METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 20140207535A1
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: STEFAN, Frederic, GUSSEN, Uwe, ARNDT, Christoph, BUSCH, Rainer
• Granted Patent: US 10,789,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.42
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A system and method for demand-activated remote monitoring and/or control of motor vehicles via a radio data communication link with a coordination unit. The coordination unit is configured for conveying requests for remote monitoring and/or remote control of a motor vehicle and offers for performing the remote control from control terminals located remotely from the coordination unit. After acceptance of an offer by the vehicle, the coordination unit provides a data communication link between the motor vehicle and the control terminal over which the remote control and/or monitoring is performed.

Claims

1. A method of remote monitoring of motor vehicle operation comprising:

receiving a request from a motor vehicle for remote monitoring;

receiving an offer from a remote operator to perform the remote monitoring;

relaying the offer to the vehicle; and

after acceptance of the offer by the vehicle, providing a communication link between the vehicle and the operator over which the remote monitoring of the vehicle by the operator occurs.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing for remote control of the vehicle by the operator via the communication link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is initiated if at least one of a health-related state of a vehicle driver and a driving performance of the vehicle driver indicate a need for assistance in operating the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of providing and authorizing software for use by a data processing device onboard the vehicle to enable at least one of the request, the acceptance, and the remote monitoring.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of providing and authorizing software for use by a terminal utilized by the operator to enable at least one of receiving the request, making the offer, receiving the acceptance, and performing the remote monitoring.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote monitoring is performed by an operator person.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising evaluating the performance of the operator person.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the performance evaluation is considered in determining a payment for services provided by the person.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein remote monitoring is performed by a driving agent program.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a payment system for automatically handling payment for services provided by the operator.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle receives a plurality of offers from a plurality of prospective operators and accepts a selected one of the plurality of offers.

12. A method for remote monitoring of motor vehicle operation comprising:

transmitting a request for remote monitoring from a motor vehicle to a remote operator via a communication link provided by a coordination unit;

transmitting an offer to perform the remote monitoring from the remote operator to the vehicle via the communication link; and

upon acceptance of the offer by the vehicle, providing the remote monitoring by the remote operator via the communication link.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing for remote control of the vehicle by the operator via the communication link.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the request is initiated if at least one of a health-related state of a vehicle driver and a driving performance of the vehicle driver indicate a need for assistance in operating the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising at least one of providing and authorizing software for use by a data processing device onboard the vehicle to enable at least one of the request, the acceptance, and the remote monitoring.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising at least one of providing and authorizing software for use by a terminal utilized by the operator to enable at least one of receiving the request, making the offer, receiving the acceptance, and performing the remote monitoring.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote monitoring is performed by an operator person.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising evaluating the performance of the operator person.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein remote monitoring is performed by a driving agent program.

20. Apparatus for remote monitoring of motor vehicle operation comprising:

computer equipment onboard a vehicle initiating a request for remote monitoring of operation of the vehicle;

a control terminal in wireless communication with the vehicle to receive the request, transmit an offer to perform the remote monitoring, and perform the remote monitoring after acceptance of the offer by the vehicle; and

a coordination unit remote from the vehicle and the terminal providing a communication link to relay the request, the offer and between the vehicle and the operator over which the operator performs the remote monitoring of the vehicle.