In-Cabin Camera Layout for Pre-Entry Vehicle Face Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user authentication methods for motor vehicles require initial access using an electronic key or separate exterior cameras, limiting convenience and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A camera installed in the vehicle interior with a field of vision that includes both the interior and exterior regions near the driver's door allows facial recognition for user authentication without the need for a separate exterior camera, utilizing existing interior monitoring cameras for both tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate exterior camera is provided to capture images outside the vehicle for facial recognition, then user authentication can be performed before interior access, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interior camera is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as a driver monitoring camera for fatigue detection and as an exterior facial recognition camera for user authentication. The camera's field of vision is positioned to capture both the interior driver area and the exterior region near the driver's door, allowing one camera to replace what would traditionally require separate interior and exterior cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of interior monitoring and exterior facial recognition into a single camera system. By merging these two previously separate functions into one camera, the system reduces device complexity and production costs while maintaining the capability to perform user authentication before interior access is granted.
2Ease of operation
If an electronic key is used for initial access to the vehicle interior, then door unlocking is enabled, but user authentication convenience is reduced and additional access steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs facial recognition authentication before the user needs to access the vehicle interior. By capturing the user's face in the exterior region and verifying their identity before interior access is required, the system eliminates the need for subsequent authentication steps inside the vehicle, thereby reducing total authentication time and improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electronic key-based access system with an optical facial recognition system. Instead of requiring physical interaction with electronic keys and manual door unlocking, the system uses optical image capture and biometric recognition to automatically authenticate and grant access, eliminating the need for electronic keys and reducing authentication steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If interior monitoring cameras are used for both driver assistance and user authentication, then production costs are reduced, but the camera's field of vision must cover both interior and exterior regions
Solution Approach 1:
The interior monitoring camera is designed with a multi-functional capability to serve both driver assistance systems (fatigue detection) and user authentication (facial recognition). This universal application allows the vehicle manufacturer to use existing standard equipment for dual purposes, reducing production costs while avoiding the need to install separate dedicated cameras for each function.
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
This approach enhances user convenience and reduces production costs by enabling facial recognition for external users without initial interior access, leveraging standard interior monitoring cameras for both authentication and assistance systems.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (3) located in the vehicle interior (2) for generating images, the field of vision of the camera comprising an internal region (5i) adjoining the driver's door (4) in the vehicle interior (2) and an external region (5a) adjoining the driver's door (4) outside the motor vehicle (1)
Data Source
AI summary
A user of a motor vehicle is authenticated using a camera arranged in the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle. The field of vision of the camera includes an internal region adjoining the driver's door in the vehicle interior and an external region adjoining the driver's door outside the motor vehicle, so that the authentication of the user can be or is implemented by comparing an image of the user generated by the camera when the user is still located in the external region, and thus outside the motor vehicle.