Biometric shifter lock control

• US 20040041689A1
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Debono
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Debono
• Inventors: DeBono, Joseph M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,927,671 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/066 Locking of hand actuated control actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/10 comprising levers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/22 Locking of the control input devices constructional features of locking or disabling mechanisms F16H63/34

Abstract

A biometric anti-theft gear shifter lock control for vehicles, equipment, and machinery, and other transmission actuation devices on land, water, and air, using a gear shifter. A biometric sensor scans in biometric information from a user to a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU finding a match for an authorized user deactivates a shift lock which may be built into an automatic shift vehicle or a solenoid or other switch added to a standard shift vehicle. It sounds an alarm for an unauthorized user. The control may be positioned on a gear shift knob with a flip-type protective cover. The biometrics device could be a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition system or other device programmed to operate only upon recognition of a unique biometrically measurable characteristic of one or more authorized users whose biometric data is programmed into the system.

Claims

1. A biometric shifter lock control device for controlling a gear shifter and releasing the gear shifter upon recognition of biometrically measurable information of an authorized individual, the device comprising:

a biometric sensing means for sensing a biometrically measurable characteristic of an individual, the sensing means attached in proximity to a shifter means to enable the individual to input the biometrically measurable characteristic to the sensing means;

a programmable information processing means capable of being programmed with information about at least one biometrically measurable characteristic of at least one individual and capable of receiving biometrically measurable characteristic information from the biometric sensing means and comparing the received biometrically measurable characteristic information with the programmed biometrically measurable characteristic information and capable of outputting an activation signal in response to a match in the biometrically measurable characteristic information;

a shifter lock override control means for controlling activation of a locking means for a gear shifter to maintain the gear shifter in a stationary position and prohibit the movement of the gear shifter from that position, the gear shifter lock override control means being capable of receiving the activation signal from the information processing means and releasing the control means to permit actuation of the gear shifter upon receiving the activation signal.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking means for a gear shifter is built into a vehicle as standard equipment and the locking means interacts through a connecting means to an operational sensing means and the connecting means is interconnected with the information processing means to override interaction between the operational sensing means and the locking means.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the biometric sensing means is mounted in a location selected from the list of locations including the gear shift, steering wheel, dash board, seat and a location normally associated with a vehicle and a piece of equipment.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the biometric sensing means is covered from view by a covering means which is capable of being moved to access the biometric sensing means.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the biometric sensing means is mounted in a location within a vehicle normally hidden from view.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the biometric sensing means comprises a sensing means taken from the list of biometric sensing means including a fingerprint scanner, a voice recognition system, a face recognition scanner, a retina scanner, and a DNA sensor.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising an alarm signal which is activated if the biometrically measurable information does not match.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the alarm signal comprises an alarm signal taken from the list of alarm signals including a means for displaying a message on a window of the vehicle, a means for producing sound audible outside the vehicle, a means for producing a pain inducing loud sound inside the vehicle, a means for producing a strobe light effect externally on the vehicle, and a means for displaying a visual message on a surface exterior to the vehicle.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the gear shifter locking means comprises a switching means engaging a control element of the gear shifter capable of locking the gear shifter.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the switching means comprises a solenoid.

11. The device of claim 9 further comprising at least one operational sensing means communicating with the programmable information processing means to act as an additional control means.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the gear shifter lock control comprises an override control switch attached to an existing gear shifter locking means in the vehicle, the override control switch capable of blocking a normal activating signal for unlocking the gear shifter until the programmable information processing means outputs an activation signal.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the biometric shifter lock control is powered by the vehicle power system.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a backup battery for powering the biometric shifter lock control.

15. The device of claim 1 further comprising a battery for powering the biometric shifter lock control.