Steering Wheel Biometric Sensing for Driver Authentication and Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a vehicle control device with enhanced security and safety features that can monitor a driver's state without their awareness, while also providing convenience and reducing the reliance on conventional authentication methods.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device incorporating a steering wheel with integrated light-emitting and light-receiving portions that capture biological information, such as fingerprints and pulse waves, to authenticate the driver and monitor their state, eliminating the need for physical keys and enhancing security and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biometric authentication using light-emitting and light-receiving portions is implemented, then security level is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the steering wheel: light-emitting portions for illumination, light-receiving portions for biometric detection, and integration with the vehicle's control system. This merging approach enhances security through biometric authentication while avoiding the need for separate authentication devices, thus managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a driving control device and as a biometric authentication device. The light-emitting and light-receiving portions enable the steering wheel to perform authentication functions in addition to its primary driving functions, improving security without requiring dedicated separate systems.
2Reliability
If continuous driver monitoring is implemented, then safety is improved, but loss of privacy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses light pulses that are transient and short-lived, emitting light only when authentication or monitoring is needed. The light-emitting portions provide illumination and detection signals temporarily, allowing continuous monitoring capability while the transient nature of light reduces concerns about persistent data collection and privacy intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or contact-based authentication methods with optical detection. The light-receiving portions detect biometric information optically without physical contact, enabling continuous monitoring for safety while maintaining privacy by avoiding direct physical interaction or more intrusive sensing methods.
3Ease of operation
If keyless start operation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an optical copy or pattern of the driver's biometric information (such as fingerprint or vein pattern) using the light-emitting and light-receiving portions. This optical copying enables keyless start operation for ease of use while the uniqueness of biometric patterns provides superior security compared to traditional keys, as biometric data cannot be easily replicated or lost.
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 device provides high security by ensuring only authorized drivers can operate the vehicle, monitors driver state for safety, and offers convenient operation by allowing keyless start and personalized vehicle settings based on biometric authentication.
Implementation Method 1
The first light-emitting element has a function of emitting light in a first wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
The first light-receiving element has a function of receiving the light in the first wavelength range and converting the light in the first wavelength range into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device with a high security level is provided. The vehicle control device has a structure including an operation portion, a first light-emitting and light-receiving portion, and a control portion. The operation portion includes a steering wheel including a rim, a hub, and a spoke. The rim is connected to the hub through the spoke. The first light-emitting and light-receiving portion is provided along a surface of the hub. The first light-emitting and light-receiving portion includes a first light-emitting element and a first light-receiving element. The first light-emitting element has a function of emitting light in a first wavelength range. The first light-receiving element has a function of receiving the light in the first wavelength range and converting the light in the first wavelength range into an electric signal. The first light-emitting element and the first light-receiving element are arranged side by side on the same plane. The first light-emitting and light-receiving portion has a function of outputting first received-light data to the control portion. The control portion has a function of obtaining first biological information of a driver from the first received-light data and executing first processing in accordance with the first biological information.