Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a biometric authentication system of a vehicle and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, a vehicle is locked and/or unlocked using a key or a key fob. However, the key or the key fob has requirement of being physically carried along with a user or an operator of the vehicle. Generally, the key or the key fob has to be held and operated by the user to lock and/or unlock the vehicle, either by inserting the key into a keyhole or by pressing a button provided in the key fob. Another option is to have a keyless means to lock and/or unlock the vehicle with aid of a wireless NFC (Near Field Communication) card or NFC built into the key fob. However, this also requires the wireless NFC card or the key fob to be physically carried by the user. Furthermore, the key, the key fob and the wireless NFC card have a greater risk of being lost or being tampered with.
[003] An alternative is to employ biometric authentication to lock and/or unlock the vehicle. Biometric authentication using fingerprint scanning is known in the art. However, this requires additional hardware to be installed and cannot be operated effectively in all conditions, such as when the user is wearing gloves. Biometric authentication employing face recognition is another alternative. Face recognition employs a camera mounted on the vehicle to scan a face of the user and unlocks the vehicle if facial features recorded match with facial points and contours stored in a database.
[004] However, biometric authentication using face recognition requires the user to be seated on a seat, especially in the case of a saddle type vehicle, for the camera to capture images of the user’s face and unlock the vehicle. If the user is not seated on the seat, the camera would be unable to record images of the whole face from a front of the face and would consequently fail to unlock the vehicle. It is inconvenient to sit on the seat when the vehicle is in a locked state. Also, if the vehicle is to be moved by pushing it, the user will have to sit on the seat to unlock the vehicle and get down from the seat to push the vehicle. Further, if the images recorded by the camera from a side of the user’s face is to be used for authenticating the user and unlocking the vehicle, the images so captured would have to be transformed into frontal images of the face on board the vehicle. This would require increased processing power and costly processors would have to be incorporated into the vehicle leading to a hike in costs. The image transformation process and its intermediate steps are also time consuming, which leaves the user clueless as to how the unlocking of the vehicle is proceeding as there is no user interaction while capturing or processing the images.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a biometric authentication system of a vehicle and a method thereof which addresses at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a biometric authentication system of a vehicle. The biometric authentication system includes a control unit, a camera unit and a driver unit. The camera unit is adapted to record facial features of a user of the vehicle. The driver unit is adapted to tilt the camera unit to vary a field of view of the camera unit based on a signal received from the control unit. The control unit is adapted to receive one or more images recorded by the camera unit, compare facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit with a predefined set of facial features, and generate a face recognition confidence score based on similitude between facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit and the predefined set of facial features. The control unit estimates a tilt angle of the camera unit, if the face recognition confidence score generated is greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value. The control unit is further adapted to tilt the camera unit to vary the field of view of the camera unit to the estimated tilt angle to record the one or more images and generate the face recognition confidence score. The control unit authenticates the user, if the face recognition confidence score is greater than the predefined second threshold value.
[007] In an embodiment, the control unit is adapted to generate and communicate a first signal to the driver unit to tilt the camera unit to vary the field of view of the camera unit to the estimated tilt angle. In another embodiment, the control unit generates and communicates a second signal to the camera unit to start recording the one or more images after the camera unit is titled by the driver unit. In yet another embodiment, the control unit is adapted to authenticate the user and generate and communicate a third signal to unlock the vehicle, if the face recognition confidence score generated is greater than the predefined second threshold value.
[008] In an embodiment, the control unit estimates the tilt angle of the camera unit from a set of predefined tilt angles, only if the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit is greater than a predefined number of the predefined set of facial features.
[009] In an embodiment, the camera unit is incorporated in an instrument console of the vehicle.
[010] In another embodiment, the control unit generates and communicates a fourth signal to the camera unit to start recording the one or more images when the control unit receives an activation signal from one or more touch sensors of the vehicle.
[011] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for biometric authentication of a user of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of recording by a camera unit, one or more images in a field of view of the camera unit and receiving by a control unit, the one or more images recorded by the camera unit. The method includes the steps of comparing by the control unit, facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit with a predefined set of facial features and generating by the control unit, a face recognition confidence score based on similitude between facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit and the predefined set of facial features. The method includes the steps of estimating a tilt angle of the camera unit, by the control unit, if the face recognition confidence score generated is greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value and tilting the camera unit to vary the field of view of the camera unit to the estimated tilt angle to record the one or more images and generate the face recognition confidence score. The method further includes the step of authenticating the user by the control unit, if the face recognition confidence score is greater than the predefined second threshold value.
[012] In an embodiment, the method includes the step of generating and communicating by the control unit, a first signal to a driver unit to tilt the camera unit to vary the field of view of the camera unit to the estimated tilt angle. In another embodiment, the method includes the step of generating and communicating by the control unit, a second signal to the camera unit to start recording the one or more images after the camera unit is titled by the driver unit. In yet another embodiment, the method includes the step of generating and communicating by the control unit, a third signal to unlock the vehicle, if the face recognition confidence score generated is greater than the predefined second threshold value.
[013] In an embodiment, the method includes the step of estimating by the control unit, the tilt angle of the camera unit from a set of predefined tilt angles, only if the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit is greater than a predefined number of the predefined set of facial features.
[014] In another embodiment, the method includes the step of generating and communicating a fourth signal to the camera unit, to start recording the one or more images when the control unit receives an activation signal from one or more touch sensors of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] 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 block diagram of an exemplary biometric authentication system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the biometric authentication system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of range and field of view of an exemplary camera unit of the biometric authentication system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a method for biometric authentication of a user of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the method for biometric authentication of the user of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, a biometric authentication system of a saddle type vehicle is described. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied in any application capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[017] The present invention generally relates to a biometric authentication system 100 of a vehicle and specifically relates to a method 400 for biometric authentication of a user of the vehicle 10.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary biometric authentication system 100 of a vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The biometric authentication system 100 is provided on board the vehicle 10. The biometric authentication system 100 includes a control unit 110, a camera unit 120, and a driver unit 130. The camera unit 120 is adapted to record facial features of a user of the vehicle 10 which falls within a field of view (shown in Figure 3) of the camera unit 120. The driver unit 130 is adapted to tilt the camera unit 120 to vary the field of view of the camera unit 120 based on a signal received from the control unit 110. In an embodiment, the driver unit 130 is a stepper motor. The vehicle 10 includes one or more touch sensors 70. The one or more touch sensors 70 are adapted to detect a touch from the user which aids in determining when to initiate authenticating process to unlock the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 further includes a vehicle drive unit 20 which is adapted to provide motive force to the vehicle 10. The vehicle drive unit 20 may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor or a hybrid system. The vehicle 10 also includes a battery 30 adapted to power the biometric authentication system 100. In an embodiment, the vehicle drive unit 20 and the biometric authentication system 100 are both powered by the battery 30. In another embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes a DC-DC converter 40 to allow the high voltage battery 30 to power the one or more touch sensors 70 and the biometric authentication system 100. In yet another embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes a low voltage battery to power the one or more touch sensors 70 and the biometric authentication system 100.
[019] Figure 2 illustrates another block diagram of the biometric authentication system 100 of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 110, the camera unit 120 and the driver unit 130 are accommodated within an instrument console 60 or display unit of the vehicle 10. One of the touch sensors 70 is also accommodated within the instrument console 60 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, where the vehicle 10 is a saddle type vehicle, one of the touch sensors 70 is provided on a handlebar of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the touch sensor may be mounted on the seat of the vehicle.
[020] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of range and field of view of the exemplary camera unit 120 of the biometric authentication system 100 of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Within the range of the camera unit 120, the field of view is divided into field-centre, field-right and field left. The camera unit 120 is adapted to record images that come within the given range and the given field of view. Based on the localization of the image in the field centre, field right, and field left, the control unit 110 instructs the driver unit 130 to tilt the camera unit 120 to vary the field of view of the camera unit 120. In localization, the location of the user in the image being captured is checked with respect to the surroundings in the image and then then classification into field-centre, field-right and field left is done by the control unit in real-time.
[021] Figure 4 illustrates a method 400 for biometric authentication of a user of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. When there is an activation signal 421, the battery 30 wakes up and supplies power to the biometric authentication system 100 via the DC-DC converter 40. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 receives the activation signal 421 from the one or more touch sensors 70. Until the touch sensors are not activated, the control unit and the battery are all in sleep state. Consequently, the control unit 110 generates and communicates 422 a fourth signal to the camera unit 120 to start recording one or more images in the field of view of the camera unit 120. The camera unit 120 records 404 the one or more images in the field of view of the camera unit 120. The control unit 110 receives 406 the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120. The control unit 110 further compares 408 facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 with a predefined set of facial features. In an embodiment, the predefined set of facial features are stored in a local database in the vehicle 10. The predefined set of facial features may be listed in the form of a lookup table or a transformation matrix. The control unit 110 is adapted to generate 410 a face recognition confidence score based on similitude between facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 and the predefined set of facial features. In an embodiment, the face recognition confidence score is higher for a greater similitude between the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 and the predefined set of facial features. In another embodiment, the face recognition confidence score is higher for similitude of a greater number of facial features between the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 and the predefined set of facial features. The facial features may be dimensions of the nose, eyes, ears, lips, the distance between them, etc. The facial features of the registered users of the vehicle are prestored in the local database of the vehicle or the instrument console. To generate a confidence score, a match between the current extracted facial features and the prestored facial features is performed. Also, the greater the match, greater the confidence score.
[022] If the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 is greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value 411, the control unit 110 estimates 412 a tilt angle of the camera unit 120. However, if the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 is greater than the predefined second threshold value 417, the control unit 110 authenticates 418 the user. Once the tilt angle of the camera unit 120 is determined, the camera unit 120 is tilted to vary the field of view of the camera unit 120. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is adapted to generate and communicate 414 a first signal to a driver unit 130 to tilt the camera unit 120 to vary the field of view of the camera unit 120 to the estimated tilt angle. After tilting the camera unit 120 and after the field of view of the camera unit 120 has been varied, the camera unit 120 records the one or more images in its field of view and the control unit 110 generates the face recognition confidence score based on the images recorded after tilting of the camera unit 120. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is adapted to generate and communicate 416 a second signal to the camera unit 120 to start recording the one or more images after the camera unit 120 is titled by the driver unit 130. The face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 based on the images recorded after tilting of the camera unit 120 is further checked with respect to the predefined first threshold value and the predefined second threshold value. If the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 based on the images recorded after tilting of the camera unit 120 is greater than the predefined second threshold value 417, the control unit 110 authenticates 418 the user. If the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 based on the images recorded after tilting of the camera unit 120 is greater than the predefined first threshold value and lesser than the predefined second threshold value 411, the control unit 110 estimates 412 the tilt angle of the camera unit 120, and the camera unit 120 is tilted to record the one or more images in its new field of view and the steps of generating 410 the face recognition confidence score leading up to authenticating 418 the user is carried out by the control unit 110. Thus, if the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 is greater than the predefined first threshold value and lesser than the predefined second threshold value 411, the control unit 110 reconfigures the field of view of the camera and tries to authenticate the user. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is adapted to authenticate the user and generate and communicate 418 a third signal to unlock the vehicle 10, if the face recognition confidence score generated is greater than the predefined second threshold value. In an embodiment, the predefined first threshold value is a 20% similitude of the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 with the predefined set of facial features. In another embodiment, the predefined second threshold value is an 80% similitude of the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 with the predefined set of facial features.
[023] In an embodiment, if the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 is lesser than a predefined first threshold value 403, the control unit 110 awaits the activation signal 421 from the one or more touch sensors 70 of the vehicle 10 before proceeding to any other steps in authenticating the user. This ensures that accidental touches on the one or more touch sensors 70 or contact with foreign material while the vehicle 10 is in a locked state does not trigger a loop of the steps in the authentication process of the vehicle 10. This also ensures that when a person other than the permitted user or users try to unlock the vehicle 10, the control unit 110 will not keep on tilting the camera 120 in a loop to authenticate the other person.
[024] Figure 5 illustrates the method 400 for biometric authentication of the user of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, if the face recognition confidence score generated by the control unit 110 is greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value 411, the control unit 110 further determines whether the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 is greater than a predefined number of the predefined set of facial features. Only if the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 is greater than the predefined number of the predefined set of facial features, does the control unit 120 estimate 420 the tilt angle of the camera unit 120. In another embodiment, the tilt angle is selected from a set of predefined tilt angles stored in a local database of the vehicle. By ensuring that the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit 120 is greater than the predefined number of the predefined set of facial features, it may be ensured that when a person other than the permitted user or users try to unlock the vehicle 10, the control unit 110 will not keep on tilting the camera 120 in a loop to authenticate the other person. Thus, unnecessary wastage of energy can be avoided.
[025] Advantageously, the present claimed invention provides a biometric authentication system of a vehicle and method for biometric authentication of a user of the vehicle. The claimed system and method for biometric authentication makes use of a face recognition process for authentication. The claimed configurations of the system and method for biometric authentication of the vehicle as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed configurations of the system and method for biometric authentication of the vehicle enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. By employing a driver unit to tilt a camera used for face recognition, processing load on the control unit for authenticating a user by face recognition is reduced. Thus, a cheaper and low-capacity processing unit or control unit can be used. Since the authentication process is started only on a wake-up signal received from the one or more touch sensors, the related elements of the system including the battery can be kept on standby, thus saving power and increasing efficiency. The use of face recognition instead of a physical key or key fob allows for the user’s convenience in locking and unlocking the vehicle. Furthermore, the user need not occupy a designated position, like sitting on a seat, in order to authenticate and unlock the vehicle. The user can comfortably occupy a position in the vicinity of the camera without bothering about the field of view of the camera, as the camera will vary the field of view and authenticate the user.
[026] 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 modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals:
10 - vehicle
20 - vehicle drive unit
30 - battery
40 - DC-DC converter
60 - instrument console
70 - one or more touch sensors
100 - biometric authentication system
110 - control unit
120 - camera unit
130 - driver unit

, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A biometric authentication system (100) of a vehicle (10), the biometric authentication system (100) comprising:
a control unit (110);
a camera unit (120) configured to record facial features of a user of the vehicle (10); and
a driver unit (130) configured to tilt the camera unit (120) to vary a field of view of the camera unit (120) based on a signal received from the control unit (110);
wherein, the control unit (110) being configured to:
receive one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120);
compare facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) with a predefined set of facial features;
generate a face recognition confidence score based on similitude between facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) and the predefined set of facial features;
estimate a tilt angle of the camera unit (120), if the face recognition confidence score generated being greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value;
tilt the camera unit (120) to vary the field of view of the camera unit (120) to the estimated tilt angle to record the one or more images and generate the face recognition confidence score; and
authenticate the user, if the face recognition confidence score being greater than the predefined second threshold value.

2. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) being configured to generate and communicate a first signal to the driver unit (130) to tilt the camera unit (120) to vary the field of view of the camera unit (120) to the estimated tilt angle.

3. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) being configured to generate and communicate a second signal to the camera unit (120) to start recording the one or more images after the camera unit (120) being titled by the driver unit (130).

4. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) being configured to authenticate the user and generate and communicate a third signal to unlock the vehicle (10), if the face recognition confidence score generated being greater than the predefined second threshold value.

5. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) being configured to estimate the tilt angle of the camera unit (120) from a set of predefined tilt angles, only if the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) being greater than a predefined number of the predefined set of facial features.

6. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera unit (120) being incorporated in an instrument console (60) of the vehicle (10).

7. The biometric authentication system (100) of the vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) being configured to generate and communicate a fourth signal to the camera unit (120) to start recording the one or more images when the control unit (110) receives an activation signal from one or more touch sensors (70) of the vehicle (10).

8. A method (400) for biometric authentication of a user of a vehicle (10), the method (400) comprising the steps of:
recording (404), by a camera unit (120) one or more images in a field of view of the camera unit (120);
receiving (406), by a control unit (110), the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120);
comparing (408), by the control unit (110), facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) with a predefined set of facial features;
generating (410), by the control unit (110), a face recognition confidence score based on similitude between facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) and the predefined set of facial features;
estimating (412) a tilt angle of the camera unit (120), by the control unit (110), if the face recognition confidence score generated being greater than a predefined first threshold value and lesser than a predefined second threshold value;
tilting the camera unit (120) to vary the field of view of the camera unit (120) to the estimated tilt angle to record the one or more images and generate the face recognition confidence score; and
authenticating (418) the user, by the control unit (110), if the face recognition confidence score being greater than the predefined second threshold value.

9. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of generating and communicating (414), by the control unit (110), a first signal to a driver unit (130) to tilt the camera unit (120) to vary the field of view of the camera unit (120) to the estimated tilt angle.

10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of generating and communicating (416), by the control unit (110), a second signal to the camera unit (120) to start recording the one or more images after the camera unit (120) being titled by the driver unit (130).

11. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of generating and communicating (418), by the control unit (110), a third signal to unlock the vehicle (10), if the face recognition confidence score generated being greater than the predefined second threshold value.

12. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of estimating (420), by the control unit (110), the tilt angle of the camera unit (120) from a set of predefined tilt angles, only if the number of facial features in the one or more images recorded by the camera unit (120) being greater than a predefined number of the predefined set of facial features.

13. The method (400) as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of generating and communicating (422), a fourth signal to the camera unit (120), to start recording the one or more images when the control unit (110) receives an activation signal from one or more touch sensors (70) of the vehicle (10).