Method and system for maintaining personalization of user adjustable features

• US 20030078709A1
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Prasad, Krishnaswamy Venkatesh, Yester, John Loring
• Granted Patent: US 6,775,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel

Abstract

A system and method are provided for selectively setting one or more variable vehicle operating parameters or features by storing information representative of user/driver preferences on a portable information storage device, and later recalled to automatically adjust the same or other system or device to the same setting(s). Examples of such systems or devices includes seat position, mirrors, radio presets, climate control settings, Web sites, bookmarks, and mobile telephone presets. The personalized “settings” are thus available to be transported and transferred where desired by the possessor of the device.

Claims

1. A system for selectively setting a variable operating parameter in a vehicle comprising:

a portable information storage device having a storage element, means for receiving information representative of a particular operating parameter and storing the received information on the storage element, and means for generating an output signal based on the stored information; and

a vehicle interface connected to an on-board vehicle control system having the variable operating parameter, the vehicle interface arranged to receive the output signal generated by the portable storage device for input to the on-board control system, wherein the on-board control system is arranged to set the variable operating value based on the information in the input signal.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a non-vehicle interface connected to an off-board control system, and arranged to receive the output signal generated by the portable storage device for input to the off-board control system, wherein the off-board control system is arranged to set a variable operating value based on the information in the input signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving information and the means for generating an output signal are wireless communication devices.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the operating parameter comprises a user preference for at least one of the following:

radio preset;

climate setting;

seat position;

mirror position;

suspension setting;

power train setting;

cellular telephone preset;

digital audio file play list;

service/maintenance history or schedule;

preferred service provider for an a non-vehicle provided service;

authentication information for e-commerce;

vehicle access control;

calendar reminder;

wireless access setting such as Internet Service Provider (ISP); and

vehicle service appointment scheduling based on a user'"'"'s preferred day/location.

5. A system for selectively setting a variable user preference in a vehicle comprising:

a portable information storage device arranged to receive and store information representative of at least one user preference; and

a vehicle interface connected to an on-board vehicle system capable of being set in accordance with a user preference, wherein the vehicle interface is arranged to receive user preference information from the portable storage device for input to the on-board vehicle system, and the on-board operating system is arranged to set the system based on the received user preference information.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a non-vehicle interface connected to an off-board system, and arranged to receive user preference information from the portable storage device for input to the off-board operating system, wherein the off-board operating system is arranged to set the system based on the received user preference information.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the portable information storage device and the vehicle interface are arranged to communicate wirelessly.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the user preference comprises at least one of the following:

radio preset;

climate setting;

seat position;

mirror position;

suspension setting;

power train setting;

cellular telephone preset;

digital audio file play list;

service/maintenance history or schedule;

preferred service provider for an a non-vehicle provided service;

authentication information for e-commerce;

vehicle access control;

calendar reminder;

wireless access setting such as Internet Service Provider (ISP); and

vehicle service appointment scheduling based on a user'"'"'s preferred day/location.

9. A method of selectively setting a variable user preference in a vehicle comprising:

determining at least one user preference;

storing information representative of the at least one user preference on a portable information storage device;

selectively recalling the user preference information stored on the portable information storage device; and

setting an on-board vehicle system in accordance with the recalled user preference.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising setting a non-vehicle system in accordance with the recalled user preference.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising storing information representative of changes to the user preference on the portable information storage device upon user command.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising automatically storing information representative of changes to the user preference on the portable information storage device.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the user preference comprises at least one of the following:

radio preset;

climate setting;

seat position;

mirror position;

suspension setting;

power train setting;

cellular telephone preset;

digital audio file play list;

service/maintenance history or schedule;

preferred service provider for an a non-vehicle provided service;

authentication information for e-commerce;

vehicle access control;

calendar reminder;

wireless access setting such as Internet Service Provider (ISP); and

vehicle service appointment scheduling based on a user'"'"'s preferred day/location.

14. A portable information storage device for use with a system arranged to selectively set a variable operating parameter in a vehicle, said portable information storage device comprising:

a storage element;

means for receiving information representative of a particular operating parameter and storing the received information on the storage element; and

means for generating an output signal based on the stored information, wherein the portable information storage device is arranged to interface with an on-board vehicle control system having the variable operating parameter, the on-board control system arranged to set the variable operating value based on the information in the generated output signal.

15. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the portable information storage device is arranged to interface with a non-vehicle control system, the off-board control system is arranged to set a variable operating value based on the information in the generated output signal.

16. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the means for receiving information and the means for generating an output signal are wireless communication devices.

17. The storage device of claim 14 wherein the operating parameter comprises a user preference for at least one of the following:

radio preset;

climate setting;

seat position;

mirror position;

suspension setting;

power train setting;

cellular telephone preset;

digital audio file play list;

service/maintenance history or schedule;

preferred service provider for an a non-vehicle provided service;

authentication information for e-commerce;

vehicle access control;

calendar reminder;

wireless access setting such as Internet Service Provider (ISP); and

vehicle service appointment scheduling based on a user'"'"'s preferred day/location.