The present invention provides for a device configured to lock a spark-ignition engine. The device locks the engine by taking the place of one or more existing spark plugs of the engine and preventing the removal of the device thereof via locking mechanisms. The locking mechanism may operate at its outer end (the locking head) and/or at its inner end (threaded end).

The present invention provides for a device configured to lock a spark-ignition engine. The device locks the engine by taking the place of one or more existing spark plugs of the engine and preventing the removal of the device thereof via locking mechanisms. The locking mechanism may operate at its outer end (the locking head) and/or at its inner end (threaded end).

A method is presented for controlling power output by a battery in a vehicle. The method includes: measuring voltage of the battery during a sequence of vehicle events to form a time series, where each vehicle event is powered by the battery; constructing an unknown fingerprint from the voltage measurements made during the sequence of vehicle events, where the unknown fingerprint is indicative of a sequence of vehicle events; comparing the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint; receiving a start signal, where the start signal is a request to start the engine of the vehicle; and, in response to receiving the start signal and based on the comparison of the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint, outputting electric power from the battery to an electric starter motor of the vehicle.

A method is presented for controlling power output by a battery in a vehicle. The method includes: measuring voltage of the battery during a sequence of vehicle events to form a time series, where each vehicle event is powered by the battery; constructing an unknown fingerprint from the voltage measurements made during the sequence of vehicle events, where the unknown fingerprint is indicative of a sequence of vehicle events; comparing the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint; receiving a start signal, where the start signal is a request to start the engine of the vehicle; and, in response to receiving the start signal and based on the comparison of the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint, outputting electric power from the battery to an electric starter motor of the vehicle.

When an autonomous driving vehicle picks a user up, a control device performs departure condition confirmation processing. The departure condition confirmation processing includes first authentication processing that performs authentication of the user outside the autonomous driving vehicle based on first authentication information, door lock release processing that releases a door lock in response to the completion of the first authentication processing, second authentication information provision processing that makes the user acquire second authentication information different from the first authentication information in response to the completion of the first authentication processing, second authentication processing that performs authentication of the user inside a vehicle cabin of the autonomous driving vehicle based on the second authentication information, and start permission processing that permits the start of the autonomous driving vehicle in a case where the second authentication processing is completed.

When an autonomous driving vehicle picks a user up, a control device performs departure condition confirmation processing. The departure condition confirmation processing includes first authentication processing that performs authentication of the user outside the autonomous driving vehicle based on first authentication information, door lock release processing that releases a door lock in response to the completion of the first authentication processing, second authentication information provision processing that makes the user acquire second authentication information different from the first authentication information in response to the completion of the first authentication processing, second authentication processing that performs authentication of the user inside a vehicle cabin of the autonomous driving vehicle based on the second authentication information, and start permission processing that permits the start of the autonomous driving vehicle in a case where the second authentication processing is completed.

An ignition start system in which authentication of a key is carried out twice, first to activate the ignition switch to allow starting the engine and second at the time prior to moving the vehicle from a parked position. The two step authentication prevents driving off in a car that has been started without having the key for security purposes and also to avoid inconvenient situations that can otherwise occur.

An ignition start system in which authentication of a key is carried out twice, first to activate the ignition switch to allow starting the engine and second at the time prior to moving the vehicle from a parked position. The two step authentication prevents driving off in a car that has been started without having the key for security purposes and also to avoid inconvenient situations that can otherwise occur.

A powered mobility vehicle including a keyless activation system, wherein the keyless activation system includes a control module carried by the vehicle and a remote operation transmitter, wherein the control module includes an electrical input which is connected to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, an electrical output connected to a motor controller of the vehicle, a switch electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output, and a signal receiver electrically connected to the switch, wherein the switch has an active configuration in which electrical power is supplied to the electrical output from the electrical input via the switch and an inactive configuration in which the switch electrically isolates the electrical output from the electrical input, and the configuration of the switch is controlled by signals from the signal receiver; and wherein the transmitter communicates wirelessly with the signal receiver.

A powered mobility vehicle including a keyless activation system, wherein the keyless activation system includes a control module carried by the vehicle and a remote operation transmitter, wherein the control module includes an electrical input which is connected to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, an electrical output connected to a motor controller of the vehicle, a switch electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output, and a signal receiver electrically connected to the switch, wherein the switch has an active configuration in which electrical power is supplied to the electrical output from the electrical input via the switch and an inactive configuration in which the switch electrically isolates the electrical output from the electrical input, and the configuration of the switch is controlled by signals from the signal receiver; and wherein the transmitter communicates wirelessly with the signal receiver.