Remote control of associated vehicle devices

• US 9,123,186 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AutoConnect Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Ricci, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Alex C
• Application Number:
  US14/253,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20140309891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/04 Babies, e.g. for SIDS detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4809 Sleep detection, i.e. determining whether a subject is asleep or not
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6808 Diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 1/00 Tyres characterised by the chemical composition or the physical arrangement or mixture of the composition
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00742 by detection of the vehicle occupants' presence; by detection of conditions relating to the body of occupants, e.g. using radiant heat detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/146 Input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/15 Output devices or features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/193 for improving awareness
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/52 Control of displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 : for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 : with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0273 : taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0279 : for detecting objects outside the vehicle, e.g. for user identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/18 : Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/22 : Optical; Photoelectric; Lidar [Light Detection and Ranging]
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 : Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 : using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/00 : Communication or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 : specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 : for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 : for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 : Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 : Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 : operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 : Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 : Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0067 : Confirmation by the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0085 : Setting or resetting initial positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 : Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 : Interpretation of driver requests or demands
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 : specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3484 : Personalized, e.g. from learned user behaviour or user-defined profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 : received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 : Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 : Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 : Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 : Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 : with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 : characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 : specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0276 : using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/183 : Provision of network file services by network file servers, e.g. by using NFS, CIFS network file access protocols H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 : using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 : Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/252 : between a Database Management System and a front-end application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/583 : using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 : Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 : Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 : User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 : using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 : Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 : Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0622 : in relation to access
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0637 : Permissions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 : Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 : Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 : Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 : using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 : using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 : using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 : Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 : Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 : based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 : Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 : Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 : Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 : Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 : Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 : Recognising seat occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/15 : Biometric patterns based on physiological signals, e.g. heartbeat, blood flow
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/16 : Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 : using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/168 : Feature extraction; Face representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 : Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 : Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/28 : Recognition of hand or arm movements, e.g. recognition of deaf sign language static hand signs G06V40/113
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 : Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 : using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0833 : using audio means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 : using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 : Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0205 : Specific application combined with child monitoring using a transmitter-receiver system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 : indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 : Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 : Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/188 : Data fusion; cooperative systems, e.g. voting among different detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 : Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 : Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 : where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 : where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 : where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0968 : Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096805 : where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 : where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 : where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 : Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 : with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 : Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/37 : Details of the operation on graphic patterns G09G5/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 : using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 : Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2265 : Server identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 : involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 : involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6408 : Unicasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 : Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0005 : Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/34 : Reselection control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 : Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 : for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/30 : Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 : for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 : Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 : Connection re-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 : Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Methods and systems for a vehicle control system to control user access to vehicle tasks, functions and/or operations based on rights and privileges set forth in user accounts.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

(a) receiving, by a microprocessor executable vehicle control system, a request from a vehicle occupant to perform a vehicle task, function or operation;

(b) determining, by the microprocessor executable vehicle control system, that the vehicle occupant has been authenticated successfully;

(c) accessing, by the microprocessor executable vehicle control system, an account for the vehicle occupant, the account defining rights and privileges of the user with respect to controlling a vehicle task, function or operation, wherein the vehicle task, function or operation is one or more of the following;

monitoring, controlling, and/or operating an engine control unit (“

ECU”

), transmission control unit (“

TCU”

), door setting, window setting, blind spot monitor, safety equipment, vehicle sensor, vehicle engine, head light control unit, power steering, display panel, switch state control unit, power control unit, brake control unit, alert to a user and/or remote monitoring entity of a potential problem with a vehicle operation, emission control, entertainment system, and media and/or multimedia content;

(d) determining, by the microprocessor executable vehicle control system, at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle; and

(e) based upon the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle, applying, by the microprocessor executable vehicle control system, the following rules;

(i) when the account permits the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation; and

(ii) when the account does not permit the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, not performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in step (e), the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when in a first area and/or zone and a different set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations when in a different second area and/or zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in step (e), the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the operating state of the vehicle and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when the vehicle is in a first operating state and a different set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations when the vehicle is in a second operating state.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein rule (i) applies and the vehicle occupant is able to control the requested vehicle task, function or operation using one or more of a cell phone, laptop, tablet computer, and personal digital assistant.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a different authentication procedure is used for the vehicle occupant when requesting a first set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations, than when requesting a second set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations, and wherein the task, function, or operation is monitoring, controlling, and/or operation a vehicle sensor, the vehicle sensor being one or more of:

a collision sensor, nearby object sensing system, sensor for setting a seat belt, power source controller and energy output sensor, engine temperature sensor, oil pressure sensor, hydraulic pressure sensor, sensor for headlight, sensor for other light, vehicle control system sensor, steering/torque sensor, wireless network sensor, cellular data sensor, seating system sensor, ambient (outdoor) weather reading sensor, odometer reading sensor, trip mileage reading sensor, road condition sensor, brake wear sensor, oxygen sensor, ambient lighting sensor, vision system sensor, ranging sensor, parking sensor, heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensor, water sensor, air-fuel ratio meter, hall effect sensor, microphone, radio frequency (RF) sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the account comprises rights and privileges for the vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle task, function or operation, security and/or authentication requirements and/or credentials for the vehicle occupant, and personal settings of the vehicle occupant and wherein the vehicle task, function, or operation is one or more of the following:

entertainment system and media and/or multimedia content.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the personal settings of the vehicle occupant comprise a plurality of a seat setting, climate control setting, lighting setting, configuration of an instrument cluster on a screen, rear view mirror setting, driving mode, media channel setting or preset, media delivery preference, music genre preference, scheduled program, playlist, synchronization with cloud-based data associated with the vehicle occupant, application-specific personalization and selections, and a display setting and configuration.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a microprocessor executable vehicle control system operable to;

receive a request from a vehicle occupant to perform a vehicle task, function or operation;

determine that the vehicle occupant has been authenticated successfully;

access an account for the vehicle occupant, the account defining rights and privileges of the user with respect to controlling a vehicle task, function or operation, wherein the vehicle task, function, or operation is one or more of the following;

monitoring, controlling, and/or operating an engine control unit (“

ECU”

), transmission control unit (“

TCU”

), door setting, window setting, blind spot monitor, safety equipment, vehicle sensor, vehicle engine, head light control unit, power steering, display panel, switch state control unit, power control unit, brake control unit, alert to a user and/or remote monitoring entity of a potential problem with a vehicle operation, emission control, entertainment s stem and media and/or multimedia content;

determine at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle; and

based upon the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle, apply the following rules;

(i) when the account permits the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation; and

(ii) when the account does not permit the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, not performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when in a first area and/or zone and a different set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when in a different second area and/or zone.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the operating state of the vehicle and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when the vehicle is in a first operating state and a different set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations when the vehicle is in a second operating state.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein rule (i) applies and the vehicle occupant is able to control the requested vehicle task, function or operation using one or more of a cell phone, laptop, tablet computer, and personal digital assistant.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein a different authentication procedure is used for the vehicle occupant when requesting a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations than when requesting a second set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations and wherein the vehicle task, function or operation is one or more of the following:

entertainment system and media and/or multimedia content.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the account comprises rights and privileges for the vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle task, function or operation, security and/or authentication requirements and/or credentials for the vehicle occupant, and personal settings of the vehicle occupant and wherein the task, function or operation is monitoring, controlling, and/or operation a vehicle sensor, the vehicle sensor being one or more of:

a collision sensor, nearby object sensing system, sensor for setting a seat belt, power source controller and energy output sensor, engine temperature sensor, oil pressure sensor, hydraulic pressure sensor, sensor for headlight, sensor for other light, vehicle control system sensor, steering/torque sensor, wireless network sensor, cellular data sensor, seating system sensor, ambient (outdoor) weather reading sensor, odometer reading sensor, trip mileage reading sensor, road condition sensor, brake wear sensor, oxygen sensor, ambient lighting sensor, vision system sensor, ranging sensor, parking sensor, heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensor, water sensor, air-fuel ratio meter, hall effect sensor, microphone, radio frequency (RF) sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the personal settings of the vehicle occupant comprise a plurality of a seat setting, climate control setting, lighting setting, configuration of an instrument cluster on a screen, rear view mirror setting, driving mode, media channel setting or preset, media delivery preference, music genre preference, scheduled program, playlist, synchronization with cloud-based data associated with the vehicle occupant, application-specific personalization and selections, and a display setting and configuration.

15. A tangible and non-transient computer readable medium comprising microprocessor executable instructions to perform functions, comprising:

(a) receiving a request from a vehicle occupant to perform a vehicle task, function or operation, wherein the vehicle task, function or operation is one or more of the following;

monitoring, controlling, and/or operating an engine control unit (“

ECU”

), transmission control unit (“

TCU”

), door setting, window setting, blind spot monitor, safety equipment, vehicle sensor, vehicle engine, head light control unit, power steering, display panel, switch state control unit, power control unit, brake control unit, alert to a user and/or remote monitoring entity of a potential problem with a vehicle operation, emission control, entertainment system, and media and/or multimedia content;

(b) determining that the vehicle occupant has been authenticated successfully;

(c) accessing an account for the vehicle occupant, the account defining rights and privileges of the user with respect to controlling a vehicle task, function or operation;

(d) determining at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle; and

(e) based upon the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the at least one of an area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and an operating state of the vehicle, applying the following rules;

(i) when the account permits the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation; and

(ii) when the account does not permit the vehicle occupant to perform the requested vehicle task, function or operation, not performing or causing to be performed the vehicle task, function or operation.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein, in function (e), the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the area and/or zone occupied by the vehicle occupant and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when in a first area and/or zone and a different set of vehicle tasks, function or operations when in a different second area and/or zone.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein, in function (e), the microprocessor executable vehicle control system applies the rules based on the account corresponding to the vehicle occupant and the operating state of the vehicle and wherein the vehicle occupant can perform a first set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations when the vehicle is in a first operating state and a different set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations when the vehicle is in a second operating state.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein rule (i) applies and the vehicle occupant is able to control the requested vehicle task, function or operation using one or more of a cell phone, laptop, tablet computer, and personal digital assistant.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein a different authentication procedure is used for the vehicle occupant when requesting a first set of vehicle tasks, functions, or operations than when requesting a second set of vehicle tasks, functions or operations.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the account comprises rights and privileges for the vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle task, function or operation, security and/or authentication requirements and/or credentials for the vehicle occupant, and personal settings of the vehicle occupant and wherein the vehicle task, function or operation is one or more of the following:

entertainment system and media and/or multimedia content.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the personal settings of the vehicle occupant comprise a plurality of a seat setting, climate control setting, lighting setting, configuration of an instrument cluster on a screen, rear view mirror setting, driving mode, media channel setting or preset, media delivery preference, music genre preference, scheduled program, playlist, synchronization with cloud-based data associated with the vehicle occupant, application-specific personalization and selections, and a display setting and configuration and wherein the task, function or operation is monitoring, controlling, and/or operation a vehicle sensor, the vehicle sensor being one or more of:

a collision sensor, nearby object sensing system, sensor for setting a seat belt, power source controller and energy output sensor, engine temperature sensor, oil pressure sensor, hydraulic pressure sensor, sensor for headlight, sensor for other light, vehicle control system sensor, steering/torque sensor, wireless network sensor, cellular data sensor, seating system sensor, ambient (outdoor) weather reading sensor, odometer reading sensor, trip mileage reading sensor, road condition sensor, brake wear sensor, oxygen sensor, ambient lighting sensor, vision system sensor, ranging sensor, parking sensor, heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensor, water sensor, air-fuel ratio meter, hall effect sensor, microphone, radio frequency (RF) sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor.