System for a shared vehicle involving feature adjustment, camera-mediated inspection, predictive maintenance, and optimal route determination

• US 8,370,030 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael H. Gurin
• Original Assignee: Michael H. Gurin
• Inventors: Gurin, Michael H
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MYHRE, KEVIN C
• Application Number:
  US12/877,100
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49, 701/36, 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/426.23, 340/426.24, 340/436, 340/438, 340/457.1, 340/461, 180/272, 180/273, 180/287, 180/326
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting a vehicle feature of a vehicle, where the system includes a first sensor, an onboard computer, a camera, a mirror, a controller; an actuator; and an algorithm. The algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steps for adjusting one or more vehicle features. The first sensor and the controller are in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with one or more actuators that connect to and adjust the various vehicle features. The onboard computer includes or accesses a database that correlates users, features, and vehicle feature settings. Such vehicle features include seat position and camera viewing angle.

Claims

1. A shared-use vehicle comprising at least two multifunctional cameras wherein the at least two multifunctional cameras have both a forward facing field of view and a rear facing field of view, wherein the at least two multifunctional cameras have an actuator to move from a forward facing field of view to a rear facing field of view, wherein the at least two multifunctional cameras have an actuator to move from an interior field of view to an exterior field of view, wherein the at least two multifunctional cameras are operable in at least one operating mode selected from ride sharing, change reservation, automated movement, and user entry;

an onboard computer;

a controller; and

an algorithm wherein the algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steams for adjusting one or more vehicle features selected from camera position and camera view angle, wherein the controller is in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with the at least two multifunctional cameras actuator to vary camera position configured for each of the at least one operating mode, wherein the shared-use vehicle interior is assessed for discrepancies of a personal item, refuse item, or discoloration of the shared-use vehicle interior, and further comprised of an external automated device operable to move the personal item into a lockbox for storage.

2. The shared-use vehicle according to claim 1 is further comprised of at least one additional multifunctional cameras having a view angle of a blindspot of the shared-use vehicle operable during a driving mode and also a view angle that creates a visual record of a user in entry of the shared-use vehicle during a user entry mode.

3. The shared-use vehicle according to claim 2 operable to obtain biometric data profile of a user by a visual record acquired by the at least two multifunctional cameras operable to create a visual record of biometric data including height and torso height and further comprising a data server of a vehicle reservation system that uses the visual record of the user to compare the user biometric data profile to account for factors including high-heels and boots, and to make adjustments to a calculated shared-use vehicle settings based on user factors.

4. The shared-use vehicle according to claim 3 further comprised of a database record having parameters including angle and distance for a specific user and indexed by vehicle type and wherein the algorithm utilizes the known angle and distance of one vehicle type to predict the angle and distance for the specific user in a second vehicle type in combination with the visual record obtained by the at least two multifunctional cameras to calculate a user biometric data profile including user height, user height from waist to the floor, user torso height, and user arm length operable to calculate shared-use vehicle settings for the user.