Patent ID: 7890243

Claim:
A method for controlling at least one of an automatic shut-off and start-up process of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle having a start/stop device, the method comprising the acts of: automatically shutting-off the internal combustion engine after driving the motor vehicle upon stopping the motor vehicle when predetermined shut-off conditions are met by corresponding influencing variables; automatically starting-up the internal combustion engine after being automatically shut-off when predetermined start-up conditions are satisfied by corresponding influencing variables; and wherein at least one of the following influencing variables are evaluated to meet said at least one of the predetermined shut-off and start-up conditions: a) in the case of the automatic shut-off process, a presence or absence of at least one of a driver identification transmitter and a vehicle key; b) a current saturation state of a tank ventilation system; c) in the case of the automatic shut-off process, a current tank fill level of a fuel tank; d) an activity state of at least one of a workshop mode, a works mode, a service mode, and a production mode; e) an evaluation of a device for detecting occupancy of the driver's seat wherein the device for detecting occupancy of the seat is configured as at least one of a seat occupancy mat, a camera system, and a seat belt buckle evaluation system; f) a detection of a cylinder synchronization process; g) an activity state of a driving speed control system; h) in the case of the automatic start-up process, an activity state of an auto hold function in a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission; and i) in the case of the automatic start-up process, an activity state of a hill hold function.