Vehicular Multi-Factor Authentication for Tiered Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unsecured or improperly secured vehicles are susceptible to unauthorized access, leading to potential risks and distractions, while existing authentication methods may not adequately prevent unauthorized use or expose sensitive data.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system with a digital assistant application that employs multi-factor authentication using sensors and audio-based inputs to determine entry events and access permissions, ensuring secure and hands-free control of vehicle functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-factor authentication is implemented using multiple sensors and authentication credentials, then vehicle security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is divided into multiple independent authentication factors (biometric authentication, device authentication, location authentication) that can be implemented and verified separately. Each factor uses different sensors and credentials, allowing the system to achieve high security through cumulative verification while maintaining modularity that manages complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nested authentication where multiple authentication credentials are verified in hierarchical layers. The system first verifies basic entry credentials, then progressively verifies additional authentication factors (biometric data, device identifiers, location information) nested within each other, achieving comprehensive security through layered verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If audio-based hands-free control is used for authentication, then driver distraction is reduced, but authentication precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidauthentication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple authentication modalities (audio-based voice commands, biometric authentication through sensors, device authentication) into a unified authentication process. This combination allows hands-free operation while compensating for the limitations of individual modalities, maintaining high authentication accuracy through multi-factor verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses intermediary authentication mechanisms where audio-based commands serve as the initial interface for hands-free operation, but actual authentication is mediated through additional verification layers including biometric sensors and device credentials, ensuring accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3767920B1Multi-factor authentication and access control in a vehicular environment
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3767920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The systems and methods described herein can include a digital assistant application that receives sensor signals from sensors installed in a vehicle and determines an entry event into the vehicle. The digital assistant application can receive, responsive to the entry event into the vehicle, a plurality authentication input signals from a plurality of sensors associated with the vehicle. The digital assistant application can determine a plurality of authentication states based on the plurality of authentication input signals and a plurality of authentication credentials. The digital assistant application can identify an access permission level of a plurality of access permission levels based at least in part on the plurality of identifies authentication states. The digital assistant application can identify, responsive to the access permission level, a subset of a set of functionalities available via the vehicle, and provide vehicular access to the subset of functionalities