Biometric control of equipment

• US 7,809,954 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Vaughan, Jack, Miller, Brian Scott, Ladriere, Oscar Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Zia; Syed A.
• Application Number:
  US10/546,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,014 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0357 For producing uniform flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/263 Plural sensors for single bypass or relief valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2632 Sensors interconnected by timing or restrictive orifice
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2642 Sensor rigid with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow

Abstract

An apparatus for allowing operation of equipment by an authorized operator comprises a biometric scanner 20 receiving a biometric input from an authorized operator, and transmitting an authorization signal as long as the biometric input is received from the authorized operator. The apparatus further includes an equipment control system 18 that allows the equipment to operate substantially only while the equipment control system receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner 20, and that prevents the equipment from operating shortly after the authorization signal is no longer received from the biometric scanner.

Claims

1. A biometrically actuated refueling system for an aircraft, wherein a flow of fuel is enabled only when a biometric input from an authorized user is continuously received, the system comprising:

a deadman switch with a biometric based controller and receiver, the deadman switch controlling the flow of fuel from a fuel source to an airplane; and

a biometric scanner and transmitter having a biometric input device for receiving a biometric input from a user and a position sensor for determining a proximity of the transmitter to the receiver, the transmitter operable to transmit a signal to the deadman switch receiver;

the biometric scanner and transmitter continuously transmitting an authorization signal only when an authorized user continuously provides a biometric input to the biometric input device, the biometric scanner and transmitter ceasing to transmit the authorization signal when a biometric input corresponding to the authorized user is not continuously provided;

the deadman switch allowing the flow of fuel only when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized user is continuously received from the biometric scanner and transmitter and only when the proximity is within a predetermined range, the deadman switch ceasing the flow of fuel when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized operator is no longer continuously received.

2. The biometrically secured refueling system of claim 1, wherein the deadman switch ceases the flow of fuel within ten seconds of when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized operator is no longer being received.

3. The biometrically secured refueling system of claim 1, wherein the biometric scanner includes a fingerprint reader, the biometric input being an input fingerprint.

4. The biometrically secured refueling system of claim 1, wherein the biometric scanner and transmitter further includes a memory, the biometric scanner and transmitter identifying the biometric input as being from an authorized operator by comparing the biometric input with stored biometric data in the memory.

5. The biometrically secured refueling system of claim 1, wherein the deadman switch is an electrical deadman switch actuated by an electrical signal, the electrical signal being provided while the receiver continuously receives the authorization signal.

6. A method of biometrically actuating refueling for an aircraft, such that a flow of fuel is enabled only when a biometric input from an authorized user is continuously received, the method comprising:

providing a deadman switch with a biometric based controller and an integrated receiver, the deadman switch operable to control the flow of fuel from a fuel source to an airplane;

providing a biometric scanner and transmitter having a biometric input device for receiving a biometric input from a user and a position sensor for determining a proximity of the transmitter to the receiver, the transmitter operable to transmit a signal to the deadman switch receiver;

receiving a biometric input from an authorized user using the biometric input device;

continuously transmitting an authorization signal from the biometric scanner and transmitter to the deadman switch receiver only when an authorized user continuously provides a biometric input to the biometric input device

allowing the flow of fuel through the deadman switch only when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized user is continuously received from the biometric scanner and transmitter and only when the proximity is within a predetermined range, the deadman switch ceasing the flow of fuel when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized user is no longer continuously received.