RFID-based systems and methods for preventing hi-jacker from using airplanes as guided missiles, vessels as guided torpedoes, and automotive or rail conveyances as bombs

• US 20070205876A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RFID Options LLC
• Original Assignee: RFID Options LLC
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hap
• Application Number:
  US11/281,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205876A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.120
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/302 Airplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

An anti-hijacker system for use in association with a transportation conveyance having an engine or motor system. The anti-hijacker system includes an RFID tag associated with an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and a receiver enabled to read a signal transmitted from the RFID tag. The system further includes a computer operatively connected to the receiver and the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance so that in the absence of an expected signal from the RFID tag, the computer takes operational control of the engine or motor system. The computer may disable the engine or place the conveyance on autopilot. Related methods include concealing an RFID tag on the person of an authorized user of the transportation conveyance and disabling operation of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance when an expected signal from the RFID tag is not received in an expected manner.

Claims

1. An anti-hijacker system for use in association with a transportation conveyance having an engine or motor system, said anti-hijacker system including:

an RFID tag associated with an authorized user of the transportation conveyance;

a receiver enabled to read a signal transmitted from said RFID tag; and

a computer operatively connected to said receiver and the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance so that in the absence of an expected signal from said RFID tag, said computer controls operation of the engine or motor system.

2. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 1 further including a GPS receiver operatively linked to said computer to thereby enable the computer to determine the location of the transportation conveyance at any desired time.

3. The anti-hijacker system according to either claim 1 or 2 further including a biometric ID unit enabled to identify said authorized user by a personal biological characteristic unique to said authorized user.

4. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 3 wherein said biometric ID unit requires an input password to be enabled to identify said authorized user by a personal biological characteristic unique to said authorized user.

5. The anti-hijacker system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a radio transceiver operatively connected to said computer, said radio transceiver enabled to receive a control signal from a remote location.

6. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 5 wherein said transportation conveyance is an airplane.

7. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 6 further including an auto pilot system linked to said computer, said auto pilot system activated by said computer to autonomously control the airplane when said computer has determined said absence of said expected signal from said RFID tag.

8. The anti-hijacker system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said computer disables normal operation of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance in the absence of said expected signal from said RFID tag.

9. The anti-hijacker system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further including a sleeping gas dispensing system that is operatively controlled by said computer so that upon a controlled command, said sleeping gas dispensing system is activated to render unconscious any would-be hijacker.

10. The anti-hijacker system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further including a surveillance system operatively connected to said computer.

11. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 10 wherein said surveillance system includes video capability.

12. The anti-hijacker system according to either claim 10 or wherein said surveillance system includes audio capability.

13. The anti-hijacker system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said RFID tag is concealed on the person of said authorized user.

14. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 13 wherein said authorized user is a pilot, captain, conductor, driver, or other person responsible for operating the transportation conveyance.

15. The anti-hijacker system according to claim 13 wherein said authorized user is a law enforcement officer, intelligence agent, military personnel, or other person acting as a passenger on the transportation conveyance.

16. A method of preventing a transportation conveyance from being hijacked, said method comprising the steps of:

concealing an RFID tag on the person of an authorized user of the transportation conveyance; and

taking remote control of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance when an expected signal from said RFID tag is not received in an expected manner.

18. The method according to either claim 16 or 17 wherein said authorized user is a pilot, captain, conductor, driver, or other person responsible for operating the transportation conveyance.

19. The method according to either claim 16 or 17 wherein said authorized user is a law enforcement officer, intelligence agent, military personnel, or other person acting as a passenger on the transportation conveyance.

17. A method of preventing a transportation conveyance from being hijacked, said method comprising the steps of:

concealing an RFID tag on the person of an authorized user of the transportation conveyance; and

disabling operation of the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance when an expected signal from said RFID tag is not received in an expected manner.

20. A method of preventing a transportation conveyance from being hijacked, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an authorized user of the transportation conveyance with an RFID tag that transmits a known signal;

providing a receiver enabled to read said signal transmitted from said RFID tag; and

providing a computer operatively connected to said receiver and the engine or motor system of the transportation conveyance so that in the absence of an expected signal from said RFID tag, said computer controls operation of the engine or motor system.

21. The method according to claim 20 further including the step of providing a GPS receiver operatively linked to said computer to thereby enable the computer to determine the location of the transportation conveyance at any desired time.

22. The method according to either claim 20 or 21 further including the step of providing a biometric ID unit enabled to identify said authorized user by a personal biological characteristic unique to said authorized user.

23. The method according to claim 22 further including the step of requiring an input password to said biometric ID to thereby be enabled to identify said authorized user by a personal biological characteristic unique to said authorized user.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23 further including the step of providing a radio transceiver operatively connected to said computer, said radio transceiver enabled to receive a control signal from a remote location.

25. A biometric and password system, comprising:

reader means for taking a biometric reading from a user to determine whether the user is an authorized user;

input means for the user to input a password into the system to determine whether the user has an authorized password; and

processing means to compare the biometric reading to the inputted password to determine whether the inputted password matches with the biometric reading.

26. The system according to claim 25 wherein said reader means includes heart sensing means for taking a temperature reading of the user.

27. A biometric and password system, comprising:

a reader implemented to take a biometric reading from a user to determine whether the user is an authorized user;

an input device enabled to receive a password and input said password into the system to determine whether the user has inputted an authorized password; and

a processor configured to compare the biometric reading to the inputted password to determine whether the inputted password matches with the biometric reading.

28. The system according to claim 27 wherein said reader includes a heart sensor for taking a temperature reading of the user.

29. The system according to claim 27 further including a database used to store known biometric IDs and passwords.

30. A piloting control and security system for use in an aircraft, said system comprising:

a yoke including a thumb cradle formed therein, said thumb cradle having a reader capable of reading a fingerprint of a user that places a finger in the thumb cradle, said reader being operatively connected to a processor; and

a password input device operatively connected to said processor so that when the user'"'"'s fingerprint has been read by the reader and a password inputted into said password input device, said processor determines whether the user is an authorized user.

31. The system according to claim 30 wherein said thumb cradle includes a heat sensor enabled to take a temperature reading from the user.

32. A steering control and security system for use in an automotive vehicle, said system comprising:

a steering wheel including a thumb cradle formed therein, said thumb cradle having a reader capable of reading a fingerprint of a user that places a finger in the thumb cradle, said reader being operatively connected to a processor; and

a password input device operatively connected to said processor so that when the user'"'"'s fingerprint has been read by the reader and a password inputted into said password input device, said processor determines whether the user is an authorized user.

33. The system according to claim 32 wherein said thumb cradle includes a heat sensor enabled to take a temperature reading from the user.

34. A steering control and security system for use in watercraft, said system comprising:

a pilot wheel including a thumb cradle formed therein, said thumb cradle having a reader capable of reading a fingerprint of a user that places a finger in the thumb cradle, said reader being operatively connected to a processor; and

a password input device operatively connected to said processor so that when the user'"'"'s fingerprint has been read by the reader and a password inputted into said password input device, said processor determines whether the user is an authorized user.

35. The system according to claim 34 wherein said thumb cradle includes a heat sensor enabled to take a temperature reading from the user.

36. A method for determining authorized use of a transportation conveyance, said method comprising the steps of:

requiring a user of the transportation conveyance to carry an RFID tag;

requiring the user to input a password into a computer system associated with the transportation conveyance;

requiring the user to periodically conduct a biometric check during the course of operation of the transportation conveyance; and

initiating a security protocol in the event of an incorrect password entry, a negative biometric check, or a failure to receive an expected signal from said computer system.