Cognitive system for a vehicle and its occupants

• US 6,310,542 B1
• Filed: 08/19/1999
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Gehlot, Narayan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/377,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/438, 340/439, 340/539, 340/902, 340/903, 340/988, 340/10.2, 340/825.31, 307/10.2, 307/10.4, 307/10.6, 701/1, 701/36, 701/102
• US Class Current: 340/426.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/302 using recording means, e.g. black box
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input, including but not limited to information from a vehicle'"'"'s micro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicle information card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner. The system generally includes a processor mounted or otherwise installed in a vehicle which is capable of receiving data from the vehicle'"'"'s various mechanical and electrical/electronic system, micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. The data can be used to grant a driver authorization to operate the vehicle and can be transmitted to third parties having an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.

Claims

1. A system for storing, retrieving and transmitting of vehicle data comprising:

an information card reader/writer device mounted in a vehicle for reading input data from a magnetic strip-like information card and writing output information to a magnetic strip-like information card;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said information card reader/writer and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving said input data from said information card reader/writer device, sending output data to said reader/writer device for storage on a magnetic strip-like information card, and retrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said processor transmitting said retrieved vehicle data in real-time to said card reader/writer for storage on a magnetic strip-like information card; and

a transmitter for real-time transmission of said input data and/or said vehicle data using wireless transmission to external entities and devices.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a display device capable of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a transmitter for real-time transmission of a signal upon the unauthorized tampering with said system.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a drivers name and address.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a driver'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle make and model identification.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises account balance information.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

14. A system for real-time retrieving and transmitting of vehicle and/or driver data comprising:

an information card reader/writer device mounted in a vehicle for reading input data from a magnetic strip-like information card and writing output information to a magnetic strip-like information card;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said information card reader/writer and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving said input data from said information card reader/writer device, sending output data to said reader/writer device for storage on a magnetic strip-like information card, and retrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said processor transmitting said retrieved vehicle data in real-time to said card reader/writer for storage on a magnetic strip-like information card; and

a transmitter in communication with said processor, said transmitter automatically transmitting in real-time said retrieved vehicle data and/or said input data to data collection units deployed along a roadway and in wireless communication with said transmitter; and

said data collection units further capable of being accessed by selected third-party entities so that said third-party can retrieve said vehicle and/or input data in real-time.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said system further comprises a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

16. A system according to claim 14 wherein said system further comprises a display device capable of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.

17. A system according to claim 14 wherein said data collection units further include a data storage device connected to said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data and said input data.

18. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a driver'"'"'s name and address.

19. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a driver'"'"'s driver license identification number and information identifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.

20. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a driver'"'"'s medical dental history information and emergency contacts information.

21. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle license number and vehicle identification number.

22. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle make and model identification.

23. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicle performance information.

24. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises account balance information.

25. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s name and address.

26. A system according to claim 14 wherein information stored on said information card comprises a vehicle passenger'"'"'s medical and dental history information and emergency contacts information.

27. A system for preventing unauthorized access to a vehicle comprising:

an input device for receiving driver data regarding the physical attributes and/or biological data about a potential driver of said vehicle;

an information card reader/writer device mounted in a vehicle receiving input data from a magnetic strip-like information card;

a processor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with said input device and said card reader/writer and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor receiving said driver data from said input device and said input data from said information card reader/writer device, and assessing said driver data and input data to determine whether said potential driver is an authorized driver of said vehicle;

said processor enabling or disabling the operation of said vehicle based on said assessment.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said physical and/or biological data comprises a retinal scan, fingerprint, handprint, voice, or password, or the like.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said input device comprises a device for reading a retinal scan, a fingerprint, a handprint, voice recognition, or a typed password, or the like.