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US 2019/0225188 A1Published application
Biometric access control system for vehicle shifter
OwnerGreg Nguyeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A biometric access control system and method which provides a biometric fingerprint lock for a vehicle shifter. The device prevents would-be drivers from shifting without proper fingerprint ID. It deters automobile thieves and helps stop unauthorized drivers, like teenagers, from taking the car. The present disclosure allows primary drivers to deactivate the unit, for example, for valet or mechanical work.
Claims20
A biometric access control system for an authorized driver of a vehicle, said vehicle having a transmission shifter handle, the system comprising:
- a computer including a memory, and configured to store at least one fingerprint-identification profile;
- a biometric fingerprint reader communicably coupled to the computer, the biometric fingerprint reader configured to be affixed to the transmission shifter handle of the vehicle, and further configured to identify the authorized driver via a finger print of the authorized driver;
- a transmission shifter handle lock having a locked state and an unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock configured to prevent the transmission shifter handle from operation when in the locked state, and further configured to enable the transmission shifter handle for operation when in the unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock communicably coupled to the computer and configured to enter the unlocked state when the authorized driver is identified by the biometric fingerprint reader;
- and
- a master override configured to override the transmission shifter handle lock and maintain the transmission shifter handle lock the unlocked state when engaged and independently of the authorized driver being identified by the biometric fingerprint reader.
2 more elements
A biometric access control system for an authorized driver of a vehicle, said vehicle having a transmission shifter handle, the biometric access control system comprising:
- a computer including a memory, and configured to store at least one fingerprint-identification profile;
- a biometric fingerprint reader communicably coupled to the computer, the biometric fingerprint reader configured to be affixed to the transmission shifter handle of the vehicle, and further configured to identify the authorized driver via a finger print of the authorized driver;
- a transmission shifter handle lock having a locked state and an unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock configured to prevent the transmission shifter handle from operation when in the locked state, and further configured to enable the transmission shifter handle for operation when in the unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock communicably coupled to the computer and configured to enter the unlocked state when the authorized driver is identified by the biometric fingerprint reader;
- and
- a master override configured to override the transmission shifter handle lock and maintain the transmission shifter handle lock the unlocked state when engaged and independently of the authorized driver being identified by the biometric fingerprint reader;
- and
- wherein said master override includes a user interface operable by a user to manually operate the master override;
- wherein the user interface includes a key fob;
- wherein the transmission shifter handle lock is further configured to enter the unlocked state a specified amount of time based on the fingerprint-identification profile of the authorized driver;
- wherein the transmission shifter handle lock is further configured to enter the unlocked state during specific times;
- wherein the computer is further configured to set the at least one fingerprint-identification profile as only temporarily authorizing the authorized driver;
- wherein the computer is communicably coupled to a mobile communication device;
- and
- wherein the mobile communication device is configured to digitally manipulate the computer.
11 more elements
A method for providing biometric access to a vehicle for an authorized driver, said vehicle having a transmission shifter handle, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a biometric access control system including
- a computer including a memory, and configured to store at least one fingerprint-identification profile;
- a biometric fingerprint reader communicably coupled to the computer, the biometric fingerprint reader configured to be affixed to the transmission shifter handle of the vehicle, and further configured to identify the authorized driver via a finger print of the authorized driver;
- a transmission shifter handle lock having a locked state and an unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock configured to prevent the transmission shifter handle from operation when in the locked state, and further configured to enable the transmission shifter handle for operation when in the unlocked state, the transmission shifter handle lock communicably coupled to the computer and configured to enter the unlocked state when the authorized driver is identified by the biometric fingerprint reader;
- and
- a master override configured to override the transmission shifter handle lock and maintain the transmission shifter handle lock the unlocked state when engaged and independently of the authorized driver being identified by the biometric fingerprint reader;
- the transmission shifter handle lock entering a locked state;
- scanning a first fingerprint with the biometric fingerprint reader;
- authenticating the authorized driver;
- and
- the transmission shifter handle lock entering an unlocked state in response to the authenticating the authorized driver.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.