Duplicated wireless transceivers associated with a vehicle to receive and send sensitive information

• US 10,304,261 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIO Technology Company Limited (NIO, Inc. (China))
• Original Assignee: Nio Usa Inc. (NIO, Inc. (China))
• Inventors: Ricci, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rushing, Mark S
• Application Number:
  US15/396,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20180013211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 878 Days
• Field of Search: 340 421
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/22 Motor vehicles operators, e.g. drivers, pilots, captains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1171 based on the shapes or appearances of their bodies or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1176 Recognition of faces
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/24 Pantographs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 : Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 : Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 : Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/00 : Electric propulsion with power supply external to the vehicle electric propulsion for monorail vehicles, suspension vehicles or rack railways B60L13/00; in combination with batteries or fuel cells within the vehicle B60L50/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 1/00 : Power supply lines for contact with collector on vehicle collectors therefor B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 7/00 : Power lines or rails specially adapted for electrically-propelled vehicles of special types, e.g. suspension tramway, ropeway, underground railway
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 : inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 : outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 : characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 : Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 : Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/34 : Compact city vehicles, e.g., microcars or kei cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 : Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/21 : Voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 : Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 : related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 : Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/912 : Electric vehicles with power supply external to vehicle, e.g. trolley buses or trams
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/60 : Control of electric machines, e.g. problems related to electric motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2302/07 : Disabling particular vehicle functions, e.g. to affect the driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/92 : Driver displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 : Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3617 : using user history, behaviour, conditions or preferences, e.g. predicted or inferred from previous use or current movement
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 : combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 : associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 : characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 : Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 : Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 : User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 : using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 : Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0708 : the source being electromagnetic or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10257 : arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks computer security in general G06F21/00; jamming of communication, countermeasures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 : using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 : the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 : Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 : involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 : Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 : using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 : Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 : Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 : Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 : Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 : Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 : Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 : Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 : Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 : Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 : Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 : Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0637 : Approvals
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/597 : Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 : Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 : Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 : using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 : Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 : using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 : identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 : having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 : where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 : where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 : where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 : where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 : Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/325 : characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 : using the mirror of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 : mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 : side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 : Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 : for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 : Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 : Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 : Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 : involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 : using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 : Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 : Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 : for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/46 : for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that comprises two or more radio frequency (RF) antennas and two or more RF transceivers to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with a user of the vehicle (the two or more RF antennas being at different physical locations on an exterior of the vehicle). The vehicle determines which one of the two or more RF antennas is receiving a strongest signal from a common signal source, selects a first RF transceiver associated with the RF antenna with the strongest signal to send the sensitive information associated with the user to the common signal source, and sends the sensitive information associated with the user to the first RF transceiver for transmission to the common signal source.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

two or more radio frequency (RF) antennas to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with a user of the vehicle, the two or more RF antennas being at different physical locations on an exterior of the vehicle;

two or more RF transceivers, each RF transceiver associated with one of the two or more RF antennas, the two or more RF transceivers to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with the user of the vehicle;

a processor in communication with the two or more RF transceivers, the processor to;

determine which one of the two or more RF antennas is receiving a strongest signal from a common signal source;

select a first RF transceiver associated with the RF antenna with the strongest signal to send the sensitive information associated with the user to the common signal source; and

send the sensitive information associated with the user to the first RF transceiver for transmission to the common signal source, wherein the vehicle uses different communication protocols to send the sensitive information to the common signal source.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the RF transceiver and RF antenna are a radio frequency identification device and wherein a first of the RF antennas is located at one or more of at or in proximity to a driver side of the vehicle, an overhead location on the vehicle, an under carriage location on the vehicle, and a gas tank of the vehicle and a second of the RF antennas is located at a different of the one or more of at or in proximity to a driver side of the vehicle, an overhead location on the vehicle, an under carriage location on the vehicle, and a gas tank of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the RFID device is an active RFID device, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor is programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user a financial transaction with the vendor, wherein the financial transaction is initiated by a request from the vendor, and wherein, in response to the request, the processor pre-filters the associated transaction request before presenting the transaction request to the user by a user interface.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first RF antenna is located near a side mirror of the vehicle, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor is programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user a financial transaction with the vendor, wherein the memory comprises vehicle sensitive information comprising one or more of a vehicle identification number (VIN), engine code, and electronic serial number (ESN), wherein the processor provides an authorization to the vendor, wherein the authorization comprises the vehicle sensitive information and the financial information of the user, wherein a first of the different communication protocols is one or more of a near field communications (NFC), BLUETOOTH™

, Low Energy (BLE), and radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol and a second of the different communication protocols is a cellular network communication protocol.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the vendor is a drive through restaurant, wherein the first RF antenna communicates with a second RF antenna in physical proximity of a drive through window of the drive through restaurant, and wherein the processor authorizes the financial transaction in response to a plurality of a vehicle location, speed, proximity to a location, preference data and historical information associated with the user.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first RF antenna is located on a roof of the vehicle, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor, in response to a first event, the first event being a vehicle route, automatically forwards a first portion of a secure communication to the vendor to preorder a good or service of the vendor in connection with a transaction with the user, wherein the processor, in response to a later second event, the second event being a vehicle location, automatically completes the transaction by providing financial information to the vendor.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the sensitive information comprises one or more of a desired product of the vendor, a desired service of the vendor, and/or a triggering event, the triggering event being a weather condition and wherein the processor provides to the vendor, by a first communication protocol, an order of a good or service and by a different second protocol, financial information of the user.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the processor is authorized and programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user and without further input from the user a financial transaction with a vendor, wherein the authorization is restricted temporally or limited to a selected route or spatial location of the vehicle, and wherein the first antenna is a deployable antenna that one or more of physically contacts a receiving pad of the vendor as the vehicle is in proximity to the vendor and communicates with a receiver of the vendor by a near field communication protocol to provide the financial information to the vendor.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a first RF antenna of the two or more RF antennas is located near a charging port or a gas refill door and wherein the first RF antenna communicates with a second RF antenna on a charging station or gas pump.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle contemporaneously communicates through the two or more RF antennas.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RF antenna is located near a side mirror of the vehicle, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor is programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user a financial transaction with the vendor, wherein the memory comprises vehicle sensitive information comprising one or more of a vehicle identification number (VIN), engine code, and electronic serial number (ESN), wherein the processor provides an authorization to the vendor, wherein the authorization comprises the vehicle sensitive information and the financial information of the user, and wherein a first of the different communication protocols is one or more of a near field communications (NFC), BLUETOOTH™

, Low Energy (BLE), and radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol and a second of the different communication protocols is a cellular network communication protocol.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the vendor is a drive through restaurant, wherein the first RF antenna communicates with a second RF antenna in physical proximity of a drive through window of the drive through restaurant, and wherein the processor authorizes the financial transaction in response to a plurality of a vehicle location, speed, proximity to a location, preference data and historical information associated with the user.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RF antenna is located on a roof of the vehicle, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor, in response to a first event, the first event being a vehicle route, automatically forwards a first portion of a secure communication to the vendor to preorder a good or service of the vendor in connection with a transaction with the user, and wherein the processor, in response to a later second event, the second event being a vehicle location, automatically completes the transaction by providing financial information to the vendor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the sensitive information comprises one or more of a desired product of the vendor, a desired service of the vendor, and/or a triggering event, the triggering event being a weather condition and wherein the processor provides to the vendor, by a first communication protocol, an order of a good or service and by a different second protocol, financial information of the user.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is authorized and programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user and without further input from the user a financial transaction with a vendor, wherein the authorization is restricted temporally or limited to a selected route or spatial location of the vehicle, and wherein the first antenna is a deployable antenna that one or more of physically contacts a receiving pad of the vendor as the vehicle is in proximity to the vendor and communicates with a receiver of the vendor by a near field communication protocol to provide the financial information to the vendor.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein a first RF antenna of the two or more RF antennas is located near a charging port or a gas refill door and wherein the first RF antenna communicates with a second RF antenna on a charging station or gas pump.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle contemporaneously communicates through the two or more RF antennas.

11. A method for communicating information with a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a signal at one of two or more radio frequency (RF) antennas, the two or more RF antennas being at different physical locations on an exterior of the vehicle, and one of two or more RF transceivers, wherein each RF transceiver is associated with one of the two or more RF antennas, to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with a user of the vehicle;

determining which one of the two or more RF antennas is receiving a strongest signal from a common signal source;

selecting a first RF transceiver associated with the RF antenna with the strongest signal to send the sensitive information associated with the user to the common signal source; and

sending the sensitive information associated with the user through the first RF transceiver for transmission to the common signal source, wherein the vehicle uses different communication protocols to send the sensitive information to the common signal source.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the RF transceiver and RF antenna are a radio frequency identification device and wherein a first of the RF antennas is located at one or more of at or in proximity to a driver side of the vehicle, an overhead location on the vehicle, an under carriage location on the vehicle, and a gas tank of the vehicle and a second of the RF antennas is located at a different of the one or more of at or in proximity to a driver side of the vehicle, an overhead location on the vehicle, an under carriage location on the vehicle, and a gas tank of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the RFID device is an active RFID device, wherein the sensitive information comprises financial information of the user, wherein the common signal source is associated with a vendor, wherein the processor is programmed to initiate automatically on behalf of the user a financial transaction with the vendor, wherein the financial transaction is initiated by a request from the vendor, and wherein, in response to the request, the processor pre-filters the associated transaction request before presenting the transaction request to the user by a user interface.

21. A vehicle, comprising:

two or more radio frequency (RF) antennas to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with a user of the vehicle, the two or more RF antennas being at different physical locations on an exterior of the vehicle;

two or more RF transceivers, each RF transceiver associated with one of the two or more RF antennas, the two or more RF transceivers to communicate wirelessly sensitive information associated with a user of the vehicle;

a processor in communication with the two or more RF transceivers, the processor to;

determine which one of the two or more RF antennas is receiving a strongest signal from a common signal source;

select a first RF transceiver associated with the RF antenna with the strongest signal to send the sensitive information associated with the user to the common signal source; and

send the sensitive information associated with the user to the first RF transceiver for transmission to the common signal source, wherein the vehicle uses different communication protocols to provide the sensitive information to the common signal source, and wherein a first of the different communication protocols is one or more of a near field communications (NFC), BLUETOOTH™

, Low Energy (BLE), and radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol and a second of the different communication protocols is a cellular network communication protocol.