Communications: electrical – Selective – Intelligence comparison for controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-02
2001-08-07
Zimmerman, Brian (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Intelligence comparison for controlling
C340S005720, C340S005230, C340S005600, C382S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a user identification and authorization system for a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to a keyless user identification and authorization system which identifies the user by a biometric identification such as a user's fingerprint, retina or voice and provides different levels of use of the vehicle, depending upon a level of authorization or enrollment entered into the system by the owner of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art vehicle authorization systems are well known, and in particular, three types of authorization systems are used. The first type of system uses a conventional mechanical key, the second type of system uses a remote signal transmitter, and the third type of system uses a keypad which is located on the vehicle.
In the key system, the user carries a key which enables him to unlock the vehicle doors, operate the ignition switch, unlock the glove box, and unlock the trunk. If the key is lost or stolen, then the user will not have access to the vehicle. Some key systems are designed so that one key will open the doors, operate the ignition switch and lock and unlock the glove box and trunk, while other key systems are designed in which the glove box and trunk are on a separate key, or one key will operate all of the locks and another key will only operate the doors and ignition switch. In the prior art key systems, it is necessary for the operator to carry a key. Furthermore, if the owner's key operates all of the vehicle locks and the owner then gives his key to a third person, such as a driver or a valet, that person will have access to all of the vehicle locks. Still further, if the owner gives his key to a non-driver such as a child, so that the non-driver can enter the vehicle, the non-driver can then insert the key into the ignition, start the vehicle and drive the vehicle.
In the second type of prior art system using a remote signal transmitter which can activate the locks and/or ignition switch from a distance (the transmitter being referred to as a fob), it is necessary for the user to carry the transmitter or fob with him, and of course like a key, it can be lost, misplaced, or damaged. Furthermore, authorization is based upon having a particular transmitter. The system does not identify an individual. Further, as with the key system described above, if the fob is lost or stolen, then the user will not have access to the vehicle.
In the third type of prior art system, a keypad is located on the vehicle, generally on the vehicle door. The user enters a code into the keypad which will unlock the vehicle doors. However, if the user forgets the code, then he cannot get into the vehicle. Furthermore, such keypad systems operate only to unlock the vehicle door, and do not operate the vehicle ignition switch. In order to operate the ignition switch, a key is necessary.
Thus all of the prior art systems suffer from the same defects, in that they require the carrying of a key or fob which can be lost, misplaced or damaged. Furthermore, the prior art systems provide a level of access or authorization to the person who possess an object such as a key or fob. The systems do not identify a particular person.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a keyless vehicle operation identification and authorization system which positively identifies the owner or primary operator of the vehicle by means of a biometric characteristic of the owner or primary operator, such as a user's fingerprint, retina or voice.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyless vehicle operation identification and authorization system which enables different users to have different levels of authorization.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system which identifies the user by a biometric identification such as a user's fingerprint, retina or voice, and after identifying the user, provides different levels of authorization depending upon the particular user identified.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system in which the vehicle owner has authorization for all vehicle operations and access to all vehicle locks and switches, and also has the ability to enroll other users at other levels of authorization for using the vehicle.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system in which the vehicle owner has authorization to unlock the doors, operate the ignition switch, unlock the glove box, and unlock the trunk while also having authorization to enroll others for using the vehicle.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system in which a driver, who is not the owner of the vehicle, can be enrolled to use the vehicle by means of scanning the user's biometric identification and once enrolled, has authorization to unlock the vehicle door, operate the ignition switch, unlock the glove box and unlock the trunk.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system in which the vehicle owner can enroll a user as a non-driver, and once enrolled, the user has authorization to unlock the vehicle doors, but does not have authorization to operate the ignition switch.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide for the enrollment and identification of a user by means of the users biometric identification.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle operation identification and authorization system in which an authorized vehicle user can place the system in a valet mode wherein the vehicle can be operated using a patterned or encoded object rather than a biometric identification.
The present invention is directed to a system for identifying the user of a vehicle and providing a level of authorization as a function of the identification of the user. The system comprises biometric identification reading units located on the exterior and in the interior of the vehicle for sensing a biometric characteristic such as the fingerprint of a user of the vehicle. A control unit is coupled to the biometric identification sensing unit for receiving the output of the biometric identification sensing unit and for comparing and matching the sensed biometric characteristic with biometric characteristics previously enrolled in the control unit and for providing a signal indicative of a level of authorization as a function of the enrolled biometric characteristic with which the scanned biometric characteristic is matched. A vehicle locking unit is provided for enabling the operation of a plurality of vehicle locks including the ignition switch, the driver's door lock, the passenger door lock, the trunk lock and the glove box lock. Various ones of the vehicle locks are unlocked based upon the level of authorization of the user who has been identified by his biometric characteristic. The system also includes a dashboard unit coupled to the control unit, the dashboard unit including a display for providing instructions and confirmations to the user, and input switches for operating various features of the system. The interior biometric characteristic sensing unit is also located in the dashboard unit. Still further, the system includes a power unit for providing power to the system. The power unit includes an interface for interfacing with the vehicle battery and an auxiliary power supply for providing power to the system when the vehicle battery does not supply sufficient power. Thus the identification system is not disabled when the vehicle battery power is low, and the vehicle can be entered by means of unlocking the doors even though battery power is low.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4754255 (1988-06-01), San
Anzai Hidehiko
Castaldi Edward J.
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Zimmerman Brian
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