System and method for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information

• US 8,751,104 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Hermann, Thomas, Curtis, Timothy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dager, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US13/160,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20110238237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 340988-996, 340425-490, 701400-465, 131988-996, 131425-490
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

A vehicle includes a computing platform configured with first configuration information, an identification module that receives driver identification information and determines whether to enable the computing platform based on the identification information, and a communication module that establishes communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled. The vehicle also includes an update module that updates the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a computing platform configured with first configuration information;

an identification module configured to (i) receive from a token identification information for a driver, (ii) selectively enable the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to the driver based on the identification information, (ii) monitor subsequent driving behavior, and (ii) selectively prevent access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform;

a communication module configured to, if the computing platform is enabled, establish communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information; and

an update module configured to update the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information.

2. A method for updating first configuration information of a vehicle computing platform comprising:

receiving from a token identification information for a driver;

selectively enabling the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to the driver based on the identification information;

establishing communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled;

updating the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information;

monitoring subsequent driving behavior; and

selectively preventing access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform.

3. A method for updating first configuration information of a vehicle computing platform comprising:

selectively enabling the computing platform such that the first configuration information is accessible to a driver based on identification information from a token;

establishing communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store remote from the token storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled;

updating the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information;

monitoring subsequent driving behavior; and

selectively preventing access to the computing platform, if enabled, based on the driving behavior without disabling the vehicle to protect configuration information on the computing platform.