DE102016008339A1 - Method for identifying a vehicle user in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for identifying a driver in a vehicle, in which the driver is detected by an image acquisition system (3) and driver-specific parameters are derived from the recorded image, wherein these current driver-specific parameters with parameter sets of vehicle users, which are stored on a server (11 ) are stored outside the vehicle (1) are compared, and if the current driver-specific parameters match a stored parameter set the driver is allowed to use the vehicle (1). In one method, the image capture system (3) comprising a camera (5) normalizes the driver-specific parameters and forwards the standardized driver-specific parameters summarized in a parameter set to the server (11) for storage, wherein the normalized parameter sets stored on the server (11) Image acquisition systems (17, 19) of other vehicles (13, 15) are evaluable.

Description

The invention relates to a method for identifying a driver in a vehicle, in which the driver is detected with an image capture system and derived driver-specific parameters, these current driver-specific parameters with parameter sets that are stored on a server outside the vehicle, and if the current driver-specific parameters agree with a stored parameter set, the driver is allowed to use the vehicle.

From the US 2014/0200737 A1 a system for the identification and personalization of vehicle users is known in which records of a plurality of vehicle users are stored on a server outside the vehicle. These records are created in a vehicle by recording a face of a camera or a voice of a vehicle user through a microphone. Face or voice are parameterized by the system and stored as independent records on the server. This happens for different vehicle users of the same vehicle. If a vehicle user wants to put the vehicle into operation, the camera detects, for example, the face of the vehicle user and compares it with the data records stored on the server. The disadvantage here is that such a driver identification is suitable only for exactly one vehicle in which the vehicle users have previously been to learn his identification parameters. All vehicle users are recorded by the same camera, which is why the different data sets obtained from the images are comparable.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for identifying a vehicle user, in which data sets are comparable in a vehicle, which are generated on the basis of images that have been taken by cameras that operate on different technical methods.

The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, as well as the explanation of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures.

The object is achieved with a method in that the image capture system comprising a camera normalizes the driver-specific parameters and forwards the normalized driver-specific parameters summarized in a parameter set to the server for storage, whereby the standardized parameter sets stored on the server can be evaluated by image acquisition systems of further vehicles. The standardization of the parameters has the advantage that data sets that have been recorded with different camera systems, such as infrared cameras or cameras that work according to a runtime method, are comparable. The consequence of this is that the standardized parameter sets stored on the server can also be used in other vehicles, such as a second car or a rental car, for example, and allow the vehicle user to access and operate the respective vehicle without being previously registered in this vehicle must have.

Advantageously, in the normalized parameter set biometric information is included, which are designed as geometric information and / or non-geometric information. Such biometric information can be easily normalized by per se known face recognition methods and contain no camera-specific information.

In one embodiment, nose size and / or eye relief and / or mouth size and / or distances between nose, eyes and / or mouth are used as geometrical information of a face shape of the driver.

In one variant, if the current parameter set matches a stored parameter set, the driver is allowed access and / or operation of the vehicle. The vehicle is opened for the driver and / or the ignition of the vehicle is released.

In a further development, when the current parameter set matches a stored parameter set, a driver-specific setting of a vehicle equipment takes place. The driver-specific setting of the vehicle equipment includes seat adjustment, mirror adjustment and steering wheel adjustment up to the selection of the infotainment offer.

In one embodiment, if the current parameter set matches a stored parameter set, access to data protection-relevant operations is permitted. The privacy-related operations may be, for example, an access to the credit card or an account, for. B. to be able to pay automatically at toll booths.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description, in which - where appropriate, with reference to the Drawing - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject of the invention itself or in any meaningful combination, optionally also independent of the claims, and may in particular additionally be the subject of one or more separate application / s. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

1 an embodiment of a vehicle by performing the method according to the invention

1 shows a vehicle 1 with an image capture system 3 which is a camera 5 and an evaluation unit 7 includes. The evaluation unit 7 is with a transmitting / receiving unit 9 connected to a server wirelessly 11 connected is. The server 11 communicates with a variety of other vehicles, of which for clarity, only two vehicles 13 . 15 are shown. These vehicles 13 . 15 also have camera-based imaging systems 17 . 19 on. The camera 5 and the cameras of the image acquisition systems (not shown) 17 . 19 the other vehicles 13 . 15 work with different technical recording methods.

To make the driver individual offers, such as seat adjustment, or targeted Infotainment offers in the vehicle, driver identifications are used in the vehicles. For such a driver identification takes the camera 5 in the vehicle 1 an image of a driver's face and forwards it to the evaluation unit 7 further. In the evaluation unit 7 are normalized from the image derived biometric parameters, creating a driver-specific parameter set, which depends on the type of camera 5 is independent. Biometric parameters include geometric data such as eye relief, nasal size and mouth size, and / or non-geometric information derived from the image of the face. The standardized parameter set created in this way is transmitted via the send / receive unit 9 to the server 11 Sent where it is stored in a database and for use by other vehicles 13 . 15 is available.

Will the driver of the vehicle 1 now another vehicle 13 or 15 use, so create the in the respective vehicle 13 or 15 existing camera of the image capture system 17 . 19 a picture of the driver's face. This image is captured by the respective imaging system 17 . 19 compared with parameter sets on the server 11 stored in the database. As the driver-specific parameter set in the database of the server 11 is stored, normalized, this can easily with that in the vehicles 13 . 15 recorded images and the driver is also in these vehicles 13 . 15 recognized, although the image of him was taken with a different technical process. If the driver-specific parameter set is also assigned user-specific specifications for setting a seat or a mirror, then the driver can also use the vehicles 13 . 15 use the appropriate comfort of an automatic adjustment of these systems.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplified embodiments are really only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those of skill in the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept may make various changes, for example, to the operation or arrangement of particular elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Protected area, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

3

Image capture system

5

camera

7

evaluation

9

Transmit / receive unit

11

server

13

vehicle

15

vehicle

17

Image capture system

19

Image capture system

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2014/0200737 A1 [0002]

Claims (6)

Method for identifying a driver in a vehicle, in which the driver of an image acquisition system ( 3 ) and derived from the captured image driver-specific parameters, these current driver-specific parameters with parameter sets of vehicle users, on a server ( 11 ) outside the vehicle ( 1 ) and are compared with the current driver-specific parameters with a stored parameter set the driver use of the vehicle ( 1 ), characterized in that the one camera ( 5 ) comprehensive image capture system ( 3 ) the driver-specific parameters are normalized and the standardized driver-specific parameters summarized in a parameter set are sent to the server ( 11 ) for storage, whereas those stored on the server ( 11 ) stored standardized parameter sets of image acquisition systems ( 17 . 19 ) of other vehicles ( 13 . 15 ) are evaluable. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that from the normalized parameter set biometric information is included, which are designed as geometric information and / or non-geometric information. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that are used as geometric information of a face shape of the driver's nose size and / or eye relief and / or mouth size and / or distances between the nose, eyes and / or mouth. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon agreement of the current parameter set with a stored parameter set, the driver has access and / or operation of the vehicle ( 1 ) is allowed. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the current parameter set matches a stored parameter set, a driver-specific setting of a vehicle equipment takes place. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that access to privacy-relevant operations is permitted upon agreement of the current parameter set with a stored parameter set.

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