SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND REGULATING A VEHICLE

• US 20130204495A1
• Filed: 02/02/2012
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Reed, Eric L., Miller, Thomas Lee, Bennie, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/364,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20130204495A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring and regulating a vehicle includes a communications device to provide remote communication with the vehicle, and a vehicle restriction control module for monitoring and regulating at least one vehicle operation parameter. The vehicle restriction control module is in communication with the communications device and is programmable by an authorized user when accessed by an embedded security code to receive restriction instructions in accordance with a driving restriction imposed on a driver by the authorized user. The system provides information about the at least one vehicle operation parameter to the authorized user.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and regulating a vehicle, the system comprising:

a communications device to provide remote communication with the vehicle; and

a vehicle restriction control module for monitoring and regulating at least one vehicle operation parameter and in communication with the communications device;

wherein the vehicle restriction control module is programmable by an authorized user when accessed by an embedded security code to receive restriction instructions in accordance with a driving restriction imposed on a driver by the authorized user, and to provide information about the at least one vehicle operation parameter to the authorized user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the embedded security code is generated by a manufacturer and subsequently provided to the authorized user.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system device for providing vehicle location information and in communication with the vehicle restriction control module.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein a restricted vehicle operation parameter comprises at least one of speed, impaired driving, time, and range.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle restriction control module activates at least one of an audio and visual warning to the driver when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the audio warning is sounding a horn and the visual warning is activating hazard lights.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle restriction control module automatically limits the speed of the vehicle when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle restriction control module notifies the authorized user when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle restriction control module inhibits the vehicle start when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle restriction control module automatically reduces the speed of the vehicle when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

11. A method for monitoring and regulating a vehicle comprising:

providing a security code for an authorized user;

accessing a vehicle restriction control module with the security code;

programming the vehicle restriction control module with restriction instructions in accordance with a driving restriction imposed on a driver by the authorized user;

monitoring and regulating at least one vehicle operation parameter; and

providing information about the at least one vehicle operation parameter to the authorized user.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing vehicle location information from a global positioning system device which is in communication with the vehicle restriction control module.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein a restricted vehicle operation parameter comprises at least one of speed, impaired driving, time, and range.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of activating at least one of an audio and visual warning to the driver when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the audio warning is sounding a horn and the visual warning is activating hazard lights.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of automatically limiting the speed of the vehicle when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of notifying the authorized user when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step inhibiting the vehicle start when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of automatically reducing the speed of the vehicle when the restricted vehicle operation parameter is violated.

20. A system for monitoring and regulating a vehicle, the system comprising:

a communications device to provide remote communication with the vehicle; and

a vehicle restriction control module for monitoring and regulating a vehicle operation parameter and in communication with the communications device;

wherein the vehicle restriction control module is programmable by an authorized user when accessed by an embedded security code to provide information about the vehicle operation parameter to the authorized user.