Methods and apparatus for inputting messages, including advertisements, to a vehicle

• US 6,067,008 A
• Filed: 02/09/1998
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Property Development Associates of Connecticut Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Property Development Associates of Connecticut Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Harry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US09/020,642
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/825.35, 340/825.3, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 324/434, 320/2, 320/37, 320/17, 320/18, 320/27, 235/384
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/62 in response to charging parameters, e.g. current, voltage or electrical charge
• 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 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/00 Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/12 in which metering is on a time basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/00 Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/955 : including electronic identifier or coding means

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting messages and other infotion, such as advertisements, to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station. The messages can be selected in accordance with information received from the vehicle, including information that selectively identifies one, some, or all of: (a) a characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (e.g., name, account number, address, etc.); (b) a characteristic of the vehicle (e.g., make, model, year, class, registration number, marker number, odometer reading, owner, etc.); (c) a destination of the vehicle (entered through a data entry console and optionally stored within a vehicle memory); and (d) any other characteristic of interest.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a remote computer over a communications network, comprising the steps of:

coupling a vehicle to means for dispensing a consumable energy source to the vehicle, the dispensing means being coupled to a communications network;

formulating a communications network data access request within the vehicle;

transferring information from the vehicle to the dispensing means, the transferred information including the communications network data access request and an identification of a remote computer that is to fulfil the communications network data access request, the remote computer being coupled to the communication network;

forwarding the communications network data access request from the dispensing means to the communications network, and from the communications network to the identified remote computer that is coupled to the communications network;

accessing data specified by the data access request at the remote computer;

delivering the accessed data to the vehicle; and

storing the delivered data within a memory.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of:

presenting the stored data in a human perceptible form.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communications network data access request includes information for specifying one or more securities, and wherein the accessed data includes one or more security quotations.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communications network data access request includes information for specifying at least one file, stored in a memory externally to the vehicle, that contains information needed to fulfil the communications network data access request, and wherein the method further includes the steps of:

acessing the specified at least one file; and

fulfilling the communications network data access request using information stored in the accessed at least one file.

5. A method for accessing a computer over a communications network, comprising the steps of:

coupling a vehicle to a local station via connector means, the local station being coupled to a communications network;

formulating a communications network request;

transferring information from the vehicle to the local station through the connector means, the transferred information comprising the communications network request;

routing the communications network request from the local station to the communications network;

identifying a computer to fulfil the communications network request;

further routing the communications network request to the identified computer;

fulfilling the communications network request at the identified computer and transmitting a response to the communications network request from the computer to the vehicle via the local station and the connector means; and

storing at least a portion of the response within a memory.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5, and further comprising the step of:

presenting the stored response in a human perceptible form.

7. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the communications network request includes information for specifying one or more securities, and wherein the response is comprised of one or more security quotations.

8. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the communications network request includes information for specifying at least one file that is stored in a memory external to the vehicle, the file comprising information needed to fulfil the communications network request, and wherein the method further includes the steps of:

accessing the specified at least one file; and

fulfilling the communications network request using information stored in the accessed at least one file.

9. A method as in claim 5, wherein the connector means is comprised of an optical connector means.

10. A method as in claim 5, wherein the connector means is comprised of an RF connector means.

11. A method as in claim 5, wherein the connector means is comprised of an electrical connector means.

12. A method as in claim 5, wherein the connector means is comprised of a wireless connector means.

13. A method as in claim 5, wherein the connector means is comprised of a wired connector means.

14. A method as set forth in claim 5, and further comprising the step of:

presenting at least a portion of the response in an audio format.

15. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of formulating includes a step of digitizing a human voice.

16. A method as in claim 5, wherein the local station is comprised of means for dispensing a fuel to the vehicle.

17. A method as in claim 5, wherein the local station is comprised of means for charging a battery within the vehicle.

18. A method for presenting information to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a dispenser of a consumable vehicle energy source;

transferring data from the vehicle to the dispenser, the data comprising demographic data related to an occupant of the vehicle; and

selecting information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle at least in part in response to the transferred demographic data.

19. A method as in claim 18, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by displaying at least some of the information within the vehicle.

20. A method as in claim 18, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by printing at least some of the information within the vehicle.

21. A method as in claim 18, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by displaying at least some of the information with the dispenser.

22. A method as in claim 18, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by printing at least some of the information with the dispenser.

23. A method for presenting information to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a dispenser of a consumable vehicle energy source;

transferring data from a transmitter located at the vehicle to a receiver located at the dispenser, the transferred data comprising data for identifying an occupant of the vehicle;

retrieving, using at least some of the transferred data, additional data that is descriptive of the occupant of the vehicle; and

selecting information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle at least in part in response to the additional data.

24. A method as in claim 23, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one of displaying or printing at least some of the information within the vehicle.

25. A method as in claim 23, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one of displaying or printing at least some of the information with the dispenser.

26. A method as in claim 23, wherein the transferred data is comprised of an account number.

27. A method as in claim 23, wherein the step of retrieving is comprised of the steps of:

further transferring the data that is descriptive of the occupant of the vehicle to a predetermined computer over a communications network; and

accessing a data base with the predetermined computer, in accordance with the further transferred data, to obtain the additional data.

28. A method for selecting information to be presented to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a dispenser of a consumable vehicle energy source, the dispenser being located at a predetermined location;

transferring data from a transmitter of the vehicle to a receiver of the dispenser, the transferred data comprising data that is descriptive of at least one of an occupant of the vehicle or the vehicle; and

selecting information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle at least in part in response to the transferred data and in response to the location of the dispenser.

29. A method as in claim 28, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one of displaying or printing at least some of the information within the vehicle.

30. A method as in claim 28, and further comprising a step of presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one of displaying or printing at least some of the information with the dispenser.

31. A method as in claim 28, wherein the selected information is comprised of a promotional message provided by a supplier of goods or services.

32. A method as in claim 28, wherein the selected information is comprised of a discount offer provided by a supplier of goods or services.

33. A method for making a reservation for goods or services, comprising steps of:

providing a dispenser of a consumable vehicle energy source;

transferring data from a transmitter of the vehicle to a receiver of the dispenser, the transferred data comprising a reservation request;

further transferring at least the reservation request to a computer that is bidirectionally coupled to the dispenser;

operating the computer to make the requested reservation in response to the reservation request; and

transmitting a reservation confirmation message from the computer towards the dispenser.

34. A method as in claim 33, and further comprising steps of:

transmitting the reservation confirmation message from the dispenser to the vehicle; and

presenting the reservation confirmation request in a human perceptible format within the vehicle.

35. A method as in claim 33, and further comprising a step of presenting the reservation confirmation request in a human perceptible format with the dispenser.

36. A method for accessing information from a computer coupled to a data communications network, comprising the steps of:

providing a dispenser of a consumable vehicle energy source;

coupling a vehicle to the dispenser;

formulating a data communications network request;

transferring information from a transmitter of the vehicle to a receiver of the dispenser, the transferred information comprising the data communications network request;

transmitting at least the data communications network request from the dispenser to a remote station that is bidirectionally coupled to the dispenser, the remote station also being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network;

further transmitting at least the data communications network request from the remote station to the data communications network, the data communications network request being directed to a computer that is to fulfill the request; and

acting on the data communications network request at the computer and transmitting a response to the data communications network request towards the remote station over the data communications network.

37. A method as in claim 36, and further comprising steps of:

transferring the response from the remote station to the dispenser, and from the dispenser to the vehicle; and

presenting the response to an occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying, annunciating or printing at least a portion of the response within the vehicle.

38. A method as in claim 36, and further comprising steps of:

transferring the response from the remote station to the dispenser; and

presenting the response to an occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying or printing at least a portion of the response with the dispenser.

39. A method as in claim 36, wherein the remote station is bidirectionally coupled to a plurality of dispensers for receiving data communications network requests from each of the plurality of dispensers.

40. A method as in claim 36, wherein the data communications network request is comprised of an account number.

41. A method for providing information to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a fuel dispenser;

transferring data from a vehicle to a computer via the fuel dispenser, the transferred data comprising data that is descriptive of at least one of an occupant of the vehicle or the vehicle;

in response to the transferred data, operating the computer to search a data base to select information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle, the selected information being comprised of at least one of a promotional message provided by a supplier of goods or services or a discount offer provided by a supplier of goods or services; and

presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle.

42. A method as in claim 41, wherein the step of presenting comprises the steps of:

transferring the selected information from the computer to the fuel dispenser, and from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle; and

presenting the response to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying, annunciating or printing at least some of the selected information within the vehicle.

43. A method as in claim 41, wherein the step of presenting comprises the steps of:

transferring the selected information from the computer to the fuel dispenser; and

presenting the response to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying or printing at least some of the selected information with the fuel dispenser.

44. A method as in claim 41, wherein the computer is a remote computer, and wherein the step of transferring data includes a step of transmitting the data to a data communications network that is bidirectionally coupled between the fuel dispenser and the computer.

45. A method as in claim 41, wherein the fuel dispenser comprises the computer.

46. A method as in claim 41, wherein a communications unit that is bidirectionally coupled to a plurality of fuel dispensers comprises the computer.

47. A method for providing information to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a fuel dispenser;

transferring data from the vehicle to the fuel dispenser through an interface, the transferred data comprising first data that is descriptive of an occupant of the vehicle;

forwarding at least the first data from the fuel dispenser to a computer to obtain second data from a data base that is accessible by the computer, the second data being further descriptive of the occupant of the vehicle;

selecting information to be provided to the occupant of the vehicle in accordance with at least the obtained second data; and

providing the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle in a human perceptible form using at least one of vehicle information outputting means or fuel dispenser information outputting means.

48. A method as in claim 47, wherein the first data is comprised of an account number.

49. A method as in claim 48, wherein the obtained second data comprises customer data maintained by an issuer of the account number.

50. A method as in claim 47, wherein at least one of the steps of transferring, forwarding, selecting and providing are executed contemporaneously with a step of pumping fuel from the fuel dispenser into a fuel tank of the vehicle.

51. A method for providing information to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

providing a fuel dispenser;

transferring data from a vehicle to a computer via the fuel dispenser, the transferred data comprising data that was entered by the occupant of the vehicle using a data input device;

in response to at least the transferred data, operating the computer to search a data base to select information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle; and

presenting the selected information to the occupant of the vehicle.

52. A method as in claim 51, wherein the selected information is comprised of at least one of a promotional message provided by a supplier of goods or services or a discount offer provided by a supplier of goods or services.

53. A method as in claim 51, wherein the step of operating the computer to search the data base to select information to be presented to the occupant of the vehicle further takes into consideration, when selecting the information, a location of the fuel dispenser.

54. A method as in claim 51, wherein the step of presenting comprises the steps of:

transferring the selected information from the computer to the fuel dispenser, and from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle; and

presenting the response to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying, annunciating or printing at least some of the selected information within the vehicle.

55. A method as in claim 51, wherein the step of presenting comprises the steps of:

transferring the selected information from the computer to the fuel dispenser; and

presenting the response to the occupant of the vehicle by at least one displaying or printing at least some of the selected information with the fuel dispenser.

56. A method as in claim 51, wherein the computer is a remote computer, and wherein the step of transferring data includes a step of transmitting the data to a data communications network that is bidirectionally coupled between the fuel dispenser and the computer.

57. A method as in claim 51, wherein the computer comprises a portion of the fuel dispenser.

58. A method as in claim 51, wherein the computer comprises a portion of a communications unit that is bidirectionally coupled to a plurality of fuel dispensers.

59. A system for fueling vehicles, comprising:

a plurality of fuel dispensers; and

a local computer that is bidirectionally coupled to said plurality of fuel dispensers through a local, first data communications network, and that is further bidirectionally coupled to a plurality of remote plurality of fuel dispensers and said first data communications network, and from said local computer to one of said remote computers over said second data communications network; and

wherein

a response to said data access request from said one of said remote computers is transmitted to said local computer over said second data communications network, and from said local computer towards said one of said plurality of fuel dispensers.

60. A system as in claim 59, wherein at least said transceivers operate with a bit serial protocol.