Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-03-06
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C701S049000, C713S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198996
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle onboard computer system that controls various vehicle onboard systems and subsystems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for implementing user-specific preferences on the vehicle onboard computer system for regulating the operation of vehicle onboard systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for identifying and authorizing users and implementing user-specific parameters associated with the users.
2. Description of Related Art
It has been well known in prior art to limit the access and operation of a vehicle by granting authority of the user to operate a vehicle with such devices as a mechanical key. In the prior art, any person who obtained the mechanical key could generally operate the vehicle. Other systems require verification by such methods as inputting a password or personal identification number, in addition to or in place of using a mechanical key.
As the sophistication and comfort of the vehicles increased, the number of vehicle systems and subsystems increased proportionally. With each system and subsystem, the user was required to make a number of adjustments to the individual systems for the user to gain the maximum benefit from that system. Generally, when the user entered the vehicle subsequent to operation by another user, each one of these setting would have to be readjusted for the vehicle to be operated. Initially, most of these settings were adjusted manually. As the complexity of systems and subsystems advanced more an more, the systems could be adjusted remotely from a central location. However, prior systems still were unable to index the adjustments made to the different subsystems with a specific user. Still more crucial to the safe operation of a vehicle, there was no reliable method for identifying an authorized user or even distinguishing one user from another. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method and apparatus for adjusting preferences in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An onboard computer is used to control many aspects of a vehicle including performance and ride characteristics. Used in combination with the onboard computer, a smart card key is used to authorize a user. In addition, the smart card key stores user preference data, such as performance and ride parameters, which are in turn used by the onboard computer to adjust performance and ride characteristics of the vehicle. Because the parameters are stored on individual smart card keys, each operator of the vehicle stores user parameters specific to each user. User parameters may also be stored in the computer memory itself. Access to the user preference data is controlled by user identification parameters that are also stored on a smart card memory or in the memory of the computer. These user identification parameters may include, for example, user identification by a combination of means including a password, finger print, eye print and/or voice print or other biologic attributes unique to the user.
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Buchel Rudolph J.
International Business Machines - Corporation
LaBaw Jeffrey S.
Yee Duke W.
Zanelli Michael J.
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