Vehicle Authorization via Normally Open Contact and Identity Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems are ineffective in preventing unsafe individuals from operating vehicles, as they often rely on disabling the ignition, which can be circumvented and poses risks during identification and operation.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses microprocessors and data repositories to authorize specific drivers by matching identities against a list, enabling the vehicle to start only for qualified operators through a normally open electrical contact controlled by the microprocessor, with optional biometric and wireless communication features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ignition is disabled to prevent unsafe drivers from operating the vehicle, then safety is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to circumvention and identification problems

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoididentification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of disabling the ignition for unsafe drivers, the system inverts the approach by enabling the ignition only for authorized drivers. The normally open contact remains open (disabling ignition) by default, and closes (enabling ignition) only when an authorized driver is identified, thus achieving safety through selective enablement rather than blanket disablement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary identification system that mediates between the driver and the ignition control. The microprocessor-based system with biometric or wireless identification acts as an intermediary, verifying driver authorization before controlling the normally open contact, thereby preventing direct circumvention of the ignition disablement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a breathalyzer device is integrated with ignition circuitry to prevent drunk driving, then alcohol-impaired driving is reduced, but the system can be circumvented by renting or stealing a vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unsafe drivingVSAvoidvehicle theft resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses unique identification data (biometric templates or wireless device identifiers) that are difficult to copy or transfer. This creates a secure link between the authorized driver and the vehicle ignition control, preventing the circumvention method of renting or stealing vehicles with standard breathalyzer devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the ignition is disabled for a specific person, then that person cannot operate the vehicle, but the ignition may become disabled while the automobile is being driven on a busy freeway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over unauthorized operationVSAvoidignition reliability during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the normally open contact based on real-time identification verification. The contact remains closed (ignition enabled) as long as the authorized driver remains identified and authenticated. If the driver is removed from the authorized list or authentication is lost, the contact opens (ignition disabled), providing dynamic control that prevents unauthorized operation while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the microprocessor continuously monitors the identification status and adjusts the normally open contact accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the ignition remains enabled only when an authorized driver is present and authenticated, and disables automatically when authorization is revoked or lost, preventing both unauthorized operation and unintended disablement during legitimate driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11299127B2Authorized operation of vehicles

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 INVISIBLE HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A system for starting a vehicle has a first apparatus having a microprocessor, a first data repository, a normally open electrical imposed between positive vehicle battery voltage and a keyed ignition switch, and a second electronic apparatus comprising a second microprocessor executing second coded instructions from a non-transitory medium, the second microprocessor coupled with the first microprocessor, a second data repository coupled to the second microprocessor and storing a list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and an input mechanism enabling a candidate driver to identify to the second microprocessor. The candidate driver identifies to the second microprocessor by the input mechanism, the second microprocessor, executing the second coded instructions, determines if the driver identity matches an identity on the list drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, and if so, causes the first microprocessor to close the normally open contact.