Methods and systems for managing mobile devices for connection with a vehicle are provided. A processor is configured to determine whether a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle based on a comparison between the first geographical data of the mobile device and second geographical data of the vehicle. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined distances of the vehicle based on the comparison, the processor is configured to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

An internal combustion engine control device that can ensure diagnosis of whether a fuel injection cut function normally works and that further permits startup of an internal combustion engine in a case in which the fuel injection cut function normally works is provided. To attain the internal combustion engine control system, the startup of the internal combustion engine is prohibited when carrying of a diagnostic monitoring current based on a diagnostic drive signal related to each of fuel injection valves to each of fuel injection valves in a case of transmitting a drive prohibition signal related to each of fuel injection valves to a fuel injection valve drive circuit before the startup of the internal combustion engine and transmitting the diagnostic drive signal related to each of fuel injection valves to the fuel injection valve drive circuit. By transmitting the diagnostic drive signal related to each of the fuel injection valves to the fuel injection valve drive circuit and monitoring whether the diagnostic monitoring current based on the diagnostic drive signal is carried to each of fuel injection valves, it is possible to ensure diagnosis of whether the fuel injection cut function normally works.

A programmable or configurable non-contact solid state switch device and method are provided for emulating a high reliability switch. The switch device senses position information related to a switch and is calibrated using a learning operation to learn position information of mechanical features of the switch and to map the positions of these features. Electrical outputs or functions are assigned to the mapped positions and stored such that the switch device generates the outputs when their corresponding positions are sensed. A switch device is uniquely configured to the mechanical system in which it operates.

A tiller for an outboard marine drive includes a tiller body that is elongated along a tiller axis between a fixed end connected to an outboard marine drive and a distal end. A lanyard switch on the tiller body is configured to prevent operation of the outboard marine drive when a lanyard clip is not attached to the lanyard switch. A controller is configured to identify that an operator has provided user input to start the outboard marine drive and that the lanyard clip is not connected to the lanyard switch. The controller then generates a lanyard error alert identifying that the lanyard clip is not connected to the lanyard switch.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing a vehicle safety lock assembly are described herein. For example, according to one embodiment there is a vehicle safety lock assembly system including a sensor of a docking unit to sense a nearby mobile device, in which the docking unit is coupled with a vehicle having an electronic control unit, an ignition system, and a first relay, in which the first relay is to signal from the electronic control unit to the ignition system to start the vehicle's ignition; the docking unit to request a first inhibitory signal from a cloud service and to forward the first inhibitory signal to the electronic control unit to inhibit the first relay; a transmitter to send a docking signal to the cloud service indicating that the mobile device has been docked at the docking unit; a receiver to receive a registration confirmation signal indicating that the mobile device is registered with the cloud service; the docking unit to send a second inhibitory signal, responsive to receiving the registration confirmation signal to restrict functionality of pre-selected features on the mobile device when the mobile device is docked; the docking unit to send an authentication request to the cloud service requesting authentication for the mobile device; the docking unit to receive authentication from the cloud service and to forward the authentication to the electronic control unit, in which the electronic control unit is to authenticate the mobile device based on the authentication; and the docking unit to transmit a releasing signal through the electronic control unit upon authentication to start the vehicle's ignition. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

A saddle riding vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, a starter motor having a rotary shaft connected to the crankshaft, a main shaft connected to the crankshaft, a countershaft connected to the main shaft and configured to transmit power to a driving wheel, a battery configured to supply electric power to the starter motor, a rotation detector configured to detect a rotation state of the crankshaft, an acquisition part configured to acquire a rotational speed on the basis of the rotation state detected by the rotation detector, and a controller configured to stop the starter motor in a case the rotational speed is equal to or smaller than first threshold in a state in which the rotary shaft, the crankshaft, the main shaft and the countershaft are connected.

An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.

Systems and methods for operating an engine that may be automatically stopped and started without a human driver providing input to a device that has a sole function of stopping and starting the engine are presented. In one example, automatic engine starting is inhibited responsive to output of vehicle sensors that may be indicative of service being performed on a vehicle.

A starter assembly which includes a switch for energizing a solenoid. Energizing the solenoid biases a starter gear into engagement and energizes the starter motor. A thermally responsive switch is positioned to absorb heat generated by operation of the electric motor and is disposed in an electrical line controlling operation of the switch controlling the solenoid wherein opening of the thermally responsive switch results in the opening of the solenoid switch. The use of such a thermally responsive switch de-energizes the electric motor when the electric motor is subjected to elevated operating temperatures that might otherwise cause damage to the electric motor. The starter assembly may also include control circuitry that includes a microprocessor wherein the control circuitry is operably coupled with the switch controlling the solenoid. The control circuitry is programmed to de-energize the solenoid upon the satisfaction of predetermined conditions to thereby prevent damage to the electrical motor.

A method of encouraging safe driving of a vehicle using a remote starter device installed at a vehicle is provided. The remote starter device determines whether it is in signal communication with a remote starter application operating at a mobile computing device separate from the remote starter device. When the remote starter device is in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device permits ignition of the vehicle. When the remote starter device is not in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device prevents ignition of the vehicle. The remote starter application may present to a driver of the vehicle an insurance rate for taking a trip in the vehicle.