Telematics

Abstract

A telematics system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor for storing data including a vehicle location, vehicle data, and environmental data. The telematics system also includes a server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and configured to determine a remaining range of the vehicle. In some examples, the remaining range is based on the vehicle data and environmental conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section and in aspects of the description that may not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, is neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art against the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to telematics systems. Background Art

[0003] Telematics systems are found in many modern cars. Telematics systems combine navigation, safety, security, and communications into one convenient technology that fits on the vehicle's dashboard. In the case of an electric vehicle (EV), the telematics system determines and displays the range remaining on the vehicle's battery.

[0004] As EV opportunities expand from traditional ground-based motorized vehicles to alternative electric vehicles such as watercraft, standard ground-based telematics system technology becomes less accurate due to the presence of additional components and external environmental forces on the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0005] In some examples, a telematics system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor for storing data including vehicle location, vehicle data, and environmental data. The telematics system also includes a server that is communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and configured to determine a remaining range of the vehicle. In some examples, the remaining range is based on the vehicle data and the environmental data. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle data includes propulsion data for the vehicle. Additionally, in some examples, the environmental data includes one or more of water velocity, water direction, and water temperature. In some examples, the remaining range is also based on crowdsourced vehicle data from nearby vehicles. In some examples, the vehicle includes a telematics system. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle is an electric vehicle. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle is a watercraft.

[0006] In some examples, a telematics system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor for storing data including a location of the vehicle. The telematics system also includes a server that is communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and configured to determine a remaining range of the vehicle, wherein the remaining range is based on the vehicle location and crowdsourced environmental data. In some examples, the vehicle processor is further configured to store vehicle data including vehicle propulsion data. In some examples, the remaining range of the vehicle is also based on the vehicle data including vehicle propulsion data. Additionally, in some examples, the crowdsourced environmental data includes one or more of water velocity, water direction, and water temperature. In some examples, the vehicle includes a telematics system. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle is an electric vehicle. Additionally, in some examples, the vehicle is a watercraft.

[0007] In some examples, a telematics system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor for storing data including a vehicle location and environmental conditions including tidal data. The vehicle location includes one or more of data collected from a global positioning system (GPS) navigation system, data collected from a user device or a third-party application, or route data including a vehicle destination. The telematics system also includes a vehicle server that is communicatively connected to the vehicle processor and configured to determine the remaining time for safe driving. In some examples, the remaining time for safe driving is based on the vehicle location and tidal data. The vehicle location includes one or more of data collected from a GPS navigation system, data collected from a user device or a third-party application, or route data including a vehicle destination. In some examples, the vehicle processor is also configured to store vehicle data including vehicle propulsion data. In some examples, the remaining time for safe driving of the vehicle is also based on vehicle data including vehicle propulsion data. In some examples, the vehicle includes a telematics system. In some examples, the vehicle is an electric vehicle. In addition, in some examples, the vehicle is a watercraft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a vehicle processor in communication with a server according to the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 is an interior view of a vehicle having a telematics system according to the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 3 is an exemplary server diagram of a telematics system according to the present disclosure; and

[0012] Figure 4is an exemplary flow chart of a telematics system according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific exemplary configurations and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly states otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0016] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly engaged with, connected to, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0017] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used in this article to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another region, layer or part. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply an order or sequence. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0018] In this application, including the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced with the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, be a part of, or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a memory; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0019] The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware and / or microcode, and may refer to a program, a routine, a function, a class and / or an object. The term "shared processor" covers a single processor that executes some or all codes from multiple modules. The term "group processor" covers a processor that executes some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional processor. The term "shared memory" covers a single memory that stores some or all codes from multiple modules. The term "group memory" includes a memory that stores some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional memory. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer-readable medium". The term "computer-readable medium" does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals propagated through the medium, and therefore can be considered to be tangible and non-transient memory. Non-limiting examples of non-temporary memory include tangible computer-readable media, which include non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0020] The apparatus and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer program includes processor executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer program may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0021] Software applications (i.e., software resources) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0022] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0023] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, memory, and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, processor, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable device, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0024] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to the storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0025] The process and logic flow described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors (also referred to as data processing hardware), which execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating outputs. The process and logic flow can also be performed by a dedicated logic circuit (e.g., FPGA (field programmable gate array) or ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)). As an example, a processor suitable for executing a computer program includes both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include one or more large-capacity storage devices (e.g., magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data, or be operably connected to receive data from it or transmit data to it or both. However, a computer does not need to have such a device. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0026] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen) for displaying information to the user and optionally a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 4, a telematics system 100 for a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle processor 200. The telematics system 100 may also include a server 300 communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor 200, as described in more detail below. The vehicle 10 is implemented as an electric vehicle (EV) and may include autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be a hybrid vehicle incorporating EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) components and capabilities. Further, if desired, the vehicle 10 may include only an internal combustion engine or other power source. The vehicle processor 200 stores vehicle data 202 for the vehicle 10. In some examples, such as Figure 1 In the example shown, the vehicle may be a watercraft, such as a boat or a jet ski.

[0028] The vehicle data 202 includes a vehicle location 204, vehicle event data 206, and environmental data 208. The vehicle location 204 generally relates to the location of the vehicle 10. The vehicle location 204 may be collected from a global positioning system (GPS), other navigation systems, a user device such as a cell phone or tablet, or a third-party application, and may be transmitted to the vehicle processor 200. In addition, the vehicle location 204 may include route data, such that the route the vehicle 10 is traveling may also be transmitted to the vehicle processor 200.

[0029] The vehicle event data 206 generally relates to the actions taken by the vehicle 10 during operation. The vehicle event data 206 can be collected by any vehicle sensor and / or vehicle camera for other applications and transmitted to the vehicle processor 200 for further processing. In some examples, the vehicle event data 206 may include vehicle speed, vehicle propulsion, vehicle steering wheel angle, vehicle mode, or other vehicle operation. In some examples, the vehicle speed may be related to the current speed of the vehicle 10, whether the vehicle 10 has stopped, whether the vehicle 10 has changed speed rapidly, and other vehicle speed related events. In some examples, the vehicle propulsion may be related to the power currently being used by the vehicle (i.e., the current battery consumption, the power already used by the vehicle, and / or the power that the vehicle can use along the route based on the measurement of the sensed data from the vehicle battery or other vehicle sensors). In some examples, the vehicle steering wheel angle may be related to the current or past angle of the steering wheel and whether the angle of the steering wheel indicating that the vehicle is turning has changed rapidly. In some examples, the vehicle mode includes whether the vehicle 10 is in reverse, driving, neutral, parked, etc. Additionally, the vehicle mode may relate to whether an autonomous driving capability such as cruise control or full auto is activated. Other examples of vehicle event data 206 are also contemplated.

[0030] Environmental data 208 generally relates to any environmental conditions that may affect the travel of the vehicle. In some examples, the environmental conditions are sensed or collected using vehicle sensors and / or cameras. However, it is also contemplated that environmental conditions may be collected from third-party sources, including but not limited to the National Weather Service, the National Data Buoy Center, or other data services. In some examples, third-party data may be crowd-sourced information obtained from nearby vehicles. Wi-Fi, third-party applications, or other similar methods collect data from nearby vehicles and other third-party sources.

[0031] In some examples, environmental conditions include water flow speed, water flow direction, water temperature, tidal data, weather data, wind speed and wind direction, and other environmental measurable values. In some examples, water flow speed is related to water flow speed in the past, present, and / or future. Water flow speed can be measured, sensed, or collected by the current vehicle, the vehicle near the route, and / or along the route, and / or from another third-party source. In addition, in some examples, water flow direction relates to water flow direction in the past, present, and / or future. Water flow direction can be measured, sensed, or collected by the current vehicle, the vehicle near the route, and / or along the route, and / or from another third-party source. In some examples, water temperature relates to water temperature in the past, present, and / or future. Water temperature can be measured, sensed, or collected by the current vehicle, the vehicle near the route, and / or along the route, and / or from another third-party source. In some examples, tidal data relates to tidal data in the past, present, and / or future. Tidal data can be measured, sensed, or collected by the current vehicle, the vehicle near the route, and / or along the route, and / or from another third-party source. In some examples, weather data relates to past, present and / or future weather data. Weather data may be measured, sensed or collected by the current vehicle, a vehicle near and / or along the route, and / or from another third party source. In some examples, weather data relates to past, present and / or future weather data. Weather data may be measured, sensed or collected by the current vehicle, a vehicle near and / or along the route, and / or from another third party source. In some examples, wind data relates to past, present and / or future wind data. Wind data may be measured, sensed or collected by the current vehicle, a vehicle near and / or along the route, and / or from another third party source. In some examples, wind data includes wind speed and / or wind direction, which may be measured or collected separately from weather data or in combination with weather data.

[0032] Further references Figure 1-4, the server 300 is configured as a network and / or cloud-based system that communicates with the vehicle processor 200. The server 300 is also configured to communicate with a third-party processor 500 to collect third-party data 502. For example, the third-party processor 500 may include, but is not limited to, a vehicle processor 200, a National Weather Service, a National Data Buoy Center, or other data services along the route 324. Additionally or alternatively, the third-party processor 500 may include a third-party user device within a vehicle along the route 320. It is generally contemplated that the third-party data 502 may include a vehicle position 204, vehicle event data 206, and / or environmental data 208 from the third-party processor. In some examples, the vehicle position 204 is configured to transmit the vehicle position 204 of each respective vehicle traveling along the route to the server 300. In some examples, the vehicle event data 206 is configured to transmit vehicle events to the server 300, including but not limited to vehicle speed, vehicle propulsion data, vehicle steering wheel angle, vehicle mode, or other vehicle operations of each respective vehicle traveling along the route. In some examples, environmental data 208 is configured to transmit to server 300 landmark information collected from each respective vehicle traveling along a route and / or from a third party processor (e.g., the National Weather Service or the National Data Buoy Center).

[0033] It is also contemplated that in some examples, the vehicle processor 200 may transmit any or all of the vehicle data 202 to the server 300 for further processing and / or evaluation. It is also contemplated that the vehicle processor and / or server 300 may be continuously and / or periodically updated so that the vehicle data 202 is updated in real time.

[0034] In addition, the server 300 is configured to determine the remaining range of the vehicle 10. In some examples, the remaining range is related to the amount of operating time the vehicle 10 has before the battery life is exhausted. The remaining range can be calculated as remaining time, remaining distance, or both. In some examples, the remaining range of the vehicle 10 is determined using vehicle event data and environmental conditions. In some examples, the environmental data can be taken into account so that each environmental data is equally weighted over the range. However, in other examples, the environmental data can be taken into account so that each environmental data is taken into account differently based on predetermined factors.

[0035] For example, the server 300 may be configured to use the current propulsion data and the current data to help calculate the remaining range. More specifically, if the current propulsion data shows a particular value such that the remaining range calculation may be one value, but the current data shows that there are strong currents near and / or along the route that may affect the actual travel distance of the watercraft, the server 300 will use the current in the remaining range calculation to display the accurate remaining range to the user.

[0036] Additionally, in some examples, the remaining range of the vehicle 10 is based on the vehicle location 204 and the crowdsourced environmental data 208. For example, the server 300 can be configured to use the vehicle's current location and route information as well as data from a third-party source (such as other vehicles along the same route) and / or weather or water condition data from the National Weather Service and / or the National Data Buoy Center to determine the remaining range. More specifically, the server 300 can use the vehicle location 204 to determine nearby vehicles and / or vehicles along the route, and use their telematics data and / or past, present, and future water conditions to determine the remaining range.

[0037] Additionally, in some examples, the server 300 is configured to determine the remaining range of the vehicle 10 based on the vehicle location 204 and the tidal data. For example, the server 300 may determine the current location and route information of the vehicle 10, and collect tidal data from the National Data Buoy Center or other data sources to determine the remaining range of the vehicle 10. In some examples, if it is determined that the tide may affect the remaining range such that the vehicle 10 may be stuck in low tide, the remaining range may also include a warning to the user.

[0038] Reference now Figure 4 , an example flow chart of the operation of the telematics system 100 is provided. In the example shown, a vehicle 10 such as a boat or watercraft starts at step 800. When activated, the vehicle 10 will then collect data at step 802, including but not limited to the vehicle position 204, wind speed, wind direction, and vehicle event data including vehicle propulsion data. The collected data is sent to the vehicle processor 300 at step 804, and stored in the vehicle processor 300 at step 806. At steps 808 and 810, the vehicle processor 300 also requests and collects data from a third-party processor such as the National Data Buoy Center. Next, at step 812, the data is sent to the server 300. The server 300 then calculates a location-based report with a remaining distance based on the data collected at step 814. In addition, at step 816, the remaining range generated from the report generated at step 814 will be updated based on the current propulsion and environmental conditions. Then, at step 818, the remaining mileage is sent to a display on the vehicle 10 or within a third-party application.

[0039] Reference again Figure 1-4, the telematics system 100 includes a vehicle processor 200 for storing data including a vehicle location 204, vehicle event data 206, and environmental data 208. The vehicle processor 200 can communicate with a server 300 to determine the remaining range of the vehicle 10 based on one or more of the vehicle location 204, vehicle event data 206, and vehicle environmental data 208. The server 300 can then notify the user of their remaining range so that the user can plan their route accordingly. Therefore, the telematics system 100 can advantageously help monitor the range of an electric vehicle (e.g., a watercraft) and also display the remaining range to allow the user to safely return to shore before the battery life is exhausted.

[0040] Many embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0041] The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. It can also be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A telematics system for a vehicle, the telematics system comprising: a vehicle processor for storing data including vehicle position, vehicle data, and environmental data; as well as A server is communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and is configured to determine a remaining range for the vehicle, wherein the remaining range is based on: The vehicle data and the environment data.

2. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle data includes vehicle propulsion data of the vehicle.

3. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The environmental data includes one or more of water flow velocity, water flow direction and water temperature.

4. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The remaining range is also based on crowdsourced vehicle data from nearby vehicles.

5. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The environmental data is crowd-sourced environmental data including one or more of water flow speed, water flow direction and water temperature.

6. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The environmental data includes tidal data.

7. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein: The remaining range is additionally based on the tide data.

8. A vehicle comprising the telematics system according to claim 1.

9. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle is an electric vehicle.

10. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle is a watercraft.

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