Driver identification and authentication systems and methods

• US 10,616,218 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2017
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Boehm, Neil J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyons, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US15/443,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20180097804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 717168-178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

A method for processing a security authorization is disclosed. The method comprises capturing biometric data with a scanning apparatus of the authentication system and comparing the biometric data to authentication data. The authentication data comprises an identification profile configured to authenticate a previously identified individual. The method further comprises authenticating the previously identified individual based on the identification profile thereby identifying an authorized user and accessing a plurality of occupant parameters in response to the authentication profile. The occupant parameters are then communicated to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system is configured to load the occupant parameters to customize one or more operational settings of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An authentication system in communication with a vehicle control system, the authentication system comprising:

a communication circuit configured to communicate with a remote server;

a rearview assembly in adjustable connection with the vehicle, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is configured to reflect a rearward directed view from the vehicle to an operator of the vehicle;

at least one scanning apparatus disposed in the rearview assembly and configured to capture image data comprising a biometric data in a field of view directed to a facial region of the operator, wherein the field of view is adjustable via the adjustable connection of the rearview assembly such that the facial region is captured in the field of view and the rearward directed view is reflected to the operator;

an emitter configured to emit scanning light from a display surface of the rearview assembly in a near infrared (NIR) spectrum;

a display forming at least a portion of the display surface and configured to display the image data demonstrating reflected light from the scanning light indicating a position of the operator in the field of view, wherein the image data provides visual feedback to the operator to adjust the position within the field of view to capture facial region of the operator required to process an authentication; and

a controller in communication with the communication circuit and the scanning apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to;

receive a request for a security authorization;

capture the biometric data with the scanning apparatus;

compare the biometric data to authentication data, wherein the authentication data comprises a first identification profile configured to authenticate a previously identified individual;

authenticate the previously identified individual based on the first identification profile; and

communicate a privilege level associated with the first identification profile, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to determine the security authorization in response to the privilege level.

2. The authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

enable the authorized user to access an identification training routine.

3. The authentication system according to claim 2, wherein the identification training routine is authorized in response to the privilege level of the first identification profile indicating an identification training routine privilege.

4. The authentication system according to claim 2, wherein the identification training routine comprises the controller configured to:

capture training data with the scanning apparatus for an unidentified individual.

5. The authentication system according to claim 4, wherein the identification training routine further comprises the controller configured to:

generate a second identification profile based on the training data for the unidentified individual.

6. The authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the identification training routine further comprises the controller configured to:

receive an input identifying a privilege level indicating the privilege level for the second identification profile.

7. The authentication system according to claim 6, wherein the privilege level designates the security authorization for one or more user privileges authorized for the second identification profile.

8. A method for processing a security authorization for a vehicle control system in communication with an authentication system, the method comprising:

reflecting a rearward directed view from a rearview assembly to an operator of the vehicle;

capturing biometric data in a field of view extending from a scanning apparatus disposed in the rearview assembly of a vehicle comprising the authentication system;

adjusting a field of view of the scanning apparatus by adjusting an orientation of the rearview assembly, wherein the rearward directed view is reflected to the operator and the field of view is directed to capture the biometric data of the operator;

displaying a feedback image on a display surface of the rearview assembly indicating the biometric data captured by the scanning apparatus on a display of the vehicle, wherein the feedback image demonstrates a position of at least one feature of the operator required to authenticate a previously identified individual;

aligning at least one feature of the operator via the feedback image;

comparing the biometric data to authentication data, wherein the authentication data comprises an identification profile configured to authenticate the previously identified individual;

authenticating the previously identified individual based on the identification profile thereby identifying an authorized user;

accessing a plurality of occupant parameters in response to the identification profile; and

communicating the occupant parameters to the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to load the occupant parameters to customize one or more operational settings of the vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

accessing the identification profile from a remote server via a communication circuit based on the authentication comparison of the biometric data to the authentication data.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

communicating the biometric data to the remote server, wherein the remote server is configured to process an authentication routine.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the authentication routine comprises matching the biometric data to the identification profile thereby authenticating the authorized user.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a communication from the remote server indicating an authentication of the authorized user, wherein the communication comprises the plurality of occupant parameters.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occupant parameters comprise at least one of a navigation setting, a radio station preset, a selection of a decorative theme, a seat position setting, a mirror setting, and a driver assist system setting.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occupant parameters comprise information identifying a payment account and an authorization to apply a charge to the payment account.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the occupant parameters comprise a programming code for a programmable wireless transmitter configured to control a remote device.

16. An authentication system in communication with a vehicle control system, the authentication system comprising:

a communication circuit configured to communicate with a remote server;

a rearview assembly in adjustable connection with the vehicle, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is configured to reflect a rearward directed view from the vehicle to an operator of the vehicle;

a display forming at least a portion of a viewing surface of the rearview assembly;

at least one scanning apparatus disposed in the rearview assembly and configured to capture image data comprising a biometric data of the operator in a field of view, wherein the field of view is adjustable via the adjustable connection of the rearview assembly such that the biometric data is captured in the field of view and the rearward directed view is reflected to the operator; and

an emitter disposed in the rearview assembly and configured to emit scanning light from the viewing surface of the rearview assembly;

a controller in communication with the communication circuit and the scanning apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to;

receive a notification of a pending software update to the vehicle control system from the communication circuit;

capture the biometric data in the field of view with the scanning apparatus;

display the image data as a feedback image on the display indicating a position of the biometric data of the operator in the field of view, wherein the feedback image demonstrates at least one necessary feature required to authenticate the operator;

compare the biometric data to authentication data, wherein the authentication data comprises an identification profile configured to authenticate a previously identified individual;

authenticate the previously identified individual based on the identification profile; and

enable a security authorization for the vehicle control system.

17. The authentication system according to claim 16, wherein the security authorization is configured to selectively enable the vehicle control system to activate a software update routine configured to apply the software update.

18. The authentication system according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to authorize the software update in response to a privilege level of the identification profile indicating a software update routine privilege.