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

• US 20110106591A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• 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., Gates, William, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Lieberman, Erez, Hagelstein, Peter L., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Schnall-Levin, Michael, Malaska, Stephen L.
• Application Number:
  US12/798,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106591A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/44 Series-parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/62 Vehicle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• 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: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A method may include, but is not limited to, receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle and conveying a standing, the 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.

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

conveying a standing, the 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.

2-83. -83. (canceled)

84. A system, comprising:

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

means for conveying a standing, the 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.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein means for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for 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.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein means for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for 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.

89. The system of claim 84, wherein means for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

means 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 a physical media.

91. The system of claim 84, wherein means for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

means 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 a visual indicator on the hybrid vehicle.

93. The system of claim 84, wherein means for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle comprises:

means 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 in an encrypted data format.

94. The system of claim 84, 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.

97. The system of claim 84, 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.

100. The system of claim 84, 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.

103. The system of claim 84, 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.

104. The system of claim 84, 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.

105. The system of claim 84, 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.

106. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

means for 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.

107. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for transmitting 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.

109. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for transmitting 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.

110. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for transmitting 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.

111. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for transmitting 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.

112. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for wirelessly transmitting 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.

113. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for wirelessly transmitting 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.

114. The system of claim 107, wherein means for transmitting to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle comprises:

means for transmitting 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.

123. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

means for 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.

124. The system of claim 123, wherein means for 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:

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

125. The system of claim 123, wherein means for 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:

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

126. The system of claim 123, wherein means for 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:

means for 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.

136. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

means for 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.

137. The system of claim 136, wherein the standing comprises at least one of a privilege or a penalty.

138. The system of claim 136, 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.

139. The system of claim 136, wherein means for 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:

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

140. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

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

141. The system of claim 136, wherein means for 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:

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

142. The system of claim 141, wherein means for transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

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

147. The system of claim 141, wherein means for transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

means for 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.

148. The system of claim 141, wherein means for transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

means for 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.

149. The system of claim 141, wherein means for transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

means for 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.

150. The system of claim 141, wherein means for transmitting data indicative of the standing allocated upon receipt of the status comprises:

means for 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.

154. The system of claim 141, further comprising:

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

160. The system of claim 136, wherein the standing is accumulated with at least a second standing.

162. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

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

163. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

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

164. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

means for selling the standing to a second entity.

165. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

means for transferring the standing to a second entity.

166. The system of claim 136, further comprising:

means for transferring the standing to an individual.

86. (canceled)

88. (canceled)

90. (canceled)

92. (canceled)

95-96. -96. (canceled)

98-99. -99. (canceled)

101-102. -102. (canceled)

115-122. -122. (canceled)

127-135. -135. (canceled)

143-146. -146. (canceled)

151-153. -153. (canceled)

155-159. -159. (canceled)

161. (canceled)

167. A computer program product, comprising:

a recordable-type signal bearing medium bearing computer usable code configured for receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle; and

a recordable-type signal bearing medium bearing computer usable code configured for conveying a standing, the 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.

168-249. -249. (canceled)