VEHICLE SYSTEM FOR VARIED COMPLIANCE BENEFITS

• US 20120316720A1
• Filed: 08/21/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Thomas J. Jr., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• 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. A method for managing vehicle operational mode data, comprising:

determining a compliance state for a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area and/or traveling during a temporal travel period which are subject to a given administrative standard, wherein the compliance state corresponds to an accrued benefit pursuant to the given administrative standard;

providing user-access to information regarding a preferred consequential result that is different from the accrued benefit, which preferred consequential result correlates with one or more optional vehicle operational modes;

accepting and implementing user-selection of at least one optional vehicle operational mode sufficient to attain the preferred consequential result; and

confirming implementation of the at least one optional vehicle operation mode based on updated vehicle operational mode data from a vehicle monitoring or detection device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said determining the compliance state for the vehicle includes:

determining one or more applicable compliance states and/or their respective corresponding benefits based on the temporal period of travel subject to the given administrative standard.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information regarding one or more possible temporal periods of travel having different respective compliance states and/or different respective corresponding benefits.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said accepting and implementing user-selection includes:

implementing the at least one optional vehicle operational mode that prevents the vehicle from qualifying with the compliance state applicable during the temporal period of travel subject to the administrative standard.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information that confirms forfeiture of all or part of the corresponding benefit arising from a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard during the temporal period of travel for the vehicle, wherein the deviated conformity status does not prevent attainment of the preferred consequential result.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information indicating a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard during the temporal period of travel for the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing 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.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising;

providing user-accessible information 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.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said accepting and implementing user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operational mode includes:

implementing the optional vehicle operational mode to maintain a preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area and/or during all or portion of the temporal travel period, which are subject to the given administrative standard.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said implementing the optional vehicle operational mode includes:

maintaining one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameters sufficient to attain one or more preferred consequential 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.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information that confirms one or more of the following types of actual vehicle battery benefits available to a qualified recipient as part of the correlated consequential 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.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information that confirms one or more of the following types of actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the correlated consequential 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.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

presenting user-access to confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the correlated consequential 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.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating to a user a certification of an actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the correlated consequential result, which certification is provided by or on behalf of a person or entity associated with the correlated consequential result.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

posting the certification on an electronic record or account record or electronic card associated with the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

encoding the certification on an electronic record associated with one or more of the following qualified recipients;

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

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

posting the certification to an account record or an electronic card associated with one or more of the following qualified recipients;

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

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating to a user a certification of the correlated consequential result that includes 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.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating to a user a certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the correlated consequential result to be obtained upon arrival at a specified destination.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said accepting and implementing user-selection of at least one optional vehicle operation mode includes:

accepting the user-selection precipitated by activation of one or more of the following types of device;

button, lever, dial, switch, keyboard, mouse, pedal, lever, switch.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein accepting and implementing the user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operation modes includes:

causing an over-ride or cancellation of a default vehicle operational mode during at least a portion of travel on the particular route or area and/or travel in a temporal period, which is subject to the given administrative standard.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

communicating a notification of the implemented vehicle operational mode to a person or entity associated with the correlated consequential result.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage that is correlated with the implemented vehicle operational mode.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said obtaining confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage includes:

obtaining documented confirmation from a third party person or entity associated with the correlated consequential result.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

presenting to a user the confirmation via a communication device accessible in the vehicle.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

presenting to a user the confirmation that delineates a qualified recipient of the award or value or advantage.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

presenting to a user the confirmation that includes a description of the actual award or value or advantage.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

confirming that the implemented vehicle operation mode also enables conformity with a compliance state of the given administrative standard.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein said accepting and implementing user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operation mode includes:

causing a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard that provides a particular benefit of different value or lesser value as compared to the corresponding benefit.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible comparative information regarding a deviated conformity status as compared with an award or value or advantage included as part of the consequential result.

31. A computer program product comprising computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing a method for managing vehicle operational mode data, wherein the method includes:

determining a compliance state relative to a given administrative standard applicable to a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area and/or traveling during a temporal travel period, wherein the compliance state qualifies the vehicle for a corresponding accrued benefit pursuant to the given administrative standard;

providing user-accessible information regarding a possible consequential result that correlates with one or more optional vehicle operation modes;

accepting and implementing user-selection of at least one optional vehicle operational mode sufficient to attain the possible consequential result, wherein the possible consequential result is different from the corresponding accrued benefit; and

confirming implementation of the at least one optional vehicle operation mode based on updated vehicle operational mode data from a vehicle monitoring or detection device.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature determining the compliance state includes:

determining one or more applicable compliance states and/or their respective accrued benefits based on the temporal period of travel subject to the given administrative standard.

33. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information regarding one or more possible temporal periods of travel having different respective compliance states and/or different respective accrued benefits.

34. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operational mode prevents the vehicle from qualifying with the compliance state applicable during the temporal period of travel subject to the administrative standard.

35. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information that confirms forfeiture of all or part of the accrued benefit arising from a deviated conformity status during the temporal period of travel for the vehicle, wherein the deviated conformity status does not prevent attainment of the possible consequential result.

36. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information indicating a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard during the temporal period of travel for the vehicle.

37. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information for the given administrative standard 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.

38. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein said method further includes;

providing user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle traveling during the temporal time period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.

39. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operational mode includes:

implementing the optional vehicle operational mode to maintain a preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area and/or during all or portion of a temporal travel period, which is subject to the given administrative standard.

40. The computer program product of claim 39 wherein said method feature implementing the optional vehicle operational mode includes:

maintaining one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameters sufficient to attain one or more possible consequential 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.

41. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information that confirms one or more of the following types of actual vehicle battery benefits available to a qualified recipient as part of the possible consequential 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.

42. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible information that confirms one or more of the following types of actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the possible consequential 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.

43. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

presenting user-access to confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the possible consequential 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.

44. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

communicating to a user a certification of an actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the possible consequential result, which certification is provided by or on behalf of a person or entity associated with the correlated consequential result.

45. The computer program product of claim 43 wherein said method further includes:

posting the certification on an electronic record or account record or electronic card associated with the vehicle.

46. The computer program product of claim 43 wherein said method further includes:

encoding the certification on an electronic record associated with one or more of the following qualified recipients;

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

47. The computer program product of claim 43 wherein said method further includes:

posting the certification to an account record or an electronic card associated with one or more of the following qualified participants;

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

48. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

communicating to a user a certification of the possible consequential result that includes 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.

49. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

communicating to a user a certification of an actual award or value or advantage to be obtained upon arrival at a specified destination.

50. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing user-selection of at least one optional vehicle operation mode includes:

accepting the user-selection precipitated by one or more of the following type of control actions;

voice command, tactile touching, gesture, hand manipulation, foot manipulation.

51. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing user-selection of at least one optional vehicle operation mode includes:

accepting the user-selection precipitated by activation of one or more of the following types of device;

button, lever, dial, switch, keyboard, mouse, pedal, lever, switch.

52. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing user-selection of the at least one optional vehicle operation mode includes:

causing 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.

53. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said method further includes:

obtaining confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage that is correlated with the implemented vehicle operational mode.

54. The computer program product of claim 53 wherein said method feature obtaining confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage includes:

obtaining documented confirmation from a third party person or entity associated with the correlated consequential result.

55. The computer program product of claim 53 wherein said method further includes:

presenting to a user the confirmation via a communication device accessible in the vehicle.

56. The computer program product of claim 53 wherein said method further includes:

presenting to a user the confirmation that delineates a qualified recipient of the award or value or advantage.

57. The computer program product of claim 53 wherein said method further includes:

presenting to a user the confirmation that includes a description of the actual award or value or advantage.

58. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

confirming that the implemented vehicle operation mode also enables conformity with a compliance state of the given administrative standard.

59. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method feature accepting and implementing the at least one optional vehicle operational mode includes:

causing a deviated conformity status regarding the given administrative standard that provides a particular accrued benefit of different value or lesser value as compared to the accrued benefit.

60. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein said method further includes:

providing user-accessible comparative information regarding a deviated conformity status as compared with an award or value or advantage included as part of the consequential result.

61. A vehicle system for varied operational modes comprising:

a communication unit operably coupled to a first data record listing one or more available compliance states for a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area that is subject to a given administrative standard, wherein the one or more compliance states correspond to respective benefits available to a qualified recipient;

a second data record operably coupled to the communication unit and configured to maintain information regarding a preferred consequential result that correlates with one or more optional vehicle operational modes;

a user interface linked to the communication unit to provide access to information regarding a benefit corresponding to vehicle compliance state as compared to a preferred consequential result based on a selected vehicle operational mode detected by one or more vehicle monitoring or detection devices configured to transmit updated vehicle operational mode data to the communication unit.