Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110224841 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING A VEHICLE'S ENERGY SOURCE - One or more embodiments may include a method for remotely obtaining information about an energy source of a vehicle. Information identifying one or more vehicles and one or more drivers of the vehicles may be received at one or more computing devices remote from a vehicle. Instructions from the one or more remote computing devices may be transmitted requesting information from the identified vehicle(s) about a status of an energy source for the identified vehicle(s). The status information may be received at the remote computing device(s). Based on the energy source status information and the driver identifying information, a vehicle energy source status with respect to one or more attributes of the vehicle drivers may be calculated. Additionally, the vehicle energy source status may be displayed at the one or more devices. | 09-15-2011 |
20110224852 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY CHARGING A VEHICLE - One or more embodiments may include a method for selectively charging a vehicle. The method may include receiving at one or more computers one or more periods for charging a vehicle. The vehicle charging periods may be stored in memory. Further, pricing rates for charging the vehicle during the one or more vehicle charging periods may be received at the computer(s). Based on the one or more pricing rates and the vehicle charging periods, one or more low cost charging periods may be determined. The one or more low cost charging periods may be automatically adjusted if the one or more pricing rates change. The vehicle may be charged during at least part of the one or more low cost charging periods. | 09-15-2011 |
20120179323 | Method and Apparatus for Charging Station Guidance - A computer-implemented method, executable by a vehicle associated computing system, includes receiving a request for display of local refueling points. The method also includes determining current coordinates of vehicle and determining one or more fuel point locations within a defined map range. The method additionally includes displaying a map display containing the current vehicle location and the location of the one or more fuel point locations. | 07-12-2012 |
20120179359 | Methods and Apparatus for Navigation Including Vehicle Recharging - A computer-implemented method includes determining the reachability of one or more known refueling points along a route-to-be-traveled. The method also includes selecting one or more recommended refueling points, based at least in part on the determined reachability of the one or more known refueling points. The method further includes outputting at least a portion of the route-to-be-traveled including at least one recommended refueling point and providing an option to route a vehicle to the recommended refueling point. The method additionally includes, responsive to a selection of an option to route the vehicle to the recommended refueling point, providing a route from a present destination to the recommended refueling point, wherein, when the recommended refueling point has been reached, the route reverts to the route-to-be-traveled. | 07-12-2012 |
20120254948 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTHENTICATING ONE OR MORE USERS OF A VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEM - In at least one embodiment, a system for authorizing use of a vehicle communication and information system may include one or more data processors configured to receive information associating one or more devices with a vehicle computer. The data processor(s) may be also configured to receive information identifying a user requesting authorization to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer. The user(s) may be authorized to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer based on performing an authentication process for authenticating the user, determining that the user is an authenticated user based on the authentication process, and enabling command of one or more vehicle controls from the one or more remote devices via the associated vehicle computer based on the user being authenticated. | 10-04-2012 |
20130041552 | Methods and Apparatus for Estimating Power Usage - A computer-implemented method includes establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run. The method also includes setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model. The illustrative method includes receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model. The method further includes calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles. The method additionally includes repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption. | 02-14-2013 |
20130297100 | Methods and Systems for Authenticating One or More Users of a Vehicle Communications and Information System - A system includes a processor, configured to wirelessly communicate with at least a vehicle computing system, wherein the processor is further configured to receive input from a vehicle owner indicating that transfer of administrative rights to vehicle systems is desired. The processor is further configured to send a confirmation message to a new owner of the vehicle and send a confirmation request to the vehicle computing system, following receipt of a response to the first confirmation message. Also, the processor is configured to establish the new owner as having administrative rights upon receipt of a response to the confirmation request. | 11-07-2013 |
20130305323 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTHENTICATING ONE OR MORE USERS OF A VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEM - In at least one embodiment, a system for authorizing use of a vehicle communication and information system may include one or more data processors configured to receive information associating one or more devices with a vehicle computer. The data processor(s) may be also configured to receive information identifying a user requesting authorization to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer. The user(s) may be authorized to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer based on performing an authentication process for authenticating the user, determining that the user is an authenticated user based on the authentication process, and enabling command of one or more vehicle controls from the one or more remote devices via the associated vehicle computer based on the user being authenticated. | 11-14-2013 |
20140163811 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMLINED REMOTE TELEMATICS AUTHORIZATION - A vehicle system providing a temporary validation authorization request for one or more processors configured to transmit a signal from the vehicle system to a server once the one or more processors are installed in the vehicle. Once the server receives the installation signal, the processor may receive an in-vehicle authorization message from the server. The in-vehicle authorization message may be accepted by a user-input acceptance transmitted to the server. The system may determine temporary validation authorization if it is determined that the user accepted the in-vehicle authorization message within a predetermined amount of time following transmission of the signal to the server indicating that the processor was installed. Once authorized, the system may initialize to allow for assembly line testing. The temporary validation authorization initializes the vehicle system for temporary communication with the server while on a vehicle manufacturing assembly line for testing to ensure a quality product. | 06-12-2014 |