METHOD AND DEVICE FOR VEHICLE ACCESS CONTROL
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a person as being authorized to drive a motor vehicle, comprising:
- imaging a skin surface of a person seeking access to the motor vehicle using an electronic camera installed in the motor vehicle;
detecting a chronological change in a characteristic of the imaged skin surface;
comparing the chronological change of the characteristic of the imaged skin surface to stored reference data; and
allowing access to the motor vehicle if the chronological change of the characteristic of the imaged skin surface corresponds at least to a predetermined degree to the reference data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling access to a motor vehicle using heartbeat rhythm patterns. An electronic camera installed in or on the vehicle images a skin surface of a person seeking access to the vehicle. A chronological change in coloration or swelling of the imaged skin surface indicates the person'"'"'s heartbeat rhythm, and this rhythm is compared to stored reference data of authorized persons. The person is allowed access if the detected rhythm corresponds to the reference data. The allowed access to the vehicle may be the unlocking and/or opening of a door and or the starting of an engine. The method is initiated if the door latch is actuated, if a person is recognized in the vicinity of the vehicle, or if a near field communication occurs, for example, by means of capacitive sensors. The electronic camera is preferably a LIDAR camera.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a person as being authorized to drive a motor vehicle, comprising:
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imaging a skin surface of a person seeking access to the motor vehicle using an electronic camera installed in the motor vehicle; detecting a chronological change in a characteristic of the imaged skin surface; comparing the chronological change of the characteristic of the imaged skin surface to stored reference data; and allowing access to the motor vehicle if the chronological change of the characteristic of the imaged skin surface corresponds at least to a predetermined degree to the reference data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for controlling access to a motor vehicle, comprising:
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an electronic camera on the vehicle imaging a skin surface of a person seeking access to the vehicle; a data memory containing reference data of an access-authorized person; and a driver identification unit comparing a heartbeat rhythm obtained from inputs from the electronic camera with the reference data, and allowing access if a correspondence exists. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling access to a motor vehicle, comprising:
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operating an electronic camera to image a skin surface of a person seeking access to the vehicle; determining a heartbeat rhythm of the person from a chronological change in the imaged skin surface; comparing the heartbeat rhythm with stored reference data; and allowing access to the motor vehicle if the heartbeat rhythm corresponds to the reference data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification