Method and apparatus for setting automotive performance tuned preferences set differently by a driver

An onboard data processing system for implementing user specific data parameters, the system comprising:

• invoking a user identification feature;
• accessing means for accessing an onboard memory for user identification information;
• identifying means for identifying a user using the user identification feature, in accordance with the user identification information, wherein the user is an identified user;
• accessing means for accessing the onboard memory for a security level for the identified user;
• authorizing means for authorizing the identified user at a predetermined user security level;
• unlocking means for unlocking control of at least one onboard system, wherein unlocking control of the at least one onboard system requires a user security level equal to the predetermined user security level for the identified user;
• accessing means for accessing a portable memory for at least one user specific data parameter;
• applying means for applying the at least one user specific data parameter to a locked onboard system;
• and
• modifying means for modifying at least one function of the locked onboard system in accordance with the at least one user specific data parameter.

A computer program product including instructions for modifying an onboard data processing system by implementing user specific data parameters embodied on a computer readable medium, the instructions comprising:

• invoking instructions for invoking a user identification feature;
• accessing instructions for accessing an onboard memory for user identification information;
• identifying instructions for identifying a user using the user identification feature, in accordance with the user identification information, wherein the user is an identified user;
• accessing instructions for accessing the onboard memory for a security level for the identified user;
• authorizing instructions for authorizing the identified user at a predetermined user security level;
• unlocking instructions for unlocking control of at least one onboard system, wherein unlocking control of the at least one onboard system requires a user security level equal to the predetermined user security level for the identified user;
• accessing instructions for accessing a portable memory for at least one user specific data parameter;
• applying instructions for applying the at least one user specific data parameter to a locked onboard system;
• and
• modifying instructions for modifying at least one function of the locked onboard system in accordance with at least one user specific data parameter.

A method for modifying an onboard data processing system in a vehicle using user specific data parameters, the method comprising:

• invoking a user identification feature;
• accessing an onboard memory for authorized user identification information;
• receiving user identification information from a user attempting to be authorized;
• comparing the user identification information with the authorized user identification information;
• authorizing the user based on the outcome of the comparison;
• accessing the onboard memory for user security level information in response to the user being authorized;
• determining a security level for the authorized user;
• unlocking control of a plurality of onboard systems, wherein control of the plurality of onboard systems requires a user security level equal to the security level for the identified user;
• receiving a plurality of user specific data parameters from a portable memory, wherein the plurality of user specific data parameters correspond to a plurality of specific onboard systems;
• applying the plurality of user specific data parameters to the plurality of locked onboard systems;
• and
• modifying functions of the plurality of locked onboard system in accordance with the plurality of user specific data parameter.