Method and apparatus are disclosed for iris-detection alignment for vehicle entry and feature activation. An example vehicle includes a window, a camera facing the window, a puddle lamp to project an indicator pointing toward the camera, a UV source, and a controller. The controller is to project, via the UV source, a display onto the window upon detecting a user aligns with the indicator. The controller also is to provide directions to the user, via the display, to position an iris in front of the camera and activate a vehicle feature upon identifying the user via iris recognition.

A system and method for controlling a vehicle are disclosed, which reduce a standby time of a user who controls the vehicle using a mobile device, minimize the number of user manipulation times, and guarantee higher security, may include a mobile device and a controller, wherein the mobile device generates not only a hash key and an encryption key received from a server, but also an encrypted control command through biometric authentication information received from a user and wherein the controller receives the encrypted control command from the mobile device through a short-range communication network, decrypts the encrypted control command using a hash key and a decryption key received from the server, and performs control corresponding to the control command.

A telematics system that includes a security controller is provided. The security controller is responsible for ensuring secure access to and controlled use of resources in the vehicle. The security measures relied on by the security controller can be based on digital certificates that grant rights to certificate holders, e.g., application developers. In the case in which applications are to be used with vehicle resources, procedures are implemented to make sure that certified applications do not jeopardize vehicle resources' security and vehicle users' safety. Relationships among interested entities are established to promote and support secure vehicle resource access and usage. The entities can include vehicle makers, communication service providers, communication apparatus vendors, vehicle subsystem suppliers, application developers, as well as vehicle owners/users. At least some of the entities can be members of a federation established to enhance and facilitate secure access and usage of vehicle resources.

A method for authorizing a driver to activate at least one system of a vehicle, based on a biometric authentication process. The method comprises an enrollment step, a reservation step, an access step, an authentication step, then an activation step or a refusal step. In the access step, when device enters a predetermined range from the vehicle, device provides the vehicle identifier to vehicle, while vehicle provides the device identifier to device, thus establishing a wireless communication between device and vehicle. Driver is granted access to vehicle upon completion of a secured protocol. Device provides biometric data to vehicle via the wireless communication. In the authentication step, vehicle processes the data to restore the enrollment biometric data. A reader equipping vehicle is used for scanning authentication biometric data of driver. The authentication biometric data are then compared with the enrollment biometric data registered in the vehicle.

This invention relates to security systems. Previously, vehicle vandals and thieves were difficult to stop. Embodiments of the present invention use a vehicle security system (100) includes at least two image capture devices (ICD), sensors, a global positioning system tracking module (GPSTM), a control module (CM), and a monitoring device. The ICD are positioned at predetermined locations of the vehicle for capturing and transmitting images of a target object. The CM receives the captured images and sensor data variables. The CM analyzes the received images and sensor data variables based on predefined criteria to trigger auxiliary units. The CM transmits the images and sensor data variables based on the predefined criteria to the monitoring device. A graphical user interface displays the images for monitoring the vehicle and notifies the user.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. Several communications from autonomous vehicles may be received at a computing device, where the autonomous vehicles are travelling within a threshold distance of each other. Each communication may include an indication of the next waypoint on a route for the respective vehicle. The computing device may analyze the communications to determine maneuvers for the autonomous vehicles so that each autonomous vehicle may navigate to the corresponding waypoint in the least amount of time or distance. The computing device also may cause each of the autonomous vehicles to move in accordance with the maneuvers for the respective vehicle.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. A risk of malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined by collecting operating data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes. The operating data may be analyzed to identify occurrences of a component malfunctioning. For each component, a risk associated with malfunctioning and/or cyber-attack may be determined based upon the identified occurrences. Based on the risks, at least one result associated with the malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined. A component profile may be generated based upon the determined risk and/or the impact of the determined results.

A biometric authorization apparatus and method for a vehicle. A visor is connected to an interior cabin of a vehicle, and a biometric authentication interface is associated with the visor. The biometric authentication interface includes one or more biometric readers for scanning the biometric identifier(s) provided by a user. The biometric authentication interface facilitates analysis and processing of data associated with the biometric identifier(s) for use in authorizing the user with respect to the vehicle and optionally to also access an electronic system associated with the vehicle. The vehicle can be, for example, an autonomous vehicle and the user may be a passenger of the autonomous vehicle or in the case of a connected vehicle, a driver or a passenger. In some situations, the vehicle may be a rideshare vehicle and the user may be authorized (or not) for a rideshare trip in the vehicle.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.