Wireless connection and application methods and systems for vehicles

Abstract

Wireless connection and application methods and systems for vehicles are provided. First, a specific electronic device is used to specify a target vehicle from a plurality of candidate vehicles using a first wireless communication technology. Then, the specific electronic device establishes a wireless connection with the target vehicle using a second wireless communication technology, where the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology are different. Through the wireless connection, the specific electronic device obtains vehicle information corresponding to the target vehicle from the target vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless connection and application method and system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a method and system that can simultaneously utilize two different wireless communication technologies to wirelessly connect and apply between a vehicle and an electronic device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the advancement of electronic information technology, the trend in vehicle development has become increasingly intelligent. In addition to basic transportation functions, the improvement of safety and other peripheral application functions has also become a topic of development for the industry.

[0003] On the other hand, with the rise of environmental awareness and the advancement of electric vehicle technology, developing electric vehicles that use electricity as their power source to replace traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels has gradually become an important goal in the automotive field, thus making electric vehicles increasingly popular. Generally speaking, electric vehicles are equipped with a greater number of electronic components / devices and can be combined with the user's mobile device to provide more personalized applications and experiences.

[0004] For example, electric vehicles and mobile devices can both have wireless communication capabilities. Electric vehicles and mobile devices can connect through wireless networks and provide related vehicle applications and management functions. However, when multiple vehicles with wireless communication capabilities are in the same area at the same time, how to identify and designate specific vehicles will cause confusion for users or managers. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention provides a wireless connection and application method and system for vehicles.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle, applicable to a target vehicle and a specific electronic device. First, a target vehicle is selected from a plurality of candidate vehicles using a first wireless communication technology via the specific electronic device. Next, a wireless connection is established with the target vehicle using a second wireless communication technology via the specific electronic device, wherein the first and second wireless communication technologies are different. Then, through the wireless connection, vehicle information of one of the target vehicles is obtained from the target vehicle via the specific electronic device.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless connection and application system for a vehicle, comprising a target vehicle and a specific electronic device. The target vehicle has a first wireless communication technology and a second wireless communication technology, and has vehicle information. The first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology are different. The specific electronic device has both the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology. The specific electronic device uses the first wireless communication technology to select the target vehicle from a plurality of candidate vehicles, and uses the second wireless communication technology to establish a wireless connection with the target vehicle, and obtains the corresponding vehicle information of the target vehicle through the wireless connection.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication technology is an Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, and the method for designating a target vehicle involves using a specific electronic device to obtain location information from each candidate vehicle using UWB technology. Then, based on the location information of each candidate vehicle, a display unit of the specific electronic device displays the candidate vehicle or an illustration of each candidate vehicle. Afterwards, at least one of the candidate vehicles or illustrations of each candidate vehicle displayed in the display unit is selected to designate the target vehicle.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second wireless communication technology is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, and a specific electronic device obtains the vehicle information of the target vehicle from the target vehicle through a wireless connection using Bluetooth Low Energy technology, and uses an Augmented Reality (AR) technology to display the vehicle information of the target vehicle on the display unit according to the location information of each candidate vehicle.

[0010] In some embodiments, identification data is obtained from each candidate vehicle using a specific electronic device and a first wireless communication technology, and the identification data of each candidate vehicle is used for screening to exclude at least one specific vehicle that does not belong to a specific service.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication technology is an ultra-wideband technology, and a specific electronic device obtains corresponding location information from each candidate vehicle using the ultra-wideband technology, and filters according to the location information of each candidate vehicle to exclude at least one specific vehicle, wherein a distance between the specific vehicle and the specific electronic device is greater than a specific distance.

[0012] In some embodiments, the power of at least one battery inside the target vehicle is obtained using the target vehicle, wherein vehicle information includes power, and the power of the target vehicle is transmitted to a specific electronic device via a wireless connection using a second wireless communication technology.

[0013] In some embodiments, the target vehicle connects to a remote server via a network and obtains information about a specific service or the target vehicle from the remote server via a network router, wherein the vehicle information includes service information. The target vehicle then transmits the information about the specific service or the target vehicle to a specific electronic device via a wireless connection using a second wireless communication technology.

[0014] In some embodiments, a vehicle firmware update file is transmitted to a target vehicle via a wireless connection using a specific electronic device and a second wireless communication technology, and the target vehicle updates at least one firmware of the target vehicle according to the vehicle firmware update file.

[0015] In some embodiments, a particular electronic device includes a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a vehicle.

[0016] The method described above can exist through program code. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

[0017] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless connection and application system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless connection and application system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless connection and application method of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle removal method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle removal method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a designated target vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Implementation Method

[0018] Figure 1 shows a wireless connectivity and application system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless connectivity and application system 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one vehicle 110 and a specific electronic device 120. The vehicle 110 and the specific electronic device 120 may each have a first wireless communication technology and a second wireless communication technology, and are interconnected via a first wireless network 130 and a second wireless network 140, respectively. It is worth noting that the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology are different. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication technology may be Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, and the second wireless communication technology may be Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the specific electronic device 120 may include a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a vehicle.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the vehicle 110 includes at least a first wireless network connection unit 112, a second wireless network connection unit 114, and a processing unit 116. The first wireless network connection unit 112 can implement a first wireless communication technology, such as ultra-wideband technology, and the second wireless network connection unit 114 can implement a second wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth Low Energy technology. The processing unit 116 can control the operation of relevant hardware and software within the vehicle and execute the wireless connection and application method of the vehicle according to this invention, the details of which will be described later. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the electric vehicle 110 may include a storage unit (not shown in the figure). The storage unit can store relevant information about the vehicle.

[0020] It must be noted that the vehicle 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention can be any vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle 110 can be an electric vehicle, such as an electric motorcycle. Figure 3 shows an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the electric vehicle 300 according to the embodiments of the present invention can be an electric vehicle based on a battery as one of its power sources, such as an electric motorcycle. As shown, the electric vehicle 300 includes at least a battery storage unit 310, a first wireless network connection unit 320, a second wireless network connection unit 330, a motor unit 340, and a processing unit 350. The battery storage unit 310 can store at least one battery BA. The battery BA can be a battery module having at least one battery cell for storing and releasing electrical energy. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, at least one battery can be connected in series or in parallel to provide electrical energy to the motor unit 340 of the electric vehicle 300 for operation. The first wireless network connection unit 320 can implement a first wireless communication technology, such as ultra-wideband technology, and the second wireless network connection unit 330 can implement a second wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth Low Energy technology. The first wireless network connection unit 320 and the second wireless network connection unit 330 enable the electric vehicle 300 to have network connectivity. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as ultra-wideband network, Bluetooth network, Wi-Fi network, etc. The motor unit 340 can operate to drive the vehicle and other vehicle components that require rotation. The processing unit 350 can control the operation of all hardware and software in the electric vehicle 300. Notably, in some embodiments, the electric vehicle 300 may include a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit can store information related to the electric vehicle and / or battery, such as vehicle identification data for the corresponding electric vehicle and battery identification data for the corresponding battery.

[0021] Figure 4 shows a wireless connection and application system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. The wireless connection and application system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle 110, a specific electronic device 120, and a remote server 150. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the specific electronic device 120 may include a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a vehicle. The vehicle 110 and the specific electronic device 120 can be coupled to the remote server 150 respectively through a network 160. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network, such as ultra-wideband, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. It must be noted that in some embodiments, the vehicle 110 can directly connect to the remote server 150 through the network 160. In some embodiments, the vehicle 110 can connect to the specific electronic device 120 through a wireless network, and utilize the specific electronic device 120 to connect to the remote server 150 through the network 160. It should be noted that the remote server 150 can be an electronic device. The remote server 150 can simultaneously manage vehicles located in the same location or in different locations via network 160. In some embodiments, the remote server 150 can simultaneously manage battery power stations (not shown) located in the same location or in different locations via network 160. The battery power station can have multiple batteries to supply power to at least one electrical device, such as an electric motorcycle or electric vehicle.

[0022] Figure 5 shows a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a specific electronic device.

[0023] First, as in step S510, a target vehicle is designated from a plurality of candidate vehicles using a specific electronic device and a first wireless communication technology. It is worth noting that the first wireless communication technology can be ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. It is also noted that in some embodiments, both the specific electronic device and the candidate vehicles have corresponding transmitting and receiving modules for the first wireless communication technology. The specific electronic device can obtain identification data and related information for each vehicle through the first wireless communication technology.

[0024] It should be noted that in some embodiments, a specific electronic device may perform a screening procedure based on data received from each vehicle. Figure 6 shows a vehicle exclusion method according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, as in step S610, an identification data is obtained from each candidate vehicle using a first wireless communication technology via a specific electronic device, and as in step S620, screening is performed based on the identification data of each candidate vehicle to exclude at least one specific vehicle that does not belong to a specific service. Note that in some embodiments, identification data having a predetermined identification code or conforming to a predetermined encoding rule will be retained. Figure 7 shows a vehicle exclusion method according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, as in step S710, a specific electronic device obtains corresponding location information from each candidate vehicle using ultra-wideband technology, and as in step S720, screening is performed based on the location information of each candidate vehicle to exclude at least one specific vehicle, wherein a distance between the specific vehicle and the specific electronic device is greater than a specific distance. For example, the specific distance may be 30 centimeters. When the distance between the specific vehicle and the specific electronic device exceeds 30 centimeters, the specific vehicle will be excluded. In other words, a particular vehicle will be reserved when the distance between it and a particular electronic device is within 30 centimeters.

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates a method for designating a target vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, candidate vehicles can be displayed in a display unit and selected. First, as in step S810, location information for each candidate vehicle is obtained using a specific electronic device with ultra-wideband technology. Next, as in step S820, based on the location information of each candidate vehicle, the candidate vehicle or a corresponding illustration of each candidate vehicle is displayed through a display unit of the specific electronic device. Notably, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may include a smartphone or a head-mounted display. Then, as in step S830, at least one of the candidate vehicles or corresponding illustrations of each candidate vehicle displayed in the display unit is selected to designate the target vehicle. Notably, in some embodiments, a user can select the target vehicle from these candidate vehicles through an input device. In some embodiments, the display position of the candidate vehicles in the display unit can be moved by moving the display unit, and when a specific vehicle among the candidate vehicles is located in the center of the display unit, this specific vehicle can be selected as the target vehicle. In some embodiments, all candidate vehicles displayed in the display unit can be selected as the target vehicle. It must be noted that the aforementioned method for designating the target vehicle is merely an example of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0026] Once the target vehicle is designated, as in step S520, a wireless connection is established with the target vehicle using a specific electronic device employing a second wireless communication technology. Note that the first and second wireless communication technologies are different. In some embodiments, the second wireless communication technology may be Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Then, as in step S530, vehicle information of one of the target vehicles is obtained from the target vehicle via the specific electronic device through the wireless connection.

[0027] Figure 9 illustrates a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, as in step S910, a specific electronic device obtains vehicle information of the target vehicle from the target vehicle via a wireless connection using Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Then, as in step S920, using augmented reality technology, the vehicle information of the target vehicle is displayed on the display unit based on the location information of each candidate vehicle. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, based on the location information of each candidate vehicle, the display unit of the specific electronic device can display the candidate vehicle or an illustration of each candidate vehicle. The vehicle information of the target vehicle can be displayed next to the candidate vehicle or the illustration of each candidate vehicle.

[0028] It must be noted that the present invention is not limited to any vehicle information. In some embodiments, the target vehicle can obtain the charge level of at least one battery inside the target vehicle. In other words, vehicle information may include the charge level. The target vehicle can transmit the corresponding target vehicle charge level to a specific electronic device via a wireless connection using a second wireless communication technology.

[0029] Figure 10 illustrates a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, vehicle information may be service-related information for a specific service. First, as in step S1010, the target vehicle connects to a remote server via a network, and as in step S1020, obtains information about a specific service, such as vehicle rental or the target vehicle, from the remote server via a network route. The vehicle information includes service information. In some embodiments, the service information may include battery level, service hours, service rates, etc. Next, as in step S1030, the target vehicle transmits the information about the specific service or the target vehicle to a specific electronic device via a wireless connection using a second wireless communication technology. It should be noted again that the aforementioned vehicle information is merely an example of this invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] Figure 11 illustrates a wireless connection and application method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, firmware updates for a target vehicle can be performed via a specific electronic device. First, as in step S1110, a vehicle firmware update file is transmitted to the target vehicle via a wireless connection using a second wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth Low Energy technology, using the specific electronic device. Then, as in step S1120, at least one firmware of the target vehicle is updated using the vehicle firmware update file based on the vehicle firmware update file. Notably, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device can be a smartphone. The smartphone can obtain the vehicle firmware update file by connecting to a remote server via a network. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device can be a specific vehicle. The specific vehicle can have its firmware updated by a smartphone. In some embodiments, a target vehicle within a specific distance, such as 30 centimeters, can have its firmware updated by this specific vehicle.

[0031] Therefore, through the vehicle wireless connection and application method and system of this case, two different wireless communication technologies, such as ultra-wideband technology and Bluetooth low power technology, can be used simultaneously to wirelessly connect and apply between the vehicle and electronic devices, thereby increasing the accuracy of vehicle positioning and designation, and performing various applications while maintaining low power consumption.

[0032] The method, or a specific form or part thereof, of the present invention may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in physical media, such as floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, or any other machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, or may be a computer program product, not limited to an external form, wherein when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted through some transmission medium, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission method, wherein when the program code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes an apparatus for participating in the present invention. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code, in conjunction with the processing unit, provides a unique apparatus that operates similarly to an application-specific logic circuit.

[0033] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wireless connection and application method for a vehicle, applicable to a target vehicle and a specific electronic device, comprising the following steps: using the specific electronic device to obtain location information of each of the candidate vehicles from a plurality of candidate vehicles using a first wireless communication technology, wherein the first wireless communication technology is an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology; filtering based on the location information of each of the candidate vehicles to exclude at least one specific vehicle, and then designating the target vehicle from the remaining candidate vehicles, wherein a distance between the specific vehicle and the specific electronic device is greater than a specific distance; establishing a wireless connection with the target vehicle using the specific electronic device using a second wireless communication technology, wherein the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology are different; and obtaining vehicle information corresponding to the target vehicle from the target vehicle using the specific electronic device through the wireless connection.

2. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the method of designating the target vehicle includes the following steps: displaying the candidate vehicles or a corresponding illustration of each candidate vehicle through a display unit of a specific electronic device based on the location information of each of the candidate vehicles; and selecting at least one of the candidate vehicles or the corresponding illustration of each candidate vehicle displayed in the display unit to designate the target vehicle.

3. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein the second wireless communication technology is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, and the method further includes the following steps: obtaining vehicle information of the target vehicle from the target vehicle via the target vehicle using the Bluetooth Low Energy technology through the wireless connection and using the specific electronic device; and displaying the vehicle information of the target vehicle on the display unit based on the location information of each of the candidate vehicles using an augmented reality (AR) technology.

4. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1 further includes the following steps: using the specific electronic device to obtain identification data from each of the candidate vehicles using the first wireless communication technology; and filtering based on the identification data of each of the candidate vehicles to exclude at least one specific vehicle that does not belong to a specific service.

5. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1 further includes the following steps: obtaining the charge of at least one battery inside the target vehicle using the target vehicle, wherein the vehicle information includes the charge; and transmitting the charge of the target vehicle to the specific electronic device via the wireless connection using the second wireless communication technology.

6. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1 further includes the following steps: using the target vehicle to connect to a remote server via a network; using the target vehicle to obtain a specific service or service information of the target vehicle from the remote server via the network, wherein the vehicle information includes the service information; and using the target vehicle to transmit the specific service or the service information of the target vehicle to the specific electronic device via the wireless connection using the second wireless communication technology.

7. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1 further includes the following steps: using the specific electronic device to transmit a vehicle firmware update file to the target vehicle via the wireless connection using the second wireless communication technology; and using the target vehicle to update at least one firmware of the target vehicle according to the vehicle firmware update file.

8. The wireless connection and application method for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the specific electronic device includes a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a vehicle.

9. A wireless connection and application system for a vehicle, comprising: A target vehicle has a first wireless communication technology and a second wireless communication technology, and has vehicle information, wherein the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology are different; and a specific electronic device has the first wireless communication technology and the second wireless communication technology, which uses the first wireless communication technology to obtain location information of each of the candidate vehicles from a plurality of candidate vehicles, filters according to the location information of each candidate vehicle to exclude at least one specific vehicle, and then selects the target vehicle from the remaining candidate vehicles, establishes a wireless connection with the target vehicle using the second wireless communication technology, and obtains the corresponding vehicle information of the target vehicle through the wireless connection; wherein the first wireless communication technology is an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology; and wherein the distance between the specific vehicle and the specific electronic device is greater than a specific distance.

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