A system for limiting vehicle operation is disclosed. The system may comprise one or more memory units for storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may comprise determining that a key device is inside the vehicle; performing an authentication; setting the vehicle in a first vehicle mode; starting the vehicle based on the determination and the first authentication; and limiting vehicle operation based on the first vehicle mode.

Methods and systems for a detecting an intruder near or within a vehicle are disclosed. Specifically, a method to detect and identify a person near or within a vehicle as an authorized or an unauthorized user is provided. In the event an unauthorized user is detected within a vehicle, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise providing notice to one or more authorized users of the vehicle, disabling the vehicle, notifying emergency personnel or police, and emitting a visual or audio alarm.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a start information acquisition unit that acquires start information including detection information about a key to a vehicle and a start instruction to start an engine, a first authentication unit that acquires, in accordance with the start information, sensing information about a user detected by a sensor of the vehicle and information about a preregistered user corresponding to the sensing information and authenticates whether the detected user is the preregistered user, a second authentication unit that acquires, in accordance with the start information, authentication information input by the user and preregistered authentication information corresponding to the authentication information and authenticates whether the input authentication information is the same as the preregistered authentication information, and a control information output unit that outputs control information regarding start of the engine based on at least one of the authentication results received from the first and second authentication units.

Access and/or starting device for a vehicle An access and/or starting apparatus (ZSV) for a vehicle (FZ) has the following features. It comprises a biometric sensor device (BS; BS1-BS4, BSI) for detecting a biometric feature (GE) of a user; a position determining device (ZGS) for determining the position of an identification transmitter (IDG1, IDG2) assigned to the user (BU); a control device (STG) for enabling a vehicle function if the biometric feature of the user that is detected by the biometric sensor device (BS; BS1-BS4, BSI) corresponds to a predetermined feature and, the position determining device (ZGS) detects the identification transmitter in a predetermined region (ANB) around or in the vehicle (FZ). The security of the access and/or starting apparatus is increased in this way.

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control device for a vehicle having a voice input unit, an audio output unit, and a display. The vehicle control device may include a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one of the voice input unit, the audio output unit, and the display, and a processor configured to control the communication unit to output a message for inducing an utterance of a passenger aboard the vehicle in at least one of an auditory manner and a visual manner when a preset event occurs, and identify the passenger based on receiving a response of the passenger to the message through the voice input unit, and perform a different function based on the identified passenger.

Hybrid user recognition methods systems for vehicle access and control are disclosed. For one example, a hybrid user recognition system can capture at least two types of biometric data of a user. The user is recognized if at least two types of captured biometric data match with at least two types of registered biometric signatures of the user. If the user is recognized, the user is allowed access or control of at least part of the electronic or driving controls of the otherwise the user is prevented from access or control of the vehicle. Examples of user biometrics include facial, voice, iris, fingerprint and behavioral biometrics.

Methods and systems are presented for accepting inputs into a vehicle or other conveyance to control functions of the conveyance. A vehicle control system can receive gestures and other inputs. The vehicle control system can also obtain information about the user of the vehicle control system and information about the environment in which the conveyance is operating. Based on the input and the other information, the vehicle control system can modify or improve the performance or execution of user interface and functions of the conveyance. The changes make the user interfaces and/or functions user-friendly and intuitive.

A voice activation system for a vehicle. The voice activation system for a vehicle which has at least one sound panel capable of providing vibrations of a user's voice from the outside of the vehicle into an inside area of the vehicle. A laser listening device is operably connected to the panel for receiving vibrations from a user's voice. A controller receives a pre-identified command of the user from the laser listener and operates an action in the vehicle in response thereto.

Methods and systems for a detecting an intruder near or within a vehicle are disclosed. Specifically, a method to detect and identify a person near or within a vehicle as an authorized or an unauthorized user is provided. In the event an unauthorized user is detected within a vehicle, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise providing notice to one or more authorized users of the vehicle, disabling the vehicle, notifying emergency personnel or police, and emitting a visual or audio alarm.

A method comprising receiving, by a vehicle computer, first information specifying a user, a time, and a location, the first information received by the vehicle computer from a first communication channel; causing the vehicle to navigate to the geographic location so as to arrive at the specified location; at the geographic location: receiving, by the vehicle computer, second information identifying the individual, time and location, the second information received over a second communication channel different than the first communication channel, the second information sent by a mobile device at the location; comparing, by the vehicle computer, the first information and the second information; and responsive to the comparing, causing, by the vehicle computer, one or more doors of the vehicle to unlock or open.