Selective equipment lockout

• US 20040056758A1
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Schwartz, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,009,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0425 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24157 Block, inhibit certain inputs by entering certain keycode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24168 Identify connected programmer to allow control, program entry
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are presented for selectively locking controls from operators operating equipment. The invention actively detects when an operator accesses a control for which lockout is desired. After detection, the invention locks the control to prevent the operator from operating the control. Thus, operators are permitted selective access to controls. The active detection of when an operator is accessing a control is performed by first generating a signal, which is passed to a plate, where it is then coupled through the operator to a receiver. The signal is detected at a signal detector attached with a control so the control can react to the signal. In an automotive situation, the plate may be in a vehicle seat, with the signal coupling through a driver or passenger upon actuation of a control. Based on the signal received, the function of the control may be eliminated, altered, or reduced.

Claims

1. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment comprising the steps of:

actively detecting when an operator is accessing a particular control for which an operator lockout is desired; and

locking the control to prevent the operator from operating the particular control;

whereby an operator is permitted selective access to controls in order to promote operator safety.

2. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of actively detecting when an operator is accessing a particular control for which an operator lockout is desired is performed by steps of:

generating a signal;

passing the signal to a plate;

coupling the signal from the plate through the operator to a receiving pad; and

detecting the signal at a signal detector attached with a control.

3. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

4. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 3, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

5. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 3, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

6. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 5, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of at least one signal transmitter incorporated with each of the seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

7. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a step of detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the step of locking the control is a step of selectively locking the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

8. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 7, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

9. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 8, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

10. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 8, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

11. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 10, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

12. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 7, wherein the step of detecting the identity of an operator is performed by a means selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a vision-based sensor, a weight sensor, a voice recognizer, and a bioelectric sensor.

13. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a step of monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

14. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a step of overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

15. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 14, wherein the method comprises a further step of monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

16. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 14, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the method comprises a further step of monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on a speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

17. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, wherein the method comprises a further step of monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

18. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 17, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

19. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 18, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

20. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 18, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

21. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 20, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

22. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the method comprises a further step of monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

23. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 22, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

24. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 23, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

25. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 23, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

26. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 25, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

27. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a step of monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

28. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 27, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

29. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 28, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

30. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 28, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

31. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 30, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

32. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a step of overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

33. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 32, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

34. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 33, wherein the signal is passed through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

35. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 33, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the step of locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

36. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 35, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

37. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a step of detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the step of locking the control is a step of selectively locking the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

38. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 37, wherein the step of detecting the identity of an operator is performed by detecting the identity of an operator by a means selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a weight sensor, and a bioelectric sensor.

39. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a step of monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

40. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a step of overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

41. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the method comprises a further step of monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

42. A method for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the method comprises a further step of monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein, in the step of locking the control, controls are further selectively locked based on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

43. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment, the apparatus comprising:

means for actively detecting when an operator is accessing a particular control for which an operator lockout is desired; and

means for locking the control to prevent the operator from operating the particular control;

whereby an operator is permitted selective access to controls in order to promote operator safety.

44. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, wherein the means of actively detecting when an operator is accessing a particular control for which an operator lockout is desired further comprises:

means for generating a signal;

means for passing the signal to a plate;

means for coupling the signal from the plate through the operator to a receiving pad; and

means for detecting the signal at a signal detector attached with a control.

45. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

46. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 45, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

47. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 45, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

48. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 47, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

49. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, further comprising a means for detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the means for locking the control is a means for selectively locking the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

50. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 49, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

51. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 50, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through the a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

52. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 50, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

53. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 52, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

54. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 49, wherein the means for detecting the identity of an operator operates by detecting the identity of an operator by a means selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a vision-based sensor, a weight sensor, a voice recognizer, and a bioelectric sensor.

55. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 54, further comprising a means for monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

56. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 55, further comprising a means for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

57. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 56, wherein the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the system state.

58. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 56, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

59. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, wherein the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the system state.

60. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 59, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

61. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through the a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

62. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 60, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

63. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 62, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

64. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

65. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 64, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

66. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 65, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through the a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

67. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 65, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

68. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 67, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

69. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, further comprising a means for monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein the means for locking the control locks controls selectively based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

70. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 69, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

71. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 70, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through the a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

72. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 70, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

73. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 72, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

74. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 44, further comprising a means for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

75. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 74, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

76. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 75, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass the signal through the a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator when the operator touches a control.

77. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 75, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the means for locking the control selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

78. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 77, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal transmitters incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal transmitters incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

79. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, further comprising a means for detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the means for locking the control is a means for selectively locking the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

80. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 79, wherein the means for detecting the identity of an operator operates by detecting the identity of an operator by a means selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a weight sensor, and a bioelectric sensor.

81. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, further comprising a means for monitoring the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

82. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, further comprising a means for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

83. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, wherein the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the system state.

84. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 43, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further means for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the means for locking the control selectively locks controls based on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

85. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment, the apparatus comprising:

at least one signal generator/detector for actively detecting when an operator is accessing a particular control for which an operator lockout is desired; and

an access controller connected with the signal generator/detector for receiving a signal therethrough and for locking the control in response to the signal in order to prevent the operator from operating the particular control;

whereby an operator is permitted selective access to controls in order to promote operator safety.

86. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, wherein the signal generators/detectors further comprise:

a signal generator for generating a signal;

a plate connected to receive the signal from the signal generator;

a receiver on an equipment control for coupling the signal from the plate through the operator when the operator touches the control; and

a detector attached with the receiver for detecting whether a signal is received and for passing a further signal to the access controller.

87. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

88. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 87, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.

89. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 87, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

90. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 89, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

91. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, further comprising an identity detector for detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the access controller selectively locks the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

92. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 91, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

93. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 92, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.

94. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 92, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

95. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 94, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

96. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 91, wherein the identity detector operates by detecting the identity of an operator by a means selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a vision-based sensor, a weight sensor, a voice recognizer, and a bioelectric sensor.

97. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 96, further comprising an activity monitor for monitoring the amount of activity related to an operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein the access controller receives information from the activity monitor and further selectively locks controls based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

98. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 97, further comprising an override for sending a override signal to the access controller for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override command, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

99. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 98, wherein the access controller further comprises an input for receiving information for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

100. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 98, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further monitor for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the access controller further selectively locks controls on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

101. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, wherein the access controller further comprises an input for receiving information for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

102. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 101, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

103. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 102, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.

104. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 102, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

105. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 104, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit

106. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further monitor for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the access controller further selectively locks controls on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

107. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 106, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

108. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 107, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.

109. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 107, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

110. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 109, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

111. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, further comprising an activity monitor for monitoring the amount of activity related to an operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein the access controller receives information from the activity monitor and further selectively locks controls based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

112. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 111, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

114. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 112, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

115. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 114, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

116. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 86, further comprising an override for sending a override signal to the access controller for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override command, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

117. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 116, wherein the signal is an electrostatically-coupled signal.

118. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 117, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.

119. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 117, wherein different signals are provided for different operators, and where the access controller selectively locks the control based on the signal received.

120. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 119, wherein the signals are passed through a posterior portion of the operators by use of signal generators and plates incorporated with seats on which the operators sit during operation of the equipment, whereby different signals may be transmitted from different signal generators incorporated into different seats so that operators sitting on different seats may be selectively locked from controls based on the seat upon which they sit.

121. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, further comprising an identity detector for detecting the identity of an operator and wherein the access controller selectively locks the particular control based on the identity of the operator, whereby operators are given selective access to equipment controls.

122. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 121, wherein the identity detector is selected from the group consisting of a key-based identifier, a remote-based identifier, a combination-based identifier, a weight sensor, and a bioelectric sensor.

123. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, further comprising an activity monitor for monitoring the amount of activity related to an operator'"'"'s primary activity and wherein the access controller receives information from the activity monitor and further selectively locks controls based on the amount of activity related to the operator'"'"'s primary activity, whereby the operator'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the amount of activity the operator is dedicating to the primary activity.

124. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, further comprising an override for sending a override signal to the access controller for overriding the locking of at least a portion of the controls in response to an operator override command, whereby an operator may override the locking of controls.

125. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, wherein the access controller further comprises an input for receiving information for monitoring a system state comprising the state of at least one of the operator and the equipment and wherein controls are further selectively locked based on the system state.

126. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 85, wherein the operator is the driver of a vehicle, and where the apparatus comprises a further monitor for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the access controller further selectively locks controls on the speed of the vehicle, whereby a driver'"'"'s ability to use various controls may be varied based on the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

113. An apparatus for selectively locking controls from at least one operator operating equipment as set forth in claim 113, wherein the signal is passed from the plate through a posterior portion of an operator through to extremities of the operator to the receiver when the operator touches a control.