RF BIOMETRIC IGNITION CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An electronic ignition control system, comprising:
- a keyfob including;
a biometric sensor configured to sense a fingerprint of a user, the keyfob being configured to produce a digital representation of the fingerprint; and
a transmitter configured to transmit an air-borne signal including the produced digital representation of the fingerprint; and
a vehicle including;
a memory device storing digital representations of fingerprints of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle;
a motor;
an ignition configured to start the motor, the ignition having an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism, and a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor;
a receiver configured to receive the air-borne signal from the transmitter; and
a controller in communication with each of the memory device, the ignition and the receiver, the controller being configured to;
compare the produced digital representation of the fingerprint to the stored digital representations of the fingerprints of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle; and
switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state dependent upon the air-borne signal received by the receiver.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic ignition control system includes a keyfob having a biometric sensor that senses an identifying biological characteristic of the user. The keyfob also has a transmitter that transmits an air-borne signal dependent upon the identifying biological characteristic. The ignition has an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism. The ignition also has a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor. The vehicle also has a receiver that receives the air-borne signal from the transmitter. The vehicle further has a controller in communication with each of the ignition and the receiver. The system can work independent of a RF transmitter and receiver.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An electronic ignition control system, comprising:
-
a keyfob including; a biometric sensor configured to sense a fingerprint of a user, the keyfob being configured to produce a digital representation of the fingerprint; and a transmitter configured to transmit an air-borne signal including the produced digital representation of the fingerprint; and a vehicle including; a memory device storing digital representations of fingerprints of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle; a motor; an ignition configured to start the motor, the ignition having an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism, and a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor; a receiver configured to receive the air-borne signal from the transmitter; and a controller in communication with each of the memory device, the ignition and the receiver, the controller being configured to; compare the produced digital representation of the fingerprint to the stored digital representations of the fingerprints of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle; and switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state dependent upon the air-borne signal received by the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A vehicle electronic ignition control arrangement, comprising:
-
a keyfob including; a first biometric sensor configured to sense a first identifying biological characteristic of a user; and a transmitter configured to transmit an air-borne signal indicative of the first identifying biological characteristic; and a vehicle including; a motor; an ignition configured to start the motor, the ignition having an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by using a start mechanism, and a locked state in which use of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor; a receiver configured to receive the air-borne signal from the transmitter; a second biometric sensor configured to sense a second identifying biological characteristic of the user; and a controller in communication with each of the ignition, the receiver, and the second biometric sensor, the controller being configured to switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state dependent upon both the air-borne signal received by the receiver and the sensed second identifying biological characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An electronic ignition control system, comprising:
-
a keyfob including; a biometric sensor configured to sense an identifying biological characteristic of a user, the keyfob being configured to produce a digital representation of the identifying biological characteristic; and a transmitter configured to transmit an air-borne signal including the produced digital representation of the identifying biological characteristic; and a vehicle including; a motor; an ignition configured to start the motor, the ignition having an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism, and a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor; a receiver configured to receive the air-borne signal from the transmitter; and a controller in communication with each of the ignition and the receiver, the controller being configured to; compare the produced digital representation of the identifying biological characteristic to stored digital representations of the identifying biological characteristics of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle; and switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state if the produced digital representation of the identifying biological characteristic matches one of the stored digital representations of the identifying biological characteristics of pre-approved drivers of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification