Vehicle Operator Authentication With Biometrics and Start Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driver's licenses provide outdated information and inefficient processes for law enforcement to verify the operator of a vehicle, posing risks to both the public and officers during traffic stops.
Innovation Solution
A Vehicle Identification and Secure Operating Program (VISOP) that authenticates operators using biometric identification and MVD information, preventing unauthorized operation and allowing vehicles to start only if the operator is approved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If driver's license information is printed on physical licenses and accessed through MVD database, then identifying information is provided to officers, but the information is outdated and does not reflect current operator status
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication of the operator's license status before the vehicle is allowed to start. The VISOP system checks the MVD database in advance and stores the authentication result, ensuring that only currently authorized operators can operate the vehicle. This eliminates the need for officers to verify outdated information during traffic stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic authentication system (VISOP) that mediates between the MVD database and the vehicle operator. This intermediary system provides real-time verification of operator status, replacing the outdated physical license information with current electronic authentication data.
2Reliability
If officers perform multiple steps to verify vehicle and operator information through NCIC, CIS, and MVD databases, then comprehensive information is obtained, but the process is inefficient and involves risks to public and officer safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple verification steps into a single integrated authentication process. The VISOP system combines checks against MVD, NCIC, and CIS databases into one unified pre-authentication process that occurs before the vehicle starts, eliminating the need for officers to perform separate database queries during traffic stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs all necessary verifications preliminarily before the vehicle is allowed to operate. By checking operator authorization and vehicle status in advance through the VISOP system, the patent ensures that officers receive reliable information immediately during traffic stops without needing to conduct multiple database searches.
3Reliability
If officers approach stopped vehicles after running plates and checking databases, then information is verified, but risks to officer and public safety remain during the approach
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and verification before the vehicle is allowed to start or operate. The VISOP system checks operator authorization and vehicle status in advance, ensuring that only verified operators can operate vehicles. This preliminary action eliminates safety risks during traffic stops by ensuring operator verification occurs before vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service authentication system where the vehicle and operator automatically verify their own authorization status through the VISOP system before operation. This self-verification process eliminates the need for officers to approach vehicles for information gathering, as the system autonomously ensures operator legitimacy and vehicle status compliance.
4Ease of operation
If physical driver's licenses are carried on-person, then identifying information is available, but the information is static and cannot be updated in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical license system with an electronic authentication system. Instead of relying on static physical licenses that cannot be updated in real-time, the VISOP system uses electronic verification against the MVD database, allowing dynamic updates of operator status and authorization in real-time while maintaining ease of access through electronic means.
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
Enhances safety by ensuring only authorized operators can operate vehicles, providing law enforcement with comprehensive information before approaching, reducing risks during traffic stops.
Implementation Method 1
The system performs biometric identification to verify that the driver's license matches the operator
Data Source
AI summary
A method to authenticate operators of motor vehicles includes obtaining, based on a driver's license, operator information of an operator of a motor vehicle. The method further includes authenticating, by a Vehicle Identification and Secure Operating Program (VISOP) running on an onboard computer of the motor vehicle, the operator information with a Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). The method determines, based on the authenticating and vehicle identifying information pertaining to the motor vehicle, whether the operator is approved to operate the motor vehicle. The method performs biometric identification to verify that the driver's license matches the operator. The method prevents the motor vehicle from starting, responsive to the operator not being approved to operate the motor vehicle, and allows the motor vehicle to start, responsive to the operator being approved to operate the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can include the VMAC when wirelessly transmitting operator information and vehicle identifying information for self-reporting to a passing LEO, e.g., to Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). This enables LEOs to make safer decisions in pulling over a potential suspect to better protect the public and themselves.