VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANAGER

• US 20180012196A1
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nio Usa Inc. (NIO, Inc. (China))
• Original Assignee: NextEV USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Ricci, Christopher P., Newman, Austin L.
• Application Number:
  US15/282,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20180012196A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

A method and system are provided for managing maintenance services performed on a vehicle. A service provider system receives a request from an on-board vehicle diagnostic system for charging or replacement of a battery of a rechargeable electric vehicle. Based on a set of rules from one or more databases, the service provider selects a charging facility to perform the battery charging or replacement. The service provider system, based on dynamic pricing parameters, determines a value for the battery charging or replacement and provides to the vehicle the selected charging facility location and value for the battery charging or replacement.

Claims

1-19. -19 (canceled)

20. A method for managing maintenance services performed on a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, at a service provider system and over a communications network, a request for charging or replacement of a battery of one or more rechargeable electric vehicles associated with one or more users, the request received by the service provider system from an on-board diagnostic system on one of the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles;

reading, by the service provider system, a set of rules from one or more databases;

selecting, by the service provider system and based on the set of rules, a charging facility to perform the battery charging or replacement;

determining, by the service provider system and based on the set of rules, a value for the battery charging or replacement, the set of rules comprising one or more dynamic pricing parameters, the one or more dynamic pricing parameters selecting a value based on one or more of a location of the charging facility, a time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed, a current demand of other rechargeable electric vehicles for battery charging or replacement, a current availability of the battery charging or replacement, a historic customer charging behavior associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles, and a customer rating of a user associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles; and

providing, from the service provider system to the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles over the communications network, the selected charging facility location and value for the battery charging or replacement.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the set of rules comprise at least one dynamic pricing parameter defining a value for the battery charging or replacement based on the location of the battery charging facility, the location of the battery charging facility being selected from a plurality of battery charging facility locations, and wherein the maintenance management rules define at least one first battery charging facility location of the plurality of battery charging facility locations as having a higher value than a value of at least one second battery charging facility location of the plurality of battery charging facility locations.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the set of rules comprise at least one rule defining a value for the battery charging or replacement based on a time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed, the time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed falling within one of a plurality of time periods, and wherein the set of rules define at least one first time period of the plurality of time periods as having a higher value than a value of at least one second time period of the plurality of time periods.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters causes the service provider system to select a value for the battery charging or replacement based on a historic customer charging behavior associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the request comprises a charge level of the battery and a geographic location of the one or more vehicles and wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters relate to one or more of a current demand of other rechargeable electric vehicles for battery charging or replacement and a current availability of the battery charging or replacement.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters causes the service provider system to select a value for the battery charging or replacement based on the customer rating and wherein the customer rating is based on user loyalty information associated with the service provider associated with the service provider system.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the set of user or vehicle specific maintenance and use information comprises historical information related to use of the battery charging or replacement by the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising adjusting the determined value for the battery charging or replacement based on feedback from the user, wherein adjusting the determined value for the battery charging or replacement based on feedback from the user comprises performing an automatic negotiation for the value of the battery charging or replacement, and wherein performing the automatic negotiation comprises:

receiving, by the service provider system, a response regarding the determined value;

determining, by the service provider system, whether the received response indicates an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement;

in response to determining the response indicates an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement, recording, by the service provider system, an acceptance of the determined value; and

in response to determining the response does not indicate an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement, further determining, by the service provider system, whether the received response indicates a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

in response to determining the received response indicates a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement, further determining, by the service provider system, whether the counteroffer is acceptable;

in response to determining, by the service provider system, the counteroffer is acceptable, recording an acceptance of the determined value;

in response to determining, by the service provider system, the counteroffer is not acceptable, further determining whether the determined value is negotiable; and

in response to determining, by the service provider system, the determined value is negotiable, updating the determined value and providing the updated determined value.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

in response to determining the received response does not indicate a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement, further determining, by the service provider system, whether the determined value is negotiable; and

in response to determining the determined value is negotiable, updating, by the service provider system, the determined value and providing the updated determined value to the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

30. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to manage battery charging or replacement services performed on a rechargeable electric vehicle by;

receiving, over a communications network, a request for charging or replacement of a battery of one or more rechargeable electric vehicles associated with one or more users, the request received by the service provider system from an on-board diagnostic system on one of the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles;

reading a set of rules from one or more databases;

selecting, based on the set of rules, a charging facility to perform the battery charging or replacement;

determining, based on the set of rules, a value for the battery charging or replacement, the set of rules comprising one or more dynamic pricing parameters, the one or more dynamic pricing parameters selecting a value based on one or more of a location of the charging facility, a time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed, a current demand of other rechargeable electric vehicles for battery charging or replacement, a current availability of the battery charging or replacement, a historic customer charging behavior associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles, and a customer rating of a user associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles; and

providing, from the service provider system to the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles over the communications network, the selected charging facility location and value for the battery charging or replacement.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the set of rules comprise at least one dynamic pricing parameter defining a value for the battery charging or replacement based on the location of the battery charging facility, the location of the battery charging facility being selected from a plurality of battery charging facility locations, and wherein the maintenance management rules define at least one first battery charging facility location of the plurality of battery charging facility locations as having a higher value than a value of at least one second battery charging facility location of the plurality of battery charging facility locations.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the set of rules comprise at least one rule defining a value for the battery charging or replacement based on a time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed, the time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed falling within one of a plurality of time periods, and wherein the set of rules define at least one first time period of the plurality of time periods as having a higher value than a value of at least one second time period of the plurality of time periods.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters causes the processor to select a value for the battery charging or replacement based on a historic customer charging behavior associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the request comprises a charge level of the battery and a geographic location of the one or more vehicles and wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters relate to one or more of a current demand of other rechargeable electric vehicles for battery charging or replacement and a current availability of the battery charging or replacement.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more dynamic pricing parameters causes the processor to select a value for the battery charging or replacement based on the customer rating and wherein the customer rating is based on user loyalty information associated with the service provider associated with the service provider system.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the set of user or vehicle specific maintenance and use information comprises historical information related to use of the battery charging or replacement by the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the processor adjusts the determined value for the battery charging or replacement based on feedback from the user, wherein adjusting the determined value for the battery charging or replacement based on feedback from the user comprises the processor performing an automatic negotiation for the value of the battery charging or replacement, and wherein the processor performs the automatic negotiation by:

receiving a response regarding the determined value;

determining whether the received response indicates an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement;

in response to determining the response indicates an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement, recording an acceptance of the determined value; and

in response to determining the response does not indicate an acceptance of the determined value of the battery charging or replacement, further determining whether the received response indicates a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the processor:

in response to determining the received response indicates a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement, further determines whether the counteroffer is acceptable;

in response to determining that the counteroffer is acceptable, records an acceptance of the determined value;

in response to determining that the counteroffer is not acceptable, further determines whether the determined value is negotiable; and

in response to determining that the determined value is negotiable, updates the determined value and providing the updated determined value.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the processor:

in response to determining that the received response does not indicate a counteroffer for the determined value for the battery charging or replacement, further determines whether the determined value is negotiable; and

in response to determining that the determined value is negotiable, updates the determined value and providing the updated determined value to the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles.

40. A vehicle, comprising:

a rechargeable electrical storage unit to provide an electrical energy to an electric motor to propel the vehicle;

a charging device, in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit, to charge the electrical storage unit;

a geographical location system to provide a geographic location of the vehicle;

a user interface to provide output to an occupant and receive and translate user input;

a communications subsystem to communicate, by a wireless network, with a remote service provider system;

a diagnostics subsystem to determine a charge level of the rechargeable electrical storage unit;

a processor; and

a computer readable medium, coupled to the processor to store vehicle and occupant information and instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

determine that the charge level is low;

in response, transmit, to a service provider system associated with a plurality of charging facilities and over a communications network, a request for charging or replacement of the rechargeable electrical storage unit, the request comprising a charge level of the rechargeable electrical storage unit and a current geographic location of the vehicle;

receive, from the service provider system, a charging facility location selected from among the plurality of charging facilities and value for the charging or replacement of the rechargeable electrical storage unit, wherein the value is based on one or more dynamic pricing parameters, the one or more dynamic pricing parameters selecting a value based on one or more of a location of the charging facility, a time of day when the battery charging or replacement is to be performed, a current demand of other rechargeable electric vehicles for battery charging or replacement, a current availability of the battery charging or replacement, a historic customer charging behavior associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles, and a customer rating of the occupant associated with the one or more rechargeable electric vehicles; and

in response to receiving the charging facility location and value, determining a counteroffer to change one or more of the charging facility location and value; and

transmitting the counteroffer to the service provider system.