Method and Apparatus for Primary Driver Verification

• US 20140207342A1
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Chen, Yifan, Prakah-Asante, Kwaku O., Rankin, James Stewart, Tonshal, Basavaraj
• Granted Patent: US 9,789,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions

Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to examine one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to compare the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles and verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

examine one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle;

compare the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles; and

verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the settings include driver positioning settings.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the settings include driver interior settings.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to record data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion and compare the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the comparison includes comparing a weighted evaluation of a plurality of settings.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to repeat the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to tailor feature and functions of HMI displays, vehicle physical system settings, adaptive vehicle modes, and climate controls based on the verified driver.

8. A computer-implemented method comprising:

examining one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle;

comparing the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles; and

verifying the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the settings include driver positioning settings.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the settings include driver interior settings.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further includes recording data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion and comparing the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the comparison includes comparing a weighted evaluation of a plurality of settings.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further includes repeating the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method comprising:

examining one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle;

comparing the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles; and

verifying the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

15. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the settings include driver positioning settings.

16. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the settings include driver interior settings.

17. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further includes recording data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion and comparing the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles.

18. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the comparison includes comparing a weighted evaluation of a plurality of settings.

19. The storage medium of claim 18, wherein the method further includes repeating the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.