Patent ID: 7161262

Claim:
A start control apparatus for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the start control apparatus comprising: an antitheft mechanism, wherein the antitheft mechanism has a lock member, which selectively engages with and disengages from a movable member located on the vehicle; an actuator, which drives the lock member; and a lock control unit, which controls the actuator; a portable communication device held by an occupant of the vehicle; a communication control unit, wherein, when the portable communication device is carried into a vehicle passenger compartment, the communication control unit communicates with the portable communication device; a power source control unit, which controls a supply of power to electrical components of the vehicle based on a communication between the power source control unit and the communication control unit; an engine control unit, which controls the engine based on a communication between the engine control unit and the communication control unit and a communication between the engine control unit and the power source control unit; a switch located inside the vehicle passenger compartment, wherein the switch is manipulated to start the engine; and a lock state detecting device, which detects an engaged state and a disengaged state of the lock member with respect to the movable member, wherein at least two of the lock control unit, the communication control unit, the power source control unit, and the engine control unit function as monitor control units; wherein the monitor control units monitor detection signals sent from the lock state detecting device, and wherein the engine is permitted to be started on condition that all the monitor control units acknowledge the disengaged state of the lock member.