AUTHORISATION SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING APPARATUS FUNCTIONAL UNDER CONTROL OF OPERATOR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY ONLY IN PRESENCE OF AUTHORISED USER

摘要

The present invention discloses an authorisation system (30), for permitting apparatus such as a vehicle (10) or computer to function normally in the presence of a suitably authorised user (12) comprises complementary parts of wireless communication means, namely an apparatus-carried part and a user-carried part. The parts communicate within a spatial envelope defining a permissible working relationship and a suitably established communication link authorises normal functioning of the apparatus. The system responds to interruption of a communications link with apparatus that is functioning to inhibit the normal functioning after a delay, measured as time or distance, that permits a separation to be established between the user and the apparatus, whereby if the apparatus is forcibly taken from the authorised user, the latter's safety is not jeopardised by the proximity of the non-functional apparatus. Distance of separation, implicitly measured by a vehicle may also be used with portable apparatus by sensing acceleration through ambulating of the carrier. Inhibition of functionality may comprise a vehicle, or indeed any other apparatus, becoming immobile or constrained as to maximum operating speed. The user part may be carried discreetly and unobtrusively with minimum size if powered by radiation from the apparatus part, and may be an unpowered tag that returns radiation with a characteristic identification.