Remotely located database for managing a vehicle fleet

• US 9,165,412 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2011
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gellatly, Andrew W., Highstrom, Matthew M., Grost, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Bao Long T
• Application Number:
  US13/267,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A method and system of managing a vehicle fleet is provided. The method includes providing an electronic device, a computing device, and a vehicle that is associated with the vehicle fleet. The electronic device is located within a proximate distance from the vehicle and the computing device is located remotely from the vehicle. The electronic device is associated with a driver identifier. The method includes sending a data signal from the electronic device to the computing device indicating the driver identifier. The method further includes matching the driver identifier with a specific driver profile that is saved on a database of the computing device. The specific driver profile includes information associating the vehicle with the driver identifier. The method includes sending information regarding the specific driver profile from the database to a vehicle control module, where the vehicle control module associated with the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of managing vehicles in a vehicle fleet, comprising:

providing an electronic device, a computing device, and a vehicle that is associated with the vehicle fleet, wherein the electronic device is located within a proximate distance from the vehicle and the computing device is located remotely from the vehicle, and wherein the electronic device is associated with a driver identifier;

sending a data signal from the electronic device to the computing device indicating the driver identifier;

matching the driver identifier with a specific driver profile that is saved on a database of the computing device, wherein the specific driver profile includes information associating the vehicle with the driver identifier and wherein the database includes a plurality of driver profiles that are each associated with a specific driver and one of the vehicles in the vehicle fleet;

sending information regarding the specific driver profile from the database to a vehicle control module, the vehicle control module associated with the vehicle;

selectively activating at least one vehicle system based on the specific driver profile, wherein the at least one vehicle system is part of the vehicle;

activating driver settings based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the driver settings include a seat position, a set of radio presets, and a list of contacts; and

activating safety defined vehicle presets based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the safety defined vehicle presets includes a radio volume control, a hands-free system restriction, a vehicle speed restriction, a park assist restriction, a seatbelt reminder restriction and a geo-fencing restriction.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising activating a vehicle ignition switch of the vehicle based on the specific driver profile.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing a navigational control module that is in communication with the computing device, wherein the navigational control module sends information to the computing device indicating a location of the vehicle.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing one of a personal electronic device and a master key as the electronic device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the specific driver profile includes information including an associated driving record.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing a plurality of vehicles, wherein the specific driver profile gains access to a portion of the plurality of vehicles.

7. A vehicle fleet having a plurality of vehicles, the vehicle fleet comprising:

an electronic device that is associated with a driver identifier, the electronic device located within a proximate distance from a vehicle;

a computing device in communication with the electronic device, wherein the computing device includes a computing device memory with a database stored thereon, the database including a specific driver profile that includes information associating the vehicle with the driver identifier, the computing device including control logic for matching the specific driver profile with the driver identifier, wherein the database includes a plurality of driver profiles that are each associated with a specific driver and one of the vehicles in the vehicle fleet; and

at least one control module in communication with the electronic device and the computing device, the electronic device located within a proximate distance of the vehicle, and the computing device located remotely from the vehicle, and wherein the control module is in communication with at least one vehicle system that is part of the vehicle, the at least one control module comprising a control logic for;

receiving information from the computing device regarding the specific driver pro file;

activating the at least one vehicle system based on information from the electronic device regarding the specific driver profile;

activating driver settings based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the driver settings include a seat position, a set of radio presets, and a list of contacts; and

activating safety defined vehicle presets based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the safety defined vehicle presets include a radio volume control, a hands-free system restriction, a vehicle speed restriction, a park assist restriction, a seatbelt reminder restriction and a geo-fencing restriction.

8. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one vehicle system is an ignition switch of the vehicle, and wherein the control module includes control logic for selectively activating the ignition switch based on the specific driver profile.

9. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one control module is a navigational control module that is in communication with the computing device, wherein the navigational control module sends information to the computing device indicating the location of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 7, wherein the specific driver profile includes information including an associated driving record.

11. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic device is one of a master key and a personal electronic device.

12. A vehicle fleet having a plurality of vehicles, the vehicle fleet comprising:

a biometrics device configured for determining a driver identifier;

a computing device including a computing device memory with a database stored thereon, the database including a specific driver profile that includes information associating a vehicle with the driver identifier, the computing device including control logic for matching the specific driver profile with the driver identifier and wherein the database includes a plurality of driver profiles that are each associated with a specific driver and one of the vehicles in the vehicle fleet; and

at least one control module in communication with the biometric device and the computing device, the computing device located remotely from the vehicle, and wherein the control module is in communication with at least one vehicle system that is part of the vehicle, the at least one control module comprising a control logic for;

monitoring the biometric device for the driver identifier;

sending the driver identifier to the computing device;

receiving information from the computing device regarding the specific driver pro file;

activating the at least one vehicle system based on information from the biometric device;

activating driver settings based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the driver settings include a seat position, a set of radio presets, and a list of contacts; and

activating safety defined vehicle presets based on information regarding the specific driver profile received from the database of the computing device, wherein the safety defined vehicle presets include a radio volume control, a hands-free system restriction, a vehicle speed restriction, a park assist restriction, a seatbelt reminder restriction and a geo-fencing restriction.

13. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 12, wherein the biometrics device is configured for detecting characteristics of one of skin, fingerprints, voice, and an iris.

14. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one vehicle system is an ignition switch of the vehicle, and wherein the control module includes control logic for selectively activating the ignition switch based on the specific driver pro file.

15. The vehicle fleet as recited in claim 12, wherein the specific driver profile includes information indicating an associated driving record.