US 6,100,811 A · Fingerprint actuation of customized vehicle features

Abstract

Apparatus, and a corresponding method for its use, for gaining access to and operating a vehicle, such as a car (10), by means of at least one fingerprint sensor (16) installed inside the vehicle at a convenient location and, optionally, outside the vehicle (at 14), in or near a door handle (12). Once an authorized user's identify has been verified in a fingerprint matching device (30), various vehicle subsystems are automatically adjusted to the identified user's preferred settings, which are stored in a memory (98). In addition, starting the vehicle engine is enabled if an interior fingerprint sensor has been used, or the vehicle is unlocked if an exterior fingerprint sensor has been used. Vehicle subsystems that are automatically adjusted to the user preferences include seats (38), mirrors (40), steering wheel (42), climate control (44), airbag (52), telephone (46), radio (50) and onboard computer (54), as well as performance control features (48) such as suspension and transmission adjustment. Door locks (34) and security system features (36) are also automatically controlled, as is a radio transmitter (56) that is automatically customized to open the user's home garage door or office parking entry gate. Features of a number of different fingerprints are stored in the device to allow for operation of the vehicle (10) by different family members, as authorized by a primary user.

Claims26

Dependent claims

Apparatus for controlling a vehicle using fingerprint matching, the apparatus comprising:

a fingerprint sensor mounted in a convenient interior location in a vehicle, for generating a two-dimensional fingerprint image of a user of the vehicle;
a high-speed fingerprint matcher, for searching the entire two-dimensional sensed fingerprint image for instances of distinctive features similar to each of a plurality of pattern features that have been extracted from a previously stored reference fingerprint image, to verify the identity of the user of the vehicle;
a fingerprint match controller, for selecting from a plurality of stored reference fingerprint images for presentation tb the fingerprint matcher, and having a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation;
an engine enabling switch, to prevent operation of the vehicle in the locked mode;
means included in the fingerprint match controller, for switching from the locked mode to the unlocked mode upon successfully verifying the identity of a vehicle user;
means operable in the unlocked mode, for actuating the engine enabling switch to allow operation of the vehicle;
at least one actuator for adjusting a vehicle subsystem in accordance with the user's preferred settings;
storage means for recording actuator settings associated with user identities;
and
means operable in the unlocked mode, for operating the actuator based on settings retrieved from the storage means for an identified user.

7 more elements

Apparatus for controlling a vehicle using fingerprint matching, the apparatus comprising:

a first fingerprint sensor mounted in a convenient interior location in a vehicle, for generating a two-dimensional fingerprint image of a user of the vehicle;
a second fingerprint sensor mounted in a convenient exterior location of the vehicle, for generating a two-dimensional fingerprint image of a user of the vehicle;
a high-speed fingerprint matcher, for searching the entire two-dimensional sensed fingerprint image for distinctive features similar to each of plurality of pattern features that have been extracted from a previously stored reference fingerprint image, to verify the identity of the user of the vehicle;
means for storing selected, features of a plurality of reference fingerprint images obtained from enrolled users of the vehicle;
a fingerprint match controller, for selecting from the plurality of stored reference fingerprint images for presentation to the fingerprint matcher, and having a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation;
an engine enabling switch, to prevent operation of the vehicle in the locked mode;
means included in the fingerprint match controller, for switching from the locked mode to the unlocked mode upon successfully verifying the identity of a vehicle user whose fingerprint is sensed;
means operable in the unlocked mode, for actuating the engine enabling switch to allow operation of the vehicle if the fingerprint was sensed by the first fingerprint sensor;
and
means operable in the unlocked mode, for unlocking at least vehicle door if the fingerprint was sensed by the second fingerprint sensor.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fingerprint actuation of customized vehicle features

Life of this patent

Fingerprint actuation of customized vehicle features

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26