Claims:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
I/We claim:
1. A smart starter switch system (100) comprising:
a starter switch (102);
a controller (104) coupled to the starter switch (102); and
a starter solenoid (106) to be actuated by the controller (104), wherein the controller (104) is to:
sense an actual position of an ignition means based on an output of a position sensor (108);
sense an electrical movement of the ignition means;
check if the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means correspond to same position; and
provide signal to activate the starter solenoid (106) on detecting that the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means correspond to the same position.
2. The smart starter switch system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position sensor (108) is a Hall Effect sensor.
3. The smart starter switch system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ignition means is a key.
4. The smart starter switch system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means correspond to a change of position from aux to start.
5. The smart starter switch system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ignition means is locked in at least one of off position, aux position, and start position.
6. The smart starter switch system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starter switch activates a starter motor.
7. A method for operating an ignition system of a vehicle comprising:
sensing, by a controller (104), an actual position of an ignition means, based on an output of a position sensor, wherein the ignition means is one of a key and a start/stop switch;
sensing, by the controller (104), an electrical movement of the ignition means;
checking, by the controller (104), if the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means correspond to same position;
providing, by the controller (104), a signal to activate a starter solenoid when the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means correspond to the same position.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the method comprises providing the signal to activate the starter solenoid (106), on detecting that the actual position of the ignition means and the electrical movement of the ignition means change from aux to start.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to ignition systems in a vehicle, and more particularly to operation of ignition systems in a vehicle using a smart starter switch.

BACKGROUND
[002] Electronic ignition system uses electronic components such as transistors and sensors to generate a spark and to crank an internal combustion engine. The ignition system comprises an ignition switch. The ignition switch routes current from a battery to a starter to crank the engine. Therefore, the ignition switch can also be alternatively referred to as the starter switch. Further, the ignition switch activates the vehicle's electrical accessories, computer, fuel, and ignition systems.
[003] The ignition switch is a three angular position switch, the three positions being off, aux, and start, with steering lock as an additional control position. The ignition switch usually requires a key to be inserted/keyless system (hereinafter referred to as ignition), that works as a lock built into the switch mechanism.
[004] In a vehicle, such as a tractor, most often, the starter solenoid can be activated irrespective of the position of the ignition. In such cases, it may be easy for anyone to bypass the vehicle’s ignition system and start the vehicle, thereby disrupting the safety interlock within the ignition system.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose a smart starter switch system for starting a vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose a smart starter switch system for operating an ignition system of a vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods for operating an ignition system of a vehicle.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose a smart controller to sense an actual position of key and an electrical movement of the key.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart starter switch system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for operating an ignition system of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve a smart starter switch system for vehicles by sensing an actual position of key and an electrical movement of the key. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of smart starter switch system 100, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. The smart starter switch system 100 comprises a starter switch 102, a controller 104, and a starter solenoid 106. The controller 104 may be communicatively coupled to a position sensor 108 for detecting a position of an ignition means, such as an ignition key. The terms “ignition key” and “key” have been interchangeably used hereinafter. The ignition means comprises a key. The position sensor 108 can detect an actual position of the key and can communicate the presence of the key to the controller 104. In an embodiment herein, the position sensor 108 can be a Hall Effect sensor. The starter switch 102 may require a key to be inserted. The starter switch 102 may also be operated by other means, such as a push button, a lever actuator, a knob, and the like. The position of the starter switch 102 may be at least one of off, aux, and start. An additional feature of steering lock may be activated by a position of the starter switch. The off position can lock steering and prevent normal use of the steering wheel. The aux position can switch on certain electrical accessories on the vehicle when the engine is not running. The “on” or the start position of the starter switch is the normal driving position and cranks the engine. The starter solenoid 106, also called as starter relay, is actuated so that it can control a starter motor, thereby setting internal combustion engine in motion.
[0016] The controller 104 controls the timing and intensity of the ignition spark. In accordance with embodiments described herein, the controller 104 is coupled to the position sensor 108, such as, but not limited to, a Hall Effect sensor. The Hall Effect sensor detects the metallic ignition key position. The controller 104 may be a smart controller. The terms “controller” and “smart controller” is used interchangeably hereinafter. The position sensor can sense an actual position of the key. The smart controller 102 can sense an electrical movement of the key by way of an electrical movement sensor 110. For instance, the movement of the key may be from aux to start. The smart controller 102 is configured such that a signal to starter solenoid 106 is given only when both the actual position of the key and the movement of the key correspond to same position. For instance, the signal to starter solenoid 106 may be given by the smart controller 104 only when the both the actual position and the electrical movement are from “aux” to start.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for operating an ignition system of a vehicle, in accordance with embodiments described herein. At step 202, a controller 104 senses an actual position of an ignition key based on an output of a position sensor 108. At step 204, the controller 104 senses an electrical movement of the ignition key. At step 206, the controller 104 checks if the actual position of the ignition key and the electrical movement of the ignition key correspond to the same position. At step 208, the controller 104 provides signal to activate a starter solenoid when the actual position of the ignition key and the electrical movement of the ignition key correspond to the same position.
[0018] The smart starter switch system provides for a safety interlock for a tractor without involving the movement of the key. The smart starter switch system enables manual intervention for operating the switch as the system prevents bypassing the ignition system without using the key. Therefore, the smart starter switch system prevents theft of a vehicle.
[0019] The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0020] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The controller as shown in Fig. 1 can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0021] The embodiment disclosed herein describes a smart starter switch system and method for operation an ignition system of vehicle. The smart starter switch system comprises a controller. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in at least one embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.