System for transmitting data between a hybrid electric vehicle and a remote transceiver

• US 8,258,937 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dobryden, Allen D., Perkins, William P., Skaff, Ryan, Hartl, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US12/481,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20100308986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/426.15, 340/426.16, 340/426.35, 340/426.36, 340/425.5, 340/539.11, 340/539.19, 340/691.6, 340/5.61, 701/1, 701/29
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23437 Each operator can select his own program, data entry
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts

Abstract

A method of transmitting driver specific vehicle data includes entering driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller; identifying a vehicle driver; displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle; and configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) data, the method comprising:

entering driver specific HEV operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller;

identifying a vehicle driver;

displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle that is processed and controlled by the vehicle controller; and

configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a vehicle driver further includes providing a plurality of key FOBs, each key FOB having a transmitter configured to transmit one of a plurality of unique first electronic signals to the vehicle controller, each of the first electronic signals associated with one of the driver specific vehicle HEV operating parameter settings.

3. The method according to claim 2, further including transmitting a second signal from the vehicle controller to the key FOB;

and

displaying the driver specific HEV data within a visual display in the key FOB.

4. The method according to claim 2, further including transmitting a second signal from the vehicle controller to the key FOB;

and

displaying driver specific HEV data within a visual display in the key FOB, the driver specific HEV data including at least one of driver specific fuel economy, driver specific driving style, and driver specific efficiency information.

5. The method according to claim 2, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal via an active RF signal from the key FOB.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a vehicle driver further includes transmitting one of plurality of unique first electronic signals to the vehicle controller, each of the first electronic signals associated with one of the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.

7. The method according to claim 6, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal via a passive RF signal in an ignition key.

8. The method according to claim 6, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal via a driver-entered vehicle keypad entry code.

9. The method according to claim 6, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal when a vehicle memory seat selection is actuated.

10. The method according to claim 6, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal via a biometric sensor in the vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 6, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signal via a wireless communication device.

12. A method of transmitting driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) data between a wireless communication device and a vehicle, the method comprising:

entering driver specific HEV operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller;

providing a plurality of wireless communication devices, each wireless communication device having a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter configured to transmit one of a plurality of unique first electronic signals to the vehicle controller, each of the first electronic signals associated with one of the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings;

transmitting a second signal containing driver specific vehicle data from the vehicle controller to the wireless communication device that is processed and controlled by the vehicle controller;

configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings; and

displaying driver specific HEV data within a visual display in the wireless communication device.

13. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting a second signal from the vehicle controller to the wireless communication device;

and

displaying driver specific HEV data within a visual display in the wireless communication device, the driver specific HEV data including at least one of driver specific fuel economy, driver specific driving style, and driver specific efficiency information.

14. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals via an active RF signal from the wireless communication device.

15. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals via a passive RF signal in an ignition key.

16. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals via a driver-entered vehicle keypad entry code.

17. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals when a vehicle memory seat selection is actuated.

18. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals via a biometric sensor in the vehicle.

19. The method according to claim 12, further including transmitting the unique first electronic signals via wireless communication device.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the wireless communication device is one of a key FOB, a remote start FOB, an integrated key-head transmitter, a phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a satellite communication device.