Hybrid vehicle qualification for preferential result

• US 20110029173A1
• Filed: 12/16/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Nugent, Thomas J. JR., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/11 using model predictive control [MPC] strategies, i.e. control methods based on models predicting performance utilising navigation and traffic information in the control strategy B60W20/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle.

Claims

1-53. -53. (canceled)

54. A computer program product comprising computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing the following method for promotional correlation with one or more selective hybrid vehicle modes, wherein the method includes:

acquiring qualification criteria indicating a correlation between a preferred consequential result and one or more possible hybrid vehicle operation modes of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle;

causing at least one hybrid vehicle operation mode of the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle to be implemented during travel via a particular route or area and/or during a temporal travel period in accordance with the acquired qualification criteria; and

providing a notification confirming a vehicle certification status based on the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode that is sufficient to qualify for the preferred consequential result.

55. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

receiving authorization for the preferred consequential result to be available to a qualified recipient associated with the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

56. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for the preferred consequential result correlated with the possible hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during all or a portion of an applicable travel period.

57. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

sending directly or indirectly from the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle the notification that indicates the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode.

58. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

sending directly or indirectly from a communication device in the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle the notification that indicates the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode.

59. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

sending directly or indirectly from a detection or monitoring or sensor device in the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle the notification that indicates the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode.

60. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

sending directly or indirectly from one or more of the following parties the notification that indicates the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode;

operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

61. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification of the preferred consequential result available based on qualification with the implemented hybrid vehicle operation mode that prevents full conformity by the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle with a given administrative standard that is also applicable to the particular route or area and/or to the temporal travel period.

62. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification of the preferred consequential result available based on qualification with two or more implemented hybrid vehicle operation modes applicable to the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during travel via the particular route or area and/or during the temporal travel period.

63. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification of the preferred consequential result based on a vehicle exemption from the possible hybrid vehicle operation mode, which exemption requires additional payment or other consideration to qualify for the exemption.

64. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for the preferred consequential result correlated with the possible hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during travel via one or more possible travel routes or areas having different respective qualification states.

65. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for the preferred consequential result correlated with the possible hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during one or more temporal travel periods having different respective qualification states and/or different respective consequential results.

66. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring preferred consequential result information that is indicated on a communication device accessible in the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle or accessible remotely from the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle or accessible on a mobile communication device.

67. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring preferred consequential result information that is indicated on a communication device accessible to an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

68. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring preferred consequential result information that is accessible prior to a user-selected implementation of the at least one hybrid vehicle operational mode.

69. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring preferred consequential result information that is accessible prior to a user-selected choice of a type of electric/combustion hybrid vehicle proceeding via the particular route or area and/or proceeding during the temporal travel period.

70. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring preferred consequential result information that is accessible prior to the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle proceeding along the particular route or area and/or proceeding during the temporal travel period.

71. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for the preferred consequential result correlated with one or more of the following types of hybrid vehicle operation modes;

number of passengers, HOV lane standard, toll road standard, public road standard, public area standard, private road standard, private area standard, electric power mode, combustion/electric hybrid mode, combustion fuel content, bio-fuel content, natural gas fuel, engine efficiency, miles/per/gallon calibration, combustion emission, zero-emissions, exhaust content, maximum speed limitation, safety metric, environmental guideline.

72. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for two or more preferred consequential results which are respectively based on detection of different hybrid vehicle operation modes.

73. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

providing vehicle identifier data indicative of one or more identification characteristics for the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle traveling via the particular route or area and/or during the temporal travel period.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said method feature providing vehicle identifier data includes:

providing vehicle identifier data from a communication device associated with the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

75. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said method feature providing vehicle identifier data includes:

providing vehicle identifier data via a transceiver device to a detection or monitoring or sensor device that is external to the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

76. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said method feature providing vehicle identifier data includes:

sending vehicle identifier data to a database listing that is correlated with a user ID.

77. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein said method feature receiving vehicle identifier data includes:

sending vehicle identifier data from a communication device associated with one or more of the following;

operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

78. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

sending identifier data indicative of one or more identification characteristics for a qualified recipient of the preferred consequential result.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said method feature sending identifier data indicative of one or more identification characteristics includes:

sending identification characteristics for a qualified recipient to a database listing that is correlated with a user ID or a vehicle ID.

80. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein said method feature sending identifier data indicative of one or more identification characteristics includes:

sending identification characteristics for one or more of the following type of qualified recipients;

operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

81. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing one or more preferred consequential results to be respectively available upon arrival at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

primary destination, secondary destination, alternate destination, intermediate destination.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein said method feature obtaining certification includes:

obtaining certification authorizing the preferred consequential result to be available at one or more of the following types of specified destination;

battery recharge station, battery renewal facility, high-voltage recharge station, low-voltage recharge station, battery replacement station, priority battery service, fuel supply station, diesel combustion fuel station, gasoline combustion fuel station, natural gas fuel station, bio-fuel station, priority fuel service.

83. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein said method feature obtaining certification includes:

obtaining certification authorizing the preferred consequential result to be available at one or more of the following types of specified destination;

parking facility, overnight accommodation, residence, office facility, vehicle repair station, vehicle accessory store, Internet access location, public transit station, private transit site, rented-vehicle return site, vehicle inspection location, jurisdictional border, licensing authority, tax assessment site, monitoring unit, detection lane.

84. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria that correlates the preferred consequential result with the hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during travel via alternative routes or areas.

85. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria that correlates the preferred consequential result with the hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during one or more of the following types of temporal travel periods;

seasonal, storm occurrence, weather warning, weather situation, smog alert, time-of-day, night-time, commuter hours, imminent event, ongoing event, traffic congestion, road closure, dangerous road condition, road construction, road repair, travel accident.

86. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria that correlates the preferred consequential result with the hybrid vehicle operation mode implemented during the temporal travel period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.

87. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria for the preferred consequential result that includes a promotional award or value or advantage correlated with one or more configurable hybrid vehicle operating parameters that achieve a preferable hybrid vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of an applicable travel period.

88. The computer program product of claim 87, wherein said method further includes:

providing confirmation of the one or more configurable hybrid vehicle operating parameters that achieve the preferable hybrid vehicle paradigm.

89. The computer program product of claim 88 wherein said method feature providing confirmation of the one or more configurable hybrid vehicle operating parameters includes:

providing confirmation via a transceiver device to a detection or monitoring or sensor device located remotely from the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle.

90. The computer program product of claim 87, wherein said method further includes:

providing confirmation indicating one or more of the following types of configurable hybrid vehicle operation parameters implemented in the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle;

number of passengers, battery-powered mode, combustion-powered mode, bio-fuel mode, bio-fuel blend mode, natural gas mode, electric power mode, low emission mode, calibrated miles/per/gallon mode, battery-charge mode, battery-discharge mode, low-temperature engine mode, electric/combustion hybrid mode, solely electric power mode, primarily electric power mode, solely fuel combustion mode, primarily fuel combustion mode, safety certification mode, environmental certification mode, emission content, zero emissions, approved catalytic converter, speed-limiter activated, turned-on headlights.

91. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

maintaining a data record that includes a calendar-related log associated with the electric/combustion hybrid vehicle, wherein the calendar-related log includes status documentation for one or more hybrid vehicle operation modes implemented during travel via the particular route or area and/or during the temporal travel period.

92. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing one or more of the following type of award or value or advantage to be available as part of the preferred consequential result;

priority access to battery recharge station, priority battery servicing, reduced cost for battery recharge, free battery renewal service, customized battery recharge, discounted cost for battery replacement, special warranty on new battery purchase, higher quality battery purchase at standard price.

93. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said to method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing one or more of the following type of award or value or advantage to be available as part of the preferred consequential result;

reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced fuel price, priority fuel purchase, preferred parking location, reduced parking fee, tax credit, traffic lane usage, bridge usage, reduced toll rate, financial rebate, store discount, product discount, membership offer.

94. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing an award or value or advantage to be available as part of the preferred consequential result upon arrival at one or more of the following types of destination;

parking lot, road exit, traffic lane entry, traffic lane exit, bridge entry, bridge exit, retail store, service store, event location, event ticket office, transit station.

95. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing an award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred consequential result provided to a qualified recipient by or on behalf of one or more of the following;

vehicle manufacturer, vehicle sales entity, governmental entity, environmental entity, insurance company, insurance sales agent, fuel manufacturer, fuel sales entity, vehicle engine/component manufacturer, vehicle engine/component sales entity, “

green”

product company, “

green”

services company, “

green”

rebate entity.

96. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing an award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred consequential result, wherein the certification delineates an identification of the qualified recipient.

97. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification authorizing the preferred consequential result, wherein the certification includes a description of an award or value or advantage for a qualified recipient.

98. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature providing the notification includes:

sending the notification of the implemented vehicle operation mode to an entity associated with giving an award or value or advantage to a qualified recipient.

99. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation between the preferred consequential result and a specified time period for implementing the hybrid vehicle operation mode.

100. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring qualification criteria indicating the correlation between the preferred consequential result and a cumulative record of performance regarding one or more specified vehicle operation modes implemented during all or a portion of an applicable travel period.

101. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification indicating a partial achievement of a required implementation of the vehicle operation mode during an applicable travel period.

102. The computer program product of claim 101, wherein said method further includes:

obtaining certification of a reduced or lesser preferred consequential result based on the partial achievement of the required implementation of the vehicle operation mode.

103. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature acquiring qualification criteria includes:

acquiring consequential result information regarding one or more of the following types of qualification criteria for a promotional award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred consequential result;

redemption expiration, non-transferability, geographic redemption boundaries, cumulative vehicle performance, previous promotional result status, value limitation, multiple/duplicate award disqualification.

104. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

maintaining a data log record that provides corroboration for one or more hybrid vehicle operation modes implemented during travel via the particular route or area and/or during the temporal travel period.

105. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method further includes:

making a data record of an actual award or value or advantage that is included as part of the preferred consequential result obtained by a qualified recipient.

106. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein said method feature providing the notification includes:

sending the notification that includes cumulative performance data obtained for one or more specified vehicle operation modes implemented during all or a portion of an applicable travel period.

107. (canceled)