Methods and Systems for Remotely Managing A Vehicle

• US 20100222939A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Namburu, Setu Madhavi, Kalik, Steven F., Prokhorov, Danil V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,825,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A method for managing a vehicle is disclosed wherein the method includes receiving an identification (ID) code associated with at least one user. The method further includes corresponding the ID code to at least one user profile following verification of the ID code and executing a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile. An apparatus for remotely managing a vehicle setting is further disclosed. The apparatus includes memory for storing at least one user profile. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to receive an identification (ID) code corresponding to the at least one user profile. Furthermore, the processor is in communication with a vehicle processing system operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.

Claims

1. A method for managing a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving an identification (ID) code associated with at least one user;

corresponding the ID code to at least one user profile following verification of the ID code; and

executing a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ID code is received by an identifying (ID) token, the ID code generated from a smart card, an electronic key fob, an electronic key, biometrics, a magnetic stripe card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, user entered code, or a mechanical key and lock mechanism.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ID code and the at least one user profile are provided by a remote device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the remote device is selected from a remote server, a remote console, a handheld device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone, and an accessory.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle setting is executed by the remote device or a vehicle processing system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle setting is selected from a climate setting, an audio system setting, a global positioning system (GPS) setting, a motor performance setting, a communication setting, or an occupant accommodation setting.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the motor performance setting is selected from a ride and suspension setting, a maintenance setting, or a vehicle state display setting.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the occupant accommodation setting is selected from a mirror setting, a seat heater setting, a seat position setting or an airbag activation setting.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sensing a condition preference associated with the vehicle; and

executing a vehicle setting in response to the condition preference.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

automatically modifying the at least one user profile with a condition preference when a pattern associated with a condition is sensed.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a threshold for the vehicle setting, wherein the threshold comprises a setting threshold or performance threshold;

receiving a vehicle preference or personal profile setting; and

storing the vehicle preference or personal profile setting when the vehicle setting does not exceed the threshold.

12. An apparatus for remotely managing a vehicle setting, the apparatus comprising:

memory for storing at least one user profile; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to receive an identification (ID) code corresponding to the at least one user profile and wherein the processor is in communication with a vehicle processing system operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

an identifying (ID) token operable to receive the ID code generated from a smart card, an electronic key fob, an electronic key, biometrics, a magnetic stripe card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, user entered code, or a mechanical key and lock mechanism.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vehicle setting is selected from a climate setting, an audio system setting, a global positioning system (GPS) setting, a motor performance setting, or an occupant accommodation setting.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motor performance setting is selected from a ride and suspension setting, a maintenance setting, or a vehicle state display setting.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the occupant accommodation setting is selected from a mirror setting, a seat heater setting, a seat position setting or an airbag activation setting.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

a learning element operable to automatically modify the at least one user profile with a condition preference when a pattern associated with a condition is sensed.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the learning element is further operable to create a sub-class for the at least one user profile indicating modifications to the vehicle setting and wherein the memory is capable of storing the sub-class.

19. A vehicle information system comprising:

a remote device for verifying an identification (ID) code with at least one user, the remote device comprising a processor and memory for storing at least one user profile corresponding to the at least one user;

a vehicle processing system in communication with the processor of the remote device, wherein the vehicle processing system is operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile; and

a learning element operable to automatically modify the at least one user profile with a condition preference when a pattern associated with a condition is sensed.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the vehicle setting is selected from a climate setting, an audio system setting, a global positioning system (GPS) setting, a motor performance setting, a communication setting, or an occupant accommodation setting.