Vehicle Entry Authentication Using Resolution Switching Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smart entry systems for vehicles using image authentication lead to increased power consumption due to frequent camera usage, especially in high-traffic areas, compromising user authentication accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system employing a resolution switching camera that captures images at two resolutions, using lower resolution for initial detection and higher resolution only for confirmation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining authentication accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera captures images at high resolution frequently for user authentication, then user authentication accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authentication accuracyVSAvoidcamera power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication process is segmented into two stages: initial detection using low-resolution images to identify potential users, and confirmation using high-resolution images only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain authentication accuracy while significantly reducing overall camera power consumption by limiting high-resolution capture to specific situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The camera resolution is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically switches between low-resolution and high-resolution modes based on detection needs, transitioning to high resolution only when a potential user is detected and authentication is required. This dynamic adjustment optimizes power consumption while preserving authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the camera captures images at low resolution to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but user authentication accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera power consumptionVSAvoiduser authentication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using low-resolution images to identify potential users before initiating high-resolution authentication. This preliminary action filters out non-users early in the process, ensuring that high-resolution imaging is only activated when actually needed for authentication, thus maintaining accuracy while saving power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Low-resolution imaging acts as an intermediary step between passive monitoring and high-resolution authentication. This intermediate stage provides a bridge that allows the system to screen multiple potential users efficiently before committing to power-intensive high-resolution capture, balancing power consumption and authentication accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the camera operates continuously at high resolution in high-traffic areas, then all approaching persons can be detected, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidcamera power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by using low-resolution imaging for the majority of detection scenarios and reserving high-resolution imaging only for specific cases where authentication is actually needed. This partial application of high-resolution capability maintains detection coverage for all approaching persons while avoiding excessive power consumption from continuous high-resolution operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11645847B2Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and recording medium in which vehicle control program is recorded

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle control system includes: a possible user determination section that allows a first camera having a first resolution to capture an image around a vehicle to determine whether or not the captured image includes a possible facial image of a user; a user determination section that allows a second camera having a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution and consuming more power than the first camera to capture an image around the vehicle to determine whether or not the captured image includes a facial image of the user in a case where the possible user determination section determines that the possible facial image of the user is included; and an entry permission section that permits the user to enter the vehicle in a case where the user determination section recognizes that the facial image of the user is included.