MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR IDENTIFICATION AND MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITER

• US 20100241313A1
• Filed: 06/03/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Surabian, Andrew, Fiske, Richard, Weigold, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• 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. An automotive vehicle comprising:

an on-board computer configured to control the automotive vehicle to a maximum speed;

a first device useable to permit operation of the automotive vehicle, the first device adapted to communicate information to the on-board computer, the on-board computer being arranged to receive the information from the first device and limit the automotive vehicle to a maximum speed based on the information, the on-board computer being reprogrammable from limiting the automotive vehicle to a first maximum speed based on the information from the first device to limiting the automotive vehicle to a second maximum vehicle speed based on the information from the first device.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first device is useable to gain access to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first device includes a computer chip that is programmed to include identification information.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a second device that is arranged to communicate information that causes the vehicle on-board computer to limit the vehicle to a third maximum speed that is different from the first maximum speed.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first device is separate from the vehicle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the first device is an ignition key.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the ignition key comprises a chip.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the chip is programmable.