implementing an electronic authentication procedure during starting of the
engine, said apparatus comprising: a timer; an mobilizing / immobilizing unit adapted to
mobilize or immobilize the engine; and a control unit operably coupled to the timer and the
mobilizing / immobilizing unit, the control unit being adapted to: detect satisfaction of one or
more predetermined conditions while starting the engine of the vehicle; start the timer, in
response to said detection; control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the
vehicle to start and run for a threshold time period; and control the mobilizing / immobilizing
unit to allow the engine of the vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold time period, if at
least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, is
successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description
of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is
illustrated in the appended figures. It is appreciated that these figures depict only typical
embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The
invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the
accompanying figures.
4
Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle in a
battery less condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a further (detailed) flow chart of a method for controlling starting of an
engine of a vehicle in a battery less condition in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention; and
Figure 3 illustrates a detailed schematic block diagram of the apparatus for controlling starting of
an engine of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity
and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate
the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of
aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or
more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional
symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding
the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be
readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description of the Invention:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will
now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system,
and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being
contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
5
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances
of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout
this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional
structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning
as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be
limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Referring to figure 1, there is provided a method (100), for controlling starting of an engine of a
vehicle, the vehicle implementing an electronic authentication procedure during starting of the
engine. The method (100) comprises detecting (101) satisfaction of one or more predetermined
conditions while starting the engine of the vehicle. By way of non-limiting example, the
predetermined conditions may include an amount of charge in a battery being less than a
predetermined threshold value, wherein the threshold value is insufficient to start the engine
6
using a starter motor. By way of another non-limiting example, the predetermined condition may
include there being no battery in the vehicle.
In case the one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, the method (100) then proceeds
to start (102) a timer. After starting the timer, the method allows (103) the engine of the vehicle
to start and run for a threshold time period. The predetermined time period can be either a factory
provided time period or a time period as may be set by a user.
Apart from allowing the engine of the vehicle to start and run for a threshold time period the
method (100) allows (105) the engine of the vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold
time period, if at least one electronic authentication procedure (104), implemented after starting
of the engine, is successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
On the other hand, if at least one electronic authentication procedure (104), implemented after
starting of the engine, is NOT successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value,
the method (100) immobilizes the engine (106).
As the one or more predetermined condition’s satisfaction indicates that the battery is either not
present in the vehicle or the amount of charge in the battery is insufficient, an attempt to start the
engine for example, can be made by kick-starting. By way of another non-limiting example, the
attempt to start the engine can be made by push starting (or alternatively called bump
starting, clutch starting, popping the clutch or crash starting wherein the engine is started by
engaging the manual transmission whilst the vehicle is in motion). Instead of adopting any of the
aforesaid procedure, the engine may be started by any other mechanical method conventionally
known in the art.
While such attempts to start the engine produce momentary power (because of the operation of
the alternating current generator (ACG)), it becomes practically difficult to implement the
authentication procedure during such state of momentary power production (very less time
period is available for the user to successfully complete the authentication procedure). Thus, by
allowing the engine to start without implementing the authentication procedure, if the one or
more predetermined condition is satisfied, the aforesaid problem is solved at the expense of
security. The method of the present invention however, does not substantially impact the security
7
related aspects in an adverse manner. In particular, the method of the present invention
commences a timer whenever the engine is allowed to start without implementing the
authentication procedure and the method allows the engine of the vehicle to be in a running state
post the threshold time period, if at least one electronic authentication procedure (104),
implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully completed before expiry of the threshold
time value.
Therefore, it can be seen that according to the teachings of the present invention, implementing
the authentication procedure is NOT totally avoided and is merely shifted in time. In particular,
the electronic authentication procedure is implemented after starting of the engine, i.e. when due
to continuous operation of the engine (and therefore the ACG), a continuous power supply is
available and ONLY if the electronic authentication procedure (104) is successfully completed
before expiry of the threshold time value, wherein the threshold time is governed by the timer,
the engine of the vehicle is allowed to be in a running state.
By way of example, if the threshold time value is set as 30 seconds, the engine is allowed to be
in a running state for a maximum period of 30 seconds (post starting). If during the 30 second
period, the at least one electronic authentication procedure (104) is successfully completed, the
engine is allowed to be in a running state. On the other hand, if the at least one electronic
authentication procedure (104) could not be successfully completed within the 30 seconds time
period, the engine is immobilized.
Now referring to figure 2, there is illustrated yet another method a method (200), for controlling
starting of an engine of a vehicle. Compared to the method (100) shown in figure 1 and described
above, the method (200) comprises certain additional steps. Therefore, the steps that are common
to method as shown in figure 1 and the method as shown in figure 2 are not being re-explained
and only the additional steps are being explained herein below. The method (200) comprises an
additional step of fetching (201) a value as contained in a counter and determining (202) whether
the fetched value is less than a predetermined count value.
8
The steps of fetching and determining can be performed before allowing the engine to start. In
other words, only when the fetched value is less than the predetermined count value, the method
(200) allows (103) the engine of the vehicle to start and run for a threshold time period.
It may be noted that in case the at least one electronic authentication procedure (104),
implemented after starting of the engine, is NOT successfully completed before expiry of the
threshold time value, the method (200) in addition to immobilizing the engine (106) increments
(203) a value as contained in the counter. On the other hand in case the at least one electronic
authentication procedure (104), implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully
completed before expiry of the threshold time value, the method (200) in addition to allowing
(105) the engine of the vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold time period, resets
(204) a value as contained in the counter.
Thus, the predetermined count value as contained in the counter functions as an indicator of a
number of past “failed” attempts to successfully complete the authentication procedure. In
particular, by resetting the value contained in the counter when the electronic authentication
procedure (104) is successfully completed while incrementing the value contained when the
electronic authentication procedure (104) could not be successfully completed, it is possible to
keep track of a number of “continuous” or “sequential” failed attempts. Keeping track of the
number of past failed attempts and not allowing the engine to start, if the number of past failed
attempts exceeds a preset value, provides additional security.
The predetermined count value can be provided as a factory-set value or as a value that can be
set by a user. Also, there can be different techniques pertaining to allowing the engine to be
started by an authorized user if the number of past failed attempts exceeds a preset value. By way
of a non-limiting example, if the number of past failed attempts and exceeds a preset value, the
engine may not be allowed to start for a longer period of time. By way of another non-limiting
example, if the number of past failed attempts and exceeds a preset value, the engine may not be
allowed to start until a battery with sufficient power is connected to the vehicle. By way of
another non-limiting example, if the number of past failed attempts and exceeds a preset value,
the engine may not be allowed to start until an authentication procedure having a higher level of
security setting is successfully implemented.
9
By a way of non-limiting example the electronic authentication procedure may include receiving
an authentication key; and detecting: whether the authentication key is received within a
threshold time value; and whether the authentication key thus received matches with a pre-stored
authentication key.
By a way of another non-limiting example, the electronic authenticating key can be received
from a variety of instruments including specifically constructed transmitting device which is
capable of transmitting an electronic authentication key; or any device in the form of any handheld
device, comprising of a mobile device, a palm top, a personal digital assistant, etc. The
authentication key transmitting devices may implement any one of near field communication
(NFC) communication technologies, infra-red (IR) communication technology, Bluetooth®
communication technology, Wi-Fi communication technology, ZigBee® communication
technology or any other short range wireless communication technology.
By a way of yet another non-limiting example, a user having the authentication key transmitting
device can set a unique electronic authentication key. The said pre-set authentication key may be
stored in an electronic memory unit provided in the vehicle thereupon.
With reference to figure 3, there is illustrated a block diagram of an apparatus (300) for
controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle. The apparatus (300) comprises a control device
(301) operably coupled to a mobilizing/ immobilizing unit (302) and a timer (303).
The control unit (301) is being adapted to detect satisfaction of one or more predetermined
conditions while starting the engine of the vehicle; start the timer, in response to said detection;
control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the vehicle to start and run for a
threshold time period; and control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the
vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold time period, if at least one electronic
authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully completed
before expiry of the threshold time value.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit (301) may be operably coupled to an
authentication key receiving unit (305) and an authentication key detection unit (306), the
10
authentication key receiving unit (305) being adapted to receive an authentication key and the
authentication key detection unit (306) adapted to detect (a) whether the authentication key is
received within a threshold time value; and (b) whether the authentication key thus received
matches with a pre-stored authentication key stored in. A memory unit (307) may be further
provided for storing an authentication key and the memory unit can be coupled to the key
detection unit (306).
In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (300) further comprises a counter (304). The
control unit (301) is adapted to be operably coupled to the counter (304) and detect a value
contained in the counter. In particular, the control unit (301) is further adapted to control the
mobilizing / immobilizing unit (302) to allow the engine of the vehicle to start and run for the
threshold time period, if the value of the counter (304) is less than a predetermined count value.
The control unit may be further adapted to reset the value contained in the counter, if said at least
one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully
completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
The control unit (301) is further adapted to control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit (302) so as
to immobilize the engine, if said at least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented
after starting of the engine, could not be successfully completed before expiry of the threshold
time value.
The control unit is further adapted to increment a value contained in the counter, if said at least
one authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, could not be successfully
completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
The control unit (301) is further coupled to one or more units (308) for receiving there from
battery state indicative data. In particular, the control unit (301) is further adapted to determine
from the battery state indicative data:
* whether an amount of charge in a battery being is less than a predetermined threshold
value; and
* whether there being no battery in the vehicle.
11
The control device (301), the mobilizing/ immobilizing unit (302), the timer (303) and the
counter may be formed as a single unit i.e. for example, as part of a single microprocessor. The
authentication key receiving unit (305), the authentication key detection unit (306) and the
memory unit (307) may form part of the apparatus (300) may form part of the single
microprocessor.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept
as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single
functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional
elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example,
orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described
herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown;
nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on
other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no
means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the
specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible.
The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
12

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle implementing an
electronic authentication procedure during starting of the engine, said method
comprising:
• detecting satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions while starting the
engine of the vehicle;
• in response to said detecting, starting a timer;
• allowing the engine of the vehicle to start and run for a threshold time period; and
• allowing the engine of the vehicle to be in a running state post the threshold time
period, if at least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after
starting of the engine, is successfully completed before expiry of the threshold
time value.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic authentication procedure
includes:
• receiving an authentication key; and
• detecting:
(a) whether the authentication key is received within a threshold time value;
and
(b) whether the authentication key thus received matches with a pre-stored
authentication key.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising detecting a value contained in a
counter.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of allowing the engine of the vehicle
to start and run for a threshold time period is conditioned upon the value of the counter
being less than a predetermined count value.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising re-setting the value contained in
the counter, if said at least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after
13
starting of the engine, is successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time
value.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising immobilizing the engine, if said at
least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine,
could not be successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising incrementing a value contained in
the counter, if said at least one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after
starting of the engine, could not be successfully completed before expiry of the threshold
time value.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronic authentication procedure is said
to be not successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value if:
a. no authentication key is received is received within the threshold time value; or
b. if the authentication key received does not match with a pre-stored authentication
key.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined conditions
include:
a. an amount of charge in a battery being less than a predetermined threshold value;
and
b. there being no battery in the vehicle.
10. An apparatus for controlling starting of an engine of a vehicle, the apparatus
implementing an electronic authentication procedure during starting of the engine, said
apparatus comprising:
a timer;
an mobilizing / immobilizing unit adapted to mobilize or immobilize the engine; and
a control unit operably coupled to the timer and the mobilizing / immobilizing unit, the
control unit being adapted to:
• detect satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions while starting the
engine of the vehicle;
14
• start the timer, in response to said detection;
• control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the vehicle to
start and run for a threshold time period; and
• control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the vehicle to be
in a running state post the threshold time period, if at least one electronic
authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully
completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control unit is operably coupled to an
authentication key receiving means and an authentication key detection means, the
authentication key receiving means being adapted to receive an authentication key and
the authentication key detection means adapted to detect (a) whether the authentication
key is received within a threshold time value; and (b) whether the authentication key thus
received matches with a pre-stored authentication key.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a counter.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control unit is adapted to be operably
coupled to the counter and detect a value contained in the counter.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control unit is further adapted to
control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit to allow the engine of the vehicle to start and
run for the threshold time period, if the value of the counter is less than a predetermined
count value.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control unit is further adapted to reset
the value contained in the counter, if said at least one electronic authentication procedure,
implemented after starting of the engine, is successfully completed before expiry of the
threshold time value.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control unit is further adapted to
control the mobilizing / immobilizing unit so as to immobilize the engine, if said at least
15
one electronic authentication procedure, implemented after starting of the engine, could
not be successfully completed before expiry of the threshold time value.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control unit is further adapted to
increment a value contained in the counter, if said at least one authentication procedure,
implemented after starting of the engine, could not be successfully completed before
expiry of the threshold time value.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more predetermined conditions
include:
* an amount of charge in a battery being less than a predetermined threshold value;
and
* there being no battery in the vehicle.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control unit is further coupled to one
or more units for receiving there from battery state indicative data.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, the control unit is further adapted to determine
from the battery state indicative data:
* whether an amount of charge in a battery being is less than a predetermined
threshold value; and
* whether there being no battery in the vehicle.