Biometric universal security remote

• US 7,969,280 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard S. Slevin
• Original Assignee: Richard S. Slevin
• Inventors: Slevin, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Nam V
• Application Number:
  US11/747,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.31, 340/5.1, 340/5.25, 382/115, 348/565, 345/173
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a universal wireless security device that provides multiple access control functions in one device without subjecting an owner to increased risk arising from unauthorized use. Authorization is established via one or more biometric characteristics of a user attempting to operate the device. The apparatus includes a transmitter for wirelessly communicating an active security code to a security code receiver, the transmitter responsive to a mode signal to transmit a particular one of a set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes as the active security code; a biometric sensor for extracting a biometric characteristic from a user; an actuating system for indicating a particular one security transmission mode of a plurality of security transmission modes; and a controller, coupled to the transmitter, the sensor, and the actuating system, for determining when the user is an authorized user responsive to the biometric characteristic, the controller communicating the mode signal to the transmitter responsive to the particular one security transmission mode when the user is determined to be the authorized user.

Claims

1. A portable security apparatus, comprising:

a transmitter for wirelessly communicating an active security code to a security code receiver, said transmitter responsive to a mode signal to transmit a particular one of a set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes as said active security code;

a biometric sensor for extracting a biometric characteristic from a user;

an actuating system for indicating a particular one security transmission mode of a plurality of security transmission modes; and

a controller, coupled to said transmitter, said sensor, and said actuating system, for determining when said user is an authorized user responsive to said biometric characteristic, said controller communicating said mode signal to said transmitter responsive to said particular one security transmission mode when said user is determined to be said authorized user, wherein said set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes is associated with a first user and wherein the portable security apparatus further includes a second set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes associated with a second user, said first set and said second set including at least one different prerecorded security code and wherein said controller determines which set to associate with said actuator system responsive to said biometric characteristic.

2. A method, the method comprising:

a) qualifying an operator of a portable security device as an authorized user using a biometric characteristic of said user supplied by a biometric sensor coupled to said portable security device; and

b) responding to an actuation of an actuating system including a plurality of actuation controls of said portable security device to transmit a particular one of a plurality of prerecorded security codes, one prerecorded security code associated with each of said actuation controls only when said operator is an authorized user, wherein said plurality of prerecorded security codes is a first set of prerecorded security codes and is associated with a first user and further including a second set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes associated with a second user, said first set and said second set including at least one different prerecorded security code and wherein said responding step determines which set to associate with said actuator system responsive to said biometric characteristic.

3. A portable security apparatus, comprising:

a transmitter for wirelessly communicating an active security code to a security code receiver, said transmitter responsive to a mode signal to transmit a particular one of a set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes as said active security code;

a biometric sensor for extracting a biometric characteristic from a user;

an actuating system for indicating a particular one security transmission mode of a plurality of security transmission modes; and

a controller, coupled to said transmitter, said sensor, and said actuating system, for determining when said user is an authorized user responsive to said biometric characteristic and setting a transmission authorized mode as TRUE when said user is authorized to transmit, said controller communicating said mode signal to said transmitter responsive to said particular one security transmission mode when said user is determined to be said authorized user only when said transmission authorized mode is TRUE, wherein said set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes is associated with a first user and wherein the portable security apparatus further includes a second set of a plurality of prerecorded security codes associated with a second user, said first set and said second set including at least one different prerecorded security code and wherein said controller determines which set to associate with said actuator system responsive to said biometric characteristic.