Remote Driver Authentication System for Vehicle Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver authentication systems in vehicles are vulnerable to theft and misuse, as they often rely on local storage of biometric data and lack comprehensive control over authorized drivers, making them easy to bypass and inefficient for fleet management.

Innovation Solution

A remote server-based driver authentication system using a biometric reader, communication unit, and controller that verifies biometric data against a centralized database, preventing engine start unless authentication is confirmed, with periodic updates and encryption for enhanced security and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric data is stored locally in the vehicle, then authentication can be performed without network connection, but security is compromised as stolen vehicles can access the biometric data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidtheft risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the biometric data storage function from the vehicle to a remote server. The vehicle only stores encrypted templates or hashes of biometric data, while the actual biometric data remains on the remote server. This separation allows authentication to occur without network connection while preventing thieves from accessing the actual biometric data, as they would only obtain encrypted versions that are useless without the decryption key held by the remote server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of encryption between the vehicle's biometric data and the remote server. The biometric data is encrypted using a key that is not stored in the vehicle, creating a secure intermediary mechanism that allows authentication while preventing unauthorized access even if the vehicle is compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biometric data is stored on a remote server, then security is improved and remote management is enabled, but the system requires network communication which may fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity vulnerabilityVSAvoidauthentication availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-synchronizing authentication data between the vehicle and the remote server before network disconnection occurs. The vehicle stores encrypted biometric templates or hashes locally, and both the vehicle and server are updated with the same authentication data in advance. This allows the authentication system to function reliably even when network communication fails, while maintaining the security benefits of remote server storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If authentication systems are activated only when ignition is started, then the system is simpler to operate, but vehicles remain vulnerable to theft during idling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem activation simplicityVSAvoidtheft vulnerability during idling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing biometric authentication before the ignition is started. The system verifies the driver's identity in advance during the door unlock or seat adjustment phase, and only then enables ignition startup. This ensures that even if the vehicle is idling, unauthorized operation is prevented because the authentication has already occurred before the engine could be started.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If company vehicles are equipped with individual authentication systems, then each vehicle can be controlled, but fleet management becomes complex and requires hardware updates in each vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual vehicle controlVSAvoidfleet management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a single remote server platform that can manage multiple vehicles and multiple drivers through a unified system. The server stores biometric data for numerous drivers and can authorize access to different vehicles based on pre-configured permissions. This eliminates the need for separate hardware updates in each vehicle, as all management functions are handled centrally through software on the remote server, simplifying fleet management while maintaining individual vehicle control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3388292B1Driver authentication system
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 BIOSTART SECURITY LTD
  • EP3388292B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A driver authentication system for a vehicle, comprising a biometric reader (1) for receiving biometric data from a driver, a communication unit (4) enabling communication between a remote server (2) storing authorised biometric data and the biometric reader, and a controller (3) configured to prevent the vehicle being driven until it receives an authentication signal confirming that the driver's input biometric data matches the authorised biometric data.