VEHICLE WITH VALET MODE

• US 20120322463A1
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: MOELLER, DOUGLAS S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,100,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]

Abstract

A vehicle comprises: a valet mode program to provide valet mode functionality for the vehicle, a processor operable to execute the valet mode program, a predetermined distance limit, and a predetermined speed limit. The vehicle responds to externally generated commands from a predetermined source to activate or deactivate the valet mode. The processor is operable to determine if the predetermined distance limit is exceeded from the location of the vehicle when the valet mode is activated; and the processor is operable to determine if the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed limit while the valet mode is activated.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a valet mode program to provide valet mode functionality for said vehicle;

a processor operable to execute said valet mode program;

a predetermined distance limit;

a predetermined speed limit;

said vehicle responds to externally generated commands from a predetermined source to activate or deactivate said valet mode;

said processor is operable to determine if said predetermined distance limit is exceeded from the location of said vehicle when said valet mode is activated; and

said processor is operable to determine if said vehicle exceeds said predetermined speed limit while said valet mode is activated.

2. A vehicle in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

a wireless wide area network interface operable to access a cellular network;

a wireless local area network; and

said commands are received via one of said wireless wide area network and said wireless local area network.

3. A vehicle in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said predetermined source comprises a wireless mobile device.

4. A vehicle in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said wireless mobile device comprises a valet mode application operable to activate and deactivate said valet mode.

5. A vehicle in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

a predetermined time period; and

said processor deactivates said valet mode at the earliest of said predetermined time period and receipt of a deactivate command.

6. A vehicle in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said processor responds to externally generated second commands from said predetermined source to change said predetermined time period to a second predetermined time period.

7. A vehicle in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

said processor responds to externally generated third commands from said predetermined source to change said predetermined distance limit to a second predetermined distance period.

8. A vehicle in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said processor responds to externally generated fourth commands from said predetermined source to change said predetermined speed limit to a second predetermined speed period.

9. A vehicle in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said predetermined distance limit and said predetermined speed limit are downloaded to said vehicle via one of said wireless wide area network and said wireless local area network.

10. A vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said processor is operable to generate a message to said predetermined source if at least one of said predetermined speed limit or said predetermined distance is exceeded.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a stored predetermined distance limit;

a stored predetermined speed limit;

access to a global positioning system (GPS) receiver;

a mobile router, said mobile router utilizes said GPS receiver to substantially continuously determine the location of said vehicle; and

said mobile router is responsive to a first command to activate an operational mode such that the present location of said vehicle is captured, said vehicle location is substantially continuously utilized to determine if said vehicle location exceeds said predetermined distance limit from said captured location and to determine if said vehicle exceeds said predetermined speed limit.

12. A vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

said mobile router is responsive to said vehicle exceeding said predetermined distance from said captured location to send a message to a predetermined device.

13. A vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

said mobile router is responsive to said vehicle exceeding said predetermined speed to send a message to a predetermined device.

14. A vehicle in accordance with claim 11, comprising:

said mobile router is responsive to a second command to deactivate said operational mode.

15. A vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

said mobile router comprises;

a stored predetermined time limit; and

said mobile router deactivates said operational mode upon expiration of said predetermined time limit.

16. A vehicle in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said mobile router is responsive to a second command to deactivate said operational mode.

17. A vehicle in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said mobile router comprises;

a wireless wide area network interface (WAN); and

a wireless local area network interface (WLAN).

18. A vehicle in accordance with claim 17, wherein:

said mobile router receives said first command via one of said wireless WAN or WLAN.

19. A vehicle in accordance with claim 18, wherein:

said mobile router receives said second command via one of said wireless WAN or WLAN.

20. A vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

said mobile router comprises;

a wireless wide area network interface (WAN); and

a wireless local area network interface (WLAN).

21. A vehicle in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said mobile router receives said first command via one of said wireless WAN or WLAN.

22. A vehicle in accordance with claim 21, wherein:

said mobile router is responsive to a second command to deactivate said operational mode.

23. A vehicle in accordance with claim 22, wherein:

said mobile router receives said second command via one of said wireless WAN or WLAN.

24. A vehicle in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said mobile router is operable to receive a substitute predetermined distance limit and to utilize said substitute predetermined distance limit in place of said predetermined distance limit.

25. A vehicle in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said mobile router is operable to receive a substitute predetermined speed limit and to utilize said substitute predetermined speed limit in place of said predetermined speed limit.

26. A vehicle in accordance with claim 25, wherein:

said mobile router is operable to receive a substitute predetermined distance limit and to utilize said substitute predetermined distance limit in place of said predetermined distance limit.