IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,657,953
Granted Patent B2
US 12,657,953 · App. 18/319,566 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Scene authentication via capture of background light patterns

Inventors: Ryan Edwin Hanson (Livonia, MI); Medha Karkare (Canton, MI); Mackenzie Martinez (Commerce Township, MI); John Moore (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
G06V40/166G06K7/10722G06K7/1417G06V10/145G06V20/59H04N23/74
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,657,953
App. No.
18/319,566
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to project a first specified time-varying illumination pattern to an area outside of an object undergoing authentication, to capture images of the object and a portion of the area outside of the object, and to authenticate a scene that includes the images based on a comparison between the first specified time-varying illumination pattern with a second time-varying illumination pattern extracted from the images.

Claims (29)

1 . A method comprising:

projecting a first specified time-varying illumination pattern to an area outside of an object undergoing authentication;

capturing images of the object and a portion of the area outside of the object;

authenticating a scene including the images based on comparing the first specified time-varying illumination pattern with a second time-varying illumination pattern extracted from the images; and

determining consistency between the first specified time-varying illumination pattern with a third time-varying illumination pattern projected on a semi-transparent lens protector of a camera to capture the images of the object.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein capturing images comprises capturing video images.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein projecting the first specified time-varying illumination pattern comprises projecting a pattern of colored lighting on a background area outside of the object.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein projecting the first specified time-varying illumination pattern comprises strobing of lighting visible on a background area outside of the object.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein projecting the first specified time-varying illumination pattern comprises projecting one or more spots on a background area outside of the object.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein projecting the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes projecting a symbol on a background area outside of the object.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the area outside of the object undergoing authentication includes an interior portion of a vehicle.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the area outside of the object undergoing authentication includes a headliner portion of a vehicle.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern comprises illumination utilizing wavelengths outside of the visible light spectrum.

10 . A system comprising:

a computer including a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions including instructions executable by the processor to:

control an illumination source to project a first specified time-varying illumination pattern to an area outside of an object undergoing authentication;

receive from a camera captured images of the object and a portion of the area outside of the object;

authenticate a scene including the images based on a comparison between the first specified time-varying illumination pattern with a second time-varying illumination pattern extracted from the images; and

determine consistency between the first specified time-varying illumination pattern with a third time-varying illumination pattern projected on a semi-transparent lens protector of the camera to capture the images of the object.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the captured images are images in a video segment.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the object is a portion of an operator's face.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes a pattern of colored lighting projected on a background area outside of the object.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes strobing of lighting projected on a background area outside of the object.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes time-varying projection of one or more spots projected on a background area outside of the object.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes a time-varying pattern of symbols projected on a background area outside of the object.

17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern includes a quick response (QR) code.

18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first specified time-varying illumination pattern comprises illumination utilizing wavelengths that are outside of the visible light spectrum.

19 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the area outside of the object undergoing authentication includes an interior portion of a vehicle.

20 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the area outside of the object undergoing authentication includes a headliner portion of a vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2023
From: HANSON, RYAN EDWIN; KARKARE, MEDHA; MARTINEZ, MACKENZIE; MOORE, JOHN
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 063680/0826 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240386747A1 · Nov 21, 2024
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