COGNITIVE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE AND ITS OCCUPANTS

• US 20010040504A1
• Filed: 08/19/1999
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: GEHLOT, NARAYAN L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,310,542 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/302 using recording means, e.g. black box
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input, including but not limited to information from a vehicle'"'"'s micro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicle information card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner. The system generally includes a processor mounted or otherwise installed in a vehicle which is capable of receiving data from the vehicle'"'"'s various mechanical and electrical/electronic system, micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. The data can be used to grant a driver authorization to operate the vehicle and can be transmitted to third parties having an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.

Claims

1. A system for retrieving and transmitting vehicle data comprising:

an input-output device mounted in a vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said input-output device and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving said input data from said input-output device and retrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said retrieved vehicle data forming a part of said input data;

said processor further capable of transmitting said retrieved vehicle data to said input-output device; and

said input-output device further capable of outputting said retrieved vehicle data to said information storage device for storage thereon.

2. A system according to

claim 1

such that said system further comprises a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

3. A system according to

claim 1

such that said system further comprises a display device capable of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.

4. A system according to

claim 1

such that said system further comprises a transmitter for transmitting said retrieved vehicle data using wireless transmission.

5. A system according to

claim 1

such that said system further comprises a transmitter for transmitting a signal upon the unauthorized tampering with said system.

6. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s name and address.

7. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

8. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

9. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

10. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle make and model identification.

11. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

12. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises account balance information.

13. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

14. A system according to

claim 1

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

15. A system for auto theft prevention comprising:

a storage device capable of storing previously received physical data from an authorized driver of a vehicle;

an input-output device mounted in a vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, and further capable of receiving new physical data from an operator attempting to operate said vehicle;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said storage device, said input-output device and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor being capable of retrieving said input data and new physical data from said input-output device and further capable of retrieving said previously received physical data associated with said input data from storage device; and

said processor further capable of comparing said new physical data to said previously received physical data to determine if said operator attempting to operate said vehicle is an authorized driver, and being capable of communicating a control signal to one or more vehicle systems of said plurality in response to said comparison such that said control signal disables said vehicle if said determination is negative.

16. A system according to

claim 15

, such that a transmitter is connected to said processor and capable of transmitting a signal upon the disablement of said vehicle.

17. A system according to

claim 15

, such that the system further comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) unit.

18. A system according to

claim 15

, such that said transmitter transmits a warning signal upon the unauthorized tampering with the system.

19. A system according to

claim 15

, such that said system further comprises a panic button capable of sending a control signal to said transmitter such that said transmitter is capable of transmitting a warning signal.

20. A system according to

claim 15

, such that said system further comprises a panic button capable of sending a first control signal to said processor in response to activation of said panic button, said processor, in response to said first control signal, capable of transmitting a second control signal to one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems whereby said second control signal is capable of controlling said one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems thereby disabling said vehicle.

21. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s name and address.

22. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

23. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

24. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

25. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle make and model identification.

26. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

27. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises account balance information.

28. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

29. A system according to

claim 15

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

30. A system for retrieving and transmitting vehicle data comprising:

an input-output device mounted in a vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said input-output device and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving said input data from said input-output device and retrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said retrieved vehicle data forming a part of said input data;

a transmitter in communication with said processor such that said transmitter is capable of transmitting said retrieved vehicle data to data collection units, said data collection units deployed along a roadway and in wireless communication with said transmitter; and

said data collection units further capable of being accessed by selected third-party entities so that said third-party can receive said retrieved vehicle data.

31. A system according to

claim 30

such that said system further comprises a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

32. A system according to

claim 30

such that said system further comprises a display device capable of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.

33. A system according to

claim 30

such that said data collection units further include a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

34. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s name and address.

35. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

36. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a driver'"'"'s medical dental history information and emergency contacts information.

37. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

38. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle make and model identification.

39. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

40. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises account balance information.

41. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

42. A system according to

claim 30

such that information stored on said information storage device comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

43. A method of collecting vehicle data comprising:

deploying a data collection unit within a predetermined proximity to a path traversed by a vehicle from which data is to be collected;

establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said input-output device and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving said input data from said input-output device and retrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said retrieved vehicle data forming a part of said input data, and a transmitter in communication with said processor such that said transmitter is capable of transmitting said retrieved vehicle data to said data collection units via said communication link;

causing the transmission of said retrieved vehicle data to said data collection units via said communication link; and

accessing said data collection unit so that said retrieved vehicle data may be collected.

44. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising a step of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a data storage device connected to said processor.

45. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising a step of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.

46. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a driver'"'"'s name and address.

47. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

48. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having driver'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

49. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

50. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a vehicle make and model identification.

51. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

52. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a account balance information.

53. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

54. The method according to

claim 43

such that said step of establishing a communication link between said data collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.