Vehicle access control system and method

• US 10,391,973 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Connor, Michael Aaron, Tilton, Grace Valeria
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US15/498,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/302 Airplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/04 Helicopters

Abstract

A vehicle access and control system includes an activation system, a vehicle control system, a communication system provided in the vehicle, a computer system mounted in the vehicle, and a vehicle access control system including a processor, a non-volatile memory, and a set of instructions stored on the non-volatile memory. The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to receive a user specific identification input, access a user profile associated with the user specific identification input, determine, from the user profile, system permissions associated with the user specific identification input, and manage access to one or more of the activation system, vehicle control system, communication system, and the computer system based on the system permissions.

Claims

1. A vehicle access and control system comprising:

an activation system;

a vehicle control system;

a communication system provided in the vehicle;

a computer system mounted in the vehicle; and

a vehicle access control system including a processor, a non-volatile memory, and a set of instructions stored on the non-volatile memory, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to;

receive at least two user specific identification inputs;

access a user profile associated with the at least two user specific identification inputs;

determine, from the user profile, system permissions associated with at least two user specific identification inputs; and

manage access to one or more of the activation system, vehicle control system, communication system, and the computer system based on the system permissions.

2. The vehicle access and control system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two user specific identification inputs comprise at least two unrelated user specific identification inputs including at least two of a code, a biometric input, and an RFID input.

3. The vehicle access and control system according to claim 1, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

disable one or more of the activation system, vehicle control system, communication system, and the computer system not listed in the user profile.

4. The vehicle access and control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle having a frame, and a least propulsion system supported in the frame and operatively connected to the activation system.

5. The vehicle access and control system according to claim 4, wherein the frame comprises an airframe and the propulsion system comprises one or more rotor assemblies.

6. The vehicle access and control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle access and control system is mounted in the vehicle.

7. A method of accessing a vehicle comprising:

receiving, through a processor, at least two user specific identification inputs;

accessing a non-volatile memory operatively connected to the processor, having stored thereon a user profile associated with the at least two user specific identification inputs;

determining, through the processor, system permissions associated with the at least two user specific identification inputs stored in the user profile; and

managing access to one or more of an activation system, a vehicle control system, a communication system provided in the vehicle, and a vehicle mounted computer system based on the system permissions.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving, through the processor, the at least two user specific identification inputs includes receiving at least two unrelated user identification inputs including at least two of a code, a biometric input, and an RFID input.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

disabling one or more of the activation system, vehicle control system, communication system, and the computer system not listed in the user profile.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wherein providing access to the activation system includes initiating operation of a propulsion system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating operation of the propulsion system includes activating one or more rotor assemblies.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein activating the one or more rotor assemblies includes initiating operation of a rotary wing aircraft.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein providing access to the communication system includes allowing access to only those communication frequencies listed in the user profile.