Vehicle Authentication Using Camera-Captured Key Fob Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often misplace or forget their vehicle keys, leading to difficulties in accessing their vehicles, with costly replacement keys and burdensome processes for gaining temporary access, such as contacting service centers or relying on spare keys.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle authentication system that uses a camera and controller to detect a trigger event, transmit a unique identifier to a mobile device, and unlock the vehicle upon matching an image of the identifier stored in a database, allowing secure and convenient access without the need for a physical key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keyless entry systems are used, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of misplacing or forgetting keys increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the key fob that can be captured by the camera. This image serves as a substitute for the physical key, allowing users to gain access even if the original key is misplaced or forgotten. The captured image is stored and can be used to authenticate the user without requiring the physical key to be present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication process using camera-captured images of the key fob. Instead of directly requiring the physical key or providing immediate access, the system captures an image of the key fob, stores it, and uses this image as an intermediary to verify ownership and grant access. This adds a layer of security while maintaining convenience.
2Reliability
If cameras are activated continuously for authentication, then access security is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system triggers the camera to capture images only when specific events occur, such as when the vehicle is locked and an authentication attempt is detected. This periodic activation maintains security functionality while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing vehicle components (camera, processor, storage) that are already part of the vehicle's infrastructure. By leveraging these self-contained resources, the system avoids adding dedicated continuous-power components while still providing secure authentication. The camera and processor serve multiple functions within the vehicle ecosystem.
3Ease of manufacture
If image-based authentication is implemented, then key replacement costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing camera infrastructure, which serves multiple functions (security monitoring, parking assistance, etc.), for the additional purpose of key fob image capture and authentication. This multi-functional use of existing components provides key replacement capabilities without requiring dedicated hardware, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the key fob that can be stored and used for authentication. This copy serves as a replacement credential, eliminating the need for expensive physical key replacements. The image capture and storage process leverages existing imaging capabilities, keeping the added complexity manageable while providing cost-effective key replacement functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle authentication system may include a controller configured to detect a trigger event, activate at least one camera, transmit a unique identifier to a mobile device, receive an image from the at least one camera, and grant access to the vehicle in response to the image including the unique identifier.