RF biometric ignition control system

• US 9,043,048 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Manotas, Jesus Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): ODEH, NADEEM N
• Application Number:
  US13/272,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 180/283, 180/287
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 using acquisition arrangements

Abstract

An electronic ignition control system includes a keyfob having a biometric sensor that senses an identifying biological characteristic of the user. The keyfob also has a transmitter that transmits an air-borne signal dependent upon the identifying biological characteristic. A vehicle includes a motor and an ignition that starts the motor. The ignition has an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism. The ignition also has a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor. The vehicle also has a receiver that receives the air-borne signal from the transmitter. The vehicle further has a controller in communication with each of the ignition and the receiver. The controller switches the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state dependent upon the air-borne signal received by the receiver.

Claims

1. A vehicle electronic ignition control arrangement, comprising:

a keyfob including;

a first biometric sensor configured to sense a first identifying biological characteristic of a user; and

a transmitter configured to transmit an air-borne signal indicative of the first identifying biological characteristic; and

a vehicle including;

a motor;

an ignition configured to start the motor, the ignition having an unlocked state in which the user can cause the ignition to start the motor by actuating a start mechanism, and a locked state in which actuation of the start mechanism by the user does not cause the ignition to start the motor;

a receiver configured to receive the air-borne signal from the transmitter;

a second biometric sensor configured to sense a second identifying biological characteristic of the user; and

a controller in communication with each of the ignition, the receiver, and the second biometric sensor, the controller being configured to switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state dependent upon both the air-borne signal received by the receiver and the sensed second identifying biological characteristic if both the air-borne signal received by the receiver and the sensed second identifying biological characteristic are indicative of a same approved user, the first identifying biological characteristic being one fingerprint of the user, the second identifying biological characteristic being an other fingerprint of the user.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to switch the ignition from the locked state to the unlocked state only if the air-borne signal is indicative of the transmitter being within a predetermined distance of the receiver.