Control of equipment using remote display

• US 8,362,873 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Brian Scott, Vaughan, Jack, DiSimone, Gino, LaDriere, Oscar Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): OBINIYI, PAULSON IDOWU
• Application Number:
  US12/041,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20080229409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.52, 340/5.74, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 340/3.1, 340/5.53, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints

Abstract

An example display unit for facilitating operation of equipment includes a housing, an electronic display supported by the housing, and an electronic circuit located within the housing. The display unit may include one or more data receivers, such as a wireless receiver and/or an electrical interface. A biometric scanner, including a biometric sensor and proving an authorization signal when an authorized biometric input is detected by the biometric sensor, may be configured to electrically (and optionally mechanically) interconnect to the display unit. The example display unit receives an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the biometric scanner, and displays the authorization status and operational parameters relating to equipment use on the electronic display.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating operation of equipment, the apparatus comprising:

a display unit, the display unit having;

a housing;

an electronic display;

an electronic circuit; and

a data receiver;

a biometric scanner, the biometric scanner including a biometric sensor, the apparatus providing an authorization signal when an authorized biometric input is detected by the biometric sensor,

the display unit being operable to receive an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the biometric scanner, and to display the authorization status and the operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display; and

an equipment control system allowing the equipment to operate when the authorization signal is provided,

the equipment control system preventing the equipment from operating after the authorization signal is no longer provided,

the equipment control system being located in a fuel truck, the equipment being a fueling system allowing transfer of fuel from the fuel truck to an airplane,

the display unit having a cradle to receive the biometric scanner, the cradle for the biometric scanner including a recess in the housing adapted to receive the biometric scanner, and an electrical interface within the recess allowing electrical communication between the biometric scanner and the display unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the biometric scanner transmitting the authorization signal when the authorized biometric input is received from an authorized operator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the equipment control system prevents the equipment from operating within ten seconds of the authorization signal being no longer received from the biometric scanner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the equipment control system includes a switch, the switch being actuated so as to allow operation of the equipment as long as the equipment control system receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the equipment control system includes a deadman switch, actuation of the deadman switch allowing operation of the fueling system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the display unit receiving operational parameters from an equipment operation monitor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biometric scanner includes a fingerprint reader, the authorized biometric input being an input fingerprint from an authorized operator.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the biometric scanner further includes a memory, the biometric scanner identifying the authorized biometric input as being from the authorized operator by comparing the authorized biometric input with stored biometric data in the memory.

9. A process for allowing operation of equipment by an authorized operator, the process comprising:

receiving a biometric input from an operator;

determining if the biometric input is from the authorized operator;

transmitting an authorization signal as long as the biometric input is provided by the authorized operator;

operating the equipment only while the authorization signal is transmitted;

displaying equipment operation data to the authorized user on a display unit,

the display unit receiving the biometric scanner in a cradle, the cradle including a recess in the housing of the display unit, adapted to receive the biometric scanner, and an electrical interface within the recess allowing electrical communication between the biometric scanner and the display unit; and

disabling the equipment shortly after the authorization signal is terminated,

the equipment being a fueling system,

the process being a process for allowing operation of the fueling system at an airport by the authorized operator.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein disabling the equipment occurs within ten seconds of the authorization signal being terminated.

11. An apparatus for facilitating safe operation of equipment by an authorized operator, the apparatus comprising:

a biometric scanner, the biometric scanner providing an authorization signal while the biometric scanner is receiving a biometric input from the authorized operator;

a display unit, including

a housing;

an electronic display;

an electronic circuit; and

a data receiver,

the display unit being operable to receive an authorization status for operation of the equipment using the data receiver, and to display the authorization status and operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display; and

an equipment controller, allowing the equipment to operate while the equipment controller receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner,

the equipment controller preventing the equipment from operating after the authorization signal is no longer received from the biometric scanner,

the equipment being a fueling system allowing transfer of fuel to an airplane,

the display unit having a cradle to receive the biometric scanner, the cradle for the biometric scanner including a recess in the housing adapted to receive the biometric scanner and an electrical interface within the recess allowing electrical communication between the biometric scanner and the display unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the data receiver is a wireless receiver or an electrical interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, the data receiver being an electrical interface configured to form an electrical communications link with the biometric scanner when the biometric scanner is located within the recess.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, the biometric scanner and the display unit being mechanically coupled when the authorization device is located within the recess in the housing of the display unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, the display unit including a wireless receiver,

the wireless receiver receiving the operational parameters for the equipment, the operational parameters of the equipment being displayed on the display.