US6442465B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicular component control systems and methods
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
•
Filing: 2001-04-20
•
Granted: 2002-08-27
•
Expires: 2021-04-20
Abstract
Abstract System and method for controlling operation of a vehicle or a component thereof based on recognition of a individual including a processor embodying a pattern recognition algorithm trained to identify whether a person is the individual by analyzing data derived from optical images and an optical receiving unit for receiving images including the person and deriving data from the images. The optical receiving unit provides the data to the algorithm to obtain an indication from the algorithm whether the person is the individual. A security system enables operation of the vehicle when the algorithm provides an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle and prevents operation of the vehicle when the algorithm does not provide an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle. A component adjustment system adjusts the component based on the recognition of the individual.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
- 👤 Wilbur E. DuVall
- 👤 Wendell C. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01542; B60J; B60J10/00; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0024; B60N2/0025; B60N2/0027; B60N2/0028; B60N2/0029; B60N2/0035; B60N2/02; B60N2/0224; B60N2/02246; B60N2/0244; B60N2/0248; B60N2/0268; B60N2/0272; B60N2/0276; B60N2/0278; B60N2/24; B60N2/26; B60N2/28; B60N2/2803; B60N2/2806; B60N2/2857; B60N2/2863; B60N2/80; B60N2/806; B60N2/809; B60N2/829; B60N2/888; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q1/143; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0241; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/037; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20; B60R19/205; B60R19/42; B60R21/013; B60R21/0136; B60R21/01516; B60R21/0152; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01534; B60R21/01536; B60R21/01538; B60R21/0154; B60R21/01552; B60R21/01554; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/23; B60R21/231; B60R21/23138; B60R21/233; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/20; B60R22/26; B60R22/32; B60R22/321; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60R25/25; B60R25/255; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/20; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2962; G01F23/80; G01F23/802; G01F23/804; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S15/00; G01S15/87; G01S15/88; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/417; G01S7/48; G01S7/4802; G01S7/52; G01S7/539; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/50; G06V20/59; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/161; G08G1/163; G08G1/164; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/10; B60N2210/16; B60N2210/22; B60N2210/24; B60N2210/26; B60N2220/00; B60N2220/10; B60N2220/30; B60N2230/00; B60N2230/10; B60N2230/30; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/40; B60Q2300/41; B60Q2300/42; B60R1/12; B60R2001/1223; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0006; B60R2021/0027; B60R2021/01315; B60R2021/23324; B60R2021/23332; B60R21/26; B60R2021/26058; B60R2021/26094; B60R21/276; B60R2021/2765; B60R2022/208; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4825; B60R21/0134; B60R21/01544; B60R21/01548; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B60R21/21656; B60W; B60W2556/00; B60W2556/45; B60W2556/50; E; E05; E05F; E05F15/00; E05F15/40; E05F15/42; E05F15/43; E05F15/431; E05F2015/432; E05F2015/433; E05F2015/434; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50; E05Y2900/53; E05Y2900/55; G01S13/02; G01S13/04; G01S15/02; G01S15/04; G01S15/06; G01S17/89; G01S7/483; G01S7/486; G01S7/487; G10; G10K; G10K2210/00; G10K2210/10; G10K2210/128; G10K2210/1282; G10K2210/30; G10K2210/321; G10K2210/3219
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for controlling operation of a vehicle based on recognition of an authorized individual comprising: a processor embodying a pattern recognition algorithm trained to identify whether a person is the individual by analyzing data derived from images; at least one optical receiving unit for receiving an optical image including the person and deriving data from the image, said at least one optical receiving unit being coupled to said processor to provide the data to the pattern recognition algorithm to thereby obtain an indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is the individual; and a security system arranged to enable operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm provides an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle and prevent operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm does not provide an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for controlling operation of a vehicle based on recognition of an authorized individual comprising: a processor embodying a pattern recognition algorithm trained to identify whether a person is the individual by analyzing data derived from images; at least one optical receiving unit for receiving an optical image including the person and deriving data from the image, said at least one optical receiving unit being coupled to said processor to provide the data to the pattern recognition algorithm to thereby obtain an indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is the individual; and a security system arranged to enable operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm provides an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle and prevent operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm does not provide an indication that the person is an individual authorized to operate the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the pattern recognition algorithm is a trained neural network trained in a training phase by obtaining data of images including the person.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is structured and arranged to receive infrared radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical transmitting unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy arranged relative to said at least one optical receiving unit such that electromagnetic energy transmitted by said optical transmitting unit is reflected by the person and received by said at least one optical receiving unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit comprises a plurality of optical receiving units arranged apart from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit comprises at least one of a CCD array and a CMOS array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a two-dimensional image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a three-dimensional image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is an active pixel camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is an HDRC camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is structured and arranged to determine a position of the person based on the data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said processor is structured and arranged to determine a distance between said at least one optical receiving unit and the person based on the data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for controlling operation of a vehicle based on recognition of a person as one of a set of authorized individuals, comprising the steps of: obtaining images including the authorized individuals by means of at least one optical receiving unit; deriving data from the images; training a pattern recognition algorithm on the data derived from the images which is capable of identifying a person as one of the individuals; then subsequently obtaining images by means of the at least one optical receiving unit; inputting data derived from the images subsequently obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit into the pattern recognition algorithm to obtain an indication whether the person is one of the set of authorized individuals; and providing a security system which enables operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm provides an indication that the person is one of the set of individuals authorized to operate the vehicle and prevents operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm does not provide an indication that the person is one of the set of individuals authorized to operate the vehicle.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for controlling operation of a vehicle based on recognition of a person as one of a set of authorized individuals, comprising the steps of: obtaining images including the authorized individuals by means of at least one optical receiving unit; deriving data from the images; training a pattern recognition algorithm on the data derived from the images which is capable of identifying a person as one of the individuals; then subsequently obtaining images by means of the at least one optical receiving unit; inputting data derived from the images subsequently obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit into the pattern recognition algorithm to obtain an indication whether the person is one of the set of authorized individuals; and providing a security system which enables operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm provides an indication that the person is one of the set of individuals authorized to operate the vehicle and prevents operation of the vehicle when the pattern recognition algorithm does not provide an indication that the person is one of the set of individuals authorized to operate the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of obtaining images comprises the step of positioning an infrared radiation receiving unit to receive infrared radiation from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of transmitting electromagnetic energy toward the person so as to enable images to be obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one optical receiving unit comprises a plurality of optical receiving units arranged apart from one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least optical receiving unit comprises at least one of a CCD array and a CMOS array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a two-dimensional image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a three-dimensional image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the images is constituted by an array of pixels, the step of deriving data from the images comprising the step of eliminating pixels from the images which are present in multiple images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the images is constituted by an array of pixels, the step of deriving data from the images comprising the step of comparing the images with stored arrays of pixels and eliminating pixels from the images which are present in the stored arrays of pixels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of training the pattern recognition algorithm comprises the step of determining the location of specific features of the individuals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the pattern recognition algorithm is a trained neural network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle including a system for controlling a component based on recognition of an individual, comprising: a processor embodying a pattern recognition algorithm trained to identify whether a person is the individual by analyzing data derived from images; at least one optical receiving unit arranged to receive an optical image of the person and derive data from the image, said at least one optical receiving unit being coupled to said processor to provide the data derived from the image to the pattern recognition algorithm to thereby obtain an indication from the pattern recognition algorithm as to whether the person is the individual; and control means coupled to the component for affecting the component based on the indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is the individual.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle including a system for controlling a component based on recognition of an individual, comprising: a processor embodying a pattern recognition algorithm trained to identify whether a person is the individual by analyzing data derived from images; at least one optical receiving unit arranged to receive an optical image of the person and derive data from the image, said at least one optical receiving unit being coupled to said processor to provide the data derived from the image to the pattern recognition algorithm to thereby obtain an indication from the pattern recognition algorithm as to whether the person is the individual; and control means coupled to the component for affecting the component based on the indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is the individual.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the pattern recognition algorithm is a trained neural network trained in a training phase by obtaining data of images including the person.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is structured and arranged to receive infrared radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a rear view mirror, said control means comprise means for adjusting the rear view mirror.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a seat on which the person is sitting, said control means comprising means for adjusting the seat.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a seat belt, said control means comprising means for adjusting an anchorage point of the seat belt.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a headrest associated with the seat on which the person is sitting, said control means comprising means for adjusting the headrest.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a steering wheel, said control means comprising means for adjusting the steering wheel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the component is a pedal, said control means comprising means for adjusting the pedal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , further comprising an optical transmitting unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy arranged relative to said at least one optical receiving unit such that electromagnetic energy transmitted by said optical transmitting unit is reflected by the person and received by said at least one optical receiving unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit comprises a plurality of optical receiving units arranged apart from one another.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit comprises at least one of a CCD array and a CMOS array.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a two-dimensional image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a three-dimensional image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is an active pixel camera.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said at least one optical receiving unit is an HDRC camera.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said processor is structured and arranged to determine a position of the person based on the data derived from the image, said control means being arranged to control the device based on the position of the person.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
59 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said processor is structured and arranged to determine a position of the person based on the data derived from the image and monitor the position of the person over time, said control means being arranged to control the device based on the position of the person and any movement of the person.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
60 words
The vehicle of claim 24 , wherein said processor is structured and arranged to determine a distance between said at least one optical receiving unit and the person based on the data derived from the image, said control means being arranged to control the device based on the distance between said at least one optical receiving unit and the person.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component based on recognition of a person as one of a predetermined set of particular individuals, comprising the steps of: obtaining images including the individuals by means of at least one optical receiving unit; deriving data from the images, training a pattern recognition algorithm on the data derived from the images which is capable of identifying a person as one of the individuals; then subsequently obtaining images by means of the at least one optical receiving unit; inputting data derived from the images subsequently obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit into the panel recognition algorithm to obtain an indication as to whether the person is one of the set of individuals; and affecting the component based on the indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is one of the set of individuals.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for controlling a vehicular component based on recognition of a person as one of a predetermined set of particular individuals, comprising the steps of: obtaining images including the individuals by means of at least one optical receiving unit; deriving data from the images, training a pattern recognition algorithm on the data derived from the images which is capable of identifying a person as one of the individuals; then subsequently obtaining images by means of the at least one optical receiving unit; inputting data derived from the images subsequently obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit into the panel recognition algorithm to obtain an indication as to whether the person is one of the set of individuals; and affecting the component based on the indication from the pattern recognition algorithm whether the person is one of the set of individuals.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the pattern recognition algorithm is a trained neural network.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the step of obtaining images comprises the step of positioning an infrared radiation receiving unit to receive infrared radiation from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a rear view mirror, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting the rear view mirror.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a seat on which the person is sitting, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting the seat.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a seat belt, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting an anchorage point of the seat belt.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a headrest associated with the scat on which the person is sitting, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting the headrest.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a steering wheel, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting the steering wheel.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the component is a pedal, the step of affecting the component comprising the step of adjusting the pedal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising the step of transmitting electromagnetic energy toward the person so as to enable images to be obtained by the at least one optical receiving unit.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the at least one optical receiving unit comprises a plurality of optical receiving units arranged apart from one another.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the at least optical receiving unit comprises at least one of a CCD array and a CMOS array.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the at least optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a two-dimensional image of the person.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the at least one optical receiving unit is arranged to receive a three-dimensional image.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein each of the images is constituted by an array of pixels, the step of deriving data from the images comprising the step of eliminating pixels from the images which are present in multiple images.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein catch of the images is constituted by an array of pixels, the step of deriving data from the images comprising the step of comparing the images with stored arrays of pixels and eliminating pixels from the images which are present in the stored arrays of pixels.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the step of training the pattern recognition algorithm comprises the step of determining the location of specific features of the individuals.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising the step of determining a position of the person based on the data derived from the images, the device being controlled based on the position of the person.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising the steps of: determining a position of the person based on the data derived from the images; and determining any movement of the person based on the data derived from the images, the device being controlled based on the position of the person and any movement of the person.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising the step of determining a distance between the at least one optical receiving unit and the person based on the data derived from the images, the device being controlled based on the distance between the at least one optical receiving unit and the person.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |