Method and system for enabling an authorized vehicle driveaway

• US 9,205,807 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2012
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Van Wiemeersch, John Robert, Kleve, Robert Bruce, Hille, Kevin Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Knox, Kaleria
• Application Number:
  US13/653,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20130040620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/19, 340/5.7, 340/426.3, 340/5.62, 340/5.52, 340/5.54, 455/569.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

Various embodiments may include methods and system for enabling an authorized vehicle driveaway. A vehicle driveaway authorization code for authorizing a vehicle to be driven and a user authorization code that corresponds to the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be generated. The codes may be generated by, for example, at least one server configured to generate the authorization codes. The at least one server may be communicating with a nomadic device and a vehicle driveaway authorization system. A vehicle driveaway request signal may be received. In response to a receipt of the vehicle driveaway request signal, the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be transmitted to the vehicle driveaway authorization system and the user authorization code may be transmitted to the nomadic device for input to the vehicle driveaway authorization system in order to enable the vehicle to be driven.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing vehicle drive away, the method comprising:

presenting a website to register a user for participation in a vehicle drive away program;

receiving input at the website from the user requesting a vehicle drive away event;

receiving input defining a preconfigured code used for authorizing the vehicle drive away event;

generating RFID information corresponding to the user;

configuring an RFID tag with the RFID information;

receiving at least a portion of the RFID information stored on the RFID tag from an embedded cellular telephone at the vehicle;

determining whether the drive away event is authorized based at least in part on the RFID information and the preconfigured code; and

if authorized, transmitting an authorization signal to the embedded cellular telephone at the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising receiving the preconfigured code at the vehicle through a touch screen.

3. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising encrypting at least a portion of the RFID information.

4. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising displaying the preconfigured code at the website.

5. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising encrypting at least a portion of the authorization signal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the preconfigured code is associated with the RFID information.

7. A method for authorizing vehicle drive away, the method comprising:

presenting a website to register a user for participation in a vehicle drive away program;

receiving input at the website from a user requesting a vehicle drive away event;

associating an RFID tag with user-identifying RFID information based on the registered user and usable for authorizing the vehicle drive away event;

wirelessly receiving the RFID information from the RFID tag via an RFID receiver;

using a vehicle embedded cellular telephone to communicate authorization information between the vehicle and an authorization server for authorizing the drive away event based at least on the user-identifying RFID information;

receiving a first code used for authorizing the vehicle drive away event; and

enabling drive away of the vehicle if the first code and the RFID information is authorized.

8. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising displaying the first code at the website.

9. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising generating a second code for use in authorizing the vehicle drive away event.

10. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising communicating the second code to the vehicle embedded cellular telephone.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second code is wirelessly communicated to the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the second code is stored on an RFID tag.

13. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising encrypting the second code.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the first code is associated with the second code.