Vehicle function execution system, vehicle apparatus, portable device, recording medium, and information center

• US 20080309454A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Tsuji, Katsuhisa
• Granted Patent: US 8,193,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

A storage circuit of a portable device stores setting data concerning a function installed on a used vehicle or an in-use vehicle. Stored setting data of the portable device is read when the user gets in an in-use vehicle after use of a used vehicle. Setting data stored in the storage section of the vehicle apparatus is also read. The two read setting data are compared. When a comparison result shows a difference, execution of a function is permitted based on setting data read from the storage circuit of the portable device. The user can be notified of a function not used by the user or a new function when execution of the functions is permitted.

Claims

1. A vehicle function execution system comprising:

a first storage means for storing first setting data concerning a first function associated with a previously used vehicle when coupled to the previously used vehicle;

a second storage means mounted on an in-use vehicle for storing second setting data concerning a second function associated with an in-use vehicle, the in-use vehicle used after the previously used vehicle;

a read means for reading first setting data stored in the first storage means and second setting data stored in the second storage means when a user uses the in-use vehicle;

a comparison means for comparing first setting data with second setting data read by the read means; and

a permission means for permitting execution of the first function based on first setting data read by the read means when a difference is found between the first setting data and the second setting data compared by the comparison means.

2. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1, further comprising:

a notification control means for causing a notification associated with execution of the first function permitted by the permission means to be generated.

3. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1, comprising:

an acceptance means for accepting a user input via an operation means,

wherein the permission means permits execution of the first function in accordance with a positive input accepted by the acceptance means and does not permit execution of the first function in accordance with a negative input accepted by the acceptance means.

4. The vehicle function execution system of claim 3,

wherein the first storage means does not update a storage content of the first setting data when the permission means cancels execution of the first function a specified number of times in accordance with the user input accepted by the acceptance means.

5. The vehicle function execution system of claim 3,

wherein the permission means permits execution of the first function, then continues to permit execution of the first function in accordance with the positive input accepted by the acceptance means, and does not permit execution of the first function in accordance with the negative input accepted by the acceptance means.

6. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1,

wherein the permission means permits execution of a function that shows a difference and satisfies a specified condition when the difference is found between the first setting data and the second setting data after the comparing by the comparison means.

7. The vehicle function execution system of claim 6, comprising:

a random number generation means for generating random numbers,

wherein the permission means determines that the specified condition is satisfied when a random number generated by the random number generation means is greater than or equal to a specified value.

8. The vehicle function execution system of claim 6,

wherein the comparison means determines a difference between the first setting data and the second setting data, the difference including a new function added to the first setting data and the second setting data as a result of the comparison.

9. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1,

wherein the comparison means compares the first setting data with second setting data concerning the second function when a scenario condition is changed.

10. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1, further comprising an information center including the first storage means.

11. The vehicle function execution system of claim 1, further comprising a portable device including the first storage means.

12. A portable device capable of use in a vehicle function execution system of a vehicle that is in-use, the portable device comprising:

a first memory for storing first setting data including a first function associated with a previously used vehicle when, the first setting data being stored when the portable device is coupled to the previously used vehicle;

a reader interface capable of coupling with a reader mounted on the vehicle, the reader configured to;

read the first setting data when the portable device is coupled thereto;

read second setting data stored in a second memory mounted on the vehicle, the second memory storing second setting data including a second function associated with the vehicle second storage means;

compare first setting data with second setting data read by the read means; and

permit execution of the first function based on first setting data read by the read means when a difference is found between the first setting data and the second setting data compared by the comparison means.

13. The portable device of claim 12, further comprising:

a notification control means for causing a notification associated with permission for execution of the first function to be generated.

14. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the reader permits execution of the first function in accordance with a positive input from an input device and does not permit execution of the first function in accordance with a negative input from the input device.

15. The portable device of claim 14, wherein a storage content of the first setting data is not updated in the first storage means when execution of the first function is canceled a specified number of times.

16. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the reader interface includes a wireless communication interface for communicating with the reader mounted on the vehicle.

17. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the first setting data and additional setting data are exchanged through the reader interface with an information center located externally from the vehicle and the portable device