Communication method and system for configuring electric powered vehicles

• US 6,373,380 B1
• Filed: 10/24/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Scott, Thomas, Robertson, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/694,914
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/539, 340/425.5, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.31, 340/5.72, 340/5.64, 340/5-2-, 340/825.49, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 701/36, 701/49
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• 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: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• 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 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 for configuring features of an electric powered vehicle to a profile of a random user includes storing a profile of a user on a device possessed by the user. The profile is indicative of how the features of the electric powered vehicle are to be configured. The profile of the user is then transmitted to the vehicle using a radio frequency (RF) transmission link. The features of the vehicle are then configured in accordance with the profile of the user upon receiving the profile of the user. An alternative method for communicating data between a user and the vehicle includes connecting the vehicle to an electric power supply using a hard wired connection. Electrical power from the power supply is then supplied to the vehicle using a power signal through the connection. A carrier signal is then multiplexed on the power signal as the electrical power is being supplied from the electric power supply to the vehicle. A data signal is then transmitted on the carrier signal to communicate data between the vehicle and the electric power supply.

Claims

1. A method for communicating user profile data between a user and an electric powered vehicle as the electric powered vehicle is being recharged, the method comprising:

connecting the electric powered vehicle to an electric power supply using a hard wire connection;

supplying electrical power from the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle using a power signal through the hard wire connection;

multiplexing a carrier signal on the power signal as the electrical power is being supplied from the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle;

transmitting a user profile data signal on the carrier signal to communicate user profile data between the electric powered vehicle and the user via the electric power supply, wherein the user profile data is indicative of how features of the electric powered vehicle are to be configured for the user; and

configuring features of the electric powered vehicle in accordance with the user profile data upon the electric powered vehicle receiving the user profile data signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the hard wire connection includes a standard interface electrical plug connected to the electrical power supply.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the electrical power supply is a standard household electrical power supply.

4. A system for communicating user profile data between a user and an electric powered vehicle as the electric powered vehicle is being recharged, the system comprising:

an electric power supply for supplying electric power to the electric powered vehicle using a power signal;

a hard wire connection for connecting the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle to supply the power signal from the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle; and

a transceiver for multiplexing a carrier signal on the power signal as the electrical power is being supplied from the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle, the transceiver further operable for transmitting a user profile data signal on the carrier signal to communicate user profile data between the electric powered vehicle and the user via the electric power supply, wherein the user profile data is indicative of how features of the electric powered vehicle are to be configured for the user.