A usage management system includes a use rights management server and a user terminal. A controller of a vessel propulsion apparatus operates a prime mover in a permission mode to permit an output exceeding a predetermined limit output if use permission is provided from the user terminal, and operates the prime mover in a non-permission mode to prohibit an output exceeding the predetermined limit output if use permission is not provided from the user terminal. The user terminal enters an active state to allow issuance of use permission if a use-permission notification is received from the use rights management server, and enters a non-active state to prohibit issuance of use permission if a use-permission notification is not received from the use rights management server. The use rights management server transmits a use-permission notification or a use-non-permission notification in accordance with use rights information concerning the vessel propulsion apparatus.

A usage management system includes a use rights management server and a user terminal. A controller of a vessel propulsion apparatus operates a prime mover in a permission mode to permit an output exceeding a predetermined limit output if use permission is provided from the user terminal, and operates the prime mover in a non-permission mode to prohibit an output exceeding the predetermined limit output if use permission is not provided from the user terminal. The user terminal enters an active state to allow issuance of use permission if a use-permission notification is received from the use rights management server, and enters a non-active state to prohibit issuance of use permission if a use-permission notification is not received from the use rights management server. The use rights management server transmits a use-permission notification or a use-non-permission notification in accordance with use rights information concerning the vessel propulsion apparatus.

A vehicle predictive control system based on big data includes: a vehicle terminal, which is installed in each of a plurality of vehicles, collecting status information related with an in-vehicle device in a corresponding vehicle to transmit the collected status information in real time, and transmitting problem occurrence information upon problem occurrence of the in-vehicle device; and a big data service provider classifying and storing the status information received from the vehicle terminal as big data, and obtaining a problem occurrence condition based on the status information to transmit information corresponding to the problem occurrence condition to the vehicle terminal when receiving the problem occurrence information of the in-vehicle device from the vehicle terminal of at least some vehicles among the plurality of vehicles.

A vehicle kill switch assembly includes a switch that is coupled to a vehicle. The switch is positioned beneath a driver's seat of the vehicle and the switch is electrically coupled to the ignition system of the vehicle. The ignition system is turned off when the switch is disengaged. A biasing unit is coupled to the vehicle and the driver's seat is coupled to the biasing unit. The biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly in the vehicle and the biasing unit is compressed when the driver sits in the driver's seat. The switch is engaged when the biasing unit is compressed to facilitate the vehicle to be driven. Conversely, the switch is disengaged when the biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly to inhibit the vehicle from being driven.

A sobriety ignition interlock system including an engine control device and a method for managing available vehicle engine power using the sobriety ignition interlock system. The engine control device includes an engine control processor (ECP) that is electronically connected in between an engine control unit (ECU), an engine sensor assembly, and a sobriety processor. The sobriety processor determines a sobriety level of a vehicle driver and sends a corresponding sobriety signal to the ECP. The ECP intercepts an engine signal transmitted from the engine sensor assembly to the ECU and manipulates the engine signal according to the sobriety signal, in order to manage the available power of the vehicle engine.

A sobriety ignition interlock system including an engine control device and a method for managing available vehicle engine power using the sobriety ignition interlock system. The engine control device includes an engine control processor (ECP) that is electronically connected in between an engine control unit (ECU), an engine sensor assembly, and a sobriety processor. The sobriety processor determines a sobriety level of a vehicle driver and sends a corresponding sobriety signal to the ECP. The ECP intercepts an engine signal transmitted from the engine sensor assembly to the ECU and manipulates the engine signal according to the sobriety signal, in order to manage the available power of the vehicle engine.

In at least some implementations, a control and communication system for a light-duty combustion engine includes a circuit card, an ignition circuit carried by the circuit card and configured to control an ignition timing of the engine, and a short range wireless communication circuit carried by the circuit card. The communication circuit may include a Bluetooth Low Energy antenna. The ignition circuit may include an ignition capacitor that when drained induces an ignition pulse adapted to fire a spark plug. The system may further include a microprocessor that is coupled to and controls the ignition and communication circuits, and/or a clocking circuit adapted to provide a clocking frequency associated with the timing of the ignition circuit and associated with the communication circuit via a short range wireless communication protocol. The clocking circuit may include a crystal oscillator.

In at least some implementations, a control and communication system for a light-duty combustion engine includes a circuit card, an ignition circuit carried by the circuit card and configured to control an ignition timing of the engine, and a short range wireless communication circuit carried by the circuit card. The communication circuit may include a Bluetooth Low Energy antenna. The ignition circuit may include an ignition capacitor that when drained induces an ignition pulse adapted to fire a spark plug. The system may further include a microprocessor that is coupled to and controls the ignition and communication circuits, and/or a clocking circuit adapted to provide a clocking frequency associated with the timing of the ignition circuit and associated with the communication circuit via a short range wireless communication protocol. The clocking circuit may include a crystal oscillator.

A vehicle kill switch assembly includes a switch that is coupled to a vehicle. The switch is positioned beneath a driver's seat of the vehicle and the switch is electrically coupled to the ignition system of the vehicle. The ignition system is turned off when the switch is disengaged. A biasing unit is coupled to the vehicle and the driver's seat is coupled to the biasing unit. The biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly in the vehicle and the biasing unit is compressed when the driver sits in the driver's seat. The switch is engaged when the biasing unit is compressed to facilitate the vehicle to be driven. Conversely, the switch is disengaged when the biasing unit biases the driver's seat upwardly to inhibit the vehicle from being driven.

A sobriety ignition interlock system including an engine control device and a method for managing available vehicle engine power using the sobriety ignition interlock system. The engine control device includes an engine control processor (ECP) that is electronically connected in between an engine control unit (ECU), an engine sensor assembly, and a sobriety processor. The sobriety processor determines a sobriety level of a vehicle driver and sends a corresponding sobriety signal to the ECP. The ECP intercepts an engine signal transmitted from the engine sensor assembly to the ECU and manipulates the engine signal according to the sobriety signal, in order to manage the available power of the vehicle engine.