Conditional or temporary feature availability

• US 10,262,469 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIO Technology Company Limited (Shanghai Anbin Technology Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nio Usa Inc.
• Inventors: Ricci, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweeney, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US15/339,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20180011483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 701 2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/22 Motor vehicles operators, e.g. drivers, pilots, captains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1171 based on the shapes or appearances of their bodies or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1176 Recognition of faces
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/24 Pantographs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 : Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 : Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 : Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/00 : Electric propulsion with power supply external to the vehicle electric propulsion for monorail vehicles, suspension vehicles or rack railways B60L13/00; in combination with batteries or fuel cells within the vehicle B60L50/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 1/00 : Power supply lines for contact with collector on vehicle collectors therefor B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 7/00 : Power lines or rails specially adapted for electrically-propelled vehicles of special types, e.g. suspension tramway, ropeway, underground railway
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 : inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 : outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/30 : characterised by the type of image processing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 : Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• 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 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0809 : Driver authorisation; Driver identity check
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/34 : Compact city vehicles, e.g., microcars or kei cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 : Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/21 : Voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/215 : Selection or confirmation of options
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 : related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 : Interaction between the driver and the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/912 : Electric vehicles with power supply external to vehicle, e.g. trolley buses or trams
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/60 : Control of electric machines, e.g. problems related to electric motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2302/07 : Disabling particular vehicle functions, e.g. to affect the driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/92 : Driver displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 : Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3617 : using user history, behaviour, conditions or preferences, e.g. predicted or inferred from previous use or current movement
• 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 2013/9316 : combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 : associated with a remote control arrangement
• 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: G06F 16/248 : Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 : Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• 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 21/6245 : Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0708 : the source being electromagnetic or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10257 : arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks computer security in general G06F21/00; jamming of communication, countermeasures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 : using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 : the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 : Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 : involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 : Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 : using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 : Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 : Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 : Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 : Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 : Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 : Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 : Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 : Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 : Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 : Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 : Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0637 : Approvals
• 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 20/597 : Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 : Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 : Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 : using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• 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 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 : Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 : using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 : identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 : having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 : where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 : where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 : where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 : where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 : Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/325 : characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 : using the mirror of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 : mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 : side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 : Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 : for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 : Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 : Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 : Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 : involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 : using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 : Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 : Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 : for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/46 : for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
• 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: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

Controlling availability of features of a vehicle can be based on a set of initial parameters, with each parameter related to a feature of the vehicle and defining availability of the feature. The set of initial parameters can define at least one feature of the vehicle as unavailable but further define the unavailability of the at least one feature of the vehicle as overridable upon detection of an emergency condition by the control system of the vehicle. The control system of the vehicle can apply the set of initial parameters to operations of the vehicle to control. At another time, a set of updated parameters with at least one parameter having a different value than the initial set of parameters can be applied by the control system of the vehicle to control operations of the vehicle based on levels indicated by the set of updated parameters.

Claims

1. A method for controlling availability of features of a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, at a control system of a vehicle over a network connection from a remote server and at a first time, a set of initial parameters, each parameter of the set of initial parameters is related to a feature of a set of features of the vehicle and defines availability of the feature, wherein the set of initial parameters defines at least one feature of the vehicle as unavailable and further defines the unavailability of the at least one feature of the vehicle as overridable upon detection of an emergency condition by the control system of the vehicle;

saving, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of initial parameters;

applying, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of initial parameters to operations of the vehicle, wherein applying the set of initial parameters to operations of the vehicle comprises controlling operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of initial parameters;

receiving, at the control system of the vehicle over the network connection from the remote server, a notification associated with a status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

receiving, at the control system of the vehicle over the network connection from the remote server and at a second time, a set of updated parameters associated with the status of fee payment, the set of updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to a parameter in the initial set of parameters but having a different value;

saving, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of updated parameters; and

applying, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of updated parameters to operations of the vehicle, wherein applying the set of updated parameters to operations of the vehicle comprises controlling operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of updated parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of initial parameters comprise at least one parameter related to an availability of power from a rechargeable power supply of the vehicle and wherein the parameter in the initial set of parameters and the corresponding at least one parameter relate to different levels of availability of power from the rechargeable power supply.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the set of updated parameters to operations of the vehicle further comprises limiting an availability of at least one feature of the vehicle defined by the set of initial parameters, wherein the status of payment relates to a failure to pay a fee relating to a usage of the at least one feature, and wherein the vehicle control system notifies an occupant of the status of payment.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the updated status indicates payment of the fee and further comprising:

receiving, at the control system of the vehicle over the network connection from the remote server, a further notification associated with updated status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle, the updated status of payment being different from the status of payment;

receiving, at the control system of the vehicle over the network connection from the remote server and at a third time, a set of further updated parameters associated with the updated status of fee payment, the set of further updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to the at least one parameter in the updated set of parameters but having a different value;

saving, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of further updated parameters; and

applying, by the control system of the vehicle, the set of further updated parameters to operations of the vehicle, wherein applying the set of further updated parameters to operations of the vehicle comprises controlling operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of further updated parameters, wherein the set of further updated parameters has a value of the at least one parameter that is the same as the corresponding parameter in the initial set of parameters.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter compared to the parameter in the set of initial parameters one or more of reduces power output of a power source of the vehicle, reduces power output of a drive system of the vehicle, deactivates or limits an amenity, deactivates or limits an accessory, reduces a number of available battery cells, reduces a power source charging capacity or total charge level available, and limits an available charging rate.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting, by the control system of the vehicle, an emergency condition associated with the vehicle and, in response to detecting the emergency condition of the vehicle and based on the set of initial defining the unavailability of the at least one feature of the vehicle as overridable, accessing, by the control system of the vehicle, the at least one feature of the vehicle.

7. A method for controlling availability of features of a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining, by a remote server, a set of initial parameters, each parameter of the set of initial parameters is related to a feature of a set of features of the vehicle and defines availability of the feature, wherein the set of initial parameters defines at least one feature of the vehicle as unavailable and further defines the unavailability of the at least one feature of the vehicle as overridable upon detection of an emergency condition by the control system of the vehicle;

saving, by the remote server, the set of initial parameters;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, the set of initial parameters, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of initial parameters;

determining, by the remote server, a status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

determining, by a remote server, a set of updated parameters, each parameter of the set of updated parameters being related to a feature of the vehicle;

saving, by the remote server, the set of updated parameters;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, a notification associated with the status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle and at a second time, a set of updated parameters associated with the status of fee payment, the set of updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to a parameter in the initial set of parameters but having a different value, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of updated parameters.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of initial parameters comprise at least one parameter related to an availability of power from a rechargeable power supply of the vehicle and wherein the parameter in the initial set of parameters and the corresponding at least one parameter relate to different levels of availability of power from the rechargeable power supply.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of updated parameters causes the vehicle control system to limit an availability of at least one feature of the vehicle defined by the set of initial parameters and wherein the status of payment relates to a failure to pay a fee relating to a usage of the at least one feature.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the updated status indicates payment of the fee and further comprising:

determining an updated status of payment of the fee associated with the vehicle, the updated status of payment being different from the status of payment;

determining, by the remote server, a set of further updated parameters, each parameter of the set of further updated parameters related to a feature of the vehicle;

saving, by the remote server, the set of further updated parameters;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, a notification associated with the updated status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle and at a third time, the set of further updated parameters associated with the updated status of fee payment, the set of further updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to the at least one parameter in the updated set of parameters but having a different value, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of further updated parameters, wherein the set of further updated parameters has a value of the at least one parameter that is the same as the corresponding parameter in the initial set of parameters.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one parameter compared to the parameter in the set of initial parameters one or more of reduces power output of a power source of the vehicle, reduces power output of a drive system of the vehicle, deactivates or limits an amenity, deactivates or limits an accessory, reduces a number of available battery cells, reduces a power source charging capacity or total charge level available, and limits an available charging rate.

12. A system comprising:

a processor and a memory having stored therein a set of instruction which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to control availability of features by;

determining, by a remote server, a set of initial parameters, wherein each parameter of the set of initial parameters is related to a feature of a set of features of the vehicle and defines availability of the feature, wherein the set of initial parameters defines at least one feature of the vehicle as unavailable and further defines the unavailability of the at least one feature of the vehicle as overridable upon detection of an emergency condition by the control system of the vehicle;

saving, by the remote server, the set of initial parameters;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, the set of initial parameters, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of initial parameters;

determining a status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

determining, by a remote server, a set of updated parameters, each parameter of the set of updated parameters being related to a feature of the vehicle;

saving, by the remote server, the set of updated parameters;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, a notification associated with the status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

providing, by the remote server over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle and at a second time, a set of updated parameters associated with the status of fee payment, the set of updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to a parameter in the initial set of parameters but having a different value, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of updated parameters.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of initial parameters comprise at least one parameter related to an availability of power from a rechargeable power supply of the vehicle and wherein the parameter in the initial set of parameters and the corresponding at least one parameter relate to different levels of availability of power from the rechargeable power supply.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of updated parameters causes the vehicle control system to limit an availability of at least one feature of the vehicle defined by the set of initial parameters and wherein the status of payment relates to a failure to pay a fee relating to a usage of the at least one feature.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the updated status indicates payment of the fee and wherein the set of instruction, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to control availability of features by:

determining an updated status of payment of the fee associated with the vehicle, the updated status of payment being different from the status of payment;

in response to the updated status of payment of the fee, determining a set of further updated parameters, each parameter of the set of further updated parameters related to a feature of the vehicle;

saving the set of further updated parameters;

providing, over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle, a notification associated with the updated status of payment of a fee associated with the vehicle;

providing, over a network connection to a control system of the vehicle and at a third time, the set of further updated parameters associated with the updated status of fee payment, the set of further updated parameters comprising at least one parameter corresponding to the at least one parameter in the updated set of parameters but having a different value, wherein the control system of the vehicle controls operations of one or more features of the vehicle to levels indicated by the set of further updated parameters, wherein the set of further updated parameters has a value of the at least one parameter that is the same as the corresponding parameter in the initial set of parameters.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one parameter compared to the parameter in the set of initial parameters one or more of reduces power output of a power source of the vehicle, reduces power output of a drive system of the vehicle, deactivates or limits an amenity, deactivates or limits an accessory, reduces a number of available battery cells, reduces a power source charging capacity or total charge level available, and limits an available charging rate and wherein the at least one parameter is overridden by the vehicle control system in event of an emergency condition associated with the vehicle, whereby the at least one parameter is replaced by the corresponding parameter in the set of initial parameters.