IP Library Granted Patent US 12,734,992
Granted Patent B2
US 12,734,992 · App. 18/614,089 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Methods and systems for driver identification

Inventors: Biswaroop Mukherjee (Stittsville, CA); Anish Agrawal (Kanata, CA)
Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
B60R25/24B60R25/045B60R25/08B60R25/102B60R25/31B60R25/34G06N20/00B60R2025/1016
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,734,992
App. No.
18/614,089
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method at a vehicle computing device for identifying a driver, the method including receiving a first indicator at the vehicle computing device; obtaining, based on the first indicator, a presumed driver identity; receiving at least one second indicator at the vehicle computing device; and verifying the presumed driver identity using the at least one second indicator.

Claims (36)

1 . A method at a vehicle computing device for identifying a driver, the method comprising:

receiving a device identifier from a client device;

mapping the device identifier to a presumed driver identity, wherein the device identifier is uniquely associated with the presumed driver identity;

receiving at least one second indicator at the vehicle computing device, the at least one second indicator being a second device identifier;

determining an actual driver identity using the at least one second indicator;

when the actual driver identity is unknown, performing a first action; and

when the actual driver identity is known but distinct from the presumed driver identity, performing a second action;

wherein the second action is at least one of providing a message within the vehicle; and speed limiting the vehicle.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the device identifier is received from a key fob, a mobile device, or a smart key associated with a driver.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the second device identifier is received from a mobile device paired with an infotainment system of the vehicle.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first action is at least one of: providing an alert to a network element; causing braking of the vehicle; providing position information to a network element; and disabling an ignition of the vehicle.

5 . A vehicle computing device configured for identifying a driver, the vehicle computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a communications subsystem;

wherein the vehicle computing device is configured to:

receive a device identifier from a client device;

map the device identifier to a presumed driver identity, wherein the device identifier is uniquely associated with the presumed driver identity;

receive at least one second indicator at the vehicle computing device, the at least one second indicator being a second device identifier;

determine an actual driver identity using the at least one second indicator;

when the actual driver identity is unknown, performing a first action; and

when the actual driver identity is known but distinct from the presumed driver identity, performing a second action.

6 . The vehicle computing device of claim 5 , wherein the device identifier is received from a key fob, a mobile device, or a smart key associated with a driver.

7 . The vehicle computing device of claim 6 , wherein the second device identifier is received from a mobile device paired with an infotainment system of the vehicle.

8 . The vehicle computing device of claim 5 , wherein the first action is at least one of: providing an alert to a network element; causing braking of the vehicle; providing position information to a network element; and disabling an ignition of the vehicle.

9 . The vehicle computing device of claim 5 , wherein the second action is at least one of providing a message within the vehicle; and speed limiting the vehicle.

10 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable code for execution by a processor of a vehicle computing device, the executable code comprising instructions for:

receiving a device identifier from a client device;

mapping the device identifier to a presumed driver identity, wherein the device identifier is uniquely associated with the presumed driver identity;

receiving at least one second indicator at the vehicle computing device, the at least one second indicator being a second device identifier;

determining an actual driver identity using the at least one second indicator;

when the actual driver identity is unknown, performing a first action; and

when the actual driver identity is known but distinct from the presumed driver identity, performing a second action;

wherein the second action is at least one of providing a message within the vehicle; and speed limiting the vehicle.

11 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the device identifier is received from a key fob, a mobile device, or a smart key associated with a driver.

12 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the second device identifier is received from a mobile device paired with an infotainment system of the vehicle.

13 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the first action is at least one of: providing an alert to a network element; causing braking of the vehicle; providing position information to a network element; and disabling an ignition of the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: MUKHERJEE, BISWAROOP; AGRAWAL, ANISH
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066994/0210 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 18115833 · Mar 1, 2023
Continuation 16734051 · Jan 3, 2020
Related Publication 20250249864A1 · Aug 7, 2025
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