Apparatus and method for driver-specific setting on vehicle devices

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Here, and in the following claims, "key" means any encoded device such as a mechanical key (e.
g.
, with teeth, prongs, etc), a magnetic key such as a strip key or a credit-card type card with a magnetic strip on one side, an optical device output a specific pattern of light, holographic devices, optical patterns (for example, bar codes), electronic devices (e.
g.
, digital signal outputters), optical devices (for example, remote-control devices using infrared), or any other device which encodes information that can be read or utilized for unlocking or enabling.
Referring to the drawing figure, the key 1 is encoded with an identifier ID, which is transmitted, for example by an electrooptical transmitter IS, to a receiver IE in the lock 2 when the key is used.
In addition, the key 1 can bear a mechanical key identification SK (e.
g.
, tooth profile), which cooperates with the lock 2 for mechanical locking and unlocking.
The lock 2 acts as a decoder for the information on the key 1, in whatever form the information is stored.
If the lock is operated mechanically, the key's identifier ID code may be determined by the lock 2, based on the identification profile of the key 1, and SK is transmitted from the lock 2 to a local processor LP.
That is, the key profile may act mechanically to disengage the lock 2 and at the same time encode the identifier ID code.
They key profile can of course identify the key 1 uniquely, and so indirectly identify the user who has the key 1.
If electronic locking-enabling is used, then preferably at least one encoded vehicle identification FK1, FK2, FKx is transmitted from the key to the receiver IE along with the identifier ID, and thence into the local processor LP.
(The PK codes correspond to the vehicles, systems, or machines which the key owner is authorized to operate.
) The processor LP compares the vehicle identifications FKn stored there to the set of FK identifications from the key 1; it also compares the user's ID to a set ID1, ID2, IDx