Patent ID: 7809954
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: G06F,G07C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A biometrically actuated refueling system for an aircraft, wherein a flow of fuel is enabled only when a biometric input from an authorized user is continuously received, the system comprising: a deadman switch with a biometric based controller and receiver, the deadman switch controlling the flow of fuel from a fuel source to an airplane; and a biometric scanner and transmitter having a biometric input device for receiving a biometric input from a user and a position sensor for determining a proximity of the transmitter to the receiver, the transmitter operable to transmit a signal to the deadman switch receiver; the biometric scanner and transmitter continuously transmitting an authorization signal only when an authorized user continuously provides a biometric input to the biometric input device, the biometric scanner and transmitter ceasing to transmit the authorization signal when a biometric input corresponding to the authorized user is not continuously provided; the deadman switch allowing the flow of fuel only when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized user is continuously received from the biometric scanner and transmitter and only when the proximity is within a predetermined range, the deadman switch ceasing the flow of fuel when the authorization signal corresponding to the authorized operator is no longer continuously received.