Smartphone-based vehicle control methods

• US 9,701,265 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S
• Primary Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US14/968,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20160090055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/066 Valve caps
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 : with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 : with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 : including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 : responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 : responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 : using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 : for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0008 : of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 : Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 : combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 : Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/00 : Scenes; Scene-specific elements control of digital cameras H04N23/60
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 : Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 : Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Method for controlling a vehicle including a smartphone-engaging coupling element. Data about operational status of the vehicle is transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to a smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. Commands are received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, which commands being based in part on data previously transferred from the vehicle-resident system(s) to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. A vehicular system, e.g., seat positioning system, mirror positioning system, passenger compartment temperature control system, route guidance or navigation system, changes its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising:

arranging a smartphone-engaging coupling element in the vehicle;

causing data about operational status of the vehicle to be transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to a smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, the smartphone being usable for voice and data communications independent of the vehicle when outside of a compartment defined by the vehicle;

causing commands to be received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, the commands being based in part on data previously transferred from the one or more vehicle-resident systems to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element; and

then

causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of causing data about operational status of the vehicle to be transferred from the one or more vehicle-resident systems to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing data from one or more vehicle-resident sensors to be generated when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element and causing the generated data to be transferred to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing the one or more vehicle-resident sensors to change its operation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of causing data about operational status of the vehicle to be transferred from the one or more vehicle-resident systems to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing data from one or more vehicle-resident actuators, antennas and displays to be generated when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element and causing the generated data to be transferred to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing the one or more vehicle-resident actuators, antennas and displays to change its operation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing information about environmental, road or traffic conditions around the vehicle to be obtained using at least one vehicle-resident sensor; and

transmitting the information about environmental, road or traffic conditions around the vehicle obtained using the at least one vehicle-resident sensor to a remote site separate and apart from the vehicle or to another vehicle via the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling element is connected with a vehicle bus to which one or more vehicle-resident sensors, displays, actuators and antennas are connected, the step of causing data about operational status of the vehicle to be transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprising transferring the data from the one or more vehicle-resident sensors, displays, actuators and antennas to the smartphone via the vehicle bus.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of arranging a smartphone-engaging coupling element in the vehicle comprises arranging a Bluetooth communication system in the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing notification of a potential collision involving the vehicle to be provided via the at least one vehicular system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicular system is a seat positioning system that controls position of a seat of the vehicle, the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing position of the seat to be controlled by the seat positioning system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicular system is a passenger compartment temperature system that controls temperature of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing temperature of the passenger compartment to be controlled by the passenger compartment temperature system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicular system is a mirror positioning system that controls position of a mirror of the vehicle, the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing position of the mirror to be controlled by the mirror positioning system.

13. A method for controlling a vehicle, comprising:

arranging a smartphone-engaging coupling element in the vehicle;

generating data about operational status of the vehicle from one or more vehicle-resident systems after engagement of a smartphone with the coupling element is detected, the smartphone being usable for voice and data communications independent of the vehicle when outside of a compartment defined by the vehicle;

transferring the generated data about operational status of the vehicle to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element;

receiving commands at the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, the commands being based in part on the generated data transferred to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element; and

then

causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received at the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of transferring the generated data about operational status of the vehicle to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises transferring data from one or more vehicle-resident sensors to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of transferring the generated data about operational status of the vehicle to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises transferring data from one or more vehicle-resident actuators, antennas and displays to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

obtaining information about environmental, road or traffic conditions around the vehicle using at least one vehicle-resident sensor; and

providing the obtained information about environmental, road or traffic conditions around the vehicle to a remote site or to another vehicle via the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling element is connected with a vehicle bus to which one or more vehicle-resident sensors, displays, actuators and antennas are connected, the step of transferring the generated data about operational status of the vehicle to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprising transferring the data from the one or more vehicle-resident sensors, displays, actuators and antennas to the smartphone via the vehicle bus.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of arranging a smartphone-engaging coupling element in the vehicle comprises arranging a Bluetooth communication system in the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received at the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing notification of a potential collision involving the vehicle to be provided via the at least one vehicular system.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one vehicular system is a seat positioning system that controls position of a seat of the vehicle, the step of causing at least one vehicular system to change its operation in accordance with the commands received at the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element comprises causing position of the seat to be controlled by the seat positioning system.