Integrated Biometric Switch
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorSteven Feit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A user interface is provided. The interface can be used to control an electronic system that is in communication with a vehicle. The interface includes a fingerprint reader, and a push-button switch mounted to the fingerprint reader. The switch is configured to detect a user pressing upon a surface of the fingerprint reader. The interface includes a controller. The controller is configured to detect the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader using the push-button switch, and, after detecting the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader, capture fingerprint data of the user using the fingerprint reader.
Claims16
A user interface for controlling an electronic system in communication with a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing, including:
- a fingerprint reader disposed within the housing and being configured to move within the housing, and
- a switch contact mounted to the fingerprint reader and configured to detect a displacement of the fingerprint reader resulting from a user pressing upon a platen of the fingerprint reader;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- detect an authorized key fob within a predetermined range of the vehicle;
- and
- detect a displacement of the fingerprint reader using the switch contact, and
- when the authorized key fob is detected within the predetermined range of the vehicle and the displacement of the fingerprint reader is detected:
- at least one of start and stop an engine of the vehicle, and
- capture fingerprint data of the user using the fingerprint reader.
(canceled)
A user interface for controlling a start-stop function of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing:
- a fingerprint reader disposed within the housing and being configured to move within the housing, and
- a switch mounted to the fingerprint reader and configured to detect a displacement of the fingerprint reader resulting from a user pressing upon a surface of the fingerprint reader;
- a controller configured to:
- detect an authorized key fob within a predetermined range of the vehicle;
- and
- detect the user pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader using the switch, and
- when the authorized key fob is detected within the predetermined range of the vehicle and the user is detected pressing upon the surface of the fingerprint reader:
- at least one of start and stop an engine of the vehicle, and
- capture fingerprint data of the user using the fingerprint reader;
- and
- a vehicle processor configured to:
- receive the fingerprint data from the controller,
- use the fingerprint data to identify a driver of the vehicle, and
- configure at least one device of the vehicle in accordance with a preference of the user.
A method of operating a vehicle system, comprising:
- detecting, by a controller, an authorized key fob within a predetermined range of the vehicle;
- detecting, by the controller, a displacement of a platen of a fingerprint reader, the fingerprint reader being disposed within a housing and configured to move within the housing,
- after detecting, by the controller, the authorized key fob within the predetermined range of the vehicle and displacement of the platen of the fingerprint reader:
- at least one of starting and stopping an engine of the vehicle, and
- capturing fingerprint data of a user pressing upon the platen;
- and
- using, by a vehicle processor, the fingerprint data to determine an identity of the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.