Patent · US Expired

System including separable protected components and associated methods

US5982894A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
23References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 1997
Grant dateNov 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2016/0322
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system having enhanced security includes: a plurality of components; at least one security circuit associated with at least one component; and at least one master circuit associated with at least one component and connected in communication with the security circuit. More particularly, the security circuit when in the virgin state is switchable to a desired enrolled state for the master circuit. The master circuit according to one aspect of the invention preferably determines if the security circuit is in the virgin state and switches the security circuit to the desired enrolled state. The master circuit also preferably prevents operation of the system responsive to a security circuit being in an enrolled state other than the desired enrolled state for the master circuit. A security circuit may be restored to the virgin state in response to a user token or a fingerprint of the user. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.