Ford Motor Company Limited

Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Thomas A Gioia

Adrian Madau

Ryan Templeton

Eric M Heussner

David D Chi

John G Sadler

A system and method for detecting an identity of an occupant of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a sensor module mounted in a vehicle. The sensor module having an occupant sensor for acquiring an image of a member of the vehicle occupant to identify the vehicle occupant. The method includes activating a vehicle occupant identification system, acquiring an image of a member of the vehicle occupant, comparing the acquired image of the member with at least one stored image of a member, determining whether the acquired image of the member matches the at least one stored image, and assessing whether the vehicle occupant has been identified.

Vehicle personalization via biometric identification

A security system for an automotive vehicle including a positioning device which, in cooperation with a Global Positioning System ('GPS') satellite network provides location information regarding the vehicle's position. The security system further includes a passive operator identification device having a first security code and a theft control unit including memory storing a second security code. The passive operator identification device and the theft control unit work together to ensure the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle. An event detector communicates with the theft control unit to provide an event signal associated with the vehicle such as vehicle movement. If an event signal is received by the theft control unit, and the first and second security codes are not equal, the theft control unit communicates the vehicle position as determined by the position detector to a monitoring station. The monitoring station could be the local police department, a security service firm, or the vehicle owner's residence, for instance.

Method and apparatus for detection, notification and location of vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Thomas A Gioia