Fingerprint identification system and method for a motor vehicle

• US 6,828,899 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cecrop Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Cecrop Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Young-Kun
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US09/867,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20020048391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.53, 340/5.2, 340/10.6, 340/5.72, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 340/10.42, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 701/112, 701/113
• US Class Current: 340/5.53
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition

Abstract

A fingerprint identification system for a motor vehicle includes an ignition mode setting unit, a matching board and an engine control unit. The ignition mode setting unit identifies an ignition mode, scans and reads an input fingerprint, and sets and deletes a registered fingerprint. The matching board stores the registered fingerprint and compares the input fingerprint with the registered fingerprint to output an output signal. The engine control unit receives the output signal to output a control signal for controlling a key lock/release and a steering wheel lock/release.

Claims

1. A fingerprint identification system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an ignition control unit, including;

an ignition mode setting unit for setting an ignition mode as a key mode or a fingerprint mode, setting a password for converting the ignition mode, scanning and reading an input fingerprint, and setting and deleting a registered fingerprint;

a matching board for comparing the input fingerprint or the password with a registered fingerprint or a registered password to output an output signal; and

an engine control unit for receiving the output signal to output a control signal for controlling a key lock/release and a steering wheel lock/release, wherein the ignition mode is converted from the key mode into the fingerprint mode when the input password matches with the registered password, thereby igniting a motor vehicle without the key.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ignition mode setting unit includes:

a power button to turn on the ignition mode;

a display panel for displaying the ignition mode;

a fingerprint identification sensor for scanning and reading the input fingerprint;

a fingerprint mode setting button for setting the ignition mode to the fingerprint mode;

a key mode setting button for setting the ignition mode to the key mode;

a fingerprint registration button for setting the registered fingerprint;

a fingerprint deleting button for deleting the registered fingerprint; and

a password input for inputting the password in the matching board and for setting the registered password.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising, a key and steering wheel lock/release unit for locking and releasing the key and the steering wheel according to the control signal from the engine control unit.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising, an immobilizer for outputting a command for fuel distribution to an engine of the motor vehicle in response to the control signal from the engine control unit.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising, an cylinder lock ignition switch including a Lock-position, an Accessories-position, an On-position, and a Start-position, a key knob, and a keyhole, the key knob movable to any of the four positions, the keyhole accepting the key.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is started by the key only when the ignition mode is set to the key mode;

and

wherein the motor vehicle is started by the fingerprint mode when the ignition mode is set to the fingerprint mode by a driver.

7. A method of starting a motor vehicle, comprising:

identifying an ignition mode, the ignition mode including a fingerprint mode and a key mode;

igniting a motor vehicle using a key when the ignition mode is set to the key mode;

scanning and reading an input fingerprint by a user when the ignition mode is set to the fingerprint mode;

comparing the input fingerprint with a registered fingerprint; and

igniting the motor vehicle without the key after releasing a key and a steering wheel unit of the motor vehicle when the input fingerprint is consistent with the registered fingerprint,

wherein the method further comprises changing the ignition mode from the key mode to the fingerprint mode using a password, including;

inputting an input password;

comparing the input password with a registered password; and

changing the ignition mode from the key mode to the fingerprint mode when the input password is consistent with the registered password.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the motor vehicle is started by the key only when the ignition mode is set to the key mode;

and

wherein the motor vehicle is started by the fingerprint mode when the ignition mode is set to the fingerprint mode by a driver.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

changing the ignition mode from the key mode to the fingerprint mode using a fingerprint identification, including;

turning on an ignition mode setting unit;

scanning and reading an input fingerprint by a user;

comparing the input fingerprint with the registered fingerprint; and

changing the ignition mode front the key mode to the fingerprint mode when the input fingerprint is consistent with the registered fingerprint.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein changing the ignition mode further includes:

inputting an input password when the input fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint;

comparing the input password with a registered password; and

changing the ignition mode from the key mode to fingerprint mode when the input password matches with the registered password.