Motor vehicle operator identification and maximum speed limiter

• US 20100042303A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Fiske, Richard, Weigold, Kevin, Surabian, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting

Abstract

A programmable device that interfaces with a motor vehicle. The device is programmed to identify the operator who is gaining access to the motor vehicle. The device is further programmed to associate a maximum allowable speed with each person allowed to operate the motor vehicle. The device incorporates an access and operation means together with a computer that is compatible with the motor vehicle on board computer. The computer includes in it'"'"'s output a signal that controls the maximum allowable speed that the on board computer will permit the motor vehicle to operate at for the identified operator.

Claims

1. A programmable system that controls the maximum allowable speed of a motor vehicle, based upon the identity of the operator, said motor vehicle having a means to control the speed of the motor vehicle, comprising the following:

a. a programmable device that permits access and operation of said motor vehicle, said device identifies the individual who is operating the motor vehicle, said access and operation device providing an information output that includes the identity of the individual operating motor vehicle; and

b. a computer that is positioned in the motor vehicle, said computer being able to receive the information output from the access and operation device, said computer being interconnected with the means that controls the speed of the motor vehicle, further said computer being programmed to associate a maximum motor vehicle speed with the identity of the individual who is operating the motor vehicle.

2. A programmable system that controls the maximum allowable speed of a motor vehicle, as described in claim 1, where the device that permits access and operation of said motor vehicle is an ignition key, that is unique for each operator of the motor vehicle, with a programmable chip incorporated therein.

3. A programmable system that controls the maximum allowable speed of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having a means to control the speed of the motor vehicle, comprising the following:

a. a device that permits access and operation of a motor vehicle, said device provides an information output that includes the maximum allowable speed of the motor vehicle; and

b. a computer that is positioned in the motor vehicle, said computer being able to receive the information output from the access and operation device, said computer being interconnected with the means that controls the speed of the motor vehicle.

4. A programmable system that controls the maximum allowable speed of a motor vehicle, as described in claim 3, where the device that permits access and operation of said motor vehicle is an ignition key, that is unique for each operator of the motor vehicle, with programmable chip incorporated therein.

5. A system for controlling a speed of an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

a first device that is arranged to communicate identification information; and

an automotive vehicle including an on-board computer that controls at least one vehicle operating parameter, the vehicle on-board computer being arranged to receive the identification information from the first device and control a vehicle operating parameter based on the identification information, control of the vehicle operating parameter limiting the automotive vehicle to a first maximum speed.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first device is useable to gain access to the vehicle and operate the vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first device includes a computer chip that is programmed to include identification information and information indicative of a maximum speed for the vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the on-board computer is programmable to control the maximum speed of the vehicle based on only identification information received from the first device.

9. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a second device that is arranged to communicate identification information that causes the vehicle on-board computer to limit the vehicle to a second maximum speed that is different from the first maximum speed.

10. The system according to claim 5, wherein the on-board computer is programmable to change the first maximum speed to a different value.

11. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first device is separate from the vehicle.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device is an ignition key.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the ignition key comprises a chip.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the chip is programmable.

15. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first device comprises a vehicle access and operation device, the system further comprising an operator identification device communicating with the on-board computer, with the vehicle access and operation device and the operator identification device providing combined identifier information.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the on-board computer is adapted to control a vehicle operating parameter to limit the speed of the automotive vehicle based on the combined identifier information.

17. A method for controlling a speed of an automotive vehicle, the automotive vehicle including an on-board computer that controls at least one vehicle operating parameter, the method comprising:

receiving identification information from a vehicle control and access device;

communicating the identification information to the on-board computer; and

causing the on-board computer to control the vehicle operating parameter limiting the automotive vehicle to a maximum speed based on only the identification information.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising programming the vehicle control and access device to include the identification information and information indicative of the maximum speed for the vehicle.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising programming the on-board computer to control the maximum speed of the vehicle based on only identification information received from the vehicle control and access device.