Driver Authentication System And Method For Monitoring And Controlling Vehicle Usage
Patent No. US11472427 (titled "Driver Authentication System And Method For Monitoring And Controlling Vehicle Usage") was filed by The Phelan Group Llc on Feb 28, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’427 is related to the field of motor vehicle safety, specifically systems designed to monitor and control vehicle usage, particularly by drivers considered to be high-risk. The background highlights the problem of accidents involving young and inexperienced drivers, often attributed to speeding, poor driving habits, and lack of experience. Existing driver education programs are deemed insufficient in addressing these issues, leading to a need for improved methods of driver authentication and vehicle operation control.
The underlying idea behind ’427 is to implement a system that restricts vehicle operation based on a pre-defined driving profile specific to the driver. This profile, set by an authorized user (e.g., parent, fleet manager), defines acceptable operating parameters such as maximum speed, allowed locations, and operating hours. The system authenticates the driver and then enforces these limits, providing real-time feedback and potentially governing vehicle functions if the driver violates the profile.
The claims of ’427 focus on a system comprising a master control unit and a slave control unit . The master unit authenticates the driver using a unique ID and accesses their operating profile. The slave unit monitors vehicle operation, communicates with the master unit, and generates a signal if the driver violates the profile. This signal can then be used to provide feedback or control vehicle functions. Claim 11 adds a GPS module for location and speed tracking, and a data logging device to record vehicle operation data. Claim 15 focuses on the method of authenticating and monitoring drivers, including governing mechanical operations remotely if the driver violates the operating profile.
In practice, the system works by first programming a desired operating profile into a centralized database. This profile is then loaded onto a driver identification device, such as a USB key or RFID tag. When the driver starts the vehicle, the master control unit reads the unique ID from the device and retrieves the corresponding operating profile. The GPS module provides real-time location and speed data, which the slave control unit compares against the profile. If a violation occurs, the slave unit sends a signal to the master unit, which can then trigger various actions, such as sounding an alarm, limiting the vehicle's speed, or notifying the authorized user.
The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the closed-loop feedback and control system . Unlike simple monitoring systems, ’427 actively governs vehicle operation based on the driver's behavior and the pre-defined operating profile. The system provides immediate feedback to the driver, encouraging safer driving habits, and can also take corrective actions to prevent further violations. The use of a centralized database and remote programmability allows for easy configuration and management of multiple vehicles and drivers, making it suitable for both individual and fleet applications.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’427 was filed, at a time when vehicle systems commonly relied on wired connections for communication between different modules, and when GPS technology was becoming increasingly integrated into vehicles for navigation and location-based services. In this era, systems commonly relied on centralized control architectures, where a master control unit managed various functions, and when hardware or software constraints made real-time data processing and communication in vehicles non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because none of the prior art could anticipate or render obvious a slave control unit installed in a vehicle and coupled to a computer. The slave control unit communicates with a master control unit and monitors the vehicle's operation. It is configured to generate a signal to the master control unit if the driver violates a pre-set operating profile, providing feedback about vehicle usage. The slave control unit also cooperates with the computer to control the vehicle's operation based on commands from the master control unit. Claims 11 and 15 maintain similar embodiments and are also allowed.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 11, and 15. Independent claims 1 and 11 are directed to a driver authentication and monitoring system comprising master and slave control units, while independent claim 15 is directed to a method of authenticating and monitoring drivers using such a system. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the components, features, and functionalities of the system and method described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11472427
- Application Number
- US16288877
- Filing Date
- Feb 28, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 21, 2038
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents