Control of equipment using remote display

• US 8,674,804 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2013
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• 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:
  US13/753,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20130200997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 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, 340/906, 235/462.01, 235/380, 235/449, 382/115, 382/124, 382/126, 382/181
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/00 Comparing elements, i.e. elements for effecting comparison directly or indirectly between a desired value and existing or anticipated values
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2139 Recurrent verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/45 Detection of the body part being alive
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation

Abstract

A wireless deadman system for controlling operation of equipment from a portable device includes a base station with an equipment control system, the base station wirelessly transmitting operational parameters for the equipment. A portable display unit has a housing, an electronic display, an electronic circuit, and a data receiver. A portable authorization device includes a liveness sensor and transmits an authorization signal when the sensor detects a liveness input. The display unit receives an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the portable authorization device and receives the operational parameters from the base station, the display displaying the authorization status and the operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display. The equipment control system allows the equipment to operate when the authorization signal is provided and prevents the equipment from operating after the authorization signal is no longer provided.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating operation of equipment having operational parameters, the system comprising:

a base station including a transmitter and a receiver, the base station further including an equipment control system for controlling the equipment, the base station wirelessly transmitting operational parameters for the equipment;

a portable display unit, the display unit having a housing, an electronic display, an electronic circuit, and a data receiver;

a portable authorization device including a biometric scanner, a transmitter and a receiver, the biometric scanner including a biometric sensor, the portable authorization device providing an authorization signal when a biometric input or liveness input is detected by the biometric sensor, the transmitter wirelessly transmitting the authorization signal to the base station;

the portable display unit selectively interconnecting with the portable authorization device and including an electrical interface allowing electrical communication between the authorization device and the display unit;

the portable display unit having a cradle to receive the portable authorization device, the cradle including a recess in the housing adapted to receive the authorization device, and the electrical interface being within the recess;

the display unit receiving an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the portable authorization device and receiving the operational parameters from the base station, the display displaying the authorization status and the operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display; and

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

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

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the authorization device and the display unit are mechanically coupled when the authorization device is received in the recess in the housing of the display unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of fueling equipment, industrial equipment, sandblasters, and construction equipment.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the base station is located on the equipment.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data receiver of the portable display unit is a wireless receiver receiving the authorization signal from the portable authorization device and receiving the operational parameters from the base station.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable authorization device provides an authorization signal only when an authorized biometric input is detected by the biometric sensor.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the portable authorization device provides an error signal if a biometric input is not properly received.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the authorization signal transmitted by the portable authorization device includes biometric data, the base station receiving the authorization signal and determining if the biometric data corresponds to an authorized biometric input for an authorized operator, the equipment control system allowing the equipment to operate only if the biometric data corresponds to an authorized biometric input for an authorized operator.

9. The system 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 portable authorization device.

10. The system 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 portable authorization device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment control system is located in a fuel truck, and the equipment is a fueling system allowing transfer of fuel from the fuel truck to an airplane.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor is a fingerprint reader, the biometric input being an input fingerprint.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the biometric sensor further including a liveness sensor, the portable authorization device transmitting the authorization signal only if the liveness sensor receives a liveness input in addition to the input fingerprint.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable authorization device provides the authorization signal only if a biometric input corresponding to an authorized operator is received and a liveness input is received.

15. A wireless deadman system for controlling operation of equipment from a portable device, the equipment having operational parameters, the system comprising:

a base station including a transmitter and a receiver, the base station further including an equipment control system for controlling the equipment, the base station wirelessly transmitting operational parameters for the equipment;

a portable display unit, the display unit having a housing, an electronic display, an electronic circuit, and a data receiver;

a portable authorization device including a liveness sensor, the portable authorization device providing an authorization signal when a liveness input is detected by the liveness sensor, the transmitter wirelessly transmitting the authorization signal to the base station;

the portable display unit selectively interconnecting with the portable authorization device and including an electrical interface allowing electrical communication between the authorization device and the display unit;

the portable display unit having a cradle to receive the portable authorization device, the cradle including a recess in the housing adapted to receive the authorization device, and the electrical interface being within the recess;

the display unit receives an authorization status for operation of the equipment from the portable authorization device and receives the operational parameters from the base station, the display displaying the authorization status and the operational parameters of the equipment on the electronic display; and

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

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

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable authorization device further includes a biometric sensor for detecting a biometric input for identifying an authorized operator, the portable authorization device transmitting the authorization signal only if a liveness input is detected by the liveness sensor and a biometric input is detected by the biometric sensor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the authorization signal transmitted by the portable authorization device includes biometric data, the base station receiving the authorization signal and determining if the biometric data corresponds to an authorized biometric input for an authorized operator, the equipment control system allowing the equipment to operate only if the biometric data corresponds to an authorized biometric input for an authorized operator.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of fueling equipment, industrial equipment, sandblasters, and construction equipment.