Remote Vehicle Control Security via Visual Presence Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for remotely controlling motor vehicle maneuvers via mobile terminals do not adequately ensure that the user is in sight of the vehicle, posing safety risks, especially when automatic maneuvers are triggered without visual confirmation.

Innovation Solution

A method that verifies the user's visual presence by generating and matching a sequence of visual signals, such as light flashes, between the motor vehicle and the mobile terminal, ensuring the user is in sight before allowing remote control maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If remote control of motor vehicle maneuvers is enabled via mobile terminal, then convenience and automation are improved, but safety is worsened because user visual presence cannot be confirmed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of user visual presence before allowing the remote control maneuver to execute. The mobile terminal captures an image of the user, and the server verifies that the user is visible in the captured image, ensuring safety conditions are met before automation activates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by capturing and analyzing images of the user to confirm their presence and visibility. This feedback mechanism ensures that the user is actually present and able to monitor the maneuver before remote control is activated, resolving the safety concern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If signal intensity-based distance estimation is used, then measurement capability is improved, but accuracy is worsened because it cannot confirm user is in sight of vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance estimationVSAvoidvisual presence confirmation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary verification step using image capture and analysis. Instead of relying solely on signal intensity, the mobile terminal captures an image and the server analyzes it to confirm visual presence, adding a new layer of information verification that complements the distance estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the indirect mechanical/electrical measurement method (signal intensity) with an optical verification method (image capture and analysis). This substitution provides direct visual confirmation of user presence rather than inferring it from signal strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3065985B1Method for making a remotely operated control of a motor vehicle secure using a mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3065985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3065985B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for making the remotely operated control of a movement (M) of a motor vehicle (2) secure using a mobile terminal (4), comprising the following steps: triggering the remotely operated control of a movement (M) of the motor vehicle (2) by a user (7) using the mobile terminal (4); verifying that the user (7) is within sight of the motor vehicle (2) by means of the mobile terminal (4); if the verification is positive and shows that the user (7) is in sight of the motor vehicle (2), said remotely operated control of a movement (M) of the motor vehicle (2) is performed, and if not said control is inhibited.