Authorized personnel biometric detection system preventing unauthorized use of aircraft and other potentially dangerous instruments

• US 7,155,034 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Recce, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Desire, Gregory
• Application Number:
  US10/406,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 382/115, 382/119, 382/121, 180/19.2, 473/201, 473/202
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2027 with data signals passing through the human body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2045 by hand gestures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/426 against unauthorised use, e.g. keys
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

An authorized pilot detection system and method for controlling a variety of potentially dangerous instrumentalities such as aircraft, land vehicles, amphibious vehicles and other hand-controllable equipment, is disclosed. The system with respect to aircraft includes an interlock for enabling/disabling one of a control wheel and a joystick for controlling movement of an aircraft; a biometric grip detector arranged on said one of a control and joy stick, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one of a control wheel and joystick; a comparator for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the plurality of pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile including: (a) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said one of a control wheel and joystick as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors; (b) pressure as a function of position on the control wheel and joystick; and (c) pressure as a function of time. A control unit may disable the interlock to permit at least partial manual control of movement of the aircraft by the control wheel/joy stick when the comparator indicates that the signature profile matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage. Authorized access to other hand operated equipment such as power tools and heavy equipment are prevented according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An authorized pilot detection system for controlling an aircraft, said system comprising:

an interlock for enabling/disabling one of a control wheel and a joystick for controlling movement of an aircraft;

a biometric grip detector arranged on said one of a control and joy stick, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one of a control wheel and joystick;

comparator means for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the plurality of pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile comprising;

(a) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said one of a control wheel and joystick as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(b) pressure as a function of position on said one of a control wheel and joystick; and

(c) pressure as a function of time;

control means for disabling the interlock to allow control of movement of the aircraft by said one of a control wheel and joy stick when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage,

wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation, and

wherein said control means enables the interlock to prevent navigation of the aircraft by steering said one a control wheel and joystick, and said control means activates at least one of an autopilot, a flight director and a flight management system to control navigation of the aircraft automatically when a signature profile compiled by said comparator means does not match said at least one signature profile in storage.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control means automatically broadcasts a distress signal to at least one air controller tower indicating unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said control means automatically activates a first camera in a cockpit area and broadcasts video of a flight crew after unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said control means also activates at least a second camera in the passenger area and broadcasts video of passengers of the passengers on the aircraft.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein said control means automatically disables an on/off switch of a transponder of the aircraft when unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted, said transponder remaining on until a reset code is entered, said reset code not being provided to said pilot.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said control means automatically turns a transponder on if an unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted and automatically disables an on/off switch of a transponder of the aircraft when unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted, said transponder remaining on until a reset code is entered, said reset code not being provided to said pilot.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein each authorized user has a signature profile of a first grip for normal operation of the aircraft, and at least one predetermined distress grip which causes the control means to broadcast that the aircraft is being navigated under duress.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the interlock is enabled by one of a central site and an air traffic control center.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft steering is hydraulically actuated, and the interlock disables said one of a joystick and control wheel from actuating the aircraft steering.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft is electronically controlled by a fly-by-wire system, and the interlock disables electrical control signals from said one of a control wheel and joystick.

11. A system for preventing unauthorized use of a power tool, said system comprising:

a biometric grip detector arranged on said power tool, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one power tool;

comparator means for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the plurality of pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile comprising;

(a) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said power tool as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(b) pressure as a function of position on said power tool; and

(c) pressure as a function of time;

control means for disabling the interlock for a predetermined amount of time to allow operation of said power tool when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage, and

wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said power tool is a one of a chainsaw, bandsaw, rivet gun, nail gun, sander, tile cutter, jackhammer.

13. A system for preventing unauthorized use of mobile equipment, said system comprising:

an interlock for enabling/disabling an accelerator/throttle and a braking system, to prevent movement of the heavy equipment;

a biometric grip detector arranged on one of a steering wheel and a joystick, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one of a steering wheel and joystick;

comparator means for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the plurality of pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile comprising;

(a) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said one of a steering wheel and joystick as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(b) pressure as a function of position on said one of a control wheel and joystick; and

(c) pressure as a function of time;

control means for disabling the interlock to allow throttle/accelerator to cause the heavy equipment to move when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage,

wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation, and

wherein said control means enables the interlock to prevent movement of the heavy equipment by engaging a braking system and optionally disengaging the throttle/accelerator automatically when a signature profile compiled by said comparator means does not match said at least one signature profile in storage.

14. A method for detecting pilot authorization for controlling an aircraft, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an interlock for enabling/disabling one of a control wheel and a joystick for controlling movement of an aircraft;

(b) providing a biometric grip detector arranged on said one of a control and joy stick, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one of a control wheel and joystick;

(c) comparing by comparator means a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the plurality of pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile comprising;

(i) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said one of a control wheel and joystick as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(ii) pressure as a function of position on said one of a control wheel and joystick; and

(iii) pressure as a function of time;

(d) disabling the interlock by a control means to permit at least partial manual control of the aircraft by said one of a control wheel and joy stick only when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said control means enables the interlock to prevent navigation of the aircraft by steering said one a control wheel and joystick, and said control means activates at least one of an autopilot, a flight director and a flight management system to control navigation of the aircraft automatically and disregard manual attempts at maneuvering when a signature profile compiled by said comparator means does not match said at least one signature profile in storage.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said control means automatically broadcasts a distress signal to at least one air controller tower indicating unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein said control means automatically activates a first camera in a cockpit area and broadcasts video of a flight crew after unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said control means also activates at least a second camera in the passenger area and broadcasts video of passengers of the passengers on the aircraft.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein said control means automatically disables an on/off switch of a transponder of the aircraft when unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted, said transponder remaining on until a reset code is entered, said reset code not being provided to said pilot.

21. The system according to claim 14, wherein said control means automatically turns a transponder on if an unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted and automatically disables an on/off switch of a transponder of the aircraft when unauthorized control of the aircraft has been attempted, said transponder remaining on until a reset code is entered, said reset code not being provided to said pilot.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein each authorized user has a signature profile of a first grip for normal operation of the aircraft, and at least one predetermined distress grip which causes the control means to broadcast that the aircraft is being navigated under duress.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the interlock is enabled by one of a central site and an air traffic control center.

24. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aircraft steering is hydraulically actuated, and the interlock disables said one of a joystick and control wheel from actuating the aircraft steering.

25. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aircraft is electronically controlled by a fly-by-wire system, and the interlock disables electrical control signals from said one of a control wheel and joystick.

26. A method for preventing unauthorized use of a power tool, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) arranging a biometric grip detector on said power tool, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one power tool;

(b) providing an output of the handgrip sensed by the pressure sensors by comparator means for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from the pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile comprising;

(i) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said power tool as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(ii) pressure as a function of position on said power tool; and

(iii) pressure as a function of time;

control means for disabling the interlock for a predetermined amount of time to allow operation of said power tool when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage, and

wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said power tool is a one of a chainsaw, bandsaw, rivet gun, nail gun, sander, tile cutter, jackhammer, torch.

28. A method for preventing unauthorized use of mobile equipment, said method comprising:

(a) providing an interlock for enabling/disabling an accelerator/throttle and a braking system, to prevent movement of the heavy equipment;

(b) arranging a biometric grip detector on one of a steering wheel and a joystick, said biometric grip detector comprising a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a handgrip of a user on said one of a steering wheel and joystick;

(c) comparing by comparator means an output of the pressure sensors with a pressure signature profile from storage, said pressure signature profile comprising;

(i) hand position of the user'"'"'s handgrip on said one of a steering wheel and joystick as indicated by a change in pressure on at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors;

(ii) pressure as a function of position on said one of a control wheel and joystick; and

(iii) pressure as a function of time;

control means for disabling the interlock to allow throttle/accelerator to cause the heavy equipment to move when said comparator means indicates that the signature profile compiled by said comparator means matches at least one pressure signature profile in storage.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein said comparator means compares signature profiles sensed by the biometric grip detector at predetermined intervals during operation.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein said control means enables the interlock to prevent movement of the heavy equipment by engaging a braking system and optionally disengaging the throttle/accelerator automatically when a signature profile compiled by said comparator means does not match said at least one signature profile in storage.