Ignition system with driver identification
First Claim
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1. A system for biometrically identifying a potential motorized vehicle operator for use with vehicle having a vehicle ignition circuit and a plurality of vehicle function devices comprising:
- a device that biometrically recognizes an individual for identification purposes; and
, a sequencing mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, the microcontroller being operable to generate a predetermined “
go”
logic condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence; and
, a timing mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to selectively provide a timing output in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition for a predetermined time period; and
, a gate mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to generate an ignition output responsive to each of the generated function outputs and the timing output, wherein the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of function outputs and the timing output are in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition, wherein the ignition output is operable to selectively complete the vehicle ignition circuit when the ignition output is in the logic “
go”
condition; and
, a delay mechanism in electrical communication with the vehicle ignition, the delay mechanism being operable to cause a predetermined delay in an electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition is placed in a “
run/start”
position; and
, a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert an initial voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the system; and
, a reset mechanism operable to initialize a plurality of system mechanisms, wherein the reset mechanism is operable to respond to the electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition in a “
run/start”
position.
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Abstract
System and method for positively identifying an operator through biometric means which shall prevent unauthorized or impaired operation of a motor vehicle by requiring the potential operator to sequentially energize several vehicle devices, within a set time period, prior to placing the vehicle ignition into a start position. The system includes a device for measuring an operator'"'"'s biometric identification, and a microcontroller. Logic outputs from the sequencing mechanism and the timer mechanism are contained within the microcontroller operating as a logic decoder that is used to control the vehicle ignition circuit. The microcontroller monitors the sequence in which the vehicle'"'"'s devices are energized, and if they are energized within the correct order and within the predetermined amount of time then the microcontroller will output a signal to allow the ignition circuit to close. A sensory indicator may alert the potential operator as to the condition of the microcontroller output. An unauthorized user is inhibited from operating the motor vehicle because their identification could not be biometrically established and/or the performance sequence is unknown to him/her. Slower reflex times or impaired motor skills may also prevent an impaired operator from performing the proper sequence within the predetermined time period.
100 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system for biometrically identifying a potential motorized vehicle operator for use with vehicle having a vehicle ignition circuit and a plurality of vehicle function devices comprising:
-
a device that biometrically recognizes an individual for identification purposes; and
,a sequencing mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, the microcontroller being operable to generate a predetermined “
go”
logic condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence; and
,a timing mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to selectively provide a timing output in a predetermined “
go”
logic condition for a predetermined time period; and
,a gate mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to generate an ignition output responsive to each of the generated function outputs and the timing output, wherein the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of function outputs and the timing output are in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition, wherein the ignition output is operable to selectively complete the vehicle ignition circuit when the ignition output is in the logic “
go”
condition; and
,a delay mechanism in electrical communication with the vehicle ignition, the delay mechanism being operable to cause a predetermined delay in an electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition is placed in a “
run/start”
position; and
,a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert an initial voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the system; and
,a reset mechanism operable to initialize a plurality of system mechanisms, wherein the reset mechanism is operable to respond to the electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition in a “
run/start”
position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
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4. A system for controlling a vehicle ignition circuit comprising:
-
a microcontroller in electrical communication with a vehicle ignition circuit, the microcontroller being operable to selectively provide an ignition logic output in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition to close the vehicle ignition circuit; and
,a timer mechanism within the microcontroller that is operable to selectively enable or disable the vehicle ignition; and
,a sequencing mechanism within the microcontroller that is in operable connection with a plurality of vehicle function devices, the sequencing mechanism being operable to selectively enable or disable the vehicle ignition; and
,wherein each logic function output is in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if each of the plurality of vehicle function devices is energized in a predetermined sequence; and
,wherein the ignition logic output from the microcontroller to the vehicle ignition circuit is in the predetermined logic “
go”
condition only if the logic timer is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition and each logic function output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition.
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5. A method for selectively controlling a vehicle ignition circuit comprising the steps of:
-
providing a method for biometrically identifying the potential operator; and
,providing a sequencing mechanism within a microcontroller that is operable to receive logic inputs from each of a plurality of vehicle function devices and selectively generate a function logic associated with each of the plurality of vehicle function devices; and
,providing a timer mechanism within the microcontroller that is operable to selectively generate a timer logic; and
,providing a gate mechanism within the microcontroller that is operable to receive, the function logic outputs and the timer logic and selectively generate an ignition output; and
,preventing the vehicle ignition circuit from closing unless the ignition output is in a predetermined logic “
go”
condition.
-
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6. A method of inhibiting an unauthorized potential operator from causing a vehicle ignition circuit to close, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a system to biometrically recognize an individual and then providing a system in electrical communication with a plurality of vehicle function devices and a vehicle ignition circuit, the system being operable to prevent the vehicle ignition circuit from closing unless a potential operator causes each of the plurality of vehicle function devices to be energized, in a predetermined sequence, within a predetermined time period.
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7. A system for selectively allowing engagement of a vehicle ignition having “
- run”
, “
start”
, and “
off”
positions, the system being in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical system, the vehicle electrical system being operable to energize a plurality of vehicle function devices, the system comprising;
a sequencing mechanism within a microcontroller that is engaged with the plurality of vehicle function devices, wherein the microcontroller is operable to receive a logic input from each of the plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, wherein the microcontroller is operable to selectively generate logic output in a predetermined “
go”
condition only if each of the vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence; and
,a timing mechanism within a microcontroller which disables the vehicle'"'"'s ignition system after a pre-determined time period; and
,gate mechanism within microcontroller that verifies that both the correct plurality of vehicle function devices and the pre-determined time has been successful met allowing the selective engagement of the vehicle ignition in the “
start”
position; and
,a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source and the microcontroller, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert a voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (8)
- run”
-
9. A system for selectively allowing engagement of a vehicle ignition circuit having “
- run/start”
, “
start”
, and “
off”
positions, the system comprising;
a buffer mechanism in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical source, the buffer mechanism being operable to convert an initial voltage of the vehicle electrical source to a predetermined voltage useable by the system; and
,a delay mechanism in electrical communication with the vehicle ignition, the delay mechanism being operable to cause a predetermined delay in an electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition is placed in a “
run/start”
position; and
,a reset mechanism operable to initialize a plurality of system mechanisms, wherein the reset mechanism is operable to respond to the electrical signal generated when the vehicle ignition in the “
run/start”
position; and
,a sequencing mechanism within a microcontroller that is engaged with the plurality of vehicle function devices, wherein the microcontroller is operable to receive a logic input from each of the plurality of vehicle function devices when the vehicle function device is energized, wherein the microcontroller is operable to selectively generate logic output in a predetermined “
go”
condition only if each of the vehicle function devices are energized according to a predetermined sequence wherein the microcontroller controls the resetting of the sequencing mechanism; and
,a timing mechanism within a microcontroller which disables the vehicle'"'"'s ignition system after a pre-determined time period wherein the microcontroller controls the re-setting of the timer; and
,gate mechanism within microcontroller verifies that both the correct plurality of vehicle function devices and the pre-determined time has been successful met allowing the selective engagement of the vehicle ignition in the “
start”
position and only if the ignition output is in the predetermined logic ‘
go’
condition; and
,an indicator mechanism in electrical communication with the microcontroller, the indicator mechanism being operable to selectively provide sensory output to indicate a condition of the ignition output.
- run/start”
Specification
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Current AssigneeElaine E. Futrell
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Original AssigneeElaine E. Futrell
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InventorsHale, Howard Stanley, Futrell, Elaine Elizabeth
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current701/45
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CPC Class CodesB60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicatorB60R 25/25 using biometryB60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognitionB60R 25/255 Eye recognitionB60R 25/257 Voice recognition
