System and cryptographic hardening method for traffic signal verification

A method of verifying traffic signs with a vehicle, the method comprising:

• capturing an image of an environment of the vehicle via an image sensor;
• processing the image to detect visual information regarding a traffic sign in the image, the visual information indicating a recognized sign;
• receiving cryptographic data via a communication system from a transmitter associated with the traffic sign, the cryptographic data including a cryptographic representation of an authorized sign output associated with the traffic sign;
• and
• selectively controlling one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle based on a cryptographic verification of the recognized sign using the cryptographic data.

A method of verifying external informational images at a vehicle, the method comprising:

• analyzing an external informational image including electronically displayed information received at the vehicle to identify the electronically displayed information from a display source and generate a characteristic field;
• comparing the characteristic field to cryptographic data received at the vehicle from the display source;
• and
• selectively controlling one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle based on the comparison.