Driver Face Authentication Using License Image Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver confirmation systems for vehicles do not effectively ensure that only legitimate drivers can operate the vehicle, leading to potential misuse.

Innovation Solution

A driver confirmation system that compares an image of a driver's license with a captured image of the driver's face using a camera and determination apparatus to authenticate the driver's identity, restricting or suspending vehicle operation if the images do not match.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If facial recognition is performed using only a captured image from the camera, then the system structure can be simplified, but the recognition accuracy deteriorates due to unknown camera angles and lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidrecognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring facial photograph images under controlled conditions before actual driving, and prepares multiple standardized facial images from different angles. These pre-prepared images serve as reference templates that improve recognition accuracy when comparing against captured images during driving, without requiring complex real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple facial images from different angles are acquired and stored, then the recognition accuracy is improved, but the data processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple facial images from different angles are acquired and processed in advance before actual driving operations. This preliminary processing creates a library of reference images that can be quickly compared during driving, reducing real-time processing time while maintaining high recognition accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system focuses processing on specific local features of the face by generating standardized facial images from different angles and selectively comparing relevant portions of captured images with corresponding angle-matched reference images, rather than processing entire images uniformly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the system waits for the vehicle to stop to acquire facial photograph images, then the driver's attention can be focused on driving, but the time required for driver authentication increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver attentionVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the time-consuming facial image acquisition and processing actions in advance, before the driving task begins. By completing authentication准备工作 beforehand, the actual driving phase requires only quick comparison operations, minimizing both attention distraction and authentication time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic facial recognition checks during driving at predetermined intervals or at specific locations. This periodic action allows the system to maintain authentication without requiring continuous processing, balancing driver attention requirements with security needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4462398B1Determination apparatus, imaging apparatus, driver confirmation system, movable body, and determination method
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4462398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4462398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A determination apparatus (10) includes a first acquisition unit (21), a second acquisition unit (22), and a controller (23). The first acquisition unit (21) acquires a facial photograph image, included in a medium (13) holding the facial photograph image, as a first facial image. The second acquisition unit (22) acquires a captured image obtained by capturing an image of an imaging area, in which the face of a driver is assumed to be located, at a start of driving and/or during driving. The controller (23) extracts an image of the face of the driver as a second facial image from the captured image acquired from the second acquisition unit (22), compares the first facial image and the second facial image, and determines whether the driver is the person in the facial photograph image held by the medium (13).