In-Vehicle Occupant Authentication Using Interior Geometry Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authenticating occupants within vehicles fail to prevent unauthorized access and spoofing attacks, such as those using a camera, and the system is not able to spoofing attacks, such as video playback or three-dimensional masks, which can bypass face recognition and liveliness checks.

Innovation Solution

The method and system utilize a camera to capture image or video data within the vehicle, identifying characteristic features such as static vehicle components, and require these features to match predefined expectations to authenticate occupants, combined with face recognition and liveliness checks, and additional checks like hand detection and illumination changes to prevent spoofing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If face recognition and liveliness check are performed, then authentication convenience is improved, but vulnerability to spoofing attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidsecurity against spoofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D face recognition to 3D spatial verification by detecting characteristic features (A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, window edges, seat positions) that define the vehicle interior geometry. This dimensional addition creates a new verification layer that spoofing attacks cannot replicate, as they can mimic facial movements but cannot reproduce the precise 3D spatial relationships of vehicle components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system is divided into independent verification modules: face recognition module, liveliness check module, and characteristic feature detection module. Each module operates independently and contributes to the overall authentication decision. This segmentation allows the system to maintain convenience through automated multi-factor verification while enhancing security by requiring simultaneous satisfaction of multiple distinct criteria

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional verification methods are introduced, then security against spoofing is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against spoofingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system performs multiple functions: capturing face images for recognition, detecting liveliness through movement analysis, and identifying characteristic vehicle features for spatial verification. By making the camera a multi-functional device, the system enhances security against spoofing without adding separate hardware components, thus avoiding increased device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines face recognition, liveliness detection, and characteristic feature verification into a single integrated authentication process. All three verification methods are performed simultaneously on the same captured image data, merging multiple security functions into one unified system flow. This integration maintains operational simplicity while achieving high security standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3961483B1Method and system for authenticating an occupant within an interior of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3961483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3961483B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3961483B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method is provided for authenticating an occupant within an interior of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a camera which is configured to monitor the interior of the vehicle, and a processing device being configured to process image or video data provided by the camera. Characteristic features are determined being visible via the camera, and authenticating image or video data are captured via the camera while an occupant is present within the interior of the vehicle. Via the processing device, face recognition and liveliness check are performed for the occupant based on the authenticating image or video data, and an identification degree of the characteristic features is determined within the authenticating image or video data. Based on the face recognition, the liveliness check and the identification degree it is determined whether an authentication of the occupant is to be accepted.