SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING CONTENT DISTRIBUTION FOR FLEETS OF VEHICLES, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES, UTILIZING SMART SUPPLY STATIONS

• US 20180158256A1
• Filed: 09/14/2017
• Published: 06/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Veniam Inc.
• Original Assignee: Veniam Inc.
• Inventors: de S Miranda, Andr
• Application Number:
  US15/704,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20180158256A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

Communication network architectures, systems and methods for supporting and/or effectively utilizing a network of mobile and/or static nodes. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide communication network architectures, systems, and methods for supporting a dynamically configurable communication network comprising a complex array of both static and moving communication nodes (e.g., the Internet of moving things, autonomous vehicle networks, etc.). For example, a communication network, or one or more nodes thereof, implemented in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure provides for the efficient distribution of data to and/or from fleets of vehicles.

Claims

1. A vehicle fueling system comprising:

a vehicle fuel supply station comprising;

a fuel supply line for coupling to a fuel supply;

a fuel supply coupling coupled to the fuel supply line;

a data transceiver;

a data transfer line coupled to the data transceiver; and

a data transfer connector coupled to the data transfer line,

wherein the data transfer line and/or the data transfer connector is coupled to the fuel supply line and/or the fuel supply coupling; and

a vehicle comprising;

a fuel storage device;

a fuel receipt coupling coupled to the fuel storage device and configured to mate with the fuel supply coupling;

a vehicle data transceiver;

a vehicle data transfer line; and

a vehicle data transfer connector coupled to the vehicle data transfer line, configured to mate with the data transfer connector, and located on the vehicle proximate the fuel receipt coupling.

2. The vehicle fueling system of claim 1, wherein:

the fuel supply line comprises a liquid fueling hose;

the fuel supply coupling comprises a liquid fueling nozzle and a handle; and

the data transfer line and/or the data transfer connector is coupled to the liquid fueling hose, the liquid fueling nozzle and/or the handle.

3. The vehicle fueling system of claim 1, wherein:

the data transceiver comprises an optical transceiver;

the data transfer line comprises an optical cable; and

the data transfer connector comprises an optical connector.

4. The vehicle fueling station of claim 1, comprising a user interface that provides information regarding fuel transfer status and information regarding data transfer status to a user.

5. The vehicle fueling system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data transfer connector is located within one meter of the fuel receipt coupling and is accessible without opening a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle fuel supply system of claim 1, comprising a doored chamber in which the fuel receipt coupling is located, and wherein the vehicle data transfer connector is accessible in the doored chamber.

7. A vehicle fuel supply station comprising:

a fuel supply system comprising;

a fuel supply line for coupling to a fuel supply;

a fuel supply coupling coupled to the fuel supply line; and

a data communication system comprising;

a data transceiver;

a data transfer line coupled to the data transceiver; and

a data transfer connector coupled to the data transfer line,

wherein the data transfer line and/or the data transfer connector is coupled to the fuel supply line and/or the fuel supply coupling.

8. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 7, wherein:

the fuel supply line comprises a liquid fueling hose;

the fuel supply coupling comprises a liquid fueling nozzle and a handle; and

the data transfer line and/or the data transfer connector is coupled to the liquid fueling hose, the liquid fueling nozzle and/or the handle.

9. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 7, wherein:

the fuel supply line comprises an electrical cable;

the fuel supply coupling comprises an electrical power connector; and

the data transfer line and/or data transfer connector is coupled to the electrical cable and/or the electrical power connector.

10. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 7, wherein:

the data transceiver comprises an optical transceiver;

the data transfer line comprises an optical cable; and

the data transfer connector comprises an optical connector configured to mate with a reciprocal data transfer connector of a vehicle.

11. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 10, wherein a portion of the optical cable is held in a spring-loaded fiber roll that is coupled to the fuel supply line and/or the fuel supply coupling.

12. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 7, comprising a protective housing in which the data transfer connector is seated when the data transfer connector is not is use.

13. The vehicle fuel supply station of claim 7, comprising a user interface that provides information regarding fuel transfer status and information regarding data transfer status to an operator of the vehicle fuel supply station.

14. A vehicle system comprising:

a fuel receiving system comprising;

a fuel storage device; and

a fuel receipt coupling coupled to the fuel storage device; and

a data communication system comprising;

a vehicle data transceiver;

a vehicle data transfer line; and

a vehicle data transfer connector coupled to the vehicle data transfer line and located on the vehicle proximate the fuel receipt coupling.

15. The vehicle system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle data transfer connector is located within one meter of the fuel receipt coupling, and is accessible without opening a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle data transfer connector is located within one foot of the fuel receipt coupling.

17. The vehicle system of claim 14, comprising a doored chamber in which the fuel receipt coupling is located.

18. The vehicle system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle data transfer connector is accessible in the doored chamber.

19. The vehicle system of claim 17, comprising a second doored chamber in which the vehicle data transfer connector is housed.

20. The vehicle system of claim 14, comprising a user interface that provides information regarding fuel transfer status and information regarding data transfer status to a user.

21. The vehicle system of claim 14, comprising at least one module operable to interface with an information source to identify data to be downloaded to the vehicle.