Method and Apparatus for Encouraging Vehicle Infotainment System Usage

• US 20140278870A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dragescu, James
• Application Number:
  US13/826,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20140278870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems

Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to provide a first structured incentive responsive to the use of a first vehicle feature. The processor is further configured to store aggregated structured incentives. The processor is also configured to determine a second vehicle feature to be used, which will result in provision of a second structured incentive. Finally, the processor is configured to recommend usage of the second vehicle feature

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

provide a first structured incentive responsive to the use of a first vehicle feature;

store aggregated structured incentives;

determine a second vehicle feature to be used, which will result in provision of a second structured incentive; and

recommend usage of the second vehicle feature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to store aggregated structured incentives locally on a vehicle computer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to store aggregates structured incentives through reporting to a remote processor for storage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine if the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive; and

provide the structured incentive based on the determination that the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second vehicle feature is in a same category as the first vehicle feature, based on a predetermined list of categories.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

request feedback on the use of at least one vehicle feature;

gather feedback;

report feedback to a remote server; and

provide a third structured incentive upon completion of feedback.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second structured incentives comprise points.

8. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing a first structured incentive responsive to the use of a first vehicle feature;

storing aggregated structured incentives;

determining a second vehicle feature to be used, which will result in provision of a second structured incentive; and

recommending usage of the second vehicle feature.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein storing aggregated structured incentives is done locally on a vehicle computer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein storing aggregated structured incentives is done through reporting to a remote processor for storage.

11. The method of claim 8, further including:

determining if the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive; and

wherein the providing the structured incentive is based on the determination that the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the second vehicle feature is in a same category as the first vehicle feature, based on a predetermined list of categories.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

requesting feedback on the use of at least one vehicle feature;

gathering feedback;

reporting feedback to a remote server; and

providing a third structured incentive upon completion of feedback.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second structured incentives comprise points.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method comprising:

providing a first structured incentive responsive to the use of a first vehicle feature;

storing aggregated structured incentives;

determining a second vehicle feature to be used, which will result in provision of a second structured incentive; and

recommending usage of the second vehicle feature.

16. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein storing aggregated structured incentives is done locally on a vehicle computer.

17. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein storing aggregated structured incentives is done through reporting to a remote processor for storage.

18. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further includes:

determining if the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive; and

wherein the providing the structured incentive is based on the determination that the use of the first vehicle feature qualifies for the structured incentive.

19. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the second vehicle feature is in a same category as the first vehicle feature, based on a predetermined list of categories.

20. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the method further includes:

requesting feedback on the use of at least one vehicle feature;

gathering feedback;

reporting feedback to a remote server; and

providing a third structured incentive upon completion of feedback.