Electrochromic Panel Concealment for Vehicle Facial Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication systems lack effective concealment and alignment mechanisms, making them visible and potentially insecure, especially in applications like vehicle authentication, where user identification needs to be both secure and discreet.
Innovation Solution
A user monitoring apparatus with a scanning system that captures facial features and a feedback apparatus, including an electro-optic device for concealment and alignment, which changes from opaque to transparent to reveal the scanning apparatus only when needed, using an electrochromic medium and a mirror device for visual alignment, ensuring secure and discreet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the scanning apparatus is made visible for alignment purposes, then user alignment with the authentication system is improved, but security and concealment are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The panel dynamically changes its optical state between opaque and transparent based on operational requirements. During alignment, the panel becomes transparent to allow users to see the scanning apparatus through it. During normal operation, the panel remains opaque to maintain concealment and security. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between visibility for alignment and concealment for security.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel utilizes electro-optic material that can change its optical properties (from opaque to transparent) in response to electrical signals. This allows the panel to transition between concealed and visible states, enabling both security during normal operation and alignment assistance when needed, without permanently compromising either function.
2Reliability
If the scanning apparatus is concealed to enhance security, then security is improved, but user alignment capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the panel's transparency state based on operational phase. During the alignment phase, the panel transitions to transparent state to allow users to visually align their facial features with the scanning apparatus. During authentication and normal operation, the panel returns to opaque state to maintain concealment. This temporal separation resolves the contradiction between concealment and alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs alignment assistance as a preliminary action before the actual authentication process. The panel is made transparent only during the alignment phase to guide users, then transitions back to opaque state before authentication begins. This preliminary alignment action allows the scanning apparatus to remain concealed during the critical authentication phase while still providing alignment guidance when needed.
3Illumination intensity
If the panel is made transparent to reveal the scanning apparatus, then alignment visibility is improved, but concealment is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The panel's optical parameter (transparency) is changed based on operational requirements. During alignment, the panel's transparency parameter is increased to allow users to see through it to the scanning apparatus behind. During normal operation, the transparency parameter is decreased to maintain concealment. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between visibility for alignment and concealment for security.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-optic panel changes its optical state from opaque to transparent using electro-optic effects. This allows the panel to control light transmission dynamically, becoming transparent only when alignment visibility is needed and remaining opaque otherwise, thus resolving the contradiction between alignment visibility and concealment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides secure and discreet user authentication by concealing the scanning apparatus until activation, ensuring alignment and reducing visibility, thus enhancing security and user experience in various applications, including vehicle access and transactions.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback apparatus, including an electro-optic device for concealment and alignment, which changes from opaque to transparent to reveal the scanning apparatus only when needed, using an electrochromic medium
Implementation Method 2
The feedback apparatus includes at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through an optical element thereby illuminating the alignment information on the display portion
Implementation Method 3
A feedback apparatus is disposed behind the panel and configured to communicate alignment information visually indicating an alignment of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus. The feedback apparatus comprises at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through a selectively transmissive privacy device that limits a viewing angle of the alignment information visible through display portion of the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A user monitoring apparatus for identifying a user of a vehicle includes a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view. A panel comprises a display portion. The apparatus further includes a feedback apparatus disposed behind the panel and configured to communicate alignment information visually indicating an alignment of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus. The feedback apparatus includes at least one emitter configured to emit an alignment emission through an optical element thereby illuminating the alignment information on the display portion.