Methods and Apparatus for Wireless Device Application Having Vehicle Interaction

• US 20170297518A1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hatton, David Anthony, King, Anthony Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 10,836,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/56 using mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0833 using audio means

Abstract

A computer-implemented remote starting method includes instructing the remote start of a vehicle using a wireless device. The method also includes inputting, to the wireless device, a desired vehicle interior temperature. The method further includes sending a remote start instruction to a vehicle from the wireless device, including at least the desired temperature and monitoring a current temperature of the vehicle. The method additionally includes outputting, on the wireless device, the current vehicle temperature.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a mobile-device processor configured to;

connect to a vehicle computing system responsive to a dashboard application launch;

retrieve user-controllable function information, identifying vehicle functions remotely controllable from a mobile device, from the vehicle computing system;

add controls for the vehicle functions to a user-HMI, or enable controls already part of the user-HMI, responsive to retrieving the vehicle functions; and

present the user HMI on the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to add an updates section to the HMI, including information retrieved from the vehicle computing system relating to recalls or maintenance reminders.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle functions include a lock/unlock function.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle functions include a remote start function.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle functions include an alarm activation function.

6. A system comprising:

a vehicle-based processor configured to;

receive a data-tracking instruction from a mobile phone application, the instruction identifying a data type for tracking and a recipient for data;

record data corresponding to the data type, responsive to a start-tracking instruction from the mobile phone application; and

transmit the recorded data to the recipient.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the data type includes vehicle camera data.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the data type includes fuel usage data.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the recipient includes local storage on the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the recipient includes a mobile phone executing the phone application.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the recipient includes an email recipient.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the data-tracking instruction further includes transmission timing instructions.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmission timing instructions further include instructions to transmit the recorded data at an end of a journey.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmission timing instructions further include instructions to transmit the recorded data at periodic time intervals.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmission timing instructions further include instructions to transmit the recorded data at periodic distance intervals.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the recorded data to the recipient in accordance with the transmission timing instructions.

17. A system comprising:

a mobile-device processor configured to;

determine that a user has an appointment within a predetermined time period from a current time;

determine a route from a current vehicle location to an appointment location;

determine travel-impacting variable affect on travel over the route, resulting in a projected travel time; and

recommend a departure time sufficient to reach the appointment location before an appointment time based on the projected travel time.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the travel-impacting variables include traffic.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the travel-impacting variables include weather.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the projected travel time includes projected travel time from a current user location to the current vehicle location and wherein the departure time indicates a time at which the user should depart for the vehicle.