Biometric system and method for vehicle security and operation

• US 7,138,904 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Iulius Vivant Dutu
• Original Assignee: Iulius Vivant Dutu
• Inventors: Dutu, Iulius Vivant
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US10/832,050
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.53, 340/5.6, 340/5.83, 340/5.82, 340/5.65, 340/5.72, 340/5.8, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02102 with supplementary safety device preventing operation of the starter of an engine already running
• 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 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24162 Biometric sensor, fingerprint as user access password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns

Abstract

Disclosed is a keyless system for operating and accessing a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, minivan, bus, airplane, train, boat, etc. Preferably, the user'"'"'s fingerprint is his or her “right of passage” into the vehicle. The system includes fingerprint triggered access to the physical inside space of a vehicle and along with other commands, preferably voice activated and/or card/card reader, control the vehicle'"'"'s various systems. The system is designed to perform optimally in less than perfect environmental conditions and is preferably provided with its own source of energy. The system also includes a controller and interface in communication with a fingerprint sensor.

Claims

1. A system for keyless operation of a vehicle, said system comprising:

a keyless member to access within an interior area of a vehicle without a mechanical vehicle key and to enable the vehicle for engine starting without a mechanical vehicle key; and

a push button, switch assembly for starting an engine of the vehicle;

wherein said keyless member secured to the vehicle and having a biometric sensor assembly that is movable back and forth from an outside position to an inside position with respect to a door of the vehicle.

2. A movable biometric sensor system for use with a vehicle, said system comprising:

a biometric sensor assembly movable back and forth from an outside position to an inside position with respect to a vehicle; and

means for wirelessly controlling back and forth movement of said biometric sensor from a remote location with respect to a location of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said biometric sensor assembly identifying one or more authorized users and one or more restricted authorized users, wherein said system further comprising:

means for permitting unrestricted control of the vehicle to an authorized user based on a valid read by said biometric sensor assembly; and

means for permitting restricted control of the vehicle to a restricted authorized user based on a valid read by said biometric sensor assembly.

4. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 wherein said restricted authorized user is an individual having a learner'"'"'s or restricted driver'"'"'s license.

5. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 wherein said restricted authorized user is a teenager having a driver'"'"'s license.

6. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 wherein said restricted control is a predetermined maximum speed that the vehicle can be driven by the restricted authorized user based on an identification of the restricted authorized user.

7. The system for keyless operation of claim 6 wherein said restricted authorized user is a valid parking attendant.

8. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 further including means for automatically preventing the vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed limit when said vehicle is being operated by said restricted authorized user outside of his or her permitted restricted control.

9. The system for keyless operation of claim 8 wherein the predetermined maximum speed limit for the vehicle is set by sending a control signal to a vehicle speed sensor input of an engine control module for the vehicle to control a pulse width length that controls an injection system for the vehicle.

10. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 wherein said restricted control is a predetermined number of miles that the vehicle can be driven by the restricted authorized user based on an identification of the restricted authorized user.

11. The system for keyless operation of claim 3 wherein said restricted control is a set time period during which vehicle can be driven by the restricted authorized user based on an identification of the restricted authorized user by said means for identifying.

12. A system for keyless operation of a vehicle, said system comprising:

a keyless member to access within an interior area of a vehicle without a mechanical vehicle key and to enable the vehicle for engine starting without a mechanical vehicle key; and

a push button, switch assembly for starting an engine of the vehicle;

wherein said keyless member having a biometric sensor assembly that is movable back and forth from an outside position to an inside position with respect to a door of the vehicle;

wherein said sensor is movable by an electric motor or magnetic assembly for moving said sensor to either a fixed location inside the vehicle or a fixed location outside of the vehicle.

13. A system for keyless operation of a vehicle, said system comprising:

a biometric sensor assembly secured to a vehicle and having a portion which is movable back and forth from an outside position to an inside position with respect to a door of the vehicle; and

means for permitting access within the vehicle based on a valid read by said biometric sensor assembly.

14. The system for keyless operation of claim 13 further comprising means for automatically starting the vehicle based on a valid read by said biometric sensor assembly.

15. The system for keyless operation of claim 14 wherein said means for automatically starting only operating when a transmission for the vehicle is in a parking mode.

16. The system for keyless operation of claim 15 further comprising means for automatically engaging an emergency brake for the vehicle each time the vehicle transmission is placed in parking mode.

17. The system for keyless operation of claim 14 wherein said means for automatically starting the vehicle including means for identifying that a transmission for the vehicle is in a parking mode.

18. The system for keyless operation of claim 17 wherein said means for identifying includes a switch assembly having a switch which is required to be in a closed position for starting the vehicle, wherein said switch is in the closed position only when said transmission is in the parking mode.

19. The system for keyless operation of claim 14 wherein said means for automatically starting comprising:

a PC controller in communication with said biometric sensor assembly and in communication with a vehicle computer or engine control module of the vehicle;

wherein upon an authorized read by said biometric sensor assembly, said PC controller communicates to the vehicle computer or engine control module to initiate an injection system and an ignition system of the vehicle and the vehicle is automatically started through a contact assembly.

20. A movable biometric sensor system, said system comprising:

a biometric sensor assembly connected to a structure; and

means for moving at least a first portion of the biometric sensor assembly back and forth from a first position with respect to the structure to a second position with respect to the structure while a second portion of the biometric sensor assembly remains fixed and secured to the structure.