Starting system for an automotive vehicle using fingerprint recognition
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A switch assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a pivoting member having a first position and a second position;
a spring urging said pivoting member into said first position;
a fingerprint sensor disposed on said pivoting member;
a first housing disposed adjacent to said pivoting member; and
a switch disposed on said housing so that when said pivoting member is in said second position said switch is closed.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A starting system for an engine of an automotive vehicle having an ignition system includes a fingerprint sensor (26) that generates a fingerprint signal. A memory has a plurality of authorized fingerprint signals stored therein. A switch (28) is used to generate a start signal. A controller is coupled to the ignition system (20), the fingerprint sensor (26), the memory (18), and switch (28). The controller compares the fingerprint signal with the authorized fingerprint signal stored in the memory and enables the ignition system in response to the start signal and the fingerprint signal being substantially equal to an authorized fingerprint signal.
53 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A switch assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
-
a pivoting member having a first position and a second position;
a spring urging said pivoting member into said first position;
a fingerprint sensor disposed on said pivoting member;
a first housing disposed adjacent to said pivoting member; and
a switch disposed on said housing so that when said pivoting member is in said second position said switch is closed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A starting system for an engine of an automotive vehicle having an ignition system coupled to the engine, said system comprising:
-
a switch assembly comprising, a pivoting member having a first position and a second position;
a spring urging said pivoting member into said first position;
a fingerprint sensor disposed on said pivoting member;
a first housing disposed adjacent to said pivoting member; and
a switch disposed on said housing so that when said pivoting member is in said second posit on said switch generates a start signal;
a memory having n authorized fingerprint signal stored therein; and
a controller coupled to the ignition system, said fingerprint sensor, said memory and said switch, said controller comparing said fingerprint signal with said authorized fingerprint signal a d enabling said ignition system in response to said start signal and said fingerprint signal being substantially equal to said authorized fingerprint signal. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of starting an engine of an automobile comprising:
-
generating a first fingerprint signal from a fingerprint sensor disposed on a pivoting member;
comparing said first fingerprint signal with a second fingerprint signal stored within a memory;
issuing a fingerprint enable signal in response to said first fingerprint signal being within said memory;
generating a start signal by pivoting said pivoting member to contact a mechanical switch; and
starting an engine in response to said start signal and said fingerprint enable signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification