Biometric control system and method for machinery

• US 8,902,044 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gaylon Smith
• Original Assignee: Gaylon Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Gaylan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/633,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20100085153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,820 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.8, 340/5.83, 340/5.81, 340/539.13, 340/5.52, 340/5.82, 713/186, 200/334, 382/115, 382/124, 726/2
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method that allows only authorized users to turn on specific equipment they are approved to use and maintains a record of the name of the user, date, time and length of operating time. In one embodiment, the system comprises an AMS unit in communication with a BCS unit located at and connected to the machine. AMS comprises a computing device, a biometric reader connected with the computing device, a storage device connected with the computing device, a program module stored on the storage unit, and a communication module connected to the computing device. The program module has sets of code configured to instruct the biometric reader to scan the biometric feature of the operator and to create a digitized biometric signature. The program module is further configured to store the biometric signature on the storage device. The BCS unit comprises a computing device, a biometric reader connected with the computing device, a storage device connected to the computing device, a program module stored within the storage device, and a communication module connected with the computing device and in communication with the communication module of the AMS. The biometric reader of the AMS unit is adapted to detect the presence of the biometric feature of the operator and to scan and create a digitized biometric signature. The program module of the BCS unit is configured allow the user to turn-on the machine if the user'"'"'s biometric signature matches the authorized biometric signature.

Claims

1. A system for use with an external power source and by an operator having a biometric feature, the system comprising:

(a) an access management system (AMS) comprising

a computing device,

a biometric reader connected with said computing device,

a storage device connected with said computing device,

a communication module connected with said computing device; and

a program module stored on said storage device;

said program module comprises a first set of code operable with said computing device and said biometric reader to create and store an authorized digital signature on said storage device corresponding to the biometric feature of the operator; and

(b) a first manufacturing machine comprising a biometric control switch (BCS) Unit;

said BCS Unit comprises

a computing device,

a biometric reader connected with said computing device of said BCS Unit,

a storage device connected with said computing device of said BCS Unit, and

a communication module connected with said computing device of said BCS Unit and in communication with said communication module of said AMS;

said BCS Unit further comprises a switching module operable between a closed position where said first manufacturing machine is electrically connected to the external power source and an open position where said first manufacturing machine is disconnected from the external power source;

said BCS Unit further comprises a program module stored on said storage device of said BCS Unit, said program module of said BCS Unit comprises

a first set of code operable with said computing device and said biometric reader of said BCS Unit to read the feature of the operator and to create and store an incoming digital signature on said storage device of said BCS unit;

a second set of code operable with said computing device of said BCS Unit to compare said incoming digital signature with said authorized digital signature received from said AMS;

a third set of code operable with said computing device of said BCS Unit to generate a first signal indicative that said incoming digital signature matches said authorized digital signature;

a fourth set of code operable with said computing device of said BCS Unit to allow the operator to turn on said first manufacturing machine in response to said first signal thereby activating said switching module to said closed position;

a fifth set of code operable with said computing device of said BCS unit to activate said switching module to said open position when said first manufacturing machine is turned off by the operator;

a sixth set of code operable with said computing device to store an operator information in response to activation of said switching module to said open position; and

a seventh set of code operable with said computing device and said communication module of said BCS unit to transmit said operator information to said AMS; and

said BCS Unit further comprises an on/off button to allow the operator to turn on said first manufacturing machine by switching said switching module to said closed position and to turn off said first manufacturing machine by switching said switching module to said open position in response to the operator turning on and off said first manufacturing machine by activation of the on/off button to on and off, respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said BCS Unit further comprises a status LED to display a first color in response to said first signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said BCS Unit further comprises an audio device connected with said computing device of said BCS Unit;

said audio device plays a first audio message in response to said first signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said BCS Unit further comprises an Amperage Detection Circuit adapted to sense whether said first manufacturing machine turned on.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said operator information comprises an operator identification, log-in time, log-off time, and operating time of the operator on said storage device of said BCS unit.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said biometric reader of said AMS is a finger print reader and said biometric reader of said BCS Unit is a finger print reader.