Patent · US Expired

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

US6198996A · kind A · utility

301Cited by
18References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 28, 1999
Grant dateMar 6, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 28, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60W2556/50
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An onboard computer is used to control many aspects of a vehicle including performance and ride characteristics. Used in combination with the onboard computer, a smart card key is used to authorize a user. In addition, the smart card key stores user preference data, such as performance and ride parameters, which are in turn used by the onboard computer to adjust performance and ride characteristics of the vehicle. Because the parameters are stored on individual smart card keys, each operator of the vehicle stores user parameters specific to each user. User parameters may also be stored in the computer memory itself. Access to the user preference data is controlled by user identification parameters that are also stored on a smart card memory or in the memory of the computer. These user identification parameters may include, for example, user identification by a combination of means including a password, finger print, eye print and/or voice print or other biologic attributes unique to the user.

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