Remote processing of selected vehicle operating parameters

• US 8,571,791 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Thomas J. Jr., Tegreene, Clarence T., Whitmer, Charles, Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kim T
• Application Number:
  US12/653,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20110029190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/36, 701/34.2, 701/34.4, 701/58, 701/65, 701/66, 701/409, 701/425
• US Class Current: 701/425
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is 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 administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Claims

1. A method for detection and processing of vehicle operational mode data, comprising:

establishing, via a processing unit, an identity for a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area that is subject to a given administrative standard;

presenting, via a communication module, user-access to varied compliance states and benefits corresponding to the compliance states pursuant to the given administrative standard, which corresponding benefits accrue to a qualified recipient based on a detected conformity status of the vehicle when traveling via the particular route or area;

providing, via the communication module, user-accessible information regarding a preferred consequential result correlated with at least one selected optional vehicle operational mode, wherein the preferred consequential result includes an award or value or advantage different from the corresponding benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard; and

receiving, via the processing unit, a notification directly or indirectly from the vehicle that confirms an implementation during an applicable period of the at least one selected optional vehicle operational mode sufficient to attain the preferred consequential result.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

presenting confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage via a communication device in the vehicle or via a communication device located remotely from the vehicle or via a mobile communication device.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

presenting confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage that is dependent upon arrival of the vehicle at a specified destination.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said presenting confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage includes:

presenting confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage available to the qualified recipient at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

maintaining an external data record that confirms availability of the preferred consequential result at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

maintaining an external data record that confirms availability of the preferred consequential at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

responsive to receiving the notification from the vehicle, providing a remote data record including user-accessible information indicating a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from the deviated conformity status caused by the selected optional vehicle operational mode.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the compliance state applicable to the vehicle during one or more of the following types of 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.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle during a travel period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information regarding maintenance of a preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing user-accessible comparative information regarding a deviated conformity status as compared with the preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said receiving the notification directly or indirectly from the vehicle includes:

receiving the notification from the vehicle that confirms implementation of one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters in a manner to maintain the preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area and/or during all or portion of a temporal travel period subject to the given administrative standard.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

confirming implementation of the one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters which prevent the vehicle from qualifying for the respective compliance state applicable to the particular travel route or travel area or temporal travel period.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

confirming implementation of the one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result, wherein at least one of the implemented configurable vehicle operating parameters also enables conformity with one or more possible compliance states relative to the given administrative standard.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information that confirms forfeiture of all or part of the accrued benefit due to a deviated conformity status that occurs in connection with maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm, wherein the deviated conformity status caused by the preferable vehicle paradigm does not prevent attainment of the preferred consequential result.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

battery charging/discharging paradigm, exhaust paradigm for fuel emissions, fuel composition paradigm for combustion engine, vehicle power paradigm in electric/combustion hybrid vehicle, electrical power paradigm for hybrid engine, combustion power paradigm for hybrid engine, calibrated temperature paradigm for vehicle component, vehicle safety factor paradigm, environmental benchmark paradigm, multiple passenger threshold paradigm, engine efficiency paradigm based on miles-per-gallon calibration.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

controlled velocity paradigm based on a maximum speed or minimum speed or speed range, vehicle velocity paradigm to achieve a proposed targeted arrival time at a chosen destination.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

vehicle power paradigm for achieving an appropriate vehicle acceleration or vehicle speed range based on current travel conditions on a particular route or in a particular area or during a temporal travel period subject to the given administrative standard.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

confirming implementation of the configurable vehicle operating parameter sufficient to achieve the preferable vehicle paradigm and also to qualify for another correlated consequential result provided by a third party person or entity.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

maintaining an external record located separate from the vehicle, which external record includes status documentation indicating achievement of at least one preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operating parameters to maintain the preferable vehicle paradigm;

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.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

maintaining an external data record that includes one or more preferred consequential results different from the corresponding benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external data record that includes consequential result information regarding one or more of the following types of vehicle battery aspects;

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.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external data record that includes consequential result information regarding one or more of the following types of award or value or advantage included 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.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external data record that includes consequential result information regarding an award or value or advantage that is available 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.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

maintaining an external record that includes certification of the actual award or value or advantage provided 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.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

obtaining confirmation that the implemented vehicle operational mode also enables conformity with a compliance state of the given administrative standard.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

posting to an electronic record a certification of an actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the attained consequential result.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

posting the certification to an account record or electronic card associated with one or more of the following type of parties;

vehicle, operator, driver, passenger, owner, lessor, lessee, vehicle fleet owner, vehicle fleet manager, tax agency, government agency, vehicle insurer, entity providing consequential result, entity providing corresponding benefit, authorized family member.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information regarding the preferred consequential result that is based on a previously attained award or value or advantage.

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing user-accessible information for the preferred consequential result that is based on a cumulative record of performance regarding one or more specified vehicle operational modes.

32. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

based on the implemented vehicle operational mode, obtaining from a certification module located separate from the vehicle a certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of an attained consequential result.

33. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

posting to an electronic record a certification that includes a description of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the attained consequential result.

34. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

posting to an electronic record a certification that delineates a qualified recipient of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of an attained consequential result.

35. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes:

maintaining an external data record that includes consequential result information regarding one or more of the following types of vehicle battery aspects;

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.

36. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes:

maintaining an external data record that includes consequential result information regarding one or more of the following types of award or value or advantage included 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.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes:

maintaining an external data record that includes consequential result information regarding an award or value or advantage that is available 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.

38. A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing a method for detection and processing of vehicle operational mode data, wherein the method includes the following operations:

establishing an identity for a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area that is subject to a given administrative standard;

presenting user-access to varied compliance states and benefits corresponding to the compliance states pursuant to the given administrative standard, which corresponding benefits accrue to a qualified recipient based on a detected conformity status of the vehicle when traveling via the particular route or area;

providing user-accessible information regarding a preferred consequential result correlated with at least one selected vehicle operational mode, wherein the preferred consequential result includes an award or value or advantage different from the corresponding benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard; and

receiving a notification directly or indirectly from the vehicle that confirms an implementation during an applicable period of the at least one selected optional vehicle operational mode sufficient to attain the preferred consequential result.

39. The computer program product of claim 38 including encoded instructions for the following operation:

providing user-accessible information regarding the preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage different from the corresponding benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard.

40. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

presenting confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage via a communication device in the vehicle or via a communication device located remotely from the vehicle or via a mobile communication device.

41. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

presenting confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage that is dependent upon arrival of the vehicle at a specified destination.

42. The computer program product of claim 41 wherein said method feature presenting confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage includes:

presenting confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage available to the qualified recipient at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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

43. The computer program product of claim 41 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

maintaining an external data record that confirms availability of the preferred consequential result at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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.

44. The computer program product of claim 41 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

maintaining an external data record that confirms availability of the preferred consequential at one or more of the following types of specified destinations;

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.

45. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

responsive to receiving the notification from the vehicle, providing a remote data record including user-accessible information indicating a cost or penalty or other detriment arising from the deviated conformity status during the temporal travel period for the vehicle.

46. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the compliance state applicable to the vehicle during one or more of the following types of 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.

47. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle during the travel period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.

48. The computer program product of claim 38 wherein said method feature providing user-accessible information regarding the preferred consequential result includes:

providing user-accessible information regarding the maintenance of a preferable vehicle paradigm that is included as part of the preferred consequential result.

49. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

providing user-accessible comparative information regarding a deviated conformity status as compared with the preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the consequential result.

50. The computer program product of claim 48 wherein said method feature receiving the notification directly or indirectly from the vehicle includes:

receiving the notification from the vehicle that confirms implementation of one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters in a manner to maintain the preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area and/or during all or portion of a temporal travel period subject to the given administrative standard.

51. The computer program product of claim 50 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

confirming implementation of the one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters which prevent the vehicle from qualifying for the respective compliance state applicable to the particular travel route or travel area or temporal travel period.

52. The computer program product of claim 50 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

confirming implementation of the one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result, wherein at least one of the implemented configurable vehicle operating parameters also enables conformity with one or more possible compliance states relative to the given administrative standard.

53. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

providing a remote data record including user-accessible information that confirms forfeiture of all or part of the accrued benefit due to a deviated conformity status that occurs in connection with maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm, wherein the deviated conformity status caused by the preferable vehicle paradigm does not prevent attainment of the preferred consequential result.

54. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

battery charging/discharging paradigm, exhaust paradigm for fuel emissions, fuel composition paradigm for combustion engine, vehicle power paradigm in electric/combustion hybrid vehicle, electrical power paradigm for hybrid engine, combustion power paradigm for hybrid engine, calibrated temperature paradigm for vehicle component, vehicle safety factor paradigm, environmental benchmark paradigm, multiple passenger threshold paradigm, engine efficiency based on miles-per-gallon calibration.

55. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

controlled velocity paradigm based on a maximum speed or minimum speed or speed range, vehicle velocity paradigm to achieve a proposed targeted arrival time at a chosen destination.

56. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of preferable vehicle paradigms maintained in the vehicle;

vehicle power paradigm for achieving an appropriate vehicle acceleration or vehicle speed range based on current travel conditions on a particular route or in a particular area or during a temporal travel period subject to the given administrative standard.

57. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

confirming implementation of the configurable vehicle operating parameter sufficient to achieve the preferable vehicle paradigm and also to qualify for another correlated consequential result provided by a third party person or entity.

58. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

maintaining an external record located separate from the vehicle, which external record includes status documentation indicating achievement of at least one preferable vehicle paradigm included as part of the preferred consequential result.

59. The computer program product of claim 48 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

obtaining confirmation of one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operating parameters to maintain the preferable vehicle paradigm;

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.

60. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

maintaining an external data record located separate from the vehicle, which external data record includes certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the preferred consequential result that is different from the corresponding benefit available pursuant to the given administrative standard.

61. The computer program product of claim 60 wherein said method feature maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external record that includes certification of the actual award or value or advantage provided 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.

62. The computer program product of claim 60 wherein said method feature maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external data record that delineates a qualified recipient of the actual award or value or advantage.

63. The computer program product of claim 60 wherein said method feature maintaining the external data record includes:

maintaining the external data record that includes a description of the actual award or value or advantage.

64. The computer program product of claim 38 further including encoded instructions for the following operation:

posting to an electronic record a certification of an actual award or value or advantage available to a qualified recipient as part of the preferred consequential result.

65. The computer program product of claim 64 wherein said method feature posting to the electronic record includes:

posting the certification to an account record or electronic card associated with one or more of the following type of parties;

vehicle, operator, driver, passenger, owner, lessor, lessee, vehicle fleet owner, vehicle fleet manager, tax agency, government agency, vehicle insurer, entity providing consequential result, entity providing corresponding benefit, authorized family member.