Authorized Operation of Vehicles

Abstract

A system enabling a candidate driver to start and operate a vehicle has computerized circuitry coupled to ignition circuitry and to a data repository, the computerized circuitry is adapted to sense whether an ignition switch of the vehicle is open or closed and is adapted to enable or disable ignition voltage. The computerized circuitry communicates wirelessly with a portable communication device, like a smartphone, that stores a list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle. If a candidate driver is on the list the candidate may start and operate the vehicle, if not, not.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system enabling a candidate driver to start and operate a vehicle, comprising:
 computerized circuitry in the vehicle coupled to ignition circuitry of the vehicle and to a first data repository, the computerized circuitry adapted to sense an ignition switch of the vehicle is open or closed, and adapted to enable or disable ignition voltage;   first wireless communication circuitry coupled to the computerized circuitry in the vehicle;   a portable communication device, comprising:
 a microprocessor executing a proprietary mobile application, the microprocessor coupled by second wireless communication circuitry with the first wireless communication circuitry coupled to the computerized circuitry in the vehicle; 
 a second data repository coupled to the microprocessor and storing a list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle; and 
 a touchscreen display; 
 first input mechanisms displayed on the touchscreen display enabling the candidate driver to identify to the second microprocessor, wherein, if the candidate driver is in the list of identities of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle, the second microprocessor signals the computerized circuitry in the vehicle to determine that the ignition switch is closed, and if so to enable ignition voltage until the computerized circuitry senses that the ignition switch is opened; and 
 second input mechanisms displayed on the touchscreen display enabling the candidate driver, having been identified as authorized to operate the vehicle, to signal the computerized circuitry in the vehicle to enable the ignition voltage for a selected period of time. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable communication device is one of a smartphone or a pad device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second wireless communication circuitry are compatible Bluetooth™ circuitry. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first data repository stores a unique vehicle identifier for the vehicle, and the second data repository stores a plurality of lists of identities of candidate drivers authorized to operate a vehicle, each list associated with a different vehicle identifier, and wherein, upon the proprietary mobile application being active, and the candidate driver logging into the proprietary application, the first microprocessor broadcasts the unique vehicle identifier stored in the first data repository to the smartphone or pad device, and the proprietary application checks only the list of candidate drivers associated with the broadcast vehicle identifier to determine if the candidate driver is authorized to operate the vehicle, thus enabling candidate drivers to potentially operate any one of a plurality of vehicles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mobile communication device connects to the well-known Internet network through a cellular network serving the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising an Internet connected server hosted by an enterprise, the Internet-connected server executing coded instructions implementing a web site providing a plurality of services, a first service enabling a person operating an Internet connected device to connect to the web site using the mobile communication device and to register as a member of the enterprise through an interactive interface provided on a display of the smartphone or pad device, and to create a user identity to log in to the web site. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a second service is provided enabling registered members to create and edit lists of candidate drivers authorized to drive specific vehicles and to store the lists in a data repository, and wherein the second microprocessor in the smartphone or pad device downloads lists associated with the specific vehicles. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a third service enables one or both of representatives of insurance companies and law enforcement organizations to register as members, and to edit lists of candidate drivers authorized to operate specific vehicles. 
     
     
         9 . A method enabling a candidate driver to start and operate a vehicle, comprising:
 initiating, by a candidate driver, a proprietary mobile app to execute on a portable communication device having a microprocessor coupled to first wireless communication circuitry, and coupled to a first data repository storing a list of driver's authorized to start and operate the vehicle;   providing identity by the candidate driver to the mobile app via a first input mechanism on a display of the portable communication device;   determining by the mobile app if the candidate driver is on the list of driver's authorized to start and operate the vehicle;   if the candidate driver is on the list, signaling to start the vehicle by the proprietary mobile app via the first wireless communication circuitry to second wireless communication circuitry in computerized circuitry in the vehicle coupled to ignition circuitry of the vehicle and to a second data repository;   closing an ignition switch of the vehicle by the candidate driver in an attempt to start the vehicle;   sensing by the computerized circuitry in the vehicle that the ignition switch is closed;   enabling voltage in the ignition circuitry of the vehicle by the computerized circuitry of the vehicle, enabling the vehicle to start; and   maintaining the voltage on the ignition circuitry, enabling the vehicle to run, until the computerized circuitry senses that the ignition switch is open.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the candidate driver entering via a second input mechanism on the display of the mobile device, a period of time for the computerized circuitry in the vehicle to maintain the voltage on the ignition circuitry, enabling the vehicle to run. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first data repository stores a unique vehicle identifier for the vehicle, and the second data repository stores a plurality of lists of identities of candidate drivers authorized to operate a vehicle, each list associated with a different vehicle identifier, comprising, upon the proprietary mobile application being active, and the candidate driver logging into the proprietary application, the first microprocessor broadcasting the unique vehicle identifier stored in the first data repository to the mobile device, and the proprietary mobile app checking only the list of candidate drivers associated with the broadcast vehicle identifier to determine if the candidate driver is authorized to operate the vehicle, thus enabling candidate drivers to potentially operate any one of a plurality of vehicles. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the mobile communication device connecting to the well-known Internet network through a cellular network serving the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising an Internet connected server hosted by an enterprise enabling a person operating an Internet connected device to connect to the Internet connected server and to register as a member of the enterprise through an interactive interface provided on a display of the Internet connected device, and to create a user identity to log in to the web site. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  comprising enabling registered members to create and edit lists of candidate drivers authorized to drive specific vehicles and to store the lists in a data repository, and wherein the microprocessor in the mobile communication device downloads lists associated with the specific vehicles. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  comprising enabling one or both of representatives of insurance companies and law enforcement organizations to register as members, and to edit lists of candidate drivers authorized to operate specific vehicles.