Audible Authentication for Autonomous Vehicle Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles lack effective human-machine interfaces for visually impaired passengers, making it difficult for them to locate and authenticate the vehicle, navigate during the ride, and disembark safely due to the reliance on visual cues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an audible authentication system where the autonomous vehicle and a user's mobile device exchange matching audible signals for authentication, providing contextual audible support throughout the journey, and guiding the user for safe disembarkation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical human-machine interfaces (mechanical push-button, touch-sensitive display) are provided in autonomous vehicles, then the vehicle can assist passengers in finding, requesting support, and disembarking, but visually impaired passengers cannot effectively use these interfaces due to reliance on visual cues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHMI usability for visually impaired passengersVSAvoidInterface accessibility across different user needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical human-machine interfaces (mechanical push-buttons, touch-sensitive displays) with an audible authentication and communication system. The vehicle outputs audible authentication signals that can be heard by visually impaired passengers, and the system processes verbal responses through microphones, eliminating the need for visual interaction with physical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sensory modality parameter of the HMI from visual to auditory. By transforming the interface from sight-based (display screens, physical buttons) to sound-based (audible signals, voice recognition), the system becomes accessible to visually impaired passengers while maintaining functionality for all users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the autonomous vehicle outputs audible authentication signals for verification, then visually impaired passengers can authenticate the vehicle, but the authentication process becomes more complex requiring signal matching and verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAuthentication accuracy for visually impaired passengersVSAvoidAuthentication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop in the authentication process where the vehicle outputs an audible signal, the passenger verifies it against their mobile device, and the system processes the verification response. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable authentication by confirming the vehicle's identity before allowing boarding, while automating the complexity through systematic signal comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mobile computing device as an intermediary that generates and transmits authentication signals to both the vehicle and the passenger. This intermediary simplifies the overall system by handling signal generation and verification coordination, reducing the complexity burden on either the vehicle or the passenger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the autonomous vehicle provides audible notifications during the ride, then visually impaired passengers receive route and direction information, but the notification system requires additional components and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInformation delivery to visually impaired passengersVSAvoidNotification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the notification system multi-functional by using the same audible output mechanism for multiple purposes: authentication confirmation, route guidance, direction information, and arrival notifications. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate visual and auditory information systems, reducing overall complexity while ensuring information delivery to all passengers including visually impaired ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11220238B2Pick-up authentication via audible signals

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A method including sending a communication to a user device associated with the user and receiving, at the autonomous vehicle, an audible authentication code. The communication can include a location of the autonomous vehicle. The location can be effective to assist the user device to audibly provide guidance from a location of the mobile device to the location of the autonomous vehicle. The audible authentication code can be effective to assist an authentication process between the autonomous vehicle and the user.