Promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes

• US 20110029189A1
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Nugent, Thomas J. JR., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Application Number:
  US12/653,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20110029189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Claims

1-158. -158. (canceled)

159. A system for promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes comprising:

a vehicle identifier record for an identified vehicle traveling via a particular route or area that is subject to a given administrative standard that includes a first data record indicative of one or more compliance states corresponding to respective benefits available to a qualified recipient;

a second data record listing one or more preferred promotional results correlated with one or more optional vehicle operational modes which prevent compliance with at least part of the given administrative standard;

a computerized processing unit operably coupled to the second data record and having a link to one or more monitoring or detection devices on the vehicle, wherein the computerized processing unit is configured to determine qualification for the one or more preferred promotional results based on a selected vehicle operational mode detected during an applicable travel period by the one or more vehicle monitoring or detection devices.

160. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to receive updated vehicle operational mode data from the one or more monitoring or detection devices on the vehicle.

161. The system of claim 159 further comprising:

the first data record that includes informational data for maintaining conformity status data pursuant to the given administrative standard relating to the identified vehicle traveling via the particular route or area.

162. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes promotional result data regarding an award or value or advantage available to qualified recipients associated with the identified vehicle traveling via the particular route or area.

163. The system of claim 159 further comprising:

a certification module linked to the second data record and to the computerized processing unit.

164. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to transmit promotional result status data to a vehicle communication unit having a user interface that includes one or more of the following type of elements:

keyboard, voice receiver, audio speaker, mouse, touch screen, scanner, printer, data status display, messaging display, GPS travel map.

165. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to transmit to a vehicle communication unit updated conformity status information based on a vehicle compliance state pursuant to the given administrative standard.

166. The system of claim 159 further comprising:

a certification module having a communication link to the second data record and to a vehicle communication unit, wherein the certification module is configured to process updated vehicle operational mode data to establish qualification for a preferred promotional result available to a qualified recipient associated with the vehicle.

167. The system of claim 166 wherein said certification module is configured to transmit availability of the preferred promotional result to a vehicle communication unit, wherein the preferred promotional result includes an actual award or value or advantage that is different from the benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard.

168. The system of claim 159 further comprising:

the first data record listing one or more available compliance states for the vehicle and also including the respective benefits corresponding to the one or more compliance states that are in conformity with the given administrative standard.

169. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information that confirms forfeiture of all or part of the corresponding benefit. due to the deviated conformity status that occurs from traveling via the particular route or area that is subject to the given administrative standard.

170. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information indicating a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard.

171. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information indicating a further available benefit that is based on qualification with two or more compliance states applicable to the vehicle.

172. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information indicating a further available benefit based on an exemption from the compliance state applicable to the vehicle, which exemption requires additional payment or other consideration to qualify for the exemption.

173. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes conformity status information is indicative of one or more alternative travel routes or areas having different respective compliance states and/or different respective corresponding benefits.

174. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes conformity status information regarding a compliance state that includes one or more of the following types of qualification requirements:

number of passengers, HOV lane account status, toll road account status, public road standard, public area standard, private road standard, private area standard, electric power mode, combustion/electric hybrid mode, combustion fuel content, bio-fuel content, natural gas fuel, engine efficiency, miles/per/gallon calibration, combustion emission, zero-emissions, exhaust content. maximum speed limitation, safety metric, environmental guideline.

175. The system of claim 168 wherein said first data record includes one or more applicable compliance states and/or their respective corresponding benefits based on a temporal period of travel subject to the given administrative standard.

176. The system of claim 175 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information that defines the compliance state applicable to the vehicle traveling during one or more of the following types of temporal periods:

seasonal, storm occurrence, weather warning, weather situation, smog alert, time-of-day, night-time, commuter hours, imminent event, ongoing event, traffic congestion, road closure, dangerous road condition. road construction, road repair, travel accident.

177. The system of claim 175 wherein said first data record includes user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the optional vehicle operation mode during the temporal period of travel that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.

178. The system of claim 159 further comprising a processed data table having comparative information regarding a deviated conformity status as compared with an award or value or advantage included as part of the promotional result.

179. The system of claim 159 further comprising a processed data table having comparative information indicating that a deviated conformity status does not prevent attainment of the preferred promotional result.

180. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to be linked with a communication device accessible in the vehicle or a communication device located remotely from the vehicle or a mobile communication device.

181. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to be linked with a communication device accessible to an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the identified vehicle.

182. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes preferred promotional result information indicative of one or more varied alternative routes or areas associated with a particular preferred promotional result.

183. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes preferred promotional result information accessible to one or more of the following:

an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the identified vehicle.

184. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes preferred promotional result information indicative of one or more destinations associated with a particular preferred promotional result.

185. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes preferred promotional result information regarding an award or value or advantage that is dependent upon arrival of the identified vehicle at a specified destination.

186. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information that confirms the availability of the preferred promotional result at one or more of the following types of specified destination:

battery recharge station, battery renewal facility, high-voltage recharge station, low-voltage recharge station, battery replacement station, priority battery service, fuel supply station, diesel combustion fuel station, gasoline combustion fuel station, natural gas fuel station, bio-fuel station, priority fuel service.

187. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information regarding actual vehicle battery benefits available to a qualified recipient as part of the correlated promotional result:

priority access to battery recharge station, priority battery servicing, reduced cost for battery recharge, free battery renewal service, customized battery recharge, discounted cost for battery replacement, special warranty on new battery purchase, higher quality battery purchase at standard price.

188. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information that confirms the availability of the preferred promotional result at one or more of the following types of specified destination:

parking facility, overnight accommodation, residence, office facility, vehicle repair station, vehicle accessory store, Internet access location. public transit station, private transit site, rented-vehicle return site, vehicle inspection location, jurisdictional border, licensing authority, tax assessment site, monitoring unit, detection lane.

189. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information regarding confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the correlated promotional result available to a qualified recipient upon arrival at one or more of the following types of destination:

parking lot, road exit, traffic lane entry, traffic lane exit, bridge entry, bridge exit, retail store, service store, event location, event ticket office, transit station.

190. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information regarding certification of the correlated promotional result including an actual award or value or advantage provided by or on behalf of one or more of the following:

vehicle manufacturer, vehicle sales entity, governmental entity, environmental entity, insurance company, insurance sales agent, fuel manufacturer, fuel sales entity, vehicle engine/component manufacturer, vehicle engine/component sales entity. “

green”

product company, “

green”

services company, “

green”

rebate entity.

191. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information regarding one or more of the following types of actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the correlated promotional result:

reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced fuel price, priority fuel purchase, preferred parking location, reduced parking fee, tax credit, traffic lane usage, bridge usage, reduced toll rate, financial rebate, store discount, product discount, membership offer.

192. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes user-accessible information regarding one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameters sufficient to attain one or more preferred promotional results:

number of passengers, battery-powered mode, combustion-powered mode, bio-fuel mode, bio-fuel blend mode, natural gas mode, electric power mode, low emission mode, calibrated miles/per/gallon mode, battery-charge mode, battery-discharge mode, low-temperature engine mode, electric/combustion hybrid mode, solely electric power mode, primarily electric power mode, solely fuel combustion mode, primarily fuel combustion mode, safety certification mode, environmental certification mode, emission content, zero emissions, approved catalytic converter, speed-limiter activated, turned-on headlights.

193. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to be linked with at least one monitoring or detection device to obtain status data regarding the one or more types of configurable vehicle operation parameters.

194. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes status documentation data regarding at least one type of configurable vehicle operation parameters indicating achievement of one or more preferable vehicle paradigms correlated with the preferred promotional result.

195. The system of claim 159 wherein said computerized processing unit is configured to transmit notification of an implemented vehicle operational mode to a person or entity associated with the preferred promotional result.

196. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes documented confirmation of an actual promotional award or value or advantage from a third party person or entity associated with the preferred promotional result.

197. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes documented confirmation that delineates a qualified recipient of an actual promotional award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred promotional result

198. The system of claim 159 wherein said second data record includes documented confirmation that delineates a description of an actual promotional award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred promotional result.

199. A computer program product comprising computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing the following method for promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes:

obtaining vehicle identifier data for a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area that is subject to a given administrative standard that includes a first data record indicative of one or more compliance states corresponding to respective benefits available to a qualified recipient;

maintaining a second data record listing one or more preferred promotional results correlated with one or more optional vehicle operational modes which prevent compliance with at least part of the given administrative standard;

receiving confirmation data for an implemented vehicle operation mode detected during an applicable travel period by one or more vehicle monitoring or detection devices; and

processing the confirmation data to determine qualification for the one or more preferred promotional results.

200. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method further includes:

obtaining updated vehicle operational mode data from one or more monitoring or detection devices in the vehicle.

201. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method further includes:

enabling access to the first data record that includes a listing one or more available compliance states for the vehicle and also including respective benefits corresponding to the one or more compliance states that are in conformity with the given administrative standard.

202. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method further includes:

enabling access to the first data record including a listing of a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard.

203. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method further includes:

enabling access to the first data record that includes conformity status data pursuant to the given administrative standard for the vehicle traveling via the particular route or area.

204. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record including established criteria for the preferred promotional result correlated with the implemented vehicle operation mode that causes an over-ride or cancellation of a default vehicle operational mode during travel on the particular route or area and/or during travel during a temporal period, which is subject to the given administrative standard.

205. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record including established criteria for the preferred consequential result that requires a specified time period for implementing the correlated vehicle operation mode.

206. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record including one or more of the following type of established criteria for the preferred consequential result;

redemption expiration, non-transferability, geographic redemption boundaries, cumulative vehicle performance, previous promotional result status, value limitation, multiple/duplicate award disqualification.

207. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that includes authorization for a reduced or lesser preferred promotional result based on a partial achievement of the required implementation of the correlated vehicle operation mode.

208. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record for the preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage provided by or on behalf of one or more of the following;

vehicle manufacturer, vehicle sales entity, governmental entity, environmental entity, insurance company, insurance sales agent, fuel manufacturer, fuel sales entity, vehicle engine/component manufacturer, vehicle engine/component sales entity, “

green”

product company, “

green”

services company, “

green”

rebate entity.

209. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record for the preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage available at a specified destination for the vehicle.

210. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record for the preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage available upon arrival at one or more of the following types of destination;

parking lot, road exit, traffic lane entry, traffic lane exit, bridge entry, bridge exit, retail store, service store, event location, event ticket office, transit station.

211. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record for the preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage available to one or more of the following type of qualified recipients;

vehicle, operator, driver, passenger, vehicle owner, vehicle lessor, vehicle lessee, vehicle fleet owner, vehicle fleet manager.

212. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that includes a listing of one or more of the following type of award or value or advantage available as part of the preferred promotional result;

priority access to battery recharge station, priority battery servicing, reduced cost for battery recharge, free battery renewal service, customized battery recharge, discounted cost for battery replacement, special warranty on new battery purchase, higher quality battery purchase at standard price.

213. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that includes a listing of one or more of the following type of award or value or advantage available as part of the preferred promotional result;

reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced fuel price, priority fuel purchase, preferred parking location, reduced parking fee, tax credit, traffic lane usage, bridge usage, reduced toll rate, financial rebate, store discount, product discount, membership offer.

214. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that correlates the preferred promotional result with a preferable vehicle paradigm implemented in the vehicle.

215. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that correlates the preferred promotional result with one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameters implemented in the vehicle;

number of passengers, battery-powered mode, combustion-powered mode, bio-fuel mode, bio-fuel blend mode, natural gas mode, electric power mode, low emission mode, calibrated miles/per/gallon mode, battery-charge mode, battery-discharge mode, low-temperature engine mode, electric/combustion hybrid mode, solely electric power mode, primarily electric power mode, solely fuel combustion mode, primarily fuel combustion mode, safety certification mode, environmental certification mode, emission content, zero emissions, approved catalytic converter, speed-limiter activated, turned-on headlights.

216. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method feature maintaining the second data record includes:

maintaining the second data record that correlates the preferred promotional result with one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters that achieve a preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area and/or during all or a portion of a temporal travel period, subject to the given administrative standard.

217. The computer program product of claim 199 wherein the method further includes:

transmitting certification of the preferred promotional result to a vehicle communication unit, wherein the preferred promotional result includes an actual award or value or advantage that is different from the benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard.