Dual Authentication Vehicle Control System for Secure Engine Start

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in ensuring secure vehicle access and reducing unavailability due to issues like voice authentication failures caused by physical conditions or noise interference, leading to unauthorized access and operational disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control apparatus that combines two authentication methods: a first authentication unit using sensing information from sensors like microphones and cameras for voice or facial recognition, and a second authentication unit using input authentication information such as codes or fingerprints, allowing the engine to start based on successful authentication from either unit, thereby enhancing security and reducing unavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voice or facial recognition is used for authentication, then user convenience is improved, but authentication reliability deteriorates due to physical conditions or noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidauthentication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is divided into two independent authentication units: a first authentication unit using sensing information (voice/facial recognition) and a second authentication unit using input authentication information (codes/fingerprints). Each unit operates independently, and the system determines authentication success based on results from either unit, thereby resolving the contradiction between convenience and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single authentication method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but security deteriorates due to false authentication risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two different authentication methods into a unified authentication system. The first authentication unit uses sensing information (voice or facial recognition), while the second authentication unit uses input authentication information (codes or fingerprints). Both methods are combined such that successful authentication in either unit grants access, achieving enhanced security without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple authentication methods are combined, then authentication accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different authentication methods based on the operational context. The control unit determines which authentication unit to activate or whether to use both, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to the specific situation. This dynamic approach improves authentication accuracy while preventing unnecessary complexity in normal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3437939B1Vehicle control apparatus, vehicle control method, and recording medium storing program
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3437939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3437939B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3437939B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle control apparatus 100 includes a start information acquisition unit 101, a first authentication unit 102 that acquires, in accordance with the start information, sensing information about a user detected by a sensor of the vehicle and information about a preregistered user corresponding to the sensing information and authenticates whether the detected user is the preregistered user, a second authentication unit 103 that acquires, in accordance with the start information, authentication information input by the user and preregistered authentication information corresponding to the authentication information and authenticates whether the input authentication information is the same as the preregistered authentication information, and a control information output unit 106 that outputs control information regarding start of the engine based on at least one of the authentication results received from the first and second authentication units 102, 103.