Vehicle interface system

• US 10,706,716 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2017
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K-9 ICE, LLC
• Original Assignee: K-9 ICE, LLC
• Inventors: Drake, Manning
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Application Number:
  US15/474,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20170287322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00657 Remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/818 Visual
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/12 in graphical form
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A vehicle interface system for a vehicle, the vehicle interface system comprising: a vehicle computing system comprising a processor that is configured to collect cabin conditions including cabin temperature of the vehicle; an on board diagnostic (OBD) device attached to the vehicle and configured to communicate data collected from the vehicle computing system to a communication service over a network; and a mobile device comprising a processor and that is connected remote from the vehicle over the network, the mobile device being configured to connect to the network to obtain the data from the OBD device and to receive a command from a user to control one or more components of the vehicle to control the internal temperature of the cabin of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle interface system for a vehicle, the vehicle interface system comprising:

a vehicle computing system comprising a sensor that is configured to collect cabin conditions including cabin temperature of the vehicle;

a vehicle computer that comprises one of an in-board computer or an on board diagnostic (OBD) device attached to the vehicle, the vehicle computer is configured to communicate data collected from the vehicle computing system to a communication service over a network; and

a mobile device that comprises a processor and that is connected remote from the vehicle over the network, the mobile device being configured to connect to the network to obtain the data from the vehicle computer and to receive a command from a user to control one or more components of the vehicle to control the internal temperature of the cabin of the vehicle,

wherein, in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold, the vehicle interface system is configured to send a first alert to the mobile terminal,

in response to determining that the first alert reached the mobile terminal, and a command has been sent, the vehicle interface system is further configured to lower a window of the vehicle a pre-set amount and to send a high temperature alert to the mobile device, and

in response to determining that the first alert has not reached the mobile terminal indicating that communication has not been made with the mobile terminal, sending a second alert via a method of transmission different than the first alert.

2. The vehicle interface system of claim 1 wherein the one or more components of the vehicle comprises the windows such that the user controls operation of the windows remotely from the user'"'"'s mobile device.

3. The vehicle interface system of claim 1 wherein the one or more components of the vehicle comprises a heating or air conditioning systems of the vehicle such that the user controls operation of the heating or air conditioning systems remotely from the user'"'"'s mobile device.

4. The vehicle interface system of claim 1 wherein the network is a cellular network.

5. The vehicle interface system of claim 1 wherein the one or more components of the vehicle comprises all of the windows, heating system, and air conditioning system of the vehicle such that the user controls operation of the windows and heating or air conditioning systems remotely from the user'"'"'s mobile device.

6. The vehicle interface system of claim 1 wherein the OBD device receives information when an engine of the vehicle stops running and sends a notification to the mobile device.

9. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaching the predetermined threshold, activating alert systems of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle interface system of claim 9, wherein the alert systems of the vehicle comprises one or more of:

a horn of the vehicle and lights of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaching the predetermined threshold, a command is sent to the mobile device which triggers sending of a text or email message sent to one or more pre-selected, pre-stored contacts of the mobile device.

12. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaching the predetermined threshold, a command is sent to the mobile device which triggers sending of a text or email message sent to all pre-stored contacts of the mobile device.

13. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein lowering the windows the pre-set amount is an amount that is less than an amount to lower the window completely as far as the window can be lowered.

14. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaching the predetermined threshold, a command is sent to the mobile device which triggers sending of a text or email message sent to predetermined and after the windows are lowered a pre-set amount, the windows are further lowered a second pre-set amount in response to determining occurrence of a condition separate from the temperature reaching the predetermined threshold.

15. The vehicle interface system of claim 1, wherein lowering the windows the pre-set amount occurs after a predetermined time period.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle interface system comprising;

a vehicle computing system comprising a sensor that is configured to collect cabin conditions including cabin temperature of the vehicle; and

a vehicle computer that comprises one of an in-board computer or an on board diagnostic (OBD) device attached to the vehicle and configured to communicate data collected from the vehicle computing system to a communication service over a network;

wherein the vehicle computer is configured to communicated with a mobile device over the network, to send the data from the vehicle computer, and to receive a command from a user via the mobile device to control one or more components of the vehicle to control the internal temperature of the cabin of the vehicle,

wherein, in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold, the vehicle interface system is configured to send a first alert to the mobile terminal,

in response to determining that the first alert reached the mobile terminal and a command has been sent, the vehicle interface system is further configured to lower windows of the vehicle a pre-set amount and to send a high temperature alert to the mobile device, and

in response to determining that the first alert has not reached the mobile terminal indicating that communication has not been made with the mobile terminal, sending a second alert via a method of transmission different than the first alert.

8. A method of controlling an internal cabin temperature of a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining data, via a vehicle computing system comprising a sensor, about an internal temperature of a cabin of a vehicle;

sending the obtained data, to a vehicle computer, the vehicle system device being attached to the vehicle;

sending, from the vehicle computer, the obtained data to a mobile device comprising a processor, wherein the mobile device is connected remotely from the vehicle over the network; and

receiving, at the vehicle computer from the mobile device over the network, a command from a user to control one or more components of the vehicle to control the internal temperature of the cabin of the vehicle;

transmitting, from the vehicle system device to the vehicle computing system, the command so that the vehicle computing system controls one or more components of the vehicle as instructed by the command;

in response to the sensor detecting the cabin temperature of the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold, sending an alert to the mobile terminal;

in response to determining that the first alert reached the mobile terminal and a command has been sent, the vehicle interface system is further configured to lowering windows of the vehicle a pre-set amount and sending a high temperature alert to the mobile device, and

in response to determining that the first alert has not reached the mobile terminal indicating that communication has not been made with the mobile terminal, sending a second alert via a method of transmission different than the first alert.