VEHICLE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

• US 20080228355A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Watts, Campbell V. B., de Jonk, Kevin Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,024,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and system for preventing the unauthorized use of a vehicle. A set of vehicle operating parameters is entered onto a person'"'"'s driver'"'"'s license, and that person registers as an authorized user of a specified vehicle. When that person enters the vehicle, the person inserts the driver'"'"'s license into a card reader, and the card reader reads the operating parameters and enters those parameters onto a computing platform. The computing platform receives these operating parameters and checks to determine if the person is an authorized user of the vehicle. If the computing platform determines that the person is an authorized user, the computing platform sends the operating parameters to a control module within the vehicle. If the person then operates the vehicle, the control module controls the vehicle to maintain that operation within the operating parameters.

Claims

1. A method of controlling operation of a machine comprising the steps of:

providing a first set of operating parameters for the machine;

storing the first set of operating parameters on a storage medium on board the machine;

storing a second set of operating parameters on a magnetic storage device, the second set of operating parameters associated with at least one user;

comparing the second set of operating parameters on the magnetic storage device with the first set of stored operating parameters to determine a degree of correspondence between the first and second set of operating parameters; and

allowing a range of operation of the machine by the user depending on the magnitude of the degree of correspondence between the two sets of operating parameters.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include:

a limit on the speed of the machine;

a limit on the distance the machine can be driven;

a restriction on the time of day the machine can be driven;

a restriction on the geographical locations a car may be driven; and

a restriction on the class of vehicle able to be driven.

3. A method according to claim 2, comprising the further step of, when said degree of correspondence is below a given value, generating a signal to prevent operation of the machine.

4. A method of preventing the unauthorized use of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

entering onto a driver'"'"'s license of a specified person, a set of vehicle operating parameters and a number for said driver'"'"'s license;

entering onto a computing platform biometric data correspondent to the license data;

said specified person registering as an authorized user of a specified vehicle;

when said person enters said specified vehicle, said person inserting the driver'"'"'s license into a card reader;

the card reader reading the vehicle operating parameters on the driver'"'"'s license and entering said operating parameters onto a computing platform;

said computing platform receiving said operating parameters; and

, in response, checking to determine if said person is an authorized user of the vehicle;

if the computing platform determines that said person is an authorized user of the vehicle, then the computing platform sending said operating parameters to a control module located within the vehicle;

said person attempting to operate the vehicle; and

if said attempt is successful and the vehicle operates, said control module controlling the operation of the vehicle to maintain said operation within said set of operating parameters.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the operating parameters include:

a limit on the speed of the vehicle;

a limit on the distance the vehicle can be driven by said person;

a restriction on the time of day the vehicle can be driven by said person;

a restriction on the geographical locations a car may be driven; and

a restriction on the class of vehicle able to be driven.

6. A method according to claim 5, comprising the further step of, if the computing platform determines that said person is not an authorized user of the vehicle, then the computing platform transmitting to the control module a command to prevent operation of the vehicle.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein, if the computing platform determines that said person is not an authorized user of the vehicle, then the computing platform sending the driver'"'"'s license number of said person to an administrator having a database of driver'"'"'s license numbers, and said administrator searching through said database to try to determine the name of the person attempting to operate the vehicle.