Iris-detection alignment for vehicle feature activation

• US 10,300,889 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Greenberg, Jeffrey Allen, Hassani, Ali, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Jessica M
• Application Number:
  US15/699,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20190077372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/62 Anti-theft arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/741 Instruments adapted for user detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/21 using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/26 using acoustic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8073 : for vehicle security, e.g. parked vehicle surveillance, burglar detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 : operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 : using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 : using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/243 : with more than one way to gain access
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 : Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 : Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/197 : Matching; Classification

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for iris-detection alignment for vehicle entry and feature activation. An example vehicle includes a window, a camera facing the window, a puddle lamp to project an indicator pointing toward the camera, a UV source, and a controller. The controller is to project, via the UV source, a display onto the window upon detecting a user aligns with the indicator. The controller also is to provide directions to the user, via the display, to position an iris in front of the camera and activate a vehicle feature upon identifying the user via iris recognition.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a window;

a camera facing the window;

a puddle lamp to project an indicator pointing toward the camera;

a UV source; and

a controller to;

project, via the UV source, a display onto the window upon detecting a user aligns with the indicator;

provide directions to the user, via the display, to position an iris in front of the camera; and

activate a vehicle feature upon identifying the user via iris recognition.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the indicator projected by the puddle lamp includes footprints that are directed toward the camera.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the camera captures images to enable the controller to detect when the user aligns with the indicator.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a sideview mirror adjacent to the window, the puddle lamp being positioned on the sideview mirror.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, further including a second camera that is positioned on the sideview mirror and is configured to capture images to enable the controller to detect when the user aligns with the indicator.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle feature activated by the controller includes unlocking a door to facilitate vehicle entry for the user.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle feature activated by the controller includes initiating a setting that corresponds to the user.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the window includes a UV ink layer that reflects UV light projected by the UV source onto the window to create the display on the window.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the display projected onto the window includes at least one of a set of eyes and a line of indicators that direct the user in positioning the iris in front of the camera.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller changes a color of the set of eyes to indicate to the user that the iris is in position for iris recognition.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, further including speakers that emit audible directions to the user for positioning the iris in front of the camera.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a communication module configured to communicate with a key fob of the user via a wireless personal area network.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the puddle lamp projects the indicator in response to the controller detecting, via the communication module, that the key fob of the user is nearby.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a door handle adjacent to the window.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the controller projects, via the UV source, a keypad onto the window in response to detecting that the user has grasped the door handle.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the controller:

opens a door to facilitate vehicle entry in response to receiving a first code via the keypad; and

provides the directions to position the iris in response to receiving a second code via the keypad.

17. A method comprising:

projecting, via a puddle lamp, an indicator pointing toward a vehicle camera that captures images through a vehicle window;

projecting, via a UV source, a display onto the vehicle window upon detecting that a user aligns with the indicator;

providing directions to the user, via the display, to position an iris in front of the vehicle camera; and

activating, via a processor, a vehicle feature upon identifying the user via iris recognition.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the directions to position the iris in front of the vehicle camera includes projecting at least one of a set of eyes and a line of indicators onto the vehicle window.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the puddle lamp projects the indicator in response to detecting, via a communication module, a key fob of the user.

20. The method of claim 17, further including:

projecting, via the UV source, a keypad onto the vehicle window in response to detecting that the user has grasped a door handle;

opening a door in response to receiving a first code via the keypad; and

providing the directions to position the iris in response to receiving a second code via the keypad.