SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE IGNITION USING BIOMETRIC DATA

• US 20150066238A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety Inc.
• Original Assignee: Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety Inc.
• Inventors: TODD, Gilbert A., NAGOLU, Chakravarthi M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,710,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition

Abstract

A push-to-start ignition device measures biometric information of a driver to control activation of vehicle ignition. The push-to-start switch includes a touchpad that senses, using capacitive sensors, a vehicle driver'"'"'s finger and provides signals using one or a combination of lights, audio, and haptic feedback to guide the vehicle driver into a suitable position for measuring the biometric characteristic. If the biometric measurement meets a predefined threshold, the vehicle ignition is activated. If the biometric measurement fails to meet a predefined threshold, the vehicle ignition is locked.

Claims

1. A system for controlling ignition of a vehicle;

the system comprising;

a measurement window for measuring a biometric characteristic of a vehicle driver, the measurement window comprising a capacitive sensor on a touchpad, the capacitive sensor capable of detecting the finger of vehicle driver; and

a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor and configured to;

provide a signal to the vehicle driver indicative of whether placement of the finger is correct;

if the position of the finger is correct, receive a measurement from the measurement window of the biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver;

determine whether the measurement of the biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver meets a pre-determined threshold; and

control starting the vehicle based on the measurement of the biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a haptic actuator coupled to the touch pad, the haptic actuator configured to simulate a push-to-start button when the vehicle starts.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver comprises haptic feedback.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver is indicative of how placement is in error.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver is indicative of how to correct error in placement.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal comprises a visual indicator.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal comprises an audio indicator.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the touchpad comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the biometric characteristic comprises blood alcohol level.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the measurement window is configured to measure more than one biometric characteristic.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the touchpad comprises a ground plane surrounding the capacitive sensor.

12. A method for controlling ignition of a vehicle;

the method comprising;

detecting a finger of a vehicle driver at a capacitive sensor on a touchpad of an ignition controller;

providing a signal to the vehicle driver indicative of whether placement of the finger is correct;

if the position of the finger is correct, receiving a measurement from a measurement window on the touchpad of a biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver;

determining whether the measurement of the biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver meets a pre-determined threshold; and

controlling starting the vehicle based on the measurement of the biometric characteristic of the vehicle driver.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a haptic actuator coupled to the touchpad, the haptic actuator configured to simulate a push-to-start button when the vehicle starts.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver comprises haptic feedback.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver is indicative of how placement is in error.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the signal to the vehicle driver is indicative of how to correct error in placement.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the signal comprises a visual indicator.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the signal comprises an audio indicator.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the touchpad comprises a capacitive sensor.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the touchpad comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the biometric characteristic comprises blood alcohol level.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein the measurement window is configured to measure more than one biometric characteristic.

23. The method of claim 12 wherein the touchpad comprises a ground plane surrounding the capacitive sensor.