Automated User Profile Activation (AUPA)

by Himanshu Paretkar, Clemson Automotive Engineering Graduate Student

Basic Description

Automated User Profile Activation works for providing hassle free and automatic adjustment of essential automotive sub systems. Sub Systems included in the profiles are seat adjustment, seat temperature adjustment, rear view mirror adjustment, audio system and instrument cluster.

The system works with the help of Biometrics. At first, the user (driver) has to create his profile. The user need not be the owner of the car but in order to activate his/her profile, he/she needs to unlock the door by giving thumb impression. Every person will have a unique profile which will be activated with the inputs from biometrics. For biometrics, finger print scan system is employed. Each user feeds the data of sub systems in the memory of a micro controller, thus creating a data base of user profiles. Each profile contains the settings of a that specific person, his preferences for instrument cluster color, seat height, backrest angle, seat angle, rear view mirror settings, audio system playlist etc. User profile gets activated only when the user unlocks the car by providing finger prints for the biometric system. Once the finger prints are verified and a match is found, that users profile is activated and the main controller sends signal to other sub system microcontroller to apply the settings of that user.

Biometric System

Biometrics can be used as security device which works on the principle of uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical traits like finger print, facial recognition, iris recognition etc. In general terms, biometrics is used as a form of access management using unique identity and access control.

There are 2 methods in which biometrics work, verification and identification. For automated User profile, identification method will be used. In Identification mode, the system performs a matching process of the input human trait with the already stored user inputs (profiles) to establish the identity of the person. The system will allow (activate the user profile) access to the user once a match has been found in the database.

Following is the flow chart of the sequence of operation of a biometric system:

Biometric system is used in Automated User Profile Activation. The input given to the biometrics is the fingerprint of the user. When the system finds a match and the user profile is activated, input is given to the central Micro Controller. The central micro controller verifies the data and unlocks the vehicle. At the same time, this control module gives input to other micro controllers. Other micro controllers activate various systems like seat adjustment, rear view mirror adjustment, audio system and instrument cluster illumination. With the advancement in automotive electronics, central locking coupled with other sub systems can be activated using a single microcontroller.

Sub System

Seat Adjustment Control and Seat heating

Correct seat positioning is one the important aspect for a safe and comfortable journey. Especially for the driver seat positioning plays a very important role. To provide the driver with the full extent of comfort and safety, automatic electric seat adjustment axes are a basic necessity. Latest advancements in electronics give us the option of saving our seat adjustment. So that next time when we open the door, we don’t have to adjust our seat manually. Parameters that can be saved are:

• seat height
• backrest angle
• headrest height
• seat angle
• Seat temperature
• seat length
• backrest width
• upper backrest angle
• footrest

The seat is moved to the desired position either manually or with the help of operating controls. This adjusted seat position can be stored using positioning logic and the can be recalled later anytime. The best method of saving the setting would be to save it in the biometric (fingerprint) memory. With this when the driver unlocks the vehicle by placing his thumb on the biometric; seats are automatically adjusted according to the saved preferences of the user. This saves a lot of time as well as irritation on the driver’s part. This is also helpful when someone else other than the driver is in the driver’s seat. All he/she needs to do is create their profile and unlock the vehicle using biometrics.

Rear View Mirror Adjustment

Position of rear view mirror in regards to the height of the driver is another important aspect for safe driving. Few drivers sometime don’t realize that the rear view mirror is not adjusted according to their settings and then they have to cope with blind spots.

In Automated user profile activation, the driver can store his rear view setting preferences. These settings will be activated when the driver unlocks the car with the help of biometrics. This helps in reducing the time needed to adjust the rear view mirror according to different drivers.

Infotainment System

For the automatic playlist activation in audio system, a unique profile can be created. A playlist can be created with the preferred files by the driver. When the user profile is activated with the help of biometrics, the saved playlist will be loaded on the system and the driver just has to press the play button.

Instrument Cluster

Colors have a significant effect on a person’s mood. Colors have different meaning in different cultures. Every person has their favorite color and they would want to see their color in the instrument cluster. An array of LED’s can be arranged near the instrument cluster for illumination purpose. The color is selected by the driver and saved in his unique profile. Depending on the ambient light (checked by the ambient light sensor), when the driver unlocks the vehicle, the instrument cluster is illuminated by the color choice of the driver. This gives a feel good environment for the driver and reduces the driving fatigue.

Advantages

• Automated User Profile Activation reduces time taken for seat adjustment. The system makes the process of seat adjustment simple and less time consuming irrespective of the driver identity.
• System automatically adjusts rear view mirror according to the driver preference.
• System can be useful for physically handicapped people.
• This system will work best for a family using the same car.

Sensors

Ambient light, Temperature, Biometric sensors

Actuators

Displays, Seat positioners, Mirror positioners

For More Information

[1] Power Seat, Wikipedia.

[2] Seat Comfort Systems, Continental Website.

[3] AutoFocus - Are your car mirrors adjusted correctly?, YouTube, Feb. 15, 2008.

[4] How To: Set Memory Seat Function on Mercedes-Benz Vehicles, Jan. 3, 2011.