Vehicle and method for biometric anti-theft protection of vehicle
By using sensors in vehicles to detect and compare biostatistic characteristics, the problem of difficulty in ensuring the legitimacy of vehicle users in the prior art is solved, and higher vehicle safety and anti-theft protection are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480003509.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-16
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle anti-theft measures are difficult to ensure that only the correct vehicle users can use the vehicle, especially if the user has the necessary access devices.
By using sensors in the vehicle to detect the biostatistical characteristics of the vehicle user and comparing the detected characteristics with the stored characteristics, if inconsistent, additional biostatistical characteristics are required until a legal user is confirmed.
Additional anti-theft protection is provided to ensure that only authorized vehicle users can use the vehicle, enhancing the safety of the vehicle.
Smart Images
Figure CN119654260A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] Access to a vehicle is generally achieved by the vehicle user using an access device, such as a digital or physical vehicle key, to open and start the vehicle. If the vehicle user does not possess the access device, the vehicle user is generally unable to use the vehicle even if he or she has access to the vehicle. Devices that indicate that a vehicle has been stolen are already known, as are measures for, for example, identifying counterfeit digital or physical keys in a vehicle. There are also physical barriers that can be installed in a vehicle to prevent the vehicle from being stolen.
[0002] It is also known that additional protection measures can be provided in the vehicle, for example in the form of requiring the vehicle user to perform further authentication actions. It is also known that the vehicle is additionally protected by a fingerprint sensor or a password, which must be entered to enable the use of the vehicle. Summary of the invention
[0003] The object of the invention is to use a biometric feature of a vehicle user in a specific manner in addition to known access protection methods in order to ensure that the correct vehicle user is using the vehicle or that the vehicle user is authorized to use the vehicle. This provides additional theft protection even if the vehicle user has an access device, in particular a digital or physical key, which is generally required for using the vehicle. The object of the invention is to use a sensor in a vehicle for biometric theft protection, which sensor is also used for other functions of the vehicle.
[0004] To achieve this object, the invention therefore provides a vehicle and a method according to the independent claims. Further developments of the application are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
[0005] In a first aspect, a vehicle with a control unit for biometric theft protection of the vehicle is provided, wherein the control unit is configured to detect at least one biometric feature by means of at least one sensor of the vehicle and to compare the at least one detected biometric feature with a biometric feature stored for a vehicle user and to stimulate the provision of a further biometric feature by the vehicle user if the at least one biometric feature and the biometric feature stored for the vehicle user do not correspond to one another.
[0006] The further biometric feature may be of a different type than the at least one biometric feature detected. For example, the at least one biometric feature may be a feature detected by means of an optical sensor, such as a camera, while the further biometric feature may be a feature detected as an acoustic signal by means of a further sensor, such as a microphone. The biometric feature detected by means of one sensor is then of a first type, while the further biometric feature detected by another sensor is of another type.
[0007] The control unit can assign a vehicle user profile to the vehicle user by means of the sensor signal. If the further biometric feature and the stored biometric feature do not correspond to one another, a message can be sent, in particular by means of the control unit, using data from the driver profile, by means of the communication unit. The sensor signal can in particular be a signal of a door sensor, a signal of a seat occupancy sensor, a radio signal and / or a signal of a camera of the vehicle.
[0008] If, after sending the message, a permission message is received by the control unit, in particular by means of the communication unit, the control unit can permit the operation of the vehicle.
[0009] Information about the interior of the vehicle may be transmitted together with the message. The information about the interior may, for example, include an image recording and / or an audio recording from the interior of the vehicle. In particular, the information about the interior may include an output of the at least one sensor of the vehicle or information based on the output.
[0010] The control unit may evaluate the further biometric feature. If the further biometric feature and the stored biometric feature do not correspond to each other, the control unit may prevent operation of the vehicle.
[0011] The control unit can stimulate the vehicle user to provide the further biometric feature by requiring the vehicle user to provide a user input, in particular for an operating function of the vehicle and preferably relating to an erroneously recognized input.
[0012] When the control unit is not in the detection mode, the control unit may detect the at least one biometric feature using the at least one sensor.
[0013] The control unit may store biometric features detected by the at least one sensor when the vehicle is in a detection mode.
[0014] In another aspect, a combination of a vehicle and a mobile communication terminal according to claim 1 is provided, wherein the mobile communication terminal is arranged to receive a message sent by means of a communication unit and to send a permission directly or indirectly to the communication unit of the vehicle depending on a user interaction.
[0015] In a further aspect, a method for biometric anti-theft protection of a vehicle is provided, wherein a control unit detects at least one biometric feature by means of at least one sensor and compares the at least one detected biometric feature with a biometric feature stored for a vehicle user and, if the at least one biometric feature and the biometric feature stored for the vehicle user do not correspond to one another, stimulates the provision of a further biometric feature by the vehicle user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will now also be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0017] Figure 1 A vehicle according to the invention is schematically shown, and
[0018] Figure 2 A flow chart is shown which schematically illustrates the method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the interior of the vehicle, a number of sensors can be used. Examples of sensors are seat occupancy sensors (in particular sensors which detect the load of the seat caused by the vehicle user), belt buckle sensors, interior cameras (which can also be used for seat occupancy detection), and microphones, for example, for voice control of the vehicle. Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) systems and / or radar systems can be used to detect children in the vehicle. In particular, UWB systems can be used to identify and locate access devices for the vehicle.
[0020] In addition to their inherently intended functions in the vehicle, the sensors present in the vehicle can also be used to detect biometric features of the vehicle user. For example, the weight of the vehicle user can be detected by a seat occupancy sensor, the face of the vehicle user can be detected by an interior camera and / or the voice of the vehicle user can be detected and evaluated by means of a microphone in the vehicle. Furthermore, biometric features, such as the heartbeat of the driver, can also be detected by means of radar or ultrasonic sensors in the vehicle.
[0021] By means of the sensor signals of at least one of the mentioned sensors, a vehicle user can generally be uniquely identified. Thus, for example, a vehicle user profile of a vehicle user can be determined by the control unit based on the sensor signals and assigned to the vehicle user, the vehicle user profile being stored for the vehicle user. The sensors are usually permanently activated and can therefore also be used for biometric protection of the vehicle.
[0022] After the learning phase or outside of a detection mode of the vehicle in which biometric features of vehicle users are detected and stored, the vehicle monitors biometric features of at least one vehicle user by means of sensor devices in the interior of the vehicle. If the detected biometric features match the biometric features stored for the vehicle user and in particular for a profile stored for the vehicle user, the vehicle can be used as intended.
[0023] However, if the biometric feature cannot be uniquely detected by means of the sensors in the vehicle (for example because parts of the vehicle user are not visible to the camera or because, for example, the driver's weight cannot be measured), the control unit of the vehicle prompts the vehicle user to provide a further biometric feature.
[0024] For example, the control unit of the vehicle can issue a notification which prompts the vehicle user to provide a voice sample. This can occur in particular in the following way: the control unit asks the driver a question which does not necessarily have to be related to access to the vehicle and which is preferably not perceived by the vehicle user as a request to provide the further biometric feature. In particular, the notification can relate to an operating function of the vehicle or to an incorrectly recognized user input. For example, an acoustic notification can be issued to the vehicle user: a voice input was not recognized. This should encourage the vehicle user to respond to the notification by a voice answer. In particular, it is not decisive here how the vehicle user expresses himself, but rather how the vehicle user expresses himself.
[0025] The expression of the vehicle user is then evaluated by the control unit as a further biometric feature and compared with the biometric data stored for the vehicle user. If the further biometric feature and the stored biometric feature agree with one another, operation of the vehicle is enabled. However, if the further biometric feature does not agree with the stored biometric feature, the control unit can evaluate this as a theft attempt and prevent the motor from starting. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle user can be asked to enter further information again, with which he can still prove his legitimacy.
[0026] A message can also be sent by the control unit to a contact address stored in the vehicle user profile. The message can, for example, contain a code that the vehicle user must enter into the vehicle in order to enable the vehicle to be operated. If the vehicle user receives such a message, the vehicle user can prove his legitimacy in the vehicle with it. Alternatively or additionally, the recipient of the message can also, for example, grant permission to use the vehicle. The recipient (which can also be the vehicle user) can grant permission to the vehicle, for example, through user interaction on a mobile communication terminal (with which the message has been received). The message can include data from the interior of the vehicle, such as image data or a record of the expression of the vehicle user. Therefore, the recipient of the message can, for example, based on the data, that is, for example, based on an image from the interior of the vehicle or with the help of a record of the expression of the vehicle user, check whether it can identify the vehicle user. Then, the recipient of the message can grant permission to use the vehicle or, for example, use the data to provide information about the vehicle user to a security agency.
[0027] The biometric features of the vehicle user are detected by the control unit, in particular in a detection mode, which can also be referred to as a learning phase. The detection mode can be activated, for example, after the vehicle is delivered from the seller to the vehicle user, when the vehicle user starts the motor for the first time. Alternatively or additionally, the detection mode can also be activated for a specific time after the vehicle is delivered to the vehicle user. In the detection mode, the control unit stores the biometric features of one or more vehicle users detected in the vehicle with the aid of sensors. After the learning phase, the stored features can then be used for comparison with biometric features acquired with the aid of interior sensors. The point in time of delivery to the vehicle user can be defined, for example, by creating a vehicle user profile for the vehicle user and the vehicle. The detection mode can also be activated when the digital key is transferred to the profile of the vehicle user.
[0028] The vehicle can be communicatively connected to a server system outside the vehicle, in particular via a communication unit in the vehicle. The control unit can check by communication by means of the communication unit whether the vehicle key is linked to a vehicle user profile of a vehicle user. The control unit can activate the detection mode if the vehicle key is added to the vehicle user profile of the vehicle user or if the vehicle is operated for the first time using the vehicle key.
[0029] Figure 1A vehicle F with a control unit SE is shown. A memory D is directly or indirectly connected to the control unit SE in communication, the memory storing biometric features and / or a vehicle user profile. It should be understood that the memory D can also be arranged outside the vehicle F and can, for example, be part of a remote computer system. The control unit SE is also connected to at least one sensor S in the interior of the vehicle F. The at least one sensor S is used by the control unit SE to detect at least one biometric feature or the further biometric feature. In addition, the control unit SE is connected to an output unit L, for example a loudspeaker. Via the output unit L, the control unit SE issues a notification, which encourages the vehicle user to provide the further biometric feature. The output unit L can also be constructed as an input-output unit (for example a touch screen). For example, the time between two touches for an input can be evaluated as a biometric feature by means of the touch screen.
[0030] Furthermore, the vehicle F has a communication unit K, which is used, for example, for communication with a remote computer system and / or with a mobile telecommunication terminal T. The control unit can send messages to the mobile telecommunication terminal T by means of the communication unit K. If necessary, the control unit SE can receive feedback about these messages from the mobile telecommunication terminal T by means of the communication unit K. The control unit SE is also connected to the engine controller MS of the vehicle F in order to allow or prevent activation of the vehicle's engine.
[0031] Figure 2 The sequence of the method is shown. In a first step 200, the at least one biometric feature is detected by means of at least one sensor. In a second step 210, the detected biometric feature is compared with the stored biometric feature. If in a third step 220, the detected biometric feature corresponds to the stored biometric feature (path +), then in a fourth step 230, access to the vehicle is granted. If in the third step 220, the detected biometric feature corresponds to a biometric feature that is not stored (path -), then in a fifth step 240, access to the vehicle is not granted and the provision of a further biometric feature is stimulated. In particular, a return is made to the first step 200 in order to detect the further biometric feature.
[0032] Additional security is provided against theft of the vehicle by unauthorized vehicle users by the automatic check of the further biometric feature. Only if the check of the biometric feature fails is an interaction of the vehicle user with the vehicle necessary to authorize the vehicle operation. In addition to the additional biometric authentication of the vehicle user by means of the further biometric feature, contacts stored with the vehicle user profile can also be informed of a failed vehicle access and thus a possible theft attempt.
Claims
1. A vehicle (F) having a control unit (SE) for biometric anti-theft protection of the vehicle (F), wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to detect at least one biometric feature by means of at least one sensor (S) of the vehicle (F), to compare the detected at least one biometric feature with a biometric feature stored for a vehicle user, and to prompt the vehicle user to provide a further biometric feature if the at least one biometric feature does not correspond to the biometric feature stored for the vehicle user.
2. The vehicle (F) according to claim 1, wherein: The further biometric feature is of a different type than the at least one biometric feature detected.
3. The vehicle (F) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to assign a vehicle user profile to a vehicle user by means of sensor signals, in particular signals of door sensors, signals of seat occupancy sensors, radio signals and / or signals of a camera of the vehicle (F), and to send a message by means of a communication unit (K) using data from the vehicle user profile if the further biometric feature does not correspond to a stored biometric feature.
4. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to authorize the operation of the vehicle (F) if authorization is received by means of the communication unit after the message has been sent.
5. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Information about the interior of the vehicle (F) is transmitted together with the message.
6. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to evaluate the further biometric characteristic and to prevent operation of the vehicle (F) if the further biometric characteristic does not correspond to the stored biometric characteristic.
7. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to prompt the vehicle user to provide the further biometric feature by requiring the control unit to provide a user input, in particular for an operating function of the vehicle (F) and preferably relating to an erroneously recognized input.
8. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (SE) is arranged for detecting the at least one biometric feature using the at least one sensor when the control unit (SE) is not in a detection mode.
9. A vehicle (F) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (SE) is configured to store the biometric feature detected by the at least one sensor when the vehicle (F) is in a detection mode.
10. The combination of a vehicle (F) and a mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein: The mobile communication terminal is configured to receive a message sent by means of a communication unit (K) and to send a permission to the communication unit (K) of the vehicle (F) based on a user interaction.
11. A method for biometric anti-theft protection of a vehicle (F), wherein: A control unit (SE) detects (200) at least one biometric feature by means of at least one sensor (S), compares (210) the detected at least one biometric feature with a biometric feature stored for a vehicle user, and, if the at least one biometric feature does not correspond to the biometric feature stored for the vehicle user, prompts (240) the vehicle user to provide a further biometric feature.