US Patent 9082237 Vehicle access and security based on biometrics

Method for interacting with a vehicle includes controlling interaction with the vehicle based on receipt of a signal by a component on the vehicle, and generating the signal based on biometric data entered via a portable communications device proximate the vehicle. The entered biometric data may be verified as biometric data of a driver of the vehicle prior to generating the signal. The biometric data may be a fingerprint, a palm print, a hand print, a facial image, and/or a voiceprint, all of which may be obtained using the communications device, e.g., a smartphone. The controlled interaction with the vehicle may be maintaining a brake lockout mechanism coupled to at least one brake of the vehicle in a locked state until the signal is received and/or maintaining at least one door of the vehicle in a locked state until the signal is received.