Method and Apparatus for User Authentication and Security

• US 20140028472A1
• Filed: 10/03/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Protopapas, Maria Eugenia
• Application Number:
  US14/045,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028472A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/904
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A computer implemented method includes logging a GPS location in a wireless device responsive to a vehicle entering a parked state. The method also includes comparing device GPS coordinates to the logged GPS coordinates to determine if the device is in vehicle proximity, after the wireless device has moved a predetermined distance from the logged GPS location. The method additionally includes sending a signal to the vehicle to activate a user authentication process when the device is in vehicle proximity.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method comprising:

engaging one or more vehicle sensors to detect the presence of one or more people in proximity to a vehicle;

alerting an approaching vehicle owner of the presence of one or more detected people in proximity to the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include one or more vehicle cameras.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one camera is a 360-degree camera.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors include vehicle radar.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person crouched near a perimeter of a vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person approaching a vehicle from a direction different from the approaching vehicle owner.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

engaging one or more vehicle sensors to detect the presence of one or more people in proximity to a vehicle;

alerting an approaching vehicle owner of the presence of one or more detected people in proximity to the vehicle.

8. The storage medium of claim 7, wherein the sensors include one or more vehicle cameras.

9. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein at least one camera is a 360-degree camera.

10. The storage medium of claim 7, wherein the sensors include vehicle radar.

11. The storage medium of claim 7, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person crouched near a perimeter of a vehicle.

12. The storage medium of claim 7, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person approaching a vehicle from a direction different from the approaching vehicle owner.

13. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

engage one or more vehicle sensors to detect the presence of one or more people in proximity to a vehicle;

alert an approaching vehicle owner of the presence of one or more detected people in proximity to the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensors include one or more vehicle cameras.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one camera is a 360-degree camera.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensors include vehicle radar.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person crouched near a perimeter of a vehicle.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensors are configured to detect a person approaching a vehicle from a direction different from the approaching vehicle owner.