Patent ID: 6430488
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B60R,G07C

Abstract:
Apparatus for customizing the operation of a land automotive vehicle comprising:a) at least one entry device for entry of setting information for a plurality of functional devices of the vehicle wherein one of the functional devices is an airbag with an airbag personalization functional device for customized airbag deployment based on user physical characteristic setting information provided by the holders portable storage device; b) a plurality of portable storage devices for entry by a holder into the entry device to provide setting information to the data entry device, said storage devices having different authority levels, with a first of the storage devices providing broad authority to the holder to provide setting information affecting all the plurality of functional devices and a second of the plurality of storage devices providing the holder of the storage device with limited authority to change a limited number of the settings and to operate the vehicle in accordance with rules restricting its use; c) a global positioning system for indicating the position of the vehicle; d) actuation devices for manual setting of the functional devices by the holder in accordance with the holders preferences and authority level; e) a controller responsive to setting information provided by the entry device, position information provided by the global positioning system, information provided by the functional devices, and setting information provided by the actuation to devices to: i) control the functional devices of the vehicle; ii) change the setting information in the holders portable storage device for later use by the holder in accordance with manual settings entered through one or more the actuation devices; iii) vary setting information in dependence upon the position of the vehicle; iv) provide data about the operation of the vehicle including vehicle operation outside the rules restricting the vehicles use including time and location restrictions imposed upon the storage device holder's use that are detected using the global positioning system; and v) provide vehicle status data including vehicle location upon detection of an accident by deployment of the airbag; f) storage means for storing the data provided by the controller.