Authentication concealment and alignment systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11066046-B2
Application number	US-201916581893-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 25, 2019
Priority date	Sep 25, 2018
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprising:
a scanning apparatus configured to capture an identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view;
a feedback apparatus comprising a mirror device, wherein the feedback apparatus is configured to communicate alignment information visually communicating a position of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus to the user;
a concealment apparatus configured to selectively reveal the mirror device to the user; and
a controller in communication with the scanning apparatus and the feedback apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to:
activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment of the facial feature with the scanning apparatus, wherein revealing the alignment information comprises controlling the concealment apparatus to reveal the mirror device;
capture the identifying information of the user; and
identify the user in response to the identifying information.

2. The authentication apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a proximity sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to communicate a detection signal identifying the user proximate the scanning apparatus.

3. The authentication apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the proximity sensor is configured to detect a distance of the user and the controller is further configured to compare the distance to a scanning distance threshold.

4. The authentication apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the scanning distance threshold is a maximum scanning distance in a z-axis direction projected normal to a surface of a b-pillar of a vehicle.

5. The authentication apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the mirror device in response to the detection of the user proximate the scanning apparatus based on the detection signals.

6. The authentication apparatus according to claim 2 ,
wherein the concealment apparatus is disposed outboard from the mirror device relative to the scanning apparatus.

7. The authentication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the concealment apparatus comprises an electro-optic device configured to selectively reveal the feedback apparatus to the user.

8. The authentication apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the electro-optic element comprises a liquid crystal shutter.

9. The authentication apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic element.

10. The authentication apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
control the electro-optic device to change from a non-transmissive configuration to a transmissive configuration configured to transmit light from the feedback apparatus.

11. The authentication apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the scanning apparatus comprises an imager and a light source, wherein the light source is configured to output a detection emission comprising an infrared wavelength or near infrared wavelength of light emitted through the concealment apparatus.

12. The authentication apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the feedback apparatus comprises a display configured to display at least one of a scanning data and an image data received from the imager.

13. A scanning apparatus located on an exterior panel of a vehicle configured to identify a user comprising:
the scanning apparatus configured to capture an identifying information of the user;
a mirror device configured to reflect a depiction of a user;
a concealment apparatus comprising an electro-optic device configured to selectively reveal the mirror device to the user;
a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of the user from the scanning apparatus; and
a controller configured to:
monitor the distance of the user;
in response to the distance less than a scanning threshold distance, control the concealment device to reveal the mirror device;
capture the identifying information of the user; and
identify the user based on the identifying information.

14. The scanning apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the scanning apparatus captures the identifying information of the user within the field of view and further comprising:
an alignment feature visible in the depiction reflected from the mirror device, wherein the alignment feature demonstrates a target location of a facial feature in the reflected depiction of the user communicating an alignment of the facial feature in the field of view of the scanning apparatus.

15. An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprising:
a scanning apparatus configured to capture an identifying information comprising a facial feature of the user in a field of view;
a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information visually communicating a position of the facial feature within the field of view of the scanning apparatus to the user, wherein the feedback apparatus comprises a lens assembly configured to transmit the alignment information to a focal point aligned within the field of view, and wherein the lens assembly is configured to transmit the alignment information at a first quality through a central portion and a second quality through a perimeter portion, wherein the second quality corresponds to a lesser brightness, focus, or clarity than the first quality; and
a controller in communication with the scanning apparatus and the feedback apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to:
activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment of the facial feature with the scanning apparatus;
capture the identifying information of the user; and
identify the user in response to the identifying information.

16. The authentication apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the alignment information comprises an illuminated figure or image.

17. The authentication apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the lens assembly is configured to transmit the illuminated image or figure gradually changing from the first quality through the central portion to the second quality at an outer perimeter of the perimeter portion.

Assignees

• Gentex Corp
• Getex Corp

Inventors

• Lintz Joshua D
• Bostrom David M
• Case Christopher B
• Geerlings Kurtis L
• Niu Xiaoxu
• Heintzelman Adam R

Classifications

• B60R25/25 Primary

  using biometry · CPC title

• B60R25/305

  using a camera · CPC title