The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 25, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2000
David T. Proefke, Madison Heights, MI (US);
Thomas E. Utter, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Robert C. Baillargeon, Utica, MI (US);
Thomas W. Pfeffer, Rochester, MI (US);
Jeffrey R. Coil, Milford, MI (US);
Andrew C. Brenz, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Kenneth P. Orlando, Sterling Hghts, MI (US);
Tejas B. Desai, Sterling Hghts, MI (US);
Christian O. Johnson, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Ronald J. Plichta, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle access system that includes an electronic key ensures that the vehicle transmission is in a proper condition before power to the selected vehicle components is turned off. A control panel within the vehicle allows a driver to activate a switch indicating a desire to turn off the vehicle engine. A controller first determines whether a valid authentication code is received from a passive signaling device. Once validation is complete, the controller turns off the engine. Next, the controller determines that the vehicle is in the appropriate gear. If the transmission must be switched to the appropriate gear, the controller provides an indication to the driver that the transmission must be switched before the power to the accessory components will be turned off.