TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle vision system, and more specifically identity identification and authentication.

BACKGROUND

Access to vehicles has been traditionally managed by using physical keys. However, with the physical keys, users of a vehicle need to be in contact with the vehicle for access. Also, replication of physical keys is an easy task, and hence, ensuring the safety of vehicles is questionable. With the advent of remote keyless systems, consisting of a key fob and a vehicle transceiver, the vehicles could be accessed without being in contact by pressing a button on the key fob. Since the key fobs are electronic, replication also becomes a difficult feat to achieve.

Vehicles, in modern days, are equipped with authentication systems using biometrics in order to prevent unauthorized access. However, biometrics can be power intensive when a vehicle is not operating, thereby reducing the vehicles batteries and risking inoperability.

SUMMARY

Face detection and identification is an exemplary method for authentication systems that use biometrics to gain access to vehicle operations. To achieve the method, the authentication systems use vision sensors, such as cameras, for image sensing and processing. The vision sensors are deployed on the vehicles. The authentication system may be activated suo motu or on action from users.

The authentication system may be activated suo motu when a user is within a defined proximity to the vehicle. Vision based localization (to determine the position of the user in relation to the defined proximity) occurs by searching an entire image plane for matching and classification against pre-stored data, to verify the authenticity of the users. Once activated, the authentication system continuously scans the surroundings of the vehicle to determine if the users in the defined proximity are the authenticated users. As a result, the authentication system consumes a uniform power for the continuous scan of the surroundings of the vehicle for the detection and identification of the users in the defined proximity. However, all users in the defined proximity may not be prospectively seeking access to the vehicles. The authentication system, thus, suffers from a longer latency and a greater key-off load.

The present disclosure relates to a system and related methods of managing vehicular access and protecting a vehicle from unauthorized access along with optimizing power consumption. The methods can be achieved by detecting an entity in a field of vision of a vision sensor, identifying the detected entity, and further providing vehicular access to the entity if the identified entity is an authorized entity of the vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle vision system comprises a vehicle coupled with one or more vision sensors. Each of the one or more vision sensors produces a vision data signal. The vehicle vision system also includes one or more processors and a memory, which are communicatively coupled with the vehicle and/or the one or more vision sensors. The one or more processors are operable to execute a first classification algorithm and a second classification algorithm. The first classification algorithm is operable to perform an initial validation of the vision data signal and the second classification algorithm is operable to perform a validation of the vision data signal. The one or more processors implement the first classification algorithm and/or the second classification algorithm based on one or more vehicle operational settings.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for detecting and identifying an entity for access to a vehicle comprises at least one vision sensor, which produces a vision data signal. The system also includes one or more processors coupled with a memory. The one or more processors are operable to execute instructions including a first module and a second module. The first module is in operative communication with the vision sensor and comprises an application-specific integrated circuit to execute instructions such as detecting an entity based on the vision data signal and performing an initial validation of the entity. The second module is in operative communication with the first module and uses a strong recognition process to validate the entity of the initial validation and transmit an authentication signal to one or more vehicle operations endpoints based on the validated entity. The one or more processors implement the first classification algorithm and/or the second algorithm based on one or more vehicle operational settings.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for identifying an entity for access to a vehicle includes monitoring a field of vision of one or more vision sensors to detect a presence of an entity. The field of vision of the one or more vision sensors comprises a region of focus. The method further uses a weak recognition process for tracking a location of the entity and performing an initial validation when the entity enters the region of focus. Thereafter, a strong recognition process is initiated, whereby facial features of the initially validated entity are compared with a stored template. The initially validated entity is granted access to the vehicle if the facial features of the entity are determined to match the stored template.

