Method and apparatus for primary driver verification

• US 9,789,788 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Chen, Yifan, Prakah-Asante, Kwaku O., Rankin, James Stewart, Tonshal, Basavaraj
• Primary Examiner(s): Trivedi, Atul
• Application Number:
  US13/744,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20140207342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 701 296, 701 45, 701 49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions

Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to examine one or more vehicle settings having been changed after a driver enters a vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to compare the examined settings to settings associated with currently stored driver profiles and verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

record data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion;

compare the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles; and

verify the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to repeat the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to tailor features and functions of HMI displays, vehicle physical system settings, adaptive vehicle modes, and climate controls based on the verified driver.

4. A computer-implemented method comprising:

recording data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion;

comparing the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles, via a vehicle-associated computer; and

verifying the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further includes repeating the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method comprising:

recording data relating to drive style after a vehicle is in motion;

comparing the drive style to drive styles associated with currently stored driver profiles; and

verifying the driver as a previously stored primary vehicle driver based at least in part on the comparison.

7. The storage medium of claim 6, wherein the method further includes repeating the examining and comparing until a likelihood of a given driver exceeds a predetermined threshold.