KR20020044437A - Apparatus and method for restricting vehicle driving - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for restraining to drive a vehicle are provided to prevent the vehicle from being damaged or stolen by allowing the vehicle to normally drive only when an identified user drives the vehicle. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for restraining to drive a vehicle is applied to the vehicle having an ignition device(10) which is operated by a driver by utilizing an ignition key or a remote controlled key. The ignition device(10) is connected to an ECU(10). The ECU(10) receives various information and controls the operation of the vehicle. Various information regarding to an opening degree of a throttle, an RPM of an engine, a driving speed, and an amount of fuel required to drive the engine is accommodated in the ECU(10). In addition, an identified finger print is inputted or stored in the ECU(10) so as to identify the driver.

Description

Apparatus and method for restricting vehicle driving}

The present invention relates to a device for limiting driving of a vehicle and a method thereof, and more particularly, it is impossible to perform normal driving except for an authorized driver using a fingerprint recognition device, thereby ultimately damaging a vehicle while maintaining the convenience of an authorized driver. And an apparatus and method for limiting driving of a vehicle capable of preventing theft.

In general, a vehicle is provided with a starter connected to an engine for actually driving the vehicle. In addition, the starter is provided with a ignition key holder. When the ignition key is inserted and rotated, the ignition key turns on the ignition switch (ON) so that power is supplied from the power of the battery to operate the engine. That is, when the power of the battery is applied to the starter, the engine is configured to drive the vehicle. In addition, in recent years, a remote starting device has been developed to enable the vehicle to be started at a remote location or open and close the door automatically, thereby improving driver convenience.

On the other hand, in order to prevent damage or theft of the vehicle, various types of remote control devices that do not start or generate an alarm sound when the normal starting key or remote starting device are not used or when the vehicle is shocked or damaged. Theft alarm system has been developed and used. However, the technology for releasing the alarm corresponding to the development of the alarm device or the anti-theft device technology has also been developed negatively, and the alarm device and the anti-theft device are released by bad people. Vehicles are frequently damaged and stolen.

Accordingly, in recent years, technologies for preventing theft using fingerprints, magnetic cards, etc., in addition to electronic or physical methods have been widely researched and developed. As such conventional techniques, there are examples disclosed in Korean Patent Application Nos. 94-37755, 96-22906, 96-22316, 96-29651, 2000-529, and the like.

However, these prior arts are techniques for blocking the engine itself or preventing the door from opening, and if the thief starts or opens the door after releasing, damaging or removing such devices, Since the vehicle can be driven or driven by starting, there is a problem in that theft of the vehicle cannot be completely prevented.

In addition, since the starter of the vehicle is prevented itself, the thief will attempt to start the vehicle using any method, and there is a problem in that the vehicle is severely damaged.

Furthermore, when the fingerprint recognition system according to the related art is installed, even the owner of the vehicle such as a parking officer, a security guard, or a person authorized by an authorized driver cannot drive, and thus there is an inconvenience in that they cannot be used when necessary.

In addition, once the vehicle is started, driving or speed can not be limited, so that the vehicle may be stolen as well as an unexpected event or an accident may occur.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, the main purpose of the present invention is to drive the normal driving or driving of the vehicle other than the normal driver or authorized driver can ultimately avoid damage to the vehicle and prevent theft It is to provide a limiting device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a driving restraint apparatus that can be allowed to operate within a limited speed and time range to a person temporarily authorized by an authorized driver.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a driving restriction device in which a range of driving can be determined by recognizing a fingerprint of a person driving the vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for limiting driving of a vehicle that can prevent normal driving except for a driver authenticated using a recognition device such as a fingerprint and can ultimately prevent theft.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle to which a driving restriction apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle to which the driving restriction apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

3 is a block diagram showing a shift lever operating restriction device of FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a driving restriction method of a vehicle using the driving restriction device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a driving restriction method of a vehicle using the driving restriction device of FIG. 2.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: starting device 12: electronic control unit

14: fingerprint recognition device 17: shift control device

20: engine 22: fuel supply

24: fuel supply limiter 26: warning device

30: shift lever operation restriction device 32, 34: blocking plate

36, 38: actuator

These objects are a device for limiting the operation of a vehicle having a starter, a transmission, an accelerator, a fuel supply, an engine, etc., which is operated by the starter and is a fingerprint recognition device for detecting a driver's fingerprint. ; An electronic control unit comparing the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint recognition device with a fingerprint of a driver who has been previously input and authenticated to determine whether they match each other, and wherein the starter, shift / accelerator, and fuel supply device are connected; And a shift operation limiting device for limiting shift operation through the shift / acceleration device when the fingerprint sensed by the electronic control unit and the authenticated fingerprint are different, and / or supply of fuel to the engine through the fuel supply device. It can be achieved by the driving restriction device of the vehicle comprising a fuel supply limiting device for limiting.

In addition, such objects are provided in a device for restricting the operation of a vehicle having a starter, a shift lever associated with a shift lever, an accelerator, a fuel supply device, and an engine. Fingerprint recognition device by sensing; An electronic control unit which compares a fingerprint detected by the fingerprint recognition device with a fingerprint of a driver who has been previously input and is authenticated to determine whether they match each other, and wherein the starter, transmission, and fuel supply device are connected; And a shift lever operation limiting device for preventing a shift operation to a high speed stage by allowing the shift lever associated with the shift device to be operated only in a limited range when the fingerprint sensed by the electronic control unit is different from the authenticated fingerprint. It can be achieved by the driving restriction device of the vehicle.

It is also an object of the present invention to determine whether a fingerprint of a driver holding a shift lever is recognized when the starting device is operated; Determining whether the recognized fingerprint matches the authenticated fingerprint when the fingerprint is recognized in the fingerprint recognition and determination step; If the recognized fingerprint and the authenticated fingerprint match, normally operating the transmission and the fuel supply device; And limiting the fuel supply to the engine and / or the shift operation to the high speed stage so that the vehicle can be driven within a limited speed range if the fingerprint recognized in the fingerprint comparing and determining step does not match. It can be achieved by the driving restriction method of the vehicle.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to determine whether the fingerprint of the driver holding the shift lever when the start device is operated; Determining whether the recognized fingerprint matches the authenticated fingerprint when the fingerprint is recognized in the fingerprint recognition determination step; If the recognized fingerprint and the authenticated fingerprint coincide with each other, maintaining the shift lever associated with the transmission so as to be normally operated; And limiting the operation of the shift lever to only the forward 1 step and the reverse position by operating the shift lever operation limiting device if the fingerprint recognized in the fingerprint comparison determination step does not match with the authenticated fingerprint. It can be achieved by the method.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, referring to a basic configuration of a vehicle to which a driving restriction apparatus of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, a driver may operate the vehicle by using a start key or a remote start key. There is provided a starting device (10). The starter 10 is connected to a central control unit or electronic control unit (ECU) 12, in which a variety of information can be input and which can control almost all operations of the vehicle and which the present invention is indispensable. In particular, the electronic control unit 12 generally includes a variety of information such as operation of a transmission according to conditions and operation of peripheral devices such as throttle opening degree, engine rotation speed, traveling speed, supply amount of fuel required for driving the engine, and processing thereof. The program for is stored. In addition, the electronic control unit 12 may be input or embedded in the fingerprint of the vehicle owner or the fingerprints of people allowed by the owner, that is, the authenticated fingerprint.

In particular, the electronic control unit 12 may be connected or included a fingerprint recognition device 14 that can recognize a fingerprint. The fingerprint recognition device 14 may be connected to or include a fingerprint sensor 16 installed at a shift lever or a release switch of the shift lever to sense a fingerprint of a driver's thumb. Fingerprint reader 14 is, of course, associated with the starter, so that power is supplied at the same time as the starter is turned on or actuated to detect and recognize the driver's fingerprint, as well as to immediately print the fingerprint recognized therefrom. It serves to transmit to the control unit 12. Optionally, the fingerprint recognition device 14 has a function of directly comparing the detected or recognized fingerprint with a previously stored fingerprint, and the determination result is transmitted to the electronic control unit 12 or the shift control device 17. You can make it transfer. In addition, previously stored fingerprints may be stored in the fingerprint recognition device 14.

In addition, the electronic control unit 12 is connected to a speed change / acceleration device 18 that can control the speed, forward, reverse, driving state, and the like of the vehicle. This transmission / acceleration device generally refers to an accelerator pedal and a transmission in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. In the drive (D) mode, for example, the conditions such as the throttle opening degree, the engine rotation speed, and the traveling speed are determined in the drive (D) mode. Shift, deceleration, and acceleration can be performed.

In particular, the shift control device 17 is connected to the electronic control unit 12 of the driving limit device according to the present invention. The shift control device 17 operates when the fingerprint recognized by the fingerprint recognition device 14 is not the fingerprint of the driver stored or authenticated in the electronic control unit 12. According to this operation, the shift operation by the shift / acceleration device 18 is limited. That is, since the shift control is limited when the shift control device is operated, the shift operation to the high speed stage does not occur even if it is determined that the throttle position, the engine rotation speed, the vehicle speed condition, and the like reach the shift point for automatically replacing the shift ratio. In particular, the shift control limiting device 17 is configured and operated to, for example, permit operation only up to one of the forward shift stages.

The electronic control unit 12 is also connected with a fuel supply device 22 for supplying fuel to the engine 20. Of course, such a fuel supply device 22 generally includes a fuel tank, a fuel pump, various valves for supplying fuel to the engine, and the like as a whole meaning of devices and components for supplying fuel to the engine. Of course, the fuel supply device 22 may control the amount of fuel supplied to the engine according to the output of the electronic control unit 12 or the operation of the speed change / acceleration device 18. For example, when the accelerator pedal of the speed change / acceleration device 18 is pressurized, for example, as the opening degree of the throttle valve increases, the fuel supply to the engine 20 is increased proportionally, and the supply amount is released by releasing the accelerator pedal. Will decrease.

In particular, the fuel supply limiting device 24 may be connected to the electronic control unit 12 of the driving limiting device according to the present invention. The fuel supply limiting device 24 may be activated when the fingerprint recognized by the fingerprint recognition device 16 is not the fingerprint of the driver stored or authenticated in the electronic control unit 12. According to this operation, the amount of fuel supplied to the engine by the fuel supply device 22 is restricted or blocked. In particular, the fuel supply limiting device 22 is configured and operated such that, for example, only a certain amount of limited fuel is supplied to the engine even when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed. Here, the limited fuel amount may be arbitrarily set, and it is preferable that the limited fuel amount is set to an amount capable of maintaining a minimum speed that can drive the vehicle or a higher speed limit. Optionally, the electronic control unit 12 has a warning / alarm device 26 to warn the user when the fingerprint is not recognized in the started state and when the vehicle is driven with the fuel supply restriction device operated for a limited time. ) May be included.

As shown in Fig. 2, the speed limiting device of a vehicle for installation in a vehicle having a manual transmission has a similar configuration to the speed limiting device according to the first embodiment described above. Numbered. Briefly explaining the basic matters, the starting device 10 which the driver can operate by using the (remote) start key 10 includes a fingerprint of the vehicle registrant or the fingerprints of those permitted by the registrant, that is, an authenticated fingerprint. It is built-in and is connected to the electronic control unit 12 in which various information necessary for driving the engine according to the operation of the peripheral device is input or programmed.

In addition, the electronic control unit 12 includes a fingerprint recognition device 14 that can recognize a fingerprint is connected or included. The fingerprint recognition device 14 may be connected to or include a fingerprint sensor 16 installed at a release switch of the shift lever or one side of the shift lever to recognize a fingerprint when the driver grips it. Of course, the fingerprint recognition device 14 is linked to the starter, and is operated at the same time as the on or actuation of the starter to prepare for detecting or recognizing the driver's fingerprint at any time or at regular intervals, as well as being recognized therefrom. The fingerprint is transmitted to the electronic control unit 12 or processed by itself.

In addition, the electronic control unit 12 is connected to a speed change / acceleration device 18 that can control the speed, forward, reverse, driving state, and the like of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, the shift / acceleration device 18 includes a lever 18a that the driver can grip and operate, and a guide in which the lever 18a can be moved according to the driver's operation. The plate 18b is provided. Of course, according to such a configuration, the driver moves the lever 18b to the shift position designated on the guide plate 18b, that is, corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, that is, the engine speed, the vehicle speed, and the like. ), 2nd stage (2), 3rd stage (3), 4th stage (4), 5th stage (5) and the reverse (R) position can be fixed to the shift stage.

Also, a fuel supply device 22 for supplying fuel to the engine 20 is connected to the electronic control unit 12. Such a fuel supply device 22, of course, will be understood as an overall device including a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a fuel filter, various valves for supplying fuel to the engine as described above. In particular, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the fuel supply limiting device 24 may be connected to the electronic control unit 12 of the driving limiting device according to the present invention.

In particular, the speed limiting device according to the present invention includes a shift lever operating limiting device 30 for limiting the operation of the lever 18a of the speed shifting device 18. The shift lever operation limiting device 30 includes a blocking plate 32 for blocking shifting out of the first stage of the forward stage, for example, one blocking plate 32 for blocking shifting to the second and fourth stages, and It may include a blocking plate 34 for blocking the shift to five stages. In addition, each of these blocking plates 32 and 34 is connected to the actuators 36 and 38 which can move the respective blocking plates forward and backward, and each of these actuators 36 and 38 as well as the electronic control unit ( 12), the operation is controlled by it. For example, the shift lever operation limiting device 30 is a command of the electronic control unit when the fingerprint of the legitimate driver or a fingerprint different from that of the authorized driver is recognized. It is preferred that the lever be configured to be operated only in such a way that the lever can only be operated in the permitted range, i.e. forward and reverse. Although the shift lever limiting device is illustrated as being composed of a blocking plate and an actuator in this embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to guide the shift lever only forward 1 and backward. will be.

Hereinafter, a speed limiting method using a speed limiting device of a vehicle according to the present invention and an operation mode thereof will be described in detail.

First, when the starter 10 is operated in any way by the driver or another person (S100), the fingerprint recognition device 14 is automatically operated to determine whether the fingerprint of the driver holding the shift lever is recognized ( S102). Here, if the fingerprint is not recognized, after warning or guiding to place the corresponding finger of the driver in the position that can recognize the fingerprint (S104), it is again determined whether the fingerprint of the driver.

When the driver's fingerprint is recognized by the fingerprint recognition device 14, the detection signal or recognition signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 12 so that the recognized fingerprint signal is stored in the electronic control unit 12 and the authentication fingerprint. In operation S106, the driver determines whether the driver is a legitimate driver or an allowed driver. Optionally, the determination may be configured to be performed directly in the fingerprint recognition device 14, and may be configured to store the authenticated fingerprint in the fingerprint recognition device 14 as well. As a result of the determination, if the recognized fingerprint is an input fingerprint or an authenticated fingerprint, the transmission or the fuel supply device is normally operated (S108), and the vehicle is normally driven according to the driver's operation (S110).

However, if it is determined in the determination step (S106) that the fingerprint of the person who is not a normal driver is recognized, the shift operation limiting device or the fuel supply limiting device is operated (S112). Thus, since the shift operation is limited when the shift control device is operated, the shift operation to the high speed stage does not occur even if it is determined that the throttle position, the engine rotation speed, the vehicle speed condition, and the like reach the shift point for automatically replacing the shift ratio. Accordingly, even when the vehicle is determined to have reached the shift point in the determination step S114, the vehicle is operated only in the first forward or reverse direction by operating the transmission only within a limited range (S116). Of course, if it is determined that the shift point does not reach the determination step (S114) it is possible to drive at a low speed. When the fuel supply limiter is activated, the supply time and amount of fuel supplied to the engine are limited.

Optionally, if it is determined that the vehicle is driven over a set time at a limited range of speed (S120), the driver is recognized as a driver with impure intention and not an allowed driver, and then the alarm is operated (S122). Operation can be stopped (S124). Optionally, in step (S124), for example, starting for 5 minutes to 10 minutes can be prevented.

On the other hand, in the case of a manual transmission vehicle can be operated as shown in Figure 5 to limit the speed. That is, after starting the engine of the vehicle (S200), it is determined whether the fingerprint is recognized (S202). Of course, if the fingerprint is not recognized, after warning or guiding the driver to be placed in a position that can recognize the fingerprint of his finger (S204), it is determined whether the fingerprint of the driver again.

When the driver's fingerprint is recognized in the fingerprint recognition device 14, the detection signal or the recognition signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 12 and the recognized fingerprint signal and the authentication stored in the electronic control unit 12 itself. It is determined whether or not it matches the fingerprint (S206) to determine whether it is a legitimate driver or an allowed driver. Optionally, this match determination can be configured to be performed directly by the fingerprint recognition device 14. In the determination step (S206), if the recognized fingerprint is an authenticated fingerprint, the driver can operate the shift lever to the desired shift stage (S208), and thus the vehicle is normally driven according to the shift operation of the driver (S210).

However, if it is determined in the determination step (S206) that the fingerprint of another person, not the fingerprint of the normal driver is recognized, the shift lever operation limiting device is activated (S212). As such, when the shift lever operation limiting device is operated, the shift lever can be moved only to the first forward position and the backward position (S214), and thus, the shift lever is driven only forward or backward at a limited speed (S216). In step S212, optionally, the fuel supply limiting device may be operated to limit the fuel injection to protect the engine of the vehicle even when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal.

In addition, optionally, if it is determined that the vehicle is traveling for a predetermined time or more at a limited range of speed (S218), it is determined that the vehicle is a stolen vehicle as in the above-described embodiment, and the fuel supply to the engine is completely supplied after operating the alarm. Of course, the operation can be stopped by blocking (S220). Optionally, in step (S124), for example, starting for 5 minutes to 10 minutes can be prevented.

Accordingly, when a vehicle other than the owner of the vehicle or a driver other than the permitted or authorized driver drives the vehicle, the speed is automatically limited, thereby preventing risks and problems that may occur later.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the use of a recognition method such as the other than the above-described fingerprint recognition device, iris, face, etc. is also included in the scope of the present invention.

As a result, according to the device and method for limiting driving of a vehicle according to the present invention, a driver whose fingerprint is not normally authenticated cannot drive more than the allowed time at a speed exceeding an allowable range, so that not only theft of the vehicle but also theft of the vehicle is attempted. There is an effect that can prevent damage to the vehicle.

In addition, since the start is maintained and the vehicle can be maintained at a speed within a certain range, a person other than the authenticated user can drive in the allowed range, thereby improving convenience of the authenticated user.

Claims (10)

In the device for limiting the operation of the vehicle having a starting device, a transmission, an accelerator, a fuel supply, an engine, etc., A fingerprint recognition device operated by the starting device and detecting a fingerprint of the driver; An electronic control unit comparing the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint recognition device with a fingerprint of a driver who has been previously input and authenticated to determine whether they match each other, and wherein the starter, shift / accelerator, and fuel supply device are connected; And And a shift control limiting device for limiting the shift operation through the shift / acceleration device when the fingerprint detected by the electronic control unit is different from the authenticated fingerprint. The method of claim 1, And a fuel supply limiting device for limiting the supply of fuel to the engine through the fuel supply device when the fingerprint sensed by the electronic control unit and the authenticated fingerprint are different. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint recognition device comprises a fingerprint detection sensor installed at a shift lever or a shift lever release switch associated with the shift device to detect a fingerprint of a driver. The warning device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic control unit warns when the fingerprint is not recognized while the vehicle is started and when the vehicle is driven with the shift control device or the fuel supply limit device operated for a predetermined time or more. And an alarm device, wherein the fuel supply limiting device is configured to completely shut off the supply of fuel when the predetermined time is exceeded to stop the engine. In a device for limiting the operation of a vehicle having a starter, a shift lever associated with a transmission, a fuel supply device, an engine, A fingerprint recognition device operated by the starting device and detecting a fingerprint of the driver; An electronic control unit which compares a fingerprint detected by the fingerprint recognition device with a fingerprint of a driver who has been previously input and is authenticated to determine whether they match each other, and wherein the starter, transmission, and fuel supply device are connected; And Driving of a vehicle including a shift lever operation limiting device for preventing a shift at a high speed by allowing the shift lever associated with the shift device to be operated only in a limited range when the fingerprint sensed by the electronic control unit is different from the authenticated fingerprint. Limiting device. The method of claim 5, And a fuel supply limiting device for limiting the supply of fuel to the engine through the fuel supply device when the fingerprint sensed by the electronic control unit and the authenticated fingerprint are different. The shift lever operating limiting device according to claim 5, wherein the shift lever operating limiting device is configured according to a comparison result between a blocking plate for blocking shifts other than the first stage and the reverse, and a fingerprint that is connected to the electronic control unit and a recognized fingerprint and an authenticated fingerprint. Device for limiting driving of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an actuator capable of moving forward and backward of the blocking plate. A method for limiting the speed of a vehicle provided with a driving restraint device according to claim 1, Determining whether a fingerprint of a driver holding the shift lever is recognized when the starting device is operated; Determining whether the recognized fingerprint matches the authenticated fingerprint when the fingerprint is recognized in the fingerprint recognition determination step; If the recognized fingerprint and the authenticated fingerprint match, normally operating the transmission / acceleration device and the fuel supply device; And If the fingerprint recognized in the fingerprint comparing and determining step does not match, limiting the shift operation or limiting the supply of fuel to the engine even when the shift point is reached so that the vehicle can be driven only within the limited speed range. Driving restriction method of the vehicle comprising. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of stopping the operation by stopping the supply of fuel to the engine when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling for a predetermined time or more in a restricted state of driving. Limitation method. A method for limiting driving of a vehicle provided with a driving restraint device according to claim 5, Determining whether a fingerprint of a driver holding the shift lever is recognized when the starting device is operated; Determining whether the recognized fingerprint matches the authenticated fingerprint when the fingerprint is recognized in the fingerprint recognition determination step; If the recognized fingerprint and the authenticated fingerprint coincide with each other, maintaining the shift lever associated with the transmission so as to be normally operated; And If the fingerprint recognized in the fingerprint comparison determination step and the authentication fingerprint does not match, operating the shift lever operation restriction device to limit the operation of the shift lever to the first forward and the reverse position including the driving restriction method .