Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics

• US 20100280692A1
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Langer, Robert, Eckhoff, Philip A., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Lieberman, Erez, Gates, William H. III, Hagelstein, Peter L., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Schnall-Levin, Michael, Malaska, Stephen L.
• Application Number:
  US12/462,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20100280692A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/44 Series-parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method may include receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle; and allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle; and

allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

wirelessly receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein wirelessly receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

wirelessly receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via at least one of a radio signal, a microwave signal, a terahertz signal, an infrared signal, an optical signal, an ultraviolet signal, a subsonic signal, an audible signal, an ultrasonic signal, or a magnetic signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

connecting to the hybrid vehicle for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein connecting to the hybrid vehicle for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

connecting to the hybrid vehicle for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via at least one of a serial port, a serial cable, an IEEE 1394 interface, a parallel port, a parallel cable, a network port, a network cable, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a USB cable, a fiber optic port, or a fiber optic cable.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a physical media.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a physical media comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a physical media comprising at least one of a removable media, an optical disc, a Compact Disc (CD), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R, a DVD+R, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, a Blu-ray Disc (BD), a High-Definition DVD (HD DVD), a removable Hard Disk Drive (HDD), an external HDD, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, a memory card, or a smart key.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a visual indicator on the hybrid vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a visual indicator on the hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a visual indicator on the hybrid vehicle comprising a light positioned on at least one of a dashboard, a rear window ledge, or an exterior of the hybrid vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle represents a driving mode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the driving mode represents utilization of combustible fuel for propelling the hybrid vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the driving mode represents utilization of electricity for propelling the hybrid vehicle.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle is related to a utilization of propulsion resources.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the utilization of propulsion resources is associated with at least one of a rate of combustible fuel utilization or an amount of combustible fuel utilization.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the utilization of propulsion resources is associated with at least one of a rate of electricity utilization or an amount of electricity utilization.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle represents an instantaneous status.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle represents an average over a time period.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle represents a cumulative utilization for a time period.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle represents a cumulative utilization for a geographic region.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle associated with a geographic region identified by a GPS receiver.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from an aftermarket part.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from at least one of the Internet, a personal communication device, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a portable media player, or a mobile telephone.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a transmitter coupled with a determination module comprising instrumentation for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a transmitter coupled with a determination module comprising a receiver for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

wirelessly receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

wirelessly receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a mobile telephone connected to a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a computer network from a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle based upon a schedule.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a time for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle based upon a location for the hybrid vehicle.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle based upon a change in driving mode for the hybrid vehicle.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection associated with the hybrid vehicle indicating the hybrid vehicle will selectively utilize one or more standings based on the status.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying to verify the hybrid vehicle'"'"'s compliance with utilization restrictions.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

broadcasting the query to the hybrid vehicle and at least a second vehicle.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

directly querying the hybrid vehicle for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein directly querying the hybrid vehicle for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

directly querying the hybrid vehicle based upon an occupant of the hybrid vehicle.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying based upon a schedule.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying based upon a location for the hybrid vehicle.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying based upon a change in driving mode for the hybrid vehicle.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying before the hybrid vehicle enters at least one of a pre-designated roadway, a region, a pre-designated bridge, a pre-designated parking lot, a pre-designated parking spot, or a queue for at least one of refueling the combustible fuel or recharging one or more batteries.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying based upon a past behavior of the hybrid vehicle.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

instructing a transmitter to query the hybrid vehicle for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

44. The method of claim 33, wherein querying for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying a receiver for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein querying a receiver for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

querying at least one of a refueling station, a recharging station, a roadside monitor, an emissions monitor, or an electromagnetic monitor for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a selectable set of standings allocated upon receipt of the status.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising permission for the hybrid vehicle to utilize a pre-designated roadway.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising permission for the hybrid vehicle to drive within a region.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising permission for the hybrid vehicle to cross a pre-designated bridge.

51. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising permission for the hybrid vehicle to utilize a pre-designated parking lot.

52. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising permission for the hybrid vehicle to utilize a pre-designated parking spot.

53. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising an advanced position in a queue for at least one of refueling the combustible fuel or recharging one or more batteries.

54. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising a qualification for at least one of a tax benefit, an insurance benefit, a reduction in fees, a reduction in recharging costs, or a reduction in refueling costs.

55. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing comprising a tax, a fee, an increase in recharging costs, an increase in refueling costs, an elimination of a privilege, a revocation of a privilege, or a partial reduction in a privilege.

56. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing that is at least one of reduced or eliminated when an alternate route including public transportation is available for at least one passenger of the hybrid vehicle.

57. The method of claim 47, wherein transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

transmitting data indicative of a standing that is at least one of increased, reduced, or eliminated based upon a number of passengers in the hybrid vehicle.

58. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

formatting the transmitted data for a display positioned in the hybrid vehicle for displaying information associated with the standing.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein formatting the transmitted data for a display positioned in the hybrid vehicle for displaying information associated with the standing comprises:

formatting the transmitted data for at least one of an audio display or a visual display positioned in the hybrid vehicle for displaying information associated with the standing.

60. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

transmitting information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the status to an off-site entity.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the off-site entity comprises at least one of a storage medium, a database, an audio display, or a visual display.

62. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

storing information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the status.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the status is configured to be stored in an encrypted format.

64. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

storing data regarding the transmission of the information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the status.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the data regarding the transmission of the information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the status is configured to be stored in an encrypted format.

66. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing data regarding the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the data regarding the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle is configured to be stored in an encrypted format.

68. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing data regarding the transmission of the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the data regarding the transmission of the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle is configured to be stored in an encrypted format.

70. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle in an encrypted data format.

71. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving at least one of a hybrid vehicle identification, an operator identification, a time, a location, a direction, or a speed associated with the hybrid vehicle.

72. The method of claim 1, wherein the standing comprises at least one of a privilege or a penalty.

73. The method of claim 1, wherein the standing is accumulated with at least a second standing.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the accumulated first and second standings are exchanged for a set of standings comprising at least a third standing.

75. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

canceling a penalty utilizing the standing allocated upon receipt of the status.

76. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reducing a penalty utilizing the standing allocated upon receipt of the status.

77. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selling the standing to a second entity.

78. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring the standing to a second entity.

79. The method of claim 1, wherein the standing is dependent upon at least one of a driver of the hybrid vehicle, an occupant of the hybrid vehicle, an identification for the hybrid vehicle, a time of day, a driving history for the hybrid vehicle, a history of standings for the hybrid vehicle, a number of standings accumulated for the hybrid vehicle, a user selection from a list of acceptable standings, an expiration of a standing, a time period during which a standing is valid, or a geographical region in which a standing is valid.

80-480. -480. (canceled)