AU753911B2

AU753911B2 - Device for selecting operating modes

Info

Publication number: AU753911B2
Application number: AU12602/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roderick Pettit
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 1998-09-17
Filing date: 1999-09-16
Publication date: 2002-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-16
Also published as: DE59907883D1; JP2003505747A; AU1260200A; WO2000017019A1; DE19842545A1; EP1113953B1; EP1113953A1

Description

DEVICE FOR SELECTING OPERATING MODES Prior Art The invention relates to a device for selecting operating modes.

From DE 43 32 411 Al an anti-theft device for vehicles is known with several control devices for vehicle components. Various control devices can be released with the matching of input test information with given reference information. For at least two control devices, the test and reference information differ from one another. The fingerprint of an authorised user is intended as the test and reference information. A control device is released when its test and reference information match and a further valid acknowledgment signal of at least one other control device exists. By this means, security against manipulation is increased. These control devices are released, however, only with the S 15 corresponding condition. Further differing operation modes are not provided.

l* Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a device for selecting operating modes, with a biometry data acquisition unit, which acquires biometry data of a user as a biometry signal, 20 with a biometry profile memory in which at least one reference pattern is stored, an operating mode selection is provided which, dependent on a matching of biometry signals and reference patterns activates one of at least two given operating modes, wherein an activating of one of the at least two operating modes and/or an answering of the user interrogation depends on how long the biometry signal matches the reference patten, and/or which sequence the biometry signal matches the reference pattern, and a finger print is used as the biometry signal.

Advantages of the Invention The biometry data acquisition unit with an authorisation query for the operation of a vehicle is used for further functions such as the selection of further operating modes.

Other operating elements intended for this purpose can therefore be dispensed with.

Furthermore, by means of the comparison of the biometry signal with the reference pattern, it is ensured that operating modes with high security requirements can in fact only be act ated by a user identifying himself by means of the biometry data. A clear 7/ 9 20/08/02,tdl191 O.spc.1 -2authorisation allocation for the implementation of certain operating modes to the authorised person can be carried out. For example only the vehicle owner can start an instruction procedure for other users when the biometry data of the vehicle owner are present. By this means the security of the device of the invention against attempts at manipulation by unauthorised persons is increased.

In an effective further development the operation mode of user interrogation is provided which is answered dependent on the matching of biometry signal and reference pattern.

The biometry data anyway present serves as a possibility for user input for corresponding menu-driven queries. A first input sequence could, in this connection, be preassigned for the input of the response "yes", a second input sequence of the biometry signal for "no".

Thanks to the comparison operation between biometry signal and reference pattern, the user inputs can be simultaneously checked for reliability.

As a finger print is used as the biometry signal, different operating modes can be allocated to the various fingers. If, for example, the first finger is placed on the biometry data acquisition units, it signals to the device the wish of the user to activate the first operating mode, the second finger signalises the activating of the second operating mode and so forth.

By this means, for each user only one reference pattern need be stored in the biometry profile memory and, despite this, the desired operating mode can be inferred within a defined period of time. A single touch is recognised by the device as a wish to activate the S first operating mode; a second touch causes the activating of the second operating mode etc.

In an advantageous embodiment the selection of the desired operating mode takes place in that the time duration of the matching of biometry signal and reference pattern is used as an expression concerning the desired operating mode. So a short touch of the finger signals, for example, a normal operating mode, for example a driving authorisation request, while a long resting of the finger on the biometry data acquisition unit will be interpreted by the device as the desire to change to a second operating mode such as the learning mode. Furthermore, a reference pattern must be stored in the biometry data acquisition unit for each user.

20/08/02,tdl 19 1 0.spe, 2 o Through the incorporation of a certain sequence in which the finger touches the device, a greater degree of freedom with respect to the number of operating modes to be selected or user inputs is made possible.

Other advantageous further developments appear from the description.

Drawing An embodiment of the invention is depicted in the drawing and will be described in some detail in the following.

e a S 20/08/02,tdl 1910.spe,3 WO 00/17019 PCT/DE99/02943 4 Figure 1 shows a block diagram and Figures 2 and 3 a flow chart of the device of the invention respectively.

Description A biometry data acquisition unit 10 transmits a biometry signal 11 to an operating mode selection unit 14. A first reference pattern Refl 1, a second reference muster Ref2, a third reference pattern Ref3 and a fourth reference pattern Ref4 are stored in a biometry profile memory 12. The operation mode selection 14 exchanges data with the biometry profile memory 12 and an operation mode computer 16, in which a first operating mode BA1, a second operating mode BA2, a third operating mode BA3 and a fourth operating mode BA4 are stored. The operating mode computer 16 exchanges data with a control device 20 over a bus system.

User specific characteristics are considered by the biometry data acquisition unit 10 as acquired biometry data. Biometric characteristics such as fingerprints, eye situation, iris, retina or speech acquisition to name just a few identify an authorised user clearly and are stored as the reference pattern Refl to Ref4 in digitalised form in the biometry profile memory 12. Furthermore, it should be assumed that the checking of the fingerprint should be used as the biometric identification procedure. A scanner can be used in this context as the biometry data acquisition unit In a first embodiment, four fingerprints of different fingers of the authorised user Refl 1 to Ref4 are stored as reference patterns. The selection of operating modes is started according to Figure 2 in which, for example, a key is activated by the user or the biometry data acquisition unit 10 is activated upon entry of the vehicle, Step 101. The user is then requested to place a finger on the biometry data acquisition unit 10 in order to generate a first biometry signal 11. For a certain period of time the entering procedure of the first biometry signal 11 is activated, Step 102. In the following Srequest (Step 103) it is checked whether the first biometry signal 11 matches one of

,C

WO 00/17019 PCT/DE99/02943 c the four reference patterns Refl to Ref4. If this is not the case, it will be concluded that the user is unauthorised and the procedure of the operating mode selection is truncated, Step 104. Otherwise the reference pattern Refl 1 corresponding to the first biometry signal 11 will be intermediate-stored. If the user wishes to activate one of the operating modes BA2 to BA4, he must place another finger on the biometry data acquisition unit 10, so that it can read in the second biometry signal 11, Step 105. At the same time, a time window, which is evaluated in the following query 106 is started. If the user does not touch the biometry data acquisition unit 10 within the given period of time, then there is no second biometry signal 11 within this time span and the operating mode selection 14 activates the first operating mode BA1, Step 107.

The first operating mode BA1 represents normal operation. It enables the vehicle completely for the user, who has identified himself in the Query 103 as authorised, Step 107. In addition, enable information could, for example, reach a control device 20 necessary for operation. Otherwise, in the Query 108, the second biometry signal is checked for validity by means of comparison with the reference patterns Refl 1 to Ref4. In the event that the second biometry signal 11 departs from all reference patterns Refl 1 to Ref4, the operating mode selection is prematurely truncated, Step 109. In the event that a second biometry signal 11 is recognised as valid, this second biometry signal 11 will be intermediate-stored and awaits a third reading-in procedure. The user is then requested for the third time by means of the placing of the appropriate finger on the device in order to undertake an operating mode selection.

By this means the third biometry signal 11 is read in, Step 110. If Query 108 is matched, the third biometry signal 11 is compared with the reference patterns Refl to Ref4. If this fails, the operating mode selection is prematurely truncated, Step 109.

Otherwise the selection procedure follows, Step 112. According to the acquired first, second and third biometry signal 11 or their sequence, one of the remaining operating modes BA2 to BA4 is activated.

The user reaches, for example, the second operating mode BA2, when he applies the first finger (corresponding to the first reference pattern Refl the second finger (corresponding to the second reference pattern Ref2) and the third finger WO 00/17019 PCT/DE99/02943 6 (corresponding to the third reference pattern Ref3) in succession. In this case, the first biometry signal 11 matches the first reference pattern Refl 1, the second biometry signal 11 the second reference pattern Ref2 and the third biometry signal 11 the third reference pattern Ref3. In this constellation the second operation mode BA2 is selected.

The third operating mode BA3 is activated when, for example, first the second finger, then the fourth finger and then the first finger are placed on the biometry data acquisition unit 10. In this case the first biometry signal 11 matches the second reference pattern Ref2, the second biometry signal 11 matches the fourth reference muster Ref4 and the third biometry signal 11 the first reference pattern Refl 1. If the respective conditions are met, the operating modes selection 14 activates the third operating mode BA3.

The allocation of the fourth operating mode BA4 takes place similarly. Only the unambiguity of the finger sequence to the allocated operating mode must be present.

Several other finger sequences OR operated for the selection of a single operating mode can also be permitted. This is especially advantageous if other users are to be enabled to activate the operating modes BA1 to BA4. If there is no permitted finger sequence for the activating of an operating mode BA2 to BA4, the procedure is again truncated, Step 109.

In Figure 3, on the basis of the second operating mode BA2, the input sequence is provided by way of example, as to how the user can make a selection decision using the biometry data acquisition unit 10. If the user reaches Step 113 according to Figure 2, an appropriate subroutine realising the second operating mode is called and started, Step 121. The user can, for example, in the second operating mode BA2 instruct other users as normal users or as users with the same rights as he himself. During a Step 122 a display existing already in the vehicle can be activated in such a way that it fades in the line of text: "Instruction as master user desired?" For this authorisation, an identification not further described here may be necessary. The user will also be made aware that a placing of the first finger on the biometry data acquisition unit WO 00/17019 PCT/DE99/02943 7 signals "yes", of the second finger The user is then requested to make a corresponding selection, Step 123.

In the following request 124, the biometry signal 11 supplied by the biometry data acquisition unit 10 is compared with the first reference pattern Refl (corresponding with the first finger) in order to check whether the user has answered the question asked in Step 123 with "yes". If the biometry signal 11 agrees with the first reference pattern Refl, a Step 125 follows. In this Step 125, the user to be instructing as master user is requested to place, eg. four fingers on the biometry data acquisition unit The resulting biometry signal 11 will be stored for each finger as a further reference pattern Ref5 to Ref8 in the biometry profile memory 12. In order to make possible for this master user unlimited access also to the three further operating codes BA2 to BA4, the conditions set in Step 112 for the activating of the respective operating mode BA2 to BA4 are OR-operated so that the second operating mode BA2 is activated when, as first biometry signal 11, the fifth reference pattern Ref5, as second biometry signal 11 the sixth reference pattern Ref6 and as third biometry signal the seventh reference pattern Ref7 exist in this sequence. This adaptation can also be correspondingly undertaken for activating for further operating modes BA3 and BA4.

If the user does not want to instruct as master user the new user the biometry signal 11 will not match the first reference pattern a further query 126 can follow. In it, the biometry signal 11 is compared to the second reference pattern Ref2, which stands for the answer If there is no match, the instruction process is prematurely truncated, Step 127. Otherwise Step 128 can follow in which the user to be instructed as normal user will be requested to have his fingerprint scanned by the biometry data acquisition unit 10 and stored in the biometry memory 12. In contrast with Step 125, the additional OR-operation for the selection of other operating modes BA2 to BA4 is omitted. The instruction process then takes place, Step 129. The normal user is only entitled to change to the first operating mode BA1 that ensures the normal use of the vehicle. Query 103 is to be modified in such a way that, upon admissibility, it is recognised when the biometry signal 11 matches one of the reference musters Refl 1 to Ref7.

-7 WO 00/17019 PCT/DE99/02943 8 The third operating mode BA3 can be designed as a so-called workshop mode, in which already known fingerprints of the workshop personnel are valid for a certain time. Alternatively, for the use of the vehicle during the visit at the workshop, not identification over the biometry data acquisition unit 10 is necessary to use the vehicle. The control device 20 is enabled in this operating mode, independent of the of the biometry signal 11 matching one of the reference patterns Refl 1 to Ref4.

The fourth operating mode BA4 has to do with hotel operation, in which a fingerprint of the hotel employee is learned and then, when the hotel is left, is erased. With this authorisation the hotel employee has only limited use of the resources of the vehicle, for example only the first and reverse gears. The control device 20 guarantees the resource limitation. Alternatively other operating modes can be planned, such as a service mode. Here, the system can be told to make certain vehicle equipment, such as the boot, the engine area, the mobile telephone or the navigation system accessible for certain persons or to block them. This operating mode is appropriate for rental vehicles, various devices in the rental vehicle being enabled according to the wishes of the rental company.

Other alternatives and advantageous further developments are possible without the concept of the invention being left. Alongside the predetermined series of fingerprints to be input as described above, a selection of the operating mode BA 1 to BA4 can be undertaken by means of the frequency of the placing of the finger on the device. A single acquisition of a fingerprint shows the selection of the first operating mode BA1, a placing of the finger twice shows the desire for activating the second operating mode BA2, three times for the third operating mode BA3 etc.

Alternatively, with the placing of the finger on the device a timer can be started, which, on the basis of the duration of the finger resting on the device, undertakes the selection of the desired operating mode. A short tap indicates, for example, the normal operation BA1, while a longer resting of the finger on the biometry data Sacquisition unit 10 introduces a start of the second operating mode BA2.

Claims

1. A device for selecting operating modes, with a biometry data acquisition unit, which acquires biometry data of a user as a biometry signal, with a biometry profile memory in which at least one reference pattern is stored, an operating mode selection is provided which, dependent on a matching of biometry signals and reference patterns activates one of at least two given operating modes, wherein an activating of one of the at least two operating modes and/or an answering of the user interrogation depends on how long the biometry signal matches the reference patten, and/or which sequence the biometry signal matches the reference pattern, and a finger print is used as the biometry signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an activating of one of the at least two operating modes provided and/or an answering of the user interrogation by means of the biometry signal depends on which reference pattern is matched by the biometry signal.

3. A device for selecting operating modes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 20 th day of August, 2002. ROBERT BOSCH GMBH By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE 20/08/02,tdl 1910.spe,9