Patent ID: 7262683

Claim:
A system for controlling starting and stopping of an engine mounted on a vehicle for use by a user, wherein the vehicle is provided with a vehicle ID code and a vehicle transponder code and includes a key socket, the system comprising: an electronic key held by the user and insertable in the key socket, the electronic key selectively transmitting a key ID code and a key transponder code to the vehicle; a first authentication unit installable in the vehicle for checking whether or not the key ID code matches the vehicle ID code when the user with the electronic key enters the vehicle; a second authentication unit installable in the vehicle for checking whether or not the key transponder code matches the vehicle transponder code when the user inserts the electronic key in the key socket; a control unit for enabling the starting of the engine and selectively interlocking the electronic key when inserted in the key socket in accordance with the results of said checking by the first and second authentication units; and a notification unit for notifying the user whether the electronic key is removable or irremovable from the key socket in accordance with the operation of the control unit; wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the key is removable when the checking by the first authentication unit is performed and notifies the user that the key is irremovable when the checking by the second authentication unit is performed.