Abstract: A slave controller for a remote vehicle starting system. The slave controller is mounted in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine started by a starter motor. The slave controller has an antenna circuit input for connection to an antenna circuit suitable for picking up an RF signal and an output. The slave controller also has a control module, coupled to the antenna circuit input. The control module is responsive to a signal transmitted through the antenna circuit input and originating from the antenna circuit to generate a command signal at the output for directing the starter motor to crank the internal combustion engine. The control module is operative to establish a data communication with an external entity through the antenna circuit input to perform a maintenance procedure.

Abstract: A slave controller for a remote vehicle starting system. The slave controller is mounted in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine started by a starter motor. The slave controller has an antenna circuit input for connection to an antenna circuit suitable for picking up an RF signal and an output. The slave controller also has a control module, coupled to the antenna circuit input. The control module is responsive to a signal transmitted through the antenna circuit input and originating from the antenna circuit to generate a command signal at the output for directing the starter motor to crank the internal combustion engine. The control module is operative to establish a data communication with an external entity through the antenna circuit input to perform a maintenance procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin-film antenna device particularly well suited for use with remote vehicle starting systems. The antenna device includes an electrically conducting film printed on an insulating substrate that can be bonded to any suitable supporting surface, such as the windshield of a vehicle. The electrically conductive film is protected by an outer protective coating along its entire surface except at two areas that form contact pads for receiving the terminals of a signal processing unit such as a radio receiver, demodulator, filter and amplifier, among many others. The signal processing unit is mounted to the same surface to which the antenna device is secured by a releasable attachment system such as a hook and loop type fastener. In a typical installation, a patch of hook-type material is adhesively bonded to the supporting surface overlying the antenna device. The patch of hook-type material includes a pair of apertures registering with the contact pads of the antenna device.

Abstract: A system for remotely starting a motor of a vehicle and also capable of operating various vehicle accessories such as alarm system, door locks, door windows, trunk latch, etc. The system comprises a portable hand-held transmitter generating a command in the form of a binary coded sequence and a controller mounted in the vehicle for operating the vehicle's motor and accessories in dependence thereon. The system is characterized by a novel encoding scheme of the digitized sequence that prevents command misinterpretation by the controller, thereby avoiding an unintended avocation of the vehicle's motor or another accessory.

Abstract: A system for remotely starting a diesel engine of a vehicle. The system comprises a portable hand-held RF transmitter issuing a command in the form of a binary-coded sequence. A slave controller mounted on-board the vehicle executes the command by energizing the starter motor in order to crank and start-up the diesel engine. The system includes a Hall-effect sensor responsive to the pulsating magnetic field of the diesel engine alternator for generating a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine. The slave controller uses this information for detecting when the engine has been successfully started in order to de-energize the starter motor.

Abstract: An automotive opto-electric starter interlock for use in a motor vehicle for the purpose of preventing the engine from being remotely started unless the transmission is in neutral. The starter interlock includes an optical sensors array mounted to the transmission shift linkage. The output of the sensors is dependent upon the position of the shift linkage, hence allowing to determine if the transmission is in neutral. A microprocessor stimulates the sensors and observes their response to determine the position of the shift linkage. The information supplied by the sensors is also used to detect system malfunctions.