Smart vehicle door opening and related methods
The touchless opening or closing of a vehicle door using a camera to assist in detection of a user's predefined actions is disclosed. A user approaches a vehicle and, once in proximity to the vehicle, is detected. The system authenticates the user and identifies a predefined action of the user using a vehicle camera. Once the predefined action is identified, the vehicle door is opened or closed.
1 . A system for activating a door of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a camera positioned on the vehicle; and
a processor comprising a memory and configured to perform operations comprising:
detecting a presence of a user within a vicinity of the vehicle;
authenticating, using the camera, a pre-defined maximum number of users greater than one in a field of view of the camera while rejecting any other persons;
identifying, using the camera, a predefined action of at least one of the authenticated users; and
in response to the identification, activating the door of the vehicle.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein activating the door comprises:
determining, using one or more sensors, whether an area surrounding the door is clear from obstruction; and
if the area is clear, then activating the door of the vehicle.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system was taught the predefined action by the authenticated users.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein authenticating the users comprises:
using facial recognition, via the camera, to match the users with a pre-paired facial image; or
using retina or palm recognition, via the camera, to authenticate the users.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein authenticating the users comprises verifying, via the camera, the user through recognition of a body size, height and face of the users.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein voice recognition is used to authenticate the users.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein a key word is given by the users to achieve authentication.
8 . A computer-implemented method for activating a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
detecting a presence of a user within a vicinity of the vehicle;
authenticating, using the camera, a pre-defined maximum number of users greater than one in a field of view of the camera while rejecting any other persons;
identifying, using a camera positioned on the vehicle, a predefined action of at least one of the authenticated users; and
in response to the identification, activating the door of the vehicle.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein activating the door comprises:
determining, using one or more sensors, whether an area surrounding the door is clear from obstruction; and
if the area is clear, then activating the door of the vehicle.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the system was taught the predefined action by the authenticated users.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein authenticating the user comprises:
using facial recognition, via the camera, to match the users with a pre-paired facial image; or
using retina or palm recognition, via the camera, to authenticate the users.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein authenticating the users comprises verifying, via the camera, the user through recognition of a body size, height and face of the users.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein voice recognition is used to authenticate the users.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein a key word is given by the users to achieve authentication.
15 . A computer-implemented method for activating a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
detecting a presence of multiple users within a vicinity of the vehicle, wherein two or more of the users are authenticated while any other persons are rejected;
identifying, using a camera positioned on the vehicle, a predefined action of at least one of the users; and
in response to the identification, activating the door of the vehicle.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein activating the door comprises:
determining, using one or more sensors, whether an area surrounding the door is clear from obstruction; and
if the area is clear, then activating the door of the vehicle.