Vehicle Boot Lid Control via Image Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lid control methods are not user-friendly, as they often require manual operation or specific movement patterns, which can be difficult when carrying items, and may result in unintended opening by unauthorized users.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a camera to identify and authenticate users by capturing images, analyzing them to determine if the lid should be opened, eliminating the need for manual operation or specific movement patterns, and ensuring only authorized users can open the lid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation or specific movement patterns are required to open the vehicle lid, then security against unauthorized opening is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when users are carrying items

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical operation (manual switches, movement patterns) with an optical recognition system. A camera captures images of the user's face or gestures, and image processing automatically determines whether to open the lid, eliminating the need for physical interaction while maintaining security through biometric authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic user authentication and lid opening control without requiring the user to actively operate controls. The camera system automatically detects the user's presence and intentions (e.g., nodding gesture), and the system autonomously decides whether to open the lid, making the process service itself rather than requiring user effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automatic opening is enabled for authenticated users, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended opening by unauthorized users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication through image capture and processing before executing the lid opening action. The camera captures the user's image, the control unit processes the image to verify authentication and detect opening gestures, and only then does the lid opening is activated. This preliminary verification step prevents unauthorized opening while maintaining ease of operation for authenticated users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If movement patterns are required for authentication, then security is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical movement pattern recognition with optical image processing. Instead of requiring users to perform specific physical movements and the system to mechanically detect them, a camera captures images and software algorithms automatically analyze facial features and gestures, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9205806B2Method for controlling a vehicle boot lid of a vehicle and associated vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 AUDI AG

AI summary

A method for controlling a vehicle lid of a vehicle includes the following steps: A user is identified in the vicinity of the lid; at least one image of the user is captured by a camera; the captured image is evaluated as to whether the lid needs to be opened; and if necessary, opening the lid.