Optical Tethering Validation for Secure Remote Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle automation systems require human intervention for operations like parking, and there is a need for improved authentication and engagement methods for mobile devices to remotely control vehicles securely and effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system employs optical tethering, where a mobile device estimates the vehicle's speed, orientation, and trajectory, comparing these with sensor data to prevent motion if thresholds are exceeded, and generates a user engagement score based on parameters like orientation and deviation from the vehicle's center, ensuring secure and accurate remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical tethering is implemented for remote vehicle control, then security and accuracy of remote control are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously compares trajectory estimates from the mobile device with actual vehicle sensor data, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism. This feedback validates whether the mobile device remains optically tethered to the correct vehicle, preventing unauthorized control while maintaining system security without requiring complex cryptographic authentication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own sensors (cameras, LIDAR, motion sensors) are used to generate the ground truth trajectory data for comparison. The system leverages the vehicle's existing sensing capabilities to perform self-validation of remote control authenticity, eliminating the need for external verification systems or additional complex authentication hardware
2Reliability
If continuous comparison of trajectory data is performed, then unauthorized control is prevented, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comparisons at strategically selected moments rather than continuously - such as when trajectory deviations exceed thresholds or at regular intervals during remote control operations. This partial action approach maintains security by catching unauthorized control attempts while reducing computational overhead compared to frame-by-frame continuous comparison
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts comparison thresholds and sampling rates based on operational context. During normal operation, less frequent comparisons are performed, while during critical maneuvers or when deviations are detected, the system increases comparison frequency and tightens thresholds, optimizing the balance between security and processing time
3Measurement precision
If user engagement parameters are monitored, then remote control accuracy is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes acceptable trajectory deviation thresholds and engagement parameters before remote control begins. User engagement guidelines and expected trajectory ranges are predetermined based on vehicle type and operation mode, allowing the system to automatically validate control accuracy without requiring users to manually configure complex parameters or understand technical specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user when trajectory deviations exceed acceptable ranges or when engagement parameters suggest the user may have lost sight of the vehicle. This feedback mechanism guides users to maintain proper engagement without requiring them to understand the underlying measurement precision requirements, keeping the interface simple while maintaining accurate control validation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for receiving from a mobile device that is optically tethered to a vehicle for remote driver assistance, an estimate of a speed of the vehicle, an orientation of the vehicle and a trajectory of the vehicle, comparing the estimate of the speed, orientation and trajectory received from the vehicle with a measured speed determined by one or more vehicle sensors, and preventing vehicle motion if a threshold difference from the comparison is exceeded. Another method is directed to determining at a mobile device an estimate of a speed of a vehicle, an orientation of the vehicle, a trajectory of the vehicle and a time stamp, transmitting the data to the vehicle, and untethering from optical tethering if the data are outside of a threshold or if the data indicate that the mobile device is tethered to an unintended vehicle.