DIGITAL OVER-THE-AIR KEYING SYSTEM

• US 20090219135A1
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ram, Satish N., Sims, Loyie H., Harvey, John M., Doyle, Thomas Francis, Atella, Michael David
• Granted Patent: US 9,165,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.820
• 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 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A system for providing operational access to equipment or vehicles is disclosed wherein digital access codes are assigned and transported over-the-air governing a vehicle'"'"'s or equipment'"'"'s use. The access codes can be generated in connection with comparison of entered and stored biometric data and/or entered code from a keypad. Various security protocols can be used to ensure the secure dispatch and delivery of code information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in controlling equipment access comprising:

a receiver operable to receive a digital access code;

a biometric sensor operable to detect biometric data;

a transmitter operable to transmit said biometric data to a remote location, wherein said digital access code is received in connection with a determination that said biometric data warrants a predetermined extent of access to said equipment by a user, said digital access code defining the predetermined extent of access to said equipment.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said digital access code specifies the length of time of access during which said equipment is operated.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said equipment includes a vehicle.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said biometric sensor consists of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a voice scanner or a combination thereof.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a device operable to receive a pass code, said pass code being used in connection with said biometric data to determine access to said equipment.

6. An apparatus for use in controlling equipment access comprising:

a receiver operable to receive information including a digital access code;

a biometric sensor operable to detect biometric data;

a memory for storing biometric data coupled to said receiver;

a comparator operable to compare said biometric data from said receiver with biometric data detected by said biometric sensor, wherein said digital access code is transmitted from a remote location in connection with a determination that said biometric data warrants a predetermined extent of access to said equipment.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said digital access code specifies the length of time of access during which said equipment is operated.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said equipment includes a vehicle.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said biometric sensor consists of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a voice scanner or a combination thereof.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a device operable to receive a pass code, said pass code being used in connection with said biometric data to determine access to said equipment.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said memory is a flash memory.

12. A system for providing a digital key code over-the-air comprising:

a transmitter/receiver;

an apparatus remote from a piece of equipment through operable to provide said digital key code through said transmitter/receiver, said digital key code defining a predetermined extent of access to said piece of equipment;

a memory for storing identification data; and

a comparator operable to compare identification data received from said equipment with identification data stored in said memory.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said access codes are provided over-the-air according to a protocol consisting of TCP/IC, SSL, TLS, a protocol employing symmetric cryptography, an interlock protocol or a combination thereof.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a device operable to receive a pass code, said pass code being used in connection with said biometric data to determine access to said equipment.

15. A system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a biometric sensor coupled to said comparator wherein said biometric sensor consists of a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner or a combination thereof for supplying said biometric data.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said digital transmitter/receiver sends information using GT/Web.

17. A method for determining access to a piece of equipment using a digital key comprising:

receiving a request for access to said piece of equipment;

transmitting a digital key over-the-air in response to verified identification data, said digital key defining a predetermined extent of equipment access.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said identification data is biometric data.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said digital key is transmitted in connection with a protocol consisting of TCP/IC, SSL, TLS, a protocol employing symmetric cryptography, an interlock protocol or a combination thereof.

20. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said digital key specifies the duration of time during which said piece of equipment can be operated.

21. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said digital key specifies the geographic area of operation of the piece of equipment.

22. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said digital key specifies which group of individuals can operate said piece of equipment.

23. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein a single digital key is assigned to an entity and wherein said key is operable to define access by said entity to multiple pieces of equipment.

24. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein said entity consists of an individual person or a group of people.

25. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said digital key includes said biometric data.

26. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said extent of equipment access is time limited.

27. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein the predetermined extent of equipment access is capable of being changed in connection with changing the digital key.

28. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein an alert is issued in response to said identification data being unverifiable in connection with receiving a predetermined number of requests for access to a piece of equipment.

29. A method as recited in claim 28 wherein use of said piece of equipment is locked out in connection with the issuance of said alert.

30. An apparatus for use in controlling equipment access comprising:

a receiver operable to receive a digital access code;

a proximity sensor operable to detect identification data;

a transmitter operable to transmit said identification data to a remote location, wherein said digital access code is received in connection with a determination that said identification data warrants a predetermined extent of access to said equipment by a user, said digital access code defining the predetermined extent of access to said equipment.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 30 wherein said identification data lies in an object consisting of a badge or a helmet.