CONTROL OF EQUIPMENT USING REMOTE DISPLAY

• US 20080229409A1
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Deadman Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Brian S., DiSimone, Gino, Vaughan, Jack, Ledriere, Oscar A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,362,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• 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

6-1. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a wireless receiver,

the wireless receiver being operable to receive the operational parameters for the equipment.

10. 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; and

a biometric scanner, the biometric scanner including a biometric sensor and proving 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.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, the biometric scanner transmitting an authorization signal when a biometric input is received from an authorized operator.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, the equipment having an equipment control system allowing the equipment to operate when the equipment control system receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner,

the equipment control system preventing the equipment from operating after the authorization signal is no longer received from the biometric scanner.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, 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.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, 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.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, 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.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the equipment control system includes a deadman switch, actuation of the deadman switch allowing operation of the fueling system.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, the display unit receiving operational parameters from an equipment operation monitor.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the biometric scanner includes a fingerprint reader, the biometric input being an input fingerprint.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the biometric scanner further includes a memory, the biometric scanner identifying the biometric input as being from the authorized operator by comparing the biometric input with stored biometric data in the memory.

20. An apparatus for allowing operation of a fueling system, the apparatus comprising:

a display unit, the display unit having;

a housing;

an electronic display;

an electronic circuit; and

a data receiver; and

a biometric scanner, the biometric scanner including a biometric sensor and proving 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 fueling system from the biometric scanner, and to display the authorization status and the operational parameters of the fueling system on the electronic display.

21. 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; and

disabling the equipment shortly after the authorization signal is terminated.

22. The process of claim 21, wherein the process is a process for allowing operation of a fueling system at an airport by an authorized operator.

23. The process of claim 21, wherein disabling the equipment occurs within ten seconds of the authorization signal being terminated.