Patent ID: 7141889

Claim:
An engine starting system comprising: an ignition switch unit for controlling a state of an automobile; a key for changing a state of the ignition switch; a biological information input unit for receiving individual biological information; a biological information authenticating unit including at least a biological information storing unit for holding the individual biological information which has been registered prior to use of the engine starting system to authenticate the inputted biological information; and a biological information registration unit for registering the individual biological information; wherein the key is used to start the biological information input unit, and the biological information authenticating unit authenticates the inputted individual biological information by referencing the registered individual biological information before the key is used to start an engine, wherein a cover unit of said biological information input unit is unlocked when the ignition switch is in an ON state, and when the ignition switch is in a state other than the ON state, or when individual authentication is completed, the cover unit is locked.