Biometric characteristic vehicle control system having verification and reset features
First Claim
1. A vehicle security system comprising:
- at least one vehicle security sensor;
an alarm controller switchable between an armed mode for generating an alarm responsive to the at least one vehicle security sensor, and a disarmed mode;
a biometric characteristic sensor for sensing a unique biometric characteristic of an individual;
said alarm controller further comprising biometric learning means cooperating with said biometric characteristic sensor for learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to define a learned individual for switching said alarm controller; and
learned individual verifying means for generating an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned by said biometric learning means to thereby provide an indication of a potentially unauthorized learned individual.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a vehicle includes a controller for learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to define a learned individual capable of causing performance of a function associated with the vehicle, for example. The controller performs biometric characteristic verification to generate an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned by the controller. The control system is advantageously used, in one embodiment, for a vehicle security system. Biometric characteristic verification may also be incorporated in a remote keyless entry system, and remote engine starting system, for example. In one embodiment, the biometric characteristic verification is based upon the controller being recently entered into the biometric characteristic learning mode. According to another embodiment, the biometric characteristic verification is based upon a number of learned individuals, a change in that number, or a change in a learned biometric characteristic. The indication may be provided at the vehicle or remote therefrom by any of a light, a visual display, a vibration transducer, a speech message generator, and an audible signal generator, for example. A previous set of authorized biometric characteristics may be readily reset or restored to operate the system if unauthorized biometric characteristics have been more recently added.
154 Citations
70 Claims
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1. A vehicle security system comprising:
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at least one vehicle security sensor; an alarm controller switchable between an armed mode for generating an alarm responsive to the at least one vehicle security sensor, and a disarmed mode; a biometric characteristic sensor for sensing a unique biometric characteristic of an individual; said alarm controller further comprising biometric learning means cooperating with said biometric characteristic sensor for learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to define a learned individual for switching said alarm controller; and learned individual verifying means for generating an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned by said biometric learning means to thereby provide an indication of a potentially unauthorized learned individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A vehicle function control system responsive to at least one unique biometric characteristic of an individual, the vehicle Function control system comprising:
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a biometric characteristic sensor for sensing a unique biometric characteristic of an individual; and a controller at the vehicle for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to said biometric characteristic sensor, said controller comprising biometric learning means cooperating with said biometric characteristic sensor for learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to define a learned individual for controlling the at least one vehicle function, and learned individual verifying means for generating an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned by said biometric learning means to thereby provide an indication of a potentially unauthorized learned individual. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A vehicle function control system responsive to at least one unique biometric characteristic of an individual, the vehicle function control system comprising:
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a biometric characteristic sensor for sensing a unique biometric characteristic of an individual; and a controller at the vehicle for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to said biometric characteristic sensor, said controller comprising biometric learning means cooperating with said biometric characteristic sensor for learning a unique biometric characteristic of an individual to define a learned individual for controlling the at least one vehicle function, learned individual verifying means for generating an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned by said biometric learning means to thereby provide an indication of a potentially unauthorized learned individual, and biometric characteristic reset means for permitting the user to restore at least one previously learned biometric characteristic and remove at least one more recently learned biometric characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A method for controlling at least one vehicle function based upon a biometric characteristic of a user, the method comprising:
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sensing the biometric characteristic of a user; providing a controller at the vehicle for controlling at least one vehicle function responsive to sensing the biometric characteristic; learning the unique biometric characteristic of the at least one individual into the controller to define a learned individual for controlling the at least one vehicle function; and generating an indication relating to whether a new individual has been learned into the controller to thereby alert the user of a potentially unauthorized individual. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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Specification