Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a system for providing secure vehicle access and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With the advancement in vehicle technologies, vehicle access has become an important feature for an owner to decide upon while purchasing a vehicle. Due to the advancement in technology and complex electronics in recent automobiles across all classes such as a motorcycle or a scooter or a car, the cost of such vehicles has increased considerably. The increased cost naturally comes with higher safety concerns regarding theft.
[003] The increased risk of theft has led to introduction of various systems for locking a vehicle and allowing access to the vehicle only to the authorised user or users. Some of the existing systems of access to the vehicle include Keyless entry systems based on RF (Radio Frequency), Ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) and near field communication (NFC). Enablement of these conventional system requires a pre-synched key fob to be available with the owner or a pre-synched mobile phone with UWB, BLE, NFC features. In spite of the improvement in safety against theft of vehicle with these conventional technologies, the risk of vehicle theft still remains relatively high.
[004] The conventional advanced system has multiple points of weakness which can be exploited. For example, hacking attempts are made utilizing the security and communication protocol weaknesses in wireless technologies. On the other hand, key fob is prone to damage due to accidental fall or in an instance where key fob is inaccessible due to drain in the key fob battery. Especially in conditions where vehicles are shared amongst multiple users within a family and outside the family, key fob technology is a severe bottleneck. Similar to the key fob, mobile phone is prone to damage due to accidental fall, or may be inaccessible due to drain in the battery.
[005] Other conventional technologies which are based on fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are also susceptible to hacking and are known to have been hacked. Unlocking of vehicles using technologies such as fingerprint scanning-requires additional hardware to be installed on the vehicle which is expensive. Systems using facial recognition utilises the existing camera on the vehicle. However, the rider is required to be seated in a specific position on the seat for the vehicle to unlock. Especially in motorcycles and scooters, when the vehicle is locked, sitting on the seat in a specific position is an arduous task.
[006] If face of the rider is to be recognised from a side angle, then transformation of the image has to be done on-board the vehicle to transform it into a front-on image. Further, intermediate steps between capturing of the image and vehicle unlocking, such as while processing of the image, there is no user interaction/indication to the user. In such cases, the user is not aware of what is happening while they wait for the vehicle to be unlocked.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and method for providing secure vehicle access, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle access system for providing secure access to at least one of a set of registered users of a vehicle. The registered users are pre-authorised users of the vehicle. The system has a memory module for storing identification data related to the registered users. A sensor is provided for sensing and capturing an image related to an attribute of a prospective user of the vehicle. The attribute includes at least one of an iris of an eye or a face of the prospective user. A processing unit is provided for processing the captured image, and an authenticating module provides access to the vehicle based upon a comparison of the processed image with stored identification data of the pre-authorised users. Herein, the stored identification data is related to the attribute of the pre-authorised users of the vehicle.
[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the attribute includes the iris of the eye of the prospective user and the sensor has an iris sensor for capturing an iris image of the iris of the prospective user.
[010] In an embodiment of the invention, the system has a plurality of light modules for enabling the capturing of a high-contrast and a high-resolution iris image of the prospective user by the iris sensor. The plurality of light modules illuminating the irises has at least one of a visible light module for providing visible light, and an infrared light module for providing near infra-red light.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the iris sensor is configured to capture unique patterns of the irises, and the processing unit is configured to store the unique pattern of the irises as a set of pixels, analyse a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user, extract a bit pattern based upon the analysis and digitize the bit pattern.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the stored identification data includes templates, and the authenticating module is configured to compare the digitised bit pattern to the stored templates. The authenticating module provides access to the prospective user based upon a result of the comparison.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the attribute includes the face of the prospective user, and the sensor has a camera for capturing a face image of the face of the prospective user.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the processing unit is configured for signal conditioning of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image, extracting specific features from the pre-processed image using a first trained machine learning model, wherein the machine learning model being trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user, the multiple images being taken under varying conditions.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the authenticating module is configured with a second trained machine learning model to compare the extracted features with prestored identification data of the pre-authorised users, and to communicate a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit of the vehicle and the vehicle control unit is configured to unlock a handle of the vehicle based upon the result communicated.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the system is configured to allow the prospective user to choose the attribute between the iris of the eye or the face of the prospective user in relation to which the sensor senses and captures the image.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor and the processing unit are configured to be activated based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and be deactivated when the pre-condition is not satisfied.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pre-condition includes one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle, or contact with a seat of the vehicle.
[019] In another aspect, the present invention is directed towards a method for providing secure access to at least one of a set of registered users of a vehicle. The registered users are pre-authorised users of the vehicle. The method has the step of sensing and capturing an image related to an attribute of a prospective user of the vehicle wherein the attribute includes at least one of an iris of an eye or a face of the prospective user. The method further has the step of processing the captured image; and providing access to the vehicle based upon a comparison of the processed image with stored identification data of the pre-authorised users. Herein, the stored identification data is related to the attribute of the pre-authorised users of the vehicle.
[020] In an embodiment of the invention, the attribute includes the iris of the eye of the prospective user and, the method has the step of capturing an iris image of the iris of the prospective user.
[021] In an embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of capturing unique patterns of the irises; storing the unique pattern of the irises as a set of pixels; analysing a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user; extracting a bit pattern based upon the analysis; and digitizing the bit pattern.
[022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the stored identification data includes templates, and the method has the steps of comparing, the digitised bit pattern to the stored templates; and providing access to the prospective user based upon a result of the comparison.
[023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the attribute includes the face of the prospective user and the method has the step of capturing a face image of the face of the prospective user.
[024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of signal conditioning of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image; and extracting specific features from the pre-processed image using a first trained machine learning model, wherein the machine learning model is trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user and the multiple images are taken under varying conditions.
[025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of comparing, with a second trained machine learning model, the extracted features with prestored identification data of the pre-authorised users and communicating a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit of the vehicle and unlocking a handle of the vehicle based upon the result communicated.
[026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method has the step of activating the sensor and the processing unit based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and be deactivated when the pre-condition is not satisfied. Herein the pre-condition includes one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle, or contact with a seat of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[027] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a system for providing secure vehicle access, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart showing steps involved in a method for providing secure vehicle access, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart showing exemplary steps involved in the method for providing secure vehicle access in operation, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[028] The present invention relates to a system for providing secure vehicle access and a method thereof.
[029] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle access system 100 for providing secure vehicle access to at least one user of the vehicle 190. Herein the vehicle 190 is a saddle type vehicle, or a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle or any other vehicle as required. As illustrated, the vehicle access system 100 provides secure vehicle access to at least one of a set of registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3 of a vehicle 190. The system 100 is thus configured to only allow access to the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3 of the vehicle 190. In that, the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3 are pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190. Thus, the user that is a pre-authorised user 190Rn will only be able to access the vehicle 190.
[030] As illustrated, the system 100 comprises a memory module 180. The memory module 180 is configured for storing identification data 190RnS related to the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3. The identification data 190RnS is pre-stored and is updated from time to time when a new user is required to be registered as the pre-authorised user 190Rn or needs to be deregistered as the pre-authorised user 190Rn. Identification data comprises one or more of, but not limited to name, age, gender, facial features, iris features of the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3.
[031] The system 100 further comprises a sensor 110. The sensor 110 is configured for sensing and capturing an image related to an attribute 190PUA of a prospective user 190PU of the vehicle 190. The attribute 190PUA includes at least one of an iris of an eye or a face of the prospective user 190PU. The sensor 110 is capable of capturing either an image related to the iris of the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both.
[032] The system 100 further has a processing unit 120 for processing the image captured by the sensor 110. The system 100 further has an authenticating module 130. The authenticating module 130 is configured for providing access to the vehicle 190 based upon a comparison of the processed image with the stored identification data 190RnS of the registered users 190Rn. Herein, the stored identification data 190RnS in the memory module 180 is related to the attribute 190PUA of the pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190. This means that only if the image of the prospective user 190PU processed by the processing unit 120 corresponds to and matches the attributes of one of the pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190, only then will the authenticating module 130 allow access to the vehicle 190 to that particular prospective user 190PU.
[033] As mentioned earlier, the attribute 190PUA includes the iris of the eye and/or the face of the prospective user 190PU and the sensor 110 is capable of capturing either an image related to the iris the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both. In an embodiment, wherein the attribute 190PUA comprises the iris of the eye of the prospective user 190PU, the sensor 110 comprises an iris sensor. The iris sensor is specifically provided for capturing an iris image of the iris of the prospective user 190PU.
[034] In an embodiment, to achieve the image of the iris, a high-contrast photograph of the iris is required. To facilitate this, the system 100 has a plurality of light modules 140 that enable the capturing of a high-contrast and a high-resolution iris image of the prospective user 190PU by the iris sensor. The plurality of light modules 140 are provided for illuminating the irises. The plurality of light modules 140 comprises at least one of a visible light module for providing visible light, and an infrared light module for providing near infra-red light. The illumination of the iris by the visible light and the near infrared light results in illumination of unique patterns in the iris, which are the captured by the iris sensor. Such illumination eliminates the noise such as eyelashes, eyelids, and specular reflections and the final image captured corresponds only to the pixels of the iris.
[035] In an embodiment, the iris sensor is configured to capture the unique patterns of the iris. Thereafter, the processing unit 120 is configured to store the unique pattern of the irises as a set of pixels. The processing unit 120 further analyses a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user 190PU and extracts a bit pattern based upon the analysis. The bit pattern, in effect, encodes the iris that has been captured. Thereafter, the processing unit 120 digitizes the bit pattern.
[036] Once the processing unit 120 digitizes the bit pattern, the digitized bit pattern is utilised for authentication. In an embodiment, the stored identification data 190RnS includes templates and the authenticating module 130 is configured to compare the digitized bit pattern to the stored templates. The authenticating module 130 then selectively provides access to the prospective user 190PU based upon a result of the comparison. If the digitized bit pattern matches the template, then access to the vehicle 190 is allowed. In an embodiment, the comparison can be done by a verification based one-to-one template matching system or identification based one-to-many template matching system.
[037] As mentioned earlier, the attribute 190PUA includes the iris of the eye and/or the face of the prospective user 190PU and the sensor 110 is capable of capturing either an image related to the iris the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both. In an embodiment, wherein the attribute 190PUA comprises the face of the prospective user 190PU, the sensor 110 comprises a camera 110C. The camera 110C is provided for capturing a face image of the face of the prospective user 190PU. In this embodiment, the processing unit 120 is configured for signal conditioning of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image. The processing unit 120 further extracts specific features from the pre-processed image, using a first trained machine learning model. Herein, the machine learning model is trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user. Further, the multiple images are taken under varying conditions. The mathematical models are trained online using large data sets prior to being used in the processing unit 120. The training and testing data comprises multiple images of a corresponding attribute i.e. iris or face of the different types/genders/ages of users including the preauthorised users 190Rn. The first trained machine learning model is at least one of a neural network or genetic algorithm. Thereafter, the extracted features are compared with the pre-stored identification data 190RnS and matching is performed by the authenticating module 130, and the result is classified as a match or no match.
[038] In an embodiment, the authenticating module 130 also comprises a second trained machine learning model including at least one of a neural network or genetic algorithm. In effect, if the extracted features match fit into the prestored identification data 190Rns as indicated by the second trained machine learning model of the authenticating module 130, a confidence score of match is generated and if the confidence score is greater than a threshold, the authenticating module 130 then provides the prospective user 190PU access to the vehicle 190. In an embodiment, the first and the second trained machine learning may be combined into one single trained machine learning model being utilised by the processing unit 120 and the authenticating module 130. In an embodiment, both the first trained machine learning model and the second trained machine learning model are two separate trained machine learning models of same or different type.
[039] In a further embodiment, the authenticating module 130 is configured to communicate a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit 192 of the vehicle 190. The vehicle control unit 192 is configured to unlock a handle of the vehicle 190 based upon the result communicated, thereby allowing to disallowing access to the vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit 192 is in communication with an electronic handle lock 194 which is configured to be activated or deactivated by the vehicle control unit 194.
[040] In an embodiment, under certain conditions wherein the prospective user 190PU is wearing a helmet or a mask or has facial hair, the system 100 is configured such that the prospective user 190PU is allowed to choose the attribute 190PUA between the iris of the eye or the face of the prospective user 190PU in relation to which the sensor 110 senses and captures the image. In this embodiment, the system 100 will operate based on the attribute 190PUA chosen by the rider in a software application on the user device connected to the vehicle or a soft button/hard button on the instrument cluster or a button proximal to the sensor 110. The button may be a toggle switch or three way switch which put in a certain position may indicate iris scan and another position may indicate face scan and another position will indicate both scans.
[041] In another embodiment, to make the system more power efficient, the sensor 110 and processing unit 120 is configured to be activated based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and be deactivated when the pre-condition is not satisfied. The pre-condition comprises one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle 190, or contact with a seat of the vehicle 190. This allows the battery to be drained by the sensor 110 and the processing unit 120 only for a short period of time, thus elongating overall battery charge and life.
[042] In another aspect, the present invention is directed towards a method for providing secure vehicle access. Figure 2 illustrates the method steps involved in the method 200 for providing secure vehicle access. The method 200 provides secure vehicle access to at least one of a set of registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3 of a vehicle 190. The method 200 is thus configured to allow access to the vehicle 190 only to the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3. In that, the registered users 190R1, 190R2, 190R3 are pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190. Thus, the only the user that is a pre-authorised user will be able to access the vehicle 190.
[043] As illustrated in Figure 2, at step 201, a sensor 110 senses and captures an image, related to an attribute 190PUA of a prospective user 190PU of the vehicle 190. The attribute 190PUA includes an iris of an eye and/or the face of the prospective user 190PU. The image sensed and captured is either an image related to the iris the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both.
[044] At step 202, the captured image is processed by a processing unit 120. At step 203, access is provided by an authenticating module 130 to the vehicle 190 based upon a comparison of the processed image with stored identification data 190RnS of the pre-authorised users 190Rn. Herein, the stored identification data 190RnS is related to the attribute 190PUA of the pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190. This means that only if the image of the prospective user 190PU processed by the processing unit 120 corresponds to and matches the attributes of one of the pre-authorised users 190Rn of the vehicle 190, only then will the access be allowed by the authenticating module 130 to the vehicle 190 to that particular prospective user 190PU.
[045] As mentioned earlier, the attribute 190PUA includes the iris of the eye and/or the face of the prospective user 190PU and the sensor 110 is capable of capturing either an image related to the iris the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both. In an embodiment, wherein the attribute 190PUA comprises the iris of the eye of the prospective user 190PU, the method 200 further has the step of capturing, by an iris sensor of the sensor 110, an iris image of the iris of the prospective user 190PU.
[046] In an embodiment, the method 200 further has the steps of capturing unique patterns of the irises by the iris sensor. Thereafter the unique pattern of the irises are stored as a set of pixels by the processing unit 120. Then, a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user 190PU are analysed by the processing unit 120. At the next step, a bit pattern is extracted by the processing unit 120, based upon the analysis. Further, the bit pattern is digitized by the processing unit 120.
[047] Once the bit pattern is digitized, the digitized bit pattern is utilised for authentication. In an embodiment, the stored identification data 190RnS includes templates and the digitised bit pattern is compared to the stored templates by the authenticating module 130. The selective access is provided to the prospective user 190PU based upon a result of the comparison. If the digitized bit pattern matches the template, then access to the vehicle is allowed. In an embodiment, the comparison can be done by a verification based one-to-one template matching system or identification based one-to-many template matching system.
[048] As mentioned earlier, the attribute 190PUA includes the iris of the eye and/or the face of the prospective user 190PU and the sensor 110 is capable of capturing either an image related to the iris the eye of the prospective user 190PU or an image related to the face of the prospective user 190PU, or both. In an embodiment, wherein the attribute 190PUA comprises the face of the prospective user 190PU, the method has the step of capturing a face image of the face of the prospective user 190PU, a camera 110C of the sensor 110. In this embodiment, the method 200 further has the step of signal conditioning by the processing unit 120, of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image. At the next step, specific features are extracted from the pre-processed image, by the processing unit 120, using a first trained machine learning model. Herein, the machine learning model is trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user 190Rn and these multiple images are taken under varying conditions.
[049] Thereafter, the method 200 has the step of comparing, by the authenticating module 130 with a second trained machine learning model, the extracted features with prestored identification 190RnS of the pre-authorised users 190Rn. Thereafter, the method 200 has the step of communicating, by the authenticating module 130, a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit 192 of the vehicle 190 and unlocking, by the vehicle control unit 192, a handle of the vehicle 190 based upon the result communicated.
[050] In another embodiment, the method 200 has the step of activating the sensor 110 and the processing unit 120 based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and deactivating when the pre-condition is not satisfied. The pre-condition comprises one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle 190, or contact with a seat of the vehicle 190.
[051] In operation, as illustrated in Figure 3, at step 252, the prospective user 190PU approaches the vehicle 190. At step 254, the standard vehicle start/stop processing occurs. If done successfully, the method 200 moves on to step 256, and if not done successfully, the method 200 reattempts step 254. At step 256, the vehicle control unit 192 is activated. Once the vehicle control unit 192 is activated, based on satisfaction of some pre-conditions, such as confirmation of availability of sensors, health of sensors, mandatory check in the vehicle 190 for start of the vehicle 190, etc., the sensor 110 is activated by the vehicle control unit 192 at step 258. At step 260, the prospective user 190PU show their face to the sensor 110. The sensor 110, at step 262, captures the image of the iris or the face, or both of the prospective user 190PU. At step 264, the captured images are processed are sent to the authenticating module 130. The processing unit 120 extracts the features of the iris and/or the face and sends the extracted features to the authenticating module 130.
[052] At step 266, the authenticating module 130 compares the processed features to stored identification data 190RnS. If the features match with the stored identification data 190RnS, the method 200 moves to step 270. If the features do not match with the stored identification data 190RnS, the method 200 reverts to step 254. If after a set number of attempts, the features do not match with the stored identification data 190RnS, the method 200 moves to step 268 wherein an indication is provided by the vehicle control unit 192 that there has been a failure to recognise the prospective user 190PU and thereafter the method 200 terminates.
[053] At step 270, when the features match with the stored identification data 190RnS, the vehicle control unit 192 is intimated by the authenticating module 130 of the matching. At step 272, the vehicle control unit 192 unlocks the handle lock 194 and at the same time at step 278, indicates vehicle unlocking. At step 274, the vehicle control unit 192 sends the required information to an information cluster and at step 276, the cluster moves towards standard start-up display.
[054] Advantageously, the present invention provides a vehicle access system and method which provides secure vehicle access without requiring the user to carry a key fob or a mobile phone for authentication. Provision of capturing image of the iris of the prospective user also eliminates any limitations in face recognition-based technologies.
[055] Further, vehicle access system of the present invention being based on iris recognition, is much more reliable and error proof than fingerprint-based technologies. This is because while fingerprints are visible to the naked eye and hence are easier to tamper with than iris patterns, which are not visible to the naked eye.
[056] Furthermore, the present invention allows capturing images of the iris and the face in synergistic manner and then these images being used for authentication. The same is very difficult to replicate, thus improving theft proof capabilities of the vehicle. Processing of the image also allows the image to be captured while rider is in any position and the authenticating module remains capable of authenticating the access. This means that rider is not required to be in a specific seating or standing position to unlock the vehicle.
[057] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100: Vehicle access system
110: Sensors
120: Processing Unit
130: Authenticating Module
140: Light Modules
180: Memory Module
190: Vehicle
190PU: Prospective user
190PUA: Attribute
190RnS: Identification Data
190R1, 190R2, 190R3: Registered Users
190Rn: Pre-authorised user
192: Vehicle Control Unit
194: Handle Lock , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle access system (100) for providing secure access to at least one of a set of registered users (190R1, 190R2, 190R3) of a vehicle (190), the registered users (190R1, 190R2, 190R3) being pre-authorised users (190Rn) of the vehicle (190), the system (100) comprising:
a memory module (180) for storing identification data (190RnS) related to the registered users (190R1, 190R2, 190R3);
a sensor (110) for sensing and capturing an image related to an attribute (190PUA) of a prospective user (190PU) of the vehicle (190), the attribute (190PUA) comprising at least one of an iris of an eye or a face of the prospective user (190PU);
a processing unit (120) for processing the captured image; and
an authenticating module (130) for providing access to the vehicle (190) based upon a comparison of the processed image with stored identification data (190RnS) of the pre-authorised users (190Rn), the stored identification data (190RnS) being related to the attribute (190PUA) of the pre-authorised users (190Rn) of the vehicle (190).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attribute (190PUA) comprises the iris of the eye of the prospective user (190PU) and the sensor (110) comprises an iris sensor for capturing an iris image of the iris of the prospective user (190PU).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprises a plurality of light modules (140) for enabling the capturing of a high-contrast and a high-resolution iris image of the prospective user (190PU) by the iris sensor, the plurality of light modules (140) illuminating the irises comprises at least one of:
a visible light module for providing visible light; and
an infrared light module for providing near infra-red light.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the iris sensor is configured to capture unique patterns of the irises, and the processing unit (120) is configured to:
store the unique pattern of the irises as a set of pixels;
analyse a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user (190PU);
extract a bit pattern based upon the analysis; and
digitize the bit pattern.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stored identification data (190RnS) includes templates, the authenticating module (130) being configured to compare the digitised bit pattern to the stored templates, the authenticating module (130) providing access to the prospective user (190PU) based upon a result of the comparison.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attribute (190PUA) comprises the face of the prospective user (190PU), and the sensor (110) comprises a camera (110C) for capturing a face image of the face of the prospective user (190PU).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (120) is configured for:
signal conditioning of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image;
extracting specific features from the pre-processed image using a first trained machine learning model, wherein the first machine learning model being trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user (190Rn), the multiple images being taken under varying conditions.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the authenticating module (130) is configured:
with a second trained machine learning model to compare the extracted features with prestored identification data of the pre-authorised users (190Rn); and
to communicate a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit (192) of the vehicle, the vehicle control unit (192) being configured to unlock a handle of the vehicle (190) based upon the result communicated.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) is configured to allow the prospective user (190PU) to choose the attribute (190PUA) between the iris of the eye or the face of the prospective user (190PU) in relation to which the sensor (110) senses and captures the image.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor (110) and the processing unit (120) are configured to be activated based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and be deactivated when the pre-condition is not satisfied.

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pre-condition comprises one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle (190), or contact with a seat of the vehicle (190).

12. A method (200) for providing secure access to at least one of a set of registered users (190R1, 190R2, 190R3) of a vehicle (190), the registered users (190R1, 190R2, 190R3) being pre-authorised users (190Rn) of the vehicle (190), the method (100) comprising the steps of:
sensing and capturing an image, by a sensor (110), related to an attribute (190PUA) of a prospective user (190PU) of the vehicle (190), the attribute (190PUA) comprising at least one of an iris of an eye or a face of the prospective user (190PU);
processing, by a processing unit (120), the captured image; and
providing access, by an authenticating module (130), to the vehicle (190) based upon a comparison of the processed image with stored identification data (190RnS) of the pre-authorised users (190Rn), the stored identification data (190RnS) being related to the attribute (190PUA) of the pre-authorised users (190Rn) of the vehicle (190).

13. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the attribute (190PUA) comprises the iris of the eye of the prospective user (190PU) and, the method (200) has the step of capturing, by an iris sensor, an iris image of the iris of the prospective user (190PU).

14. The method (200) as claimed in claim 13, comprising the steps of:
capturing, by the iris sensor, unique patterns of the irises;
storing, by the processing unit (120), the unique pattern of the irises as a set of pixels;
analysing, by the processing unit (120), a pattern of the lines and colors of the eyes of the prospective user (190PU);
extracting, by the processing unit (120), a bit pattern based upon the analysis; and
digitizing, by the processing unit (120), the bit pattern.

15. The method (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stored identification data (190RnS) includes templates, and the method (200) comprises the step of:
comparing, by the authenticating module (130), the digitised bit pattern to the stored templates; and
providing access, by the authenticating module (130), to the prospective user (190PU) based upon a result of the comparison.

16. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the attribute (190PUA) comprises the face of the prospective user (190PU), and the method has the step of:
capturing, by a camera (110C) of the sensor (110), a face image of the face of the prospective user (190PU).

17. The method (200) as claimed in 12, comprising the steps of:
signal conditioning, by the processing unit (120), of the captured image to generate a pre-processed image; and
extracting, by the processing unit (120), specific features from the pre-processed image using a first trained machine learning model, wherein the machine learning model being trained and tested on multiple images of a corresponding attribute of different users including pre-authorised user (190Rn), the multiple images being taken under varying conditions.

18. The method (200) as claimed in claim 17, comprising the step of:
comparing, by the authenticating module (130), with a second trained machine learning model, the extracted features with prestored identification data of the pre-authorised users (190Rn); and
communicating, by the authenticating module (130), a result of the comparison to a vehicle control unit (192) of the vehicle (190); and
unlocking, by the vehicle control unit (192), a handle of the vehicle (190) based upon the result communicated.

19. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, comprising the step of:
activating the sensor (110) and the processing unit (120), based on satisfaction of a pre-condition, and be deactivated when the pre-condition is not satisfied, wherein the pre-condition comprises one or more of touch on an instrument cluster, contact with a handle bar grip of the vehicle (190), or contact with a seat of the vehicle (190).

Dated this 08th day of September 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471