Claims:We Claim:
1. A vehicle anti-theft system, characterized by including:
a vehicle-mounted anti-theft device (1) that transmits an ID authentication request (1A) requesting an ID authentication; and
a portable device (2) that receives the ID authentication request (1A) transmitted from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device (1), and transmits an ID authentication request response (2A) to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device (1), wherein
there is a switch to a state wherein the ID authentication is automatically prohibited after a vehicle system is stopped.
2. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 1, characterized in that a state wherein transmission of the ID authentication request (1A) is automatically prohibited is adopted.
3. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 1, characterized in that the ID authentication request response (2A) includes an ID authentication prohibiting signal.
4. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 3, characterized in that the ID authentication request response (2A) switches to a state including the ID authentication prohibiting signal in accordance with a signal from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device (1).
5. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 1, characterized in that a state wherein transmission of the ID authentication request response (2A) is automatically prohibited is adopted.
6. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 5, characterized in that a state wherein transmission of the ID authentication request response (2A) is prohibited arises in accordance with a signal from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device (1).
7. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 2, characterized in that removal of the state wherein transmission of the ID authentication request (1A) is prohibited, and switching to a state wherein transmission is prohibited, can be carried out in accordance with a signal from the portable device (2).
8. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 3, characterized in that the ID authentication prohibiting signal can be removed and set in accordance with an input into the portable device (2).
9. The vehicle anti-theft system according to claim 5, characterized in that removal of the state wherein transmission of the ID authentication request response (2A) is prohibited, and switching to a state wherein transmission is prohibited, can be carried out in accordance with an input into the portable device (2).
10. The vehicle anti-theft system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a user is notified of whether or not the ID authentication is prohibited in accordance with a signal from the portable device (2).
11. The vehicle anti-theft system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the user can select whether or not to switch to the state wherein ID authentication is prohibited after the vehicle system is stopped.
12. The vehicle anti-theft system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the user is notified of a success or a failure to establish the state wherein ID authentication is prohibited when the vehicle system is stopped.
Dated this 07th day of April, 2021

FOR MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
By their Agent

(ANSHUL SUNILKUMAR SAURASTRI) (IN/PA 3086)
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES LLP , Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM;

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3, MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present application relates to a vehicle anti-theft system.
Description of the Background Art
[0002]
A saddled vehicle anti-theft device (a keyless entry system, a smart entry system, or the like) such that key authentication is carried out using wireless communication between a portable device and a vehicle-mounted device has been developed. Technology such that a portable device receives an authentication request transmitted from a vehicle-mounted device, a signal including unique identification information is transmitted in response from the portable device to the vehicle-mounted device, and the vehicle-mounted device carries out a steering wheel lock release and an engine start by collating the identification information with identification information registered in advance, is known in relation to this saddled vehicle anti-theft device.
[0003]
With respect to a portable device distanced far away from a vehicle, technology (a relay attack) such that communication between the portable device and the vehicle is caused to be carried out indirectly by using a repeater, enabling a vehicle steering wheel lock release and an engine start, has become known in recent years. This technology is causing concern regarding anti-theft device theft preventing capacity.
[0004]
Various theft preventing means, such as a configuration wherein a transmission antenna output of a vehicle-mounted device is caused to change gradually, a configuration wherein a multiple of transmission antennas are disposed, and a configuration wherein a radio wave transmission distance is measured, have been devised as measures against thieving methods, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 4.
As these theft preventing means use radio waves, the theft preventing means are affected by a peripheral environment of the vehicle (a building, metal, a human body, another vehicle), because of which relay attack recognition accuracy decreases, and there is a problem in that a relay attack is erroneously detected even in the case of a normal authentication request, and the like. Also, although there is also technology whereby a multiple of antennas are used in order to increase recognition accuracy, there are cases wherein the number of antennas mounted is small, as on a two-wheeled vehicle for example, and not only does cost increase, but securing space in which to mount the antennas also forms a problem for a countermeasure.
[0005]
Also, technology whereby a function of a portable device is activated and deactivated is known as a measure against the aforementioned thieving methods, but as a user him or herself needs to carry out an operation, there is a possibility of the user forgetting to deactivate the function. Also, as another measure, there is a method whereby a portable device is housed in a radio wave intercepting case, and the like, but in all cases, convenience for the user is lost.
[0006]
According to the above, either a measure such that a user’s operation does not change but there is a cost increase and concern about accuracy, or a measure such that there is a theft preventing advantage but user convenience is lost, needs to be selected as a measure against the aforementioned thieving methods.
[0007]
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2016-084589
Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2013-127184
Patent Literature 3: JP-A-2016-017279
Patent Literature 4: JP-A-2017-059170

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008]
The present application discloses technology for resolving the aforementioned kinds of problem, and has an object of providing a vehicle anti-theft system that causes theft preventing capacity to improve without necessitating a complex operation.
[0009]
A vehicle anti-theft system disclosed in the present application includes a vehicle-mounted anti-theft device that transmits an ID authentication request requesting an ID authentication, and a portable device that receives the ID authentication request transmitted from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device, and transmits an ID authentication request response to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device, wherein there is a switch to a state wherein the ID authentication is automatically prohibited after a vehicle system is stopped.
[0010]
According to the vehicle anti-theft system disclosed in the present application, a vehicle anti-theft system that causes theft preventing capacity to improve without necessitating a complex operation can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011]
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall role of a vehicle anti-theft system according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle-mounted anti-theft device according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portable device according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an engine control device according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a first flowchart showing an example of an engine starting permission according to the first embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device;
Fig. 6 is a second flowchart showing an example of an engine starting permission according to the first embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the portable device;
Fig. 7 is a third flowchart showing an operation of switching to ID authentication prohibition according to the first embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device;
Fig. 8 is a first flowchart showing an operation of switching to ID authentication prohibition according to a second embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device;
Fig. 9 is a second flowchart showing an operation of an ID authentication prohibition removing unit according to the second embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the portable device;
Fig. 10 is a first flowchart showing an operation when removing ID authentication prohibition according to a third embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the portable device; and
Fig. 11 is a second flowchart showing an operation when removing ID authentication prohibition according to the third embodiment, and is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012]
Hereafter, embodiments of a vehicle anti-theft system according to the present application will be described, using the drawings. In the drawings, identical reference signs are allotted to identical or similar components, and sizes and scales of corresponding components are independent. For example, when depicting unchanged identical components in sectional views wherein one portion of a configuration is changed, there are cases wherein the sizes and scales of the identical components differ. Also, configurations of a vehicle anti-theft system and a vehicle-mounted anti-theft device actually further include a multiple of members, but in order to simplify the description, only portions necessary to the description are depicted, and other portions are omitted.
[0013]
First Embodiment
Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a saddled vehicle-compatible vehicle anti-theft system according to a first embodiment. A vehicle anti-theft system 100 according to the first embodiment is configured of a vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1, a portable device 2, an engine control device 3, and the like. The vehicle anti-theft system 100 is applied to, for example, a saddled vehicle 4 such as an automatic two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle 4 includes an unshown engine.
[0014]
The vehicle anti-theft system 100 is such that when ID (identification) authentication is not prohibited, a vehicle system (vehicle power supply) is turned on by a user (driver) operating an input device 5 of the vehicle 4, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the portable device 2 start ID authentication communication, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 transmits an ID authentication request 1A to the portable device 2, and after receiving the ID authentication request 1A, the portable device 2 transmits an ID authentication request response 2A to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 when the ID authentication succeeds. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 receives the ID authentication request response 2A, and when the ID authentication succeeds, the engine can be started by the engine control device 3 (engine starting permission).
[0015]
The vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 includes a display device 6 that can notify the user of a relevant state when ID authentication communication succeeds or when setting a presence or otherwise of an ID authentication prohibition.
[0016]
Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. The vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is configured of a first input device 7, a second input device 8, a signal transmitting unit 9, a signal receiving unit 10, a control unit 11, a storage device 12, and the like. The control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is configured of an ID authentication prohibiting unit 13, an ID authentication prohibition removing unit 14, and the like. The first input device 7 is used when changing the vehicle system (vehicle power supply) from an off-state to an on-state, and the second input device 8 can be used for switching between deactivation and activation of an ID authentication prohibition setting.
[0017]
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable device 2. The portable device 2 is configured of a signal transmitting unit 15, a signal receiving unit 16, a third input device 17, a control unit 18, a storage device 19, and the like. The portable device 2 can carry out wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the engine control unit 3 via the signal transmitting unit 15 and the signal receiving unit 16.

[0018]
On receiving the ID authentication request 1A from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1, the portable device 2 transmits the ID authentication request response 2A to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. The vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the portable device 2 that transmits the ID authentication request response 2A are in a paired relationship, but the portable device 2 can be additionally paired, and a multiple of portable devices 2 used with respect to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1.
[0019]
Also, by operating the third input device 17 of the portable device 2, switching from a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed to a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, or back to a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed, can be carried out.
[0020]
Fig. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the engine control device 3. The engine control device 3 is configured of a signal receiving unit 20, a signal transmitting unit 21, a fourth input device 22, a control unit 23, a storage device 24, and the like.
[0021]
The vehicle anti-theft system 100 is such that the engine control device 3 is attached to the vehicle 4, and in addition to carrying out control such as regulating an engine start or output, carries out overall control of a vehicle.
[0022]
Next, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, an operational flow of engine starting permission using the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the portable device 2 will be described.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. Whether or not there is an ID authentication prohibition is controlled by the ID authentication prohibiting unit 13 or the ID authentication prohibition removing unit 14 of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. The vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is such that the flow starts when the vehicle system is turned on by the input device 5 being operated (step ST500).
[0023]
In order to know an ID authentication state, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1, firstly, determines whether or not the vehicle 4 is in a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed (step ST501). When a result of the determination in step ST501 is that the vehicle 4 is in a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed, ID authentication is being permitted, because of which the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the portable device 2 start ID authentication communication, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 transmits the ID authentication request 1A to the portable device 2 (step ST502), and the ID authentication request response 2A is transmitted from the portable device 2 (step S503). After the ID authentication succeeds (step S504), the engine starting permission flow ends (step ST505).
[0024]
Herein, ID authentication prohibition represents a state wherein ID authentication is being prohibited in the vehicle 4, that is, ID authentication is not being permitted. ID authentication prohibition removal represents a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed in the vehicle 4, that is, ID authentication is being permitted.
[0025]
When a result of the determination in step ST501 is a failure, that is, when there is a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, the engine starting permission flow ends (the engine cannot be started).
[0026]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the portable device 2 in a flow of an engine starting operation. The portable device 2 is normally such that a power supply is in an on-state, and the portable device 2 is in a standby state (step ST600). When the flow is started, the portable device 2, on receiving the ID authentication request 1A from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 (step ST601), transmits the ID authentication request response 2A to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 (step ST602). Thereby, the operational flow of the portable device 2 ends (step ST603).
[0027]
When the portable device 2 and the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 are of a certain value or greater, or when there is an obstacle that blocks a signal, the ID authentication request 1A cannot be received normally from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. Because of this, the portable device 2 cannot transmit the ID authentication request response 2A to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 in step ST602. In such a case, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 determines in step ST504 that the ID authentication request response 2A is not normal.
[0028]
A signal range of the ID authentication request 1A transmitted from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is generally short in comparison with that of the ID authentication request response 2A transmitted from the portable device 2, and is limited to a vicinity of the vehicle 4. For example, while the signal range of the ID authentication request response 2A is in the region of 20m to 100m from a transmission antenna of the portable device 2, the signal range of the ID authentication request 1A is in the region of 1m to 1.5m from a transmission antenna of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. Owing to this kind of limit, ID authentication with the portable device 2 is normally carried out only when the portable device 2 is within the signal range of the ID authentication request 1A transmitted by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1.
[0029]
A method whereby a signal (radio waves) is relayed (hereafter called a relay attack) is known as a method of stealing a vehicle on which the heretofore described kind of vehicle anti-theft system is mounted. In a relay attack, the ID authentication request 1A transmitted from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is relayed to a remote place using a repeater possessed by a third party, causing the ID authentication request 1A to be transmitted as far as the portable device 2 outside the signal range of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. Using this method, ID authentication with the portable device 2 succeeds even when there is no portable device 2 within the range of the ID authentication request 1A transmitted by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1, because of which a state wherein the third party can carry out a vehicle engine start arises, and concern of vehicle theft arises.
[0030]
Therefore, the aforementioned concern of theft is avoided in the present application. Hereafter, an embodiment thereof will be described using a flowchart of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart representing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1.
In Fig. 7, the flow starts (step ST700) when the user turns off the vehicle system by operating the input device 5 after completing an object such as vehicle travel, and stopping the engine.
[0031]
After the vehicle system is turned off, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 confirms whether or not automatic switching to an ID authentication prohibition state is set (step ST701). When there is an automatic switching setting, ID authentication (ID authentication request transmission) by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is prohibited (step ST702). Subsequently, a standby state arises, and after the vehicle system is turned on, the flow is started from step ST500 of Fig. 5.
[0032]
The ID authentication prohibition state is such that even when a third party attempts a relay attack, the flow cannot proceed to step ST502 of Fig. 5 or beyond. That is, ID authentication does not succeed, engine starting cannot be carried out, and concern of vehicle theft can be restricted.
[0033]
According to the vehicle anti-theft system 100 according to the first embodiment, as heretofore described, a vehicle anti-theft system that causes theft preventing capacity to improve without necessitating a complex operation can be provided.

[0034]
Also, erroneous detection of a relay attack can be prevented, in addition to which a countermeasure for increasing relay attack detection accuracy is unneeded, and a cost increase with respect to a vehicle with a small number of antennas, such as a two-wheeled vehicle, can be restricted.
[0035]
Second Embodiment
Next, a vehicle anti-theft system according to a second embodiment will be described. As a configuration of the vehicle anti-theft system according to the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, a method of prohibiting portable device ID authentication in the vehicle anti-theft system will be described here, referring to flowcharts of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 of the vehicle anti-theft system 100 according to the second embodiment.
The vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 of the vehicle anti-theft system 100 according to the second embodiment is such that the flow starts when the engine is stopped, and the vehicle system is turned off (step ST800).
[0036]
After the engine is stopped, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 confirms whether or not there is automatic switching to a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, which can be set in advance by the user (step ST801). When automatic switching to a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited has been set, the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 transmits an ID authentication prohibition request 3A to the portable device 2 (step ST802), and receives an ID authentication prohibition request response 4A from the portable device 2 (step ST803).
[0037]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation whereby the portable device 2 switches to ID authentication prohibition. The portable device 2 is normally such that the power supply is in an on-state, and the portable device 2 is in a standby state (step ST900). When the flow is started, the portable device 2, on receiving the ID authentication prohibition request 3A from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 (step ST901), transmits the ID authentication prohibition request response 4A to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 (step ST902). Subsequently, when an appropriate time elapses, the portable device 2 reaches a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, and the flow ends (step ST903).
[0038]
Normally, design is such that after the engine is stopped and the vehicle system is turned off, transmission and reception of the ID authentication prohibition request 3A and the ID authentication prohibition request response 4A of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 and the portable device 2 is caused to end before the user is a certain distance away from the vehicle, that is, while a distance between the portable device 2 and the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 is within a certain value. When the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 does not receive the ID authentication prohibition request response 4A from the portable device 2, that is, when a switch to an ID authentication prohibition state cannot be made, the display device 6 is driven, whereby the user is notified.
[0039]
Also, the vehicle anti-theft system 100 is such that in order to set automatic switching to ID authentication prohibition, the user can set using, for example, the second input device 8 of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1. For example, when the second input device 8 (a button switch, for example) is in an off-state, a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited exists, and when the second input device 8 is in an on-state, a state wherein ID authentication prohibition has been removed (a state of allowing ID authentication) exists.
[0040]
When the portable device 2 is in a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, the portable device 2 responds to the ID authentication request 1A from the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 with a signal including information to the effect that the portable device 2 is in a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, or prohibits the response itself, because of which ID authentication does not succeed in step ST504 of Fig. 5.
[0041]
According to the vehicle anti-theft system 100 according to the second embodiment, as heretofore described, the same advantages as in the first embodiment are obtained, together with which there is no need for the user to operate the portable device 2 in order to change to a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited, forgetting an operation is prevented, and theft preventing capacity can be improved.
[0042]
Third Embodiment
Next, a vehicle anti-theft system according to a third embodiment will be described. As a configuration of the vehicle anti-theft system according to the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, a method of removing ID authentication prohibition in the vehicle anti-theft system will be described here, referring to flowcharts of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.
Firstly, the user operates the third input device 17 (a button switch, for example) of the portable device 2, removing an ID authentication prohibition (a state wherein ID authentication is being permitted).
[0043]
When the user starts the engine, an ID authentication prohibition needs to be removed, and in this embodiment, ID authentication prohibition removal can easily be carried out using a simple operation of the portable device 2 an authorized user normally has on his or her person.
[0044]
Among flowcharts for when removing an ID authentication prohibition in the vehicle anti-theft system 100, Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation executed by the portable device 2. Also, among flowcharts for when removing an ID authentication prohibition, Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation executed by the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 in the vehicle anti-theft system 100.
[0045]
In Fig. 10, the portable device 2 is such that the flow starts when the power supply is in an on-state (step ST1000), and the portable device 2 is in a standby state. On an operation by the user being detected by the third input device 17 of the portable device 2 (step ST1001), it is determined whether or not an input coincides with an ID authentication prohibition removal condition (ST1002).
[0046]
When the ID authentication prohibition removal condition is fulfilled, an ID authentication prohibition removal request 4B is transmitted from the portable device 2 to the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 (step ST1003), and the flow is ended (step ST1004). When the ID authentication prohibition removal condition is not fulfilled, an input value from the third input device 17 is acquired again (step ST1001).
[0047]
Herein, an ID authentication prohibition state can be confirmed using the third input device 17 of the portable device 2 by an input into the third input device 17 of the portable device 2 before the user inputs an ID authentication prohibition removal condition. For example, by an input into the third input device 17 of the portable device 2, the user can be notified of an ID authentication prohibition state from the vehicle by a flashing or the like of the display device 6.
[0048]
Next, in Fig. 11, the flow starts (step ST1100), and the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 receives the ID authentication prohibition removal request 4B (step ST1101). The ID authentication prohibition removing unit 14 of the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1 determines whether or not the received ID authentication prohibition removal request 4B is normal. That is, the ID authentication prohibition removing unit 14 determines whether or not the received ID coincides with the previously paired ID of the portable device 2 (step ST1102). When the received ID coincides with the previously paired ID of the portable device 2, the prohibition of ID authentication is removed (step ST1103), and the flow is ended (step ST1104). In the same way, a change to a state wherein ID authentication is prohibited can be carried out using a simple operation of the portable device 2.
[0049]
According to the present application, as heretofore described, the vehicle anti-theft system 100 wherein the vehicle-mounted anti-theft device 1, which carries out ID authentication in order to start the engine, and the portable device 2, which transmits authentication ID (an ID authentication request response), are in a paired relationship is such that a vehicle anti-theft system wherein there is no increase in cost or system size, little complication of operation, and theft preventing capacity is improved, can be provided.
[0050]
Also, although an anti-theft device of a saddled vehicle has been described in the embodiments, the anti-theft device may also be applied to a vessel or a special-purpose vehicle, and it goes without saying that equivalent operational advantages are achieved. Also, although an engine has been given as an example of a vehicle power source in the embodiments, it goes without saying that equivalent operational advantages are achieved when the power source is a motor.
[0051]
Although the present application is described in terms of various exemplifying embodiments and implementations, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or a multiple of the embodiments are not limited in their applicability to a particular embodiment, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to other embodiments.
It is therefore understood that numerous modifications that have not been exemplified can be devised without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, at least one constituent component may be modified, added, or eliminated, and furthermore, at least one constituent component may be extracted and combined with the constituent components of another embodiment.