WO2015000872A1

WO2015000872A1 - Vehicle control system

Info

Publication number: WO2015000872A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063906
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elvir HASEDZIC
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-04
Filing date: 2014-07-01
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: GB2517577A; GB2517577B; GB201312034D0; GB201411655D0; GB2515799A; EP3017185A1

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising monitoring for at least one door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened or that an attempt to open a door has been made, and automatically starting an engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving the at least one door opening signal. By starting the vehicle engine automatically, a vehicle start-up procedure can be completed, at least in part, whilst a user is entering the vehicle.

Description

Vehicle Control System

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a vehicle control system and in particular, but not exclusively, to a control system that enables a fast start-up facility for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle, to a method, and to a system.

BACKGROUND

Many modern vehicles have complex start-up procedures that involve several steps, including: engine start-up and the associated checks; automatic gear selection; initialisation of internal systems such as climate control and seat warming; and loading of infotainment systems. Such start-up procedures can take a significant amount of time, which may not be convenient if the user of the vehicle is in a hurry. This is particularly the case for vehicles in which it is necessary for the user to perform several tasks in order to prepare the vehicle for driving. For example, in some vehicles the footbrake must be depressed while a start button is held down to start the engine. Once the engine is started, a gear selector knob slowly rises, and then the infotainment system and other electronic systems load and/or initialise. Only after this process is completed, which may take up to a minute, can the user drive away. This can be inconvenient for the user or, in the case of emergency vehicles, a significant problem.

Some conventional arrangements allow for a vehicle engine to be started remotely by a user by pressing a button on a key fob or a similar remote device. This may be for the purpose of initiating a climate control system in order to warm or cool the vehicle, such that it is at a comfortable level when the user enters the vehicle. Since the user is not necessarily next to the vehicle when it is started, these arrangements suffer from the problem that it is possible for someone other than the user to get into the vehicle and drive away. Therefore, measures have to be taken to prevent this from happening. Additionally, the user must have the remote device to hand in order to remotely start the vehicle engine. If the user has to search for the remote device, the advantage gained by starting the vehicle engine before arriving at the vehicle may be lost through the time spent searching.

Against this background, it is an aim of the invention to provide an arrangement in which a vehicle is more rapidly prepared for driving, which overcomes or at least substantially alleviates the disadvantages known in the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide a system, a method and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising monitoring for at least one door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened or that an attempt to open a door has been made, and automatically starting an engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving the at least one door opening signal. The vehicle may be powered by a conventional internal combustion engine, or alternatively this aspect of the invention is applicable to vehicles powered by any other suitable propulsion means. For example, this aspect of the invention may find application in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or vehicles powered by a fuel cell or by an engine fuelled with compressed gas. The skilled reader will appreciate that these examples are not exhaustive, and that this aspect of the invention could be applied to further alternative vehicle types. In the case of an electric or hybrid vehicle, automatic starting of the engine implies switching the motor and any associated electrical systems of the vehicle on.

The method may comprise checking that all doors of the vehicle are locked prior to receiving the at least one door opening signal. The method may further comprise receiving more than one door opening signal, each of which relates to a different door of the vehicle, in which case the method may comprise identifying a primary door opening signal on receipt of more than one door opening signal. If a primary door opening signal is identified, the method may comprise starting the vehicle engine if the primary door opening signal corresponds to the driver's door.

The doors of the vehicle may be unlocked using a passive entry system comprising at least one remote device.

The at least one remote device may be active and may emit an unlocking signal for detection by the vehicle. Conveniently, the unlocking signal may be an ultra-wide broadband signal.

Alternatively, the at least one remote device may be passive, in which case the method may comprise broadcasting a signal from the vehicle which is received by the remote device, where the remote device uses the broadcast signal to power transmission of an unlocking signal from the remote device. The at least one remote device may be personalised so as to selectively enable or disable automatic starting of the vehicle engine.

The method may comprise monitoring for the presence of a remote device inside the vehicle. In this scenario, the method may comprise preventing a drive gear from being selected if a remote device is not detected inside the vehicle.

The method may comprise checking the status of an electronic parking brake of the vehicle prior to starting the engine. In this case, the method may comprise engaging the electronic parking brake if it is found to be disengaged.

The method may comprise checking the status of a brake pedal of the vehicle. In this case, the method may comprise preventing a drive gear from being selected if the brake pedal is disengaged. In other words, the method may comprise preventing a drive gear from being selected unless or until the brake pedal is pressed.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle control system arranged to implement the method as described above. The vehicle control system may comprise sensing means arranged to detect opening of a door of the vehicle and to output a door opening signal.

The sensing means may comprise a door sensor configured to detect the position of an associated door relative to a closed position of the door.

In one embodiment, the vehicle control system comprises sensing means arranged to detect an attempt to open a vehicle door and to output a door opening signal.

The sensing means may be configured to detect movement of at least one of:

a door handle associated with the door; and

a latch mechanism associated with the door.

The sensing means may comprise at least one of a micro switch and an optical sensor. The sensing means may be arranged to detect physical contact between a user and at least one of:

a door handle associated with the door; and at least a portion of the door disposed adjacent to a door handle associated with the door.

The sensing means may comprise a touch sensitive sensor, optionally a capacitive sensor.

In an embodiment, the vehicle control system comprises processing means arranged to receive the door opening signal, and further arranged to determine that operation of the engine should commence if a door opening signal is received. In this embodiment, the vehicle control system may comprise control means arranged to start the engine in response to a positive determination by the processing means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, at least one door, and a vehicle control system as described above. Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. For example, features disclosed in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, except where such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which common components are assigned the same numerals, and in which:-

Figure 1 is an illustration of a conventional passive entry system in which an active key fob is used; Figure 2 is an illustration of a conventional passive entry system in which a passive key fob is used;

Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle system in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented; Figure 4 is a flow diagram which illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the invention for starting the engine of a vehicle automatically when a user opens a door of the vehicle; Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a first sub-process for checking engine fast-start conditions which is carried out as part of the process in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a second sub-process for driver authentication which is carried out as part of the process in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, an engine of a vehicle is arranged to start automatically when a user opens a door of the vehicle. In this context, the door is defined as being open at the point where an opening handle of the door has been lifted sufficiently to unlatch the door from a closed position. This can apply to arrangements in which latching of the door into the closed position is achieved by mechanical, electromechanical, magnetic, or any other conventional means. In alternative embodiments, the door may be defined as being open once it reaches a specific displacement with respect to the closed position. By starting the engine automatically on opening of a door, a vehicle start-up procedure commences while the user is getting into the vehicle. It may take up to thirty seconds for a user to seat themselves comfortably within the vehicle and prepare for driving, during which time the vehicle can undertake its start-up procedure. Therefore, the vehicle can be prepared for the user to drive as soon as they are ready to do so. Alternatively, even if the user is ready to drive the vehicle before the start-up procedure is completed, this arrangement substantially reduces the remaining time that the user has to wait for the startup procedure to finish after seating themselves comfortably.

In this embodiment, the process by which the engine is started automatically on opening of the door (referred to hereafter as "engine fast-start") is arranged to integrate with a vehicle passive entry system, commonly referred to as "keyless entry", in which a remote device such as a key fob unlocks the vehicle when within a certain proximity, to allow the user access to the vehicle. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two alternative types of conventional passive entry systems 1 a, 1 b for a vehicle 2 having an associated remote device or key fob 4 for unlocking the vehicle 2 when brought within a certain range of the vehicle 2. Both of these types of passive entry system are suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention. In the passive entry system 1 a illustrated in Figure 1 , the key fob 4 is active, meaning that it includes a power source (not shown), for example a battery. The key fob 4 uses the power provided by the power source to continuously broadcast an unlocking signal 6. When the key fob 4 is close to the vehicle 2 such that the vehicle 2 is within range of the unlocking signal 6, the vehicle 2 detects the unlocking signal 6, and unlocks. Because the unlocking signal 6 is broadcast continuously, the key fob 4 is ordinarily arranged to broadcast the unlocking signal 6 as an ultra-wide broadband signal. In this way, the lifetime of the power source may be extended due to the relatively low energy requirements for this type of signal. In the passive entry system 1 b illustrated in Figure 2, the key fob 4 is passive, which in this context means that it does not include a power source. In this arrangement, the vehicle 2 continually broadcasts a polling signal 8 across an area extending over a radius of, for example, 3m from the vehicle 2. The passive key fob 4 includes electrical circuitry which picks up the polling signal 8, and uses the polling signal 8 to generate enough power to broadcast an unlocking signal 6 in return. In some arrangements, the key fob 4 effectively bounces the polling signal 8 back to the vehicle 2. Therefore, when the key fob 4 enters the area covered by the polling signal, it is able to return an unlocking signal 6 to unlock the vehicle 2. It is possible for either of these systems 1 a, 1 b to be arranged such that the vehicle 2 unlocks immediately upon detection of an unlocking signal 6 which has been broadcast by the key fob 4. However, it is also common for the vehicle 2 to remain locked until the user tries to open a door of the vehicle 2, in order to prevent a person other than the user from entering the vehicle 2 before the user has reached it. In these arrangements, the vehicle 2 detects that a door handle has been engaged, and then checks for an unlocking signal 6. For a passive entry system 1 b having a passive key fob, in some arrangements the vehicle 2 only broadcasts a polling signal 8 in the event that a door handle is engaged. If an unlocking signal 6 is detected, the vehicle 2 then unlocks the door, thus allowing the user to open the door and enter the vehicle 2. This process is completed extremely quickly, such that the user does not notice a delay when they try to open the door.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a vehicle system 10 of a vehicle 2 that is suitable for use with either of the above passive entry systems 1 a, 1 b. The vehicle system 10 is typical of a high specification vehicle 2. The vehicle system 10 includes an engine control module (ECM) 12 which is responsible for electronic control of the vehicle engine, and a body control module (BCM) 14, which includes both software and hardware systems for the control of other electronic systems of the vehicle. For example, the BCM 14 is used to control the above described passive entry systems 1 a, 1 b. Additionally, the BCM 14 is used to control further components of the vehicle 2 including an electronic parking brake (EPB) 16, an automatic rotary gear shifter 18, an infotainment system 20, a climate control system 22, a plurality of door sensors 24, and an engine start/stop button 26. The gear shifter 18 includes an integrated gear shifter interlock 28 which prevents manipulation of the gear shifter 18 when engaged. The gear shifter 18 is configured to rise from a hidden position as part of the vehicle start-up procedure, although this is not essential to the invention. The plurality of door sensors 24 are of a type that is well known in the art, and are arranged such that each door of the vehicle is equipped with a respective door sensor 24. The door sensors 24 act as sensing means to detect when a door is opened. The BCM 14 controls each of these components by communication over a controller area network (CAN) bus 30.

Figure 4 illustrates a top-level engine fast-start process 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention that may be implemented in either of the passive entry systems 1 a, 1 b discussed above. The process 40 may be implemented, for example, by modifying a software system of the BCM 14 that is used by the vehicle 2 to control the passive entry system 1 a, 1 b. The software system is arranged to cooperate with other systems included within the BCM 14 so as to perform the required checks and actions that are outlined below. In this embodiment, the software system acts as both a processing means to determine when it is appropriate to start the vehicle engine, and a control means to effect starting of the engine. Alternatively, a dedicated control module could be provided to perform either or both of these functions. The process 40 will be described here for the case where it is implemented by a software system. Furthermore, the process 40 is described as implemented into a high specification vehicle 2 such as that described above with reference to Figure 3.

The process 40 starts at Step 42, and begins by checking at Step 44 that the initial conditions for engine fast-start are satisfied. The initial conditions checks are detailed later with reference to Figure 5, and are used primarily to establish that the vehicle 2 is unlocked by a user using a passive entry system 1 a, 1 b such as the examples described above. If it is found that the initial conditions are not satisfied, the software system decides at Step 46 not to start the engine of the vehicle 2. The process 40 then ends at Step 48. In this instance, the engine start-up procedure is then governed by existing protocols, for example engaging a foot brake and pressing the start/stop button 26 upon entering the vehicle 2.

Alternatively, if it is found at the checking Step 42 that the initial conditions are satisfied, the software system then checks at Step 50 whether the EPB 16 of the vehicle 2 is engaged. As will be clear to the skilled reader, it is important that the engine is not started unless the EPB 16 is engaged. If the EPB 16 is not engaged, the software system then engages the EPB 16 at Step 52. Once the software system has engaged the EPB, the process 40 returns to checking Step 50. If it is found at Step 50 that the EPB 16 is engaged, the software system then checks at Step 54 whether the automatic gear shifter 18 is in either one of the "neutral" (N) or "park" (P) positions. Again, it will be clear to the skilled reader that the engine should not be started unless either the N or the P position is selected. Since it is not generally possible for a vehicle 2 to automatically change gear when the engine is not running, if neither of these positions are selected the software system then ends the process 40 at Step 48. If either one of the N or P positions is selected on the automatic gear shifter 18, the software system then switches the engine on at Step 56. In this way, the software system acts as a control means, to control operation of the engine according to the conditions outlined above. It is noted that each of the steps up to this point may be conducted very quickly by the software system, such that all of Steps 42 to 56 of the process 40 may be completed in less than 1 second in total. Therefore, there will not be a noticeable delay for the user between opening a door of the vehicle 2, and start-up of the engine. Once the engine has been started, the software system initialises several internal systems of the vehicle, and then moves on to performing further tasks to ensure control of the vehicle can be transferred to the driver. To this end, at Step 58 the software system raises the rotary gear shifter 18, initiates the internal electrical systems and loads the infotainment system 20, which all takes place while the user is seating themselves in the vehicle 2. In this embodiment, the infotainment system 20 is arranged to load in a quick-start mode having reduced functionality when activated during an engine fast-start procedure. Although the quick-start mode of the infotainment system 20 is useful for user convenience, the skilled person will appreciate that it is not essential. Once Step 58 is complete, the software system then checks at Step 60 whether a "driver in control" condition is satisfied. The "driver in control" condition is an assessment of whether the user having the key fob 4 or other remote device which is used to unlock the vehicle 2 is inside the vehicle 2, and is explained further with reference to Figure 6. As noted previously, the vehicle 2 is equipped with a gear shifter interlock 28. When in a locked position, the gear shifter interlock 28 prevents the gear shifter 18 from being manipulated to select a drive gear, thus preventing a user from driving the vehicle 2. If the software system finds that the "driver in control" condition is not satisfied at checking Step 60, the system then decides at Step 62 not to disengage the gear shifter interlock 28. The process 40 then ends at Step 48. It is noted that the "driver in control" condition is only found not to be satisfied in the event that the engine of the vehicle has ceased operation, as described more fully later with reference to Figure 6. Therefore, for the case where the "driver in control" condition is not satisfied, once the process 40 has ended at Step 48, the process 40 re-starts from Step 42. It is noted that the user must move the key fob 4 out of range of the vehicle 2, such that the vehicle 2 locks automatically, before engine fast-start will be re-enabled. Alternatively, the user can re-enable engine fast-start by manually locking the vehicle using a button on the key fob 4.

Alternatively, if the software system finds that the "driver in control" condition is satisfied at checking Step 60, the system then decides at Step 64 to disengage the gear shifter interlock 28, thus enabling the user to drive the vehicle 2. The process 40 then ends at Step 48, and the user has full control of the vehicle 2.

As noted above, there are several conditions that need to be satisfied prior to starting the engine, in order to prevent misuse of the vehicle. A first sub-process 70 according to this embodiment of the present invention for conducting these checks is now described with reference to Figure 5. The first sub-process 70 starts at Step 72 which corresponds to the start of the checking Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40. The first sub-process 40 begins with the software system checking at Step 74 for the presence of a key fob 4 or similar remote device to be used as an activation device in a passive entry system 1 a, 1 b for the vehicle 2. For the passive entry system 1 a in which an active key fob 4 is used, checking Step 74 simply consists of waiting until an unlocking signal 6 is detected. For the alternative passive entry system 1 b in which a passive key fob 4 is used, checking Step 74 involves repeatedly broadcasting a polling signal 8, and then waiting for a returning unlocking signal 6. If the system determines at Step 74 that there is no key fob 4 present, the first sub-process 70 repeats the checking Step 74. Step 74 continues to iterate until a key fob 4 is detected. If a key fob 4 is detected, the software system then checks at Step 76 whether the vehicle 2 is locked. The engine fast-start facility according to this embodiment is arranged for use with a passive entry system 1 a, 1 b of a vehicle 2, and therefore requires that the vehicle 2 is locked initially. If the vehicle 2 is not locked, there could already be a person inside the vehicle 2 when the user approaches with the key fob 4, in which case it would be undesirable to start the engine automatically. If the vehicle 2 is found to be unlocked at checking Step 76, this may indicate that the vehicle 2 has previously been unlocked using means other than the passive entry system 1 a, 1 b. Alternatively, this could indicate that the process 40 has iterated previously after the vehicle 2 was unlocked using passive entry, and the "driver in control" condition was not satisfied. Accordingly, the software system then determines at Step 78 that the conditions for engine fast-start have not been satisfied, and the first sub-process 70 ends at Step 80 by passing control back to Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40. Since the conditions for engine fast-start are not satisfied, the process 40 then decides at Step 46 not to switch the engine on. The process 40 then ends at Step 48. Since the engine fast-start process 40 has not successfully completed, the process 40 then re-commences at Step 42.

If the vehicle 2 is found to be locked at checking Step 76, the software system then monitors at Step 82 for the vehicle 2 being unlocked by passive entry through interaction with the key fob 4. If the vehicle 2 is not unlocked by passive entry, the system then determines at Step 78 that the conditions for engine fast-start have not been satisfied, and the process ends at Step 80 by returning control to Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40, as outlined above. If the vehicle 2 is unlocked by passive entry, the software system then uses the door sensors 24 to detect which of the doors of the vehicle 2 is opened first. When a door sensor 24 detects that a door is opened, the respective door sensor 24 sends a signal to the software system to indicate which door has been opened. The first such door opening signal to be received by the software system, corresponding to the first door to be opened after the vehicle is unlocked, is a primary door opening signal. The system then acts as a processing means and uses the primary door opening signal to determine at Step 84 whether the first door to be opened is the driver's door, i.e. a door of the vehicle adjacent to a driver's seat, the driver's seat being positioned immediately in front of a steering wheel of the vehicle. If a door other than the driver's door is opened first, resulting in a primary door opening signal originating from a door other than the driver's door, the system then determines at Step 78 that the conditions for engine fast-start have not been satisfied. The first sub-process 70 then ends at Step 80 by returning control to Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40, as outlined above.

By disabling the engine fast-start facility for instances when a door other than the driver's door is opened first, the first sub-process 70 allows for a user wishing to access the vehicle 2 for a reason other than driving it. For example, this arrangement allows a user to retrieve an object from the vehicle 2 without the engine starting automatically. It may be an irritation to the user if the engine started automatically every time they went to their vehicle 2 to retrieve something. As an extension to this, if the key fob 4 is provided with a button which the user can use to unlock the vehicle 2 remotely, this would not satisfy the conditions for engine fast- start, which requires that the user enters the vehicle 2 by passive entry. Therefore, the user could deliberately unlock the vehicle 2 in this way if seeking to avoid starting the engine automatically.

If the software system determines at Step 84 that the driver's door is opened first, the system then checks at Step 86 whether personalisation is available. Personalisation is defined in this context as the ability to enable or disable the engine fast-start facility for different key fobs 4 associated with the vehicle 2. Personalisation may be controlled, for example, in an instrument settings menu on a user interface provided as part of the infotainment system 20. Alternatively, a hard switch may be provided either inside the vehicle 2, or on the key fob 4, for enabling or disabling engine fast-start. Furthermore, there may be an option to enable or disable engine fast-start globally, i.e. for all key fobs 4.

If personalisation is not available for the key fob 4 that has been detected, then in this embodiment the engine fast-start facility is enabled by default. Accordingly, the software system then determines at Step 88 that the conditions for engine fast-start have been satisfied, and the first sub-process 70 then ends at Step 80 by returning control to Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40. Since the conditions for engine fast-start are satisfied, the process 40 then moves on to checking Step 50.

If personalisation is available, the system then identifies at Step 90 a user associated with the key fob 4, and then checks at Step 92 whether the user has the engine fast-start facility enabled. If the user does not have the engine fast-start facility enabled, the system then determines at Step 78 that the conditions for engine fast-start have not been satisfied, and the first sub-process 70 ends at Step 80. Alternatively, if the user does have the engine fast- start facility enabled, the software system then determines at Step 88 that the conditions for engine fast-start have been satisfied. The first sub-process 70 then ends at Step 80, and the first sub-process 70 then flows to Step 50 of the top-level process 40.

Therefore, the first sub-process 70 determines that the conditions for engine fast-start are satisfied only as a result of the following sequence of events: the vehicle 2 is initially locked; the vehicle 2 is then unlocked using passive entry; the driver's door is then the first door of the vehicle to be opened; and if engine fast-start is enabled for the particular user that unlocks the vehicle 2. It will be appreciated that several other possible conditions may be used to make a reasonable determination that it is safe to start the engine. For example, an extra condition that could be included might be to confirm that the bonnet of the vehicle 2 is not open prior to starting the engine. Once the first sub-process 70 ends at Step 80, an indication of whether or not the conditions for engine fast-start are satisfied is then used in the process 40 of Figure 4, as the output from the checking Step 42. As noted previously, if the first sub-process 70 finds that the conditions for engine fast-start are not satisfied, the top-level process 40 finishes without starting the engine. If the conditions for engine fast-start are satisfied, the process 40 moves on to Step 50.

With reference once again to the engine fast-start process 40 of Figure 4, Step 60 involves checking whether a "driver in control" condition is satisfied. Figure 6 expands on Step 60, and illustrates a second sub-process 100 according to this embodiment of the present invention that the software system undertakes at the checking Step 60.

The second sub-process 100 starts at Step 102 which corresponds to starting Step 60 of the engine fast-start process 40. The second sub-process 100 then begins with checking at Step 104 whether the key fob 4 that was detected in Step 44 of the engine fast-start process 40 is inside the vehicle 2. If it is found that the key fob 4 is not inside the vehicle 2, the software system then checks at Step 106 whether the engine has ceased operation, perhaps as a result of running out of fuel. If the engine has ceased operation, the software determines at Step 108 that the "driver in control" condition is not satisfied, and the second sub-process 100 then ends at Step 1 10 by passing control back to Step 60 of the engine fast-start process 40. Since the "driver in control" condition is not satisfied, the process 40 then flows into Step 62, in which the software system decides not to disengage the gear shifter interlock 28. The process 40 then ends at Step 48. As described above, the process 40 then re-starts at Step 42.

If it is found at checking Step 106 that the engine is still running, the software system then assesses whether the user is attempting to stop the engine. In this embodiment, the user has to engage the brake pedal at the same time as pressing the start/stop 26 button in order to stop the engine. Accordingly, the software system checks at Step 1 12 whether a brake pedal of the vehicle 2 is engaged, indicating that the user is applying pressure to the brake pedal with their foot. If the brake pedal is not engaged, the second sub-process 100 then returns to checking Step 104, to see if a key fob 4 has entered the vehicle 2. If the brake pedal is engaged, the system then checks at Step 1 14 whether the engine start/stop button 26 is being pressed by the user. If the engine start/stop button 26 is not being pressed, the second sub-process 100 returns to Step 104. If the engine start/stop button 26 is being pressed, this, in combination with the engagement of the brake pedal, indicates that the user is trying to stop the engine. Accordingly, the software system then stops at Step 116 the engine. The system then determines at Step 108 that the "driver in control" condition is not satisfied, and the second sub-process 100 then ends at Step 1 10 by passing control back to Step 60 of the engine fast-start process 40. As above, the process 40 then flows into Step 62.

If it is found at checking Step 104 that there is a key fob 4 inside the vehicle 2, the software system then checks at Step 1 18 whether the brake pedal is engaged. If the system finds that the brake pedal is engaged, this, in combination with the presence of the key fob 4 inside the vehicle 2, indicates that the user in possession of the key fob 4 is inside the vehicle 2 and ready to drive. Accordingly, in this situation the system determines at Step 120 that the "driver in control" condition is satisfied, and the second sub-process 100 then ends at Step 1 10 by passing control back to Step 60 of the engine fast-start process 40. If the system finds that the brake pedal is not engaged, the second sub-process 100 returns to Step 104.

The second sub-process 100 continues to iterate until either a positive determination is made that the "driver in control" condition is satisfied, or until the engine is stopped. When the second sub-process 100 ends, the result of the determination of whether or not the "driver in control" condition is satisfied is then used in the process 40 of Figure 4, as the output from the checking Step 60. Therefore, the output from the second sub-process 100 determines whether or not the gear shifter interlock 28 is disengaged to allow the user to drive the vehicle 2. The second sub-process 100 will only indicate that the "driver in control" condition is satisfied in the event that both the key fob 4 is inside the vehicle 2 and the brake pedal is engaged at the same time.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention could be modified to take many alternative forms to that described herein, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, embodiments of the invention may be envisaged for use with a vehicle having a manual gearbox. In this case, the vehicle may be arranged to check that a neutral gear is selected prior to starting the engine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the door opening signal is indicative of the attempted ingress to the vehicle by a user, i.e. that an attempt to open a vehicle door has been made. Accordingly, rather than being triggered by a door sensor which detects that a vehicle door has been displaced from its closed position by a predetermined amount, the door opening signal may be generated in response to a positive determination that a user is attempting to enter the vehicle, before the door is moved from its closed position. For example, the door opening signal may be generated in response to a user touching or pulling on a handle of the door. In one embodiment, a handle of the vehicle door is provided with sensing means for detecting the attempted ingress of a user into the vehicle. The sensing means may comprise a sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, disposed on or adjacent to the door handle. Accordingly, the door opening signal is output from the sensor when a user's hand touches the door handle or an area adjacent to the door handle and, providing the other preconditions for an engine fast-start have been satisfied, an engine fast-start is performed. Alternatively or in addition, the sensing means may comprise a sensor which detects movement of the door handle. For example, the sensor may detect movement of the door handle to a predetermined position, such as a position in which a locking mechanism of the door is unlatched. In this embodiment, the sensor may be a micro switch, an optical sensor or any other suitable sensor known in the art. Alternatively, the sensor could be incorporated into the locking mechanism itself and be employed to detect the position of a latch of the locking mechanism, e.g. the door opening signal may be output in response to a positive determination that the locking mechanism is in an unlatched state.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the door opening signal provides an indication that a user has made an attempt to open the door. This may advantageously enable the engine to be started even faster than would be the case where output of the door opening signal is dependent on the door being opened, i.e. moved from the closed position.

Further aspects of the present invention are set out in the following numbered paragraphs:

1 . A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising monitoring for a door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened, and automatically starting an engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving a door opening signal.

2. A method according to paragraph 1 , comprising checking that all doors of the vehicle are locked prior to receiving a door opening signal.

3. A method according to paragraph 2, comprising receiving more than one door opening signal, each of which relates to a different door of the vehicle. 4. A method according to paragraph 3, comprising identifying a primary door opening signal on receipt of more than one door opening signal. 5. A method according to paragraph 4, comprising starting the vehicle engine if the primary door opening signal corresponds to the driver's door.

6. A method according to paragraph 2, wherein the doors of the vehicle are unlocked using a passive entry system comprising at least one remote device.

7. A method according to paragraph 6, wherein the at least one remote device is active and emits an unlocking signal for detection by the vehicle. 8. A method according to paragraph 7, wherein the unlocking signal is an ultra-wide broadband signal.

9. A method according to paragraph 6, wherein the at least one remote device is passive.

10. A method according to paragraph 9, comprising broadcasting a signal from the vehicle which is received by the remote device, wherein the remote device uses the broadcast signal to power transmission of an unlocking signal from the remote device.

1 1 . A method according to paragraph 6, wherein the at least one remote device may be personalised so as to selectively enable or disable automatic starting of the vehicle engine. 12. A method according to paragraph 6, comprising monitoring for the presence of a remote device inside the vehicle.

13. A method according to paragraph 12, comprising preventing a drive gear from being selected if a remote device is not detected inside the vehicle.

14. A method according to paragraph 1 , comprising checking the status of an electronic parking brake of the vehicle prior to starting the engine.

15. A method according to paragraph 14, comprising engaging the electronic parking brake if it is found to be disengaged. A method according to paragraph 1 , comprising checking the status of a brake pedal of the vehicle. A method according to paragraph 16, comprising preventing a drive gear from being selected if the brake pedal is disengaged. A vehicle control system configured to monitor for a door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened, and further arranged to automatically start an engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving a door opening signal. A vehicle control system according to paragraph 18, comprising a sensor arranged to detect opening of a door of the vehicle and to output a door opening signal. A vehicle control system according to paragraph 18, comprising a processor arranged to receive the door opening signal, and further arranged to determine that operation of the engine should commence if a door opening signal is received. A vehicle control system according to paragraph 18, comprising a controller arranged to start the engine in response to a positive determination by the processor. A vehicle comprising an engine, at least one door, and a vehicle control system arranged to monitor for a door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened, and further arranged to automatically start the engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving a door opening signal.

Claims

A method for operating a vehicle, the method comprising receiving at least one door opening signal indicating that a door of the vehicle has been opened or that an attempt to open a door has been made, and automatically starting an engine of the vehicle in dependence on receiving the at least one door opening signal.

A method according to claim 1 , comprising checking that all doors of the vehicle are locked prior to receiving the at least one door opening signal.

A method according to claim 2, comprising receiving more than one door opening signal, each of which relates to a different door of the vehicle.

A method according to claim 3, comprising identifying a primary door opening signal on receipt of more than one door opening signal.

A method according to claim 4, comprising starting the vehicle engine if the primary door opening signal corresponds to the driver's door.

A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the doors of the vehicle are unlocked using a passive entry system comprising at least one remote device.

A method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one remote device is active and emits an unlocking signal for detection by the vehicle.

A method according to claim 7, wherein the unlocking signal is an ultra-wide broadband signal.

A method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one remote device is passive.

A method according to claim 9, comprising broadcasting a signal from the vehicle which is received by the remote device, wherein the remote device uses the broadcast signal to power transmission of an unlocking signal from the remote device. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the at least one remote device may be personalised so as to selectively enable or disable automatic starting of the vehicle engine.

A method according to any one of claims 6 to 1 1 , comprising monitoring for the presence of a remote device inside the vehicle.

A method according to claim 12, comprising preventing a drive gear from being selected if a remote device is not detected inside the vehicle.

A method according to any preceding claim, comprising checking the status of an electronic parking brake of the vehicle prior to starting the engine.

A method according to claim 14, comprising engaging the electronic parking brake if it is found to be disengaged.

A method according to any preceding claim, comprising checking the status of a brake pedal of the vehicle.

A method according to claim 16, comprising preventing a drive gear from being selected if the brake pedal is disengaged.

A vehicle control system arranged to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 17.

A vehicle control system according to claim 18, comprising sensing means arranged to detect opening of a door of the vehicle and to output a door opening signal.

A vehicle control system according to claim 19, wherein the sensing means comprises a door sensor configured to detect the position of an associated door relative to a closed position of the door.

A vehicle control system according to claim 18, comprising sensing means arranged to detect an attempt to open a vehicle door and to output a door opening signal.

A vehicle control system according to claim 21 , wherein the sensing configured to detect movement of at least one of: a door handle associated with the door; and

a latch mechanism associated with the door.

23. A vehicle control system according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the sensing means comprises at least one of a micro switch and an optical sensor.

24. A vehicle control system according to claim 21 , wherein the sensing means is arranged to detect physical contact between a user and at least one of:

a door handle associated with the door; and

at least a portion of the door disposed adjacent to a door handle associated with the door.

25. A vehicle control system according to claim 21 , wherein the sensing means comprises a touch sensitive sensor, optionally a capacitive sensor.

26. A vehicle control system according to any one of claims 18 to 25, comprising processing means arranged to receive the door opening signal, and further arranged to determine that operation of the engine should commence if a door opening signal is received.

27. A vehicle control system according to claim 26, comprising control means arranged to start the engine in response to a positive determination by the processing means.

28. A vehicle comprising an engine, at least one door, and a vehicle control system according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. A method, a vehicle control system or a vehicle substantially as described herein, with reference to figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.