Patent ID: 9580045
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: B60R,F16H

Claim:
1. A method for electronically controlling a shifter lockout function of a vehicle while parked, wherein the vehicle includes a brake pedal and a transmission having a park position and a plurality of out-of-park positions, and an ignition switch for receiving an ignition key, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the beginning of a parked state of the vehicle with the transmission in the park position; inhibiting selection of an out-of-park position; establishing a driver action window in response to detection of the parked state and the ignition key removed from the ignition switch; detecting whether the brake pedal is activated during the driver action window; if an activation of the brake pedal is detected during the driver action window, then enabling selection of an out-of-park position while activation of the brake pedal continues; and if an end of the driver action window is detected, then continuing inhibiting shifter movement from the park position during the remainder of the parked state.