Method and device for achieving use restrictions of passenger car on basis of increase in one or more passengers during time period of use

Abstract

A method and a device are proposed for achieving use restrictions of a passenger car based on an increase in one or more passengers during a use time period. According to one embodiment, it is a system comprising a sensor, a communication module, and a processor, where the processor is operable to: detect, via a detection module, a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle; a first device connected to the first occupant via the communication module; retrieving a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes a first vehicle setting; detecting, via the detection module, a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle; a second device connected to a second occupant via the communication module; retrieving a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes a second vehicle setting; adjusting, via a conflict resolution module, a first vehicle setting and a second vehicle setting based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile; and applying the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to accessing vehicle settings and restriction settings stored in a user profile and applying the above settings. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for adjusting settings and restrictions in a vehicle based on one or more occupants. Background Art

[0002] When someone borrows or rents a vehicle (e.g., a child borrows a parent's vehicle), they do not know who the passengers entering the vehicle are. For example, it may be okay for parents not to provide usage restrictions on their vehicle when lending it to their child. However, when additional passengers are involved, for the safety of the passengers, parents may want to restrict certain functions of the vehicle, such as maximum speed, maximum acceleration, use of a sport mode, location restrictions, stereo volume, etc. However, today's systems do not allow such control.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an intelligent system that needs to be added to a vehicle, which can identify the driver and / or additional passengers (if any additional passengers), and initiate adjustments to the vehicle's settings and restrictions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following presents a summary of the invention to provide a basic understanding of one or more embodiments described herein. This summary of the invention is not intended to identify key or important elements or to delineate any scope of different embodiments and / or any scope of the claims. The sole purpose of the summary of the invention is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the specific embodiments presented herein.

[0005] According to one embodiment, it is a system, comprising: a sensor, a communication module, and a processor; wherein the processor stores instructions in a non-transitory memory, which when executed cause the processor to detect a first identity of a first occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including the sensor; connect to a first device of the first occupant via the communication module; retrieve a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detect a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connect to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieve a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjust the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and apply the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

[0006] According to one embodiment, it is a method that includes: detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module that includes sensors; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module; retrieving a first occupant profile, where the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieving a second occupant profile, where the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjusting the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and applying the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

[0007] According to one embodiment, it is a non - transitory computer - readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system to perform operations, the operations including: detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module that includes sensors; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module; retrieving a first occupant profile, where the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieving a second occupant profile, where the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjusting the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and applying the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 Illustration of an example autonomous vehicle with various sensors, actuators, and a system according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 Block diagram showing the electronic components of a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 Block diagram showing a system for accessing user profiles and configuring a vehicle based on user profiles according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4A Illustration of an occupant detection module and an occupant profile access module according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4B Illustration of an occupant detection module and an occupant profile access module according to another embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4C Illustration of a vehicle system for receiving restriction settings in real - time from a second device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4D A vehicle system for accessing an occupant profile from an occupant data system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0016] Figure 4E The content of an occupant profile according to one embodiment is shown.

[0017] Figure 4F An example default occupant profile according to one embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figure 5A A flowchart for conflict resolution in vehicle settings and restrictions in a vehicle when there are more than one occupant according to one embodiment is shown.

[0019] Figure 5B A flowchart for adjusting vehicle settings and restrictions using a machine learning model according to one embodiment is shown.

[0020] Figure 5C An example block diagram for occupant profile monitoring using a machine learning model according to one embodiment is shown.

[0021] Figure 5D The structure of a neural network / machine learning model with a feedback loop according to one embodiment is shown.

[0022] Figure 5E The structure of a neural network / machine learning model with reinforcement learning according to one embodiment is shown.

[0023] Figure 5F A sample message displayed on a vehicle dashboard or infotainment system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0024] Figure 6A An example message received by a vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0025] Figure 6B Another example message received by a vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0026] Figure 6C An example message including vehicle settings transmitted by a vehicle to a user device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 6D An example message including restriction settings received by a vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 6E An example message format and the bits assigned to the content of the message according to one embodiment are shown.

[0029] Figure 7A Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to access an occupant profile and apply vehicle settings according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7B Block diagram showing a system for a vehicle to access an occupant profile and apply vehicle settings according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7C Block diagram showing a method for a non - transitory computer - readable medium to access an occupant profile and apply vehicle settings according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8 Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to access an occupant profile and apply vehicle settings according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 9A Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to adjust vehicle settings when there are more than one occupant in the vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9B Block diagram showing a system for adjusting vehicle settings when there are more than one occupant in the vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 9C Block diagram showing a method for a non - transitory computer - readable medium to adjust vehicle settings when there are more than one occupant in the vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 10A Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit and receive messages according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 10B Block diagram showing a system for a vehicle to transmit and receive messages according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 10C Block diagram showing a method for a non - transitory computer - readable medium to transmit and receive messages for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 10D Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit a message when a user adjusts settings of the vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0040] Figure 10E Block diagram showing a system of a vehicle for transmitting a message when a user adjusts settings of the vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 10FA block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit a message when a user adjusts settings, which is executed by a non - transitory computer - readable medium, according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 11A A block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to receive a message, which is executed by the vehicle, according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 11B A block diagram showing a vehicle system for a vehicle to receive a message, according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 11C A block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to receive a message, which is executed by a non - transitory computer - readable medium, according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 12 A block diagram showing a network security module in view of a system and a server, according to an embodiment. Detailed Description

[0046] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show the general manner of construction. The description and details of well - known features and techniques may be omitted from the specification and drawings to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Some elements are drawn larger in size relative to other elements in the drawings to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same elements.

[0047] Although the detailed description herein contains many details for purposes of illustration, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many variations and changes to the details are considered to be included herein.

[0048] Accordingly, the embodiments herein are without loss of generality and do not impose limitations on any of the claims set forth. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not limiting. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The following terms and phrases, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings.

[0049] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" refer to one or more than one (i.e., at least one) grammatical object of the article. For example, "an element" refers to one element or more than one element. Further, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context as meaning the singular form, the use of the articles "a" and "an" in this specification and the drawings is construed to mean "one or more".

[0050] As used herein, the terms "example" and / or "exemplary" are meant to be used as an example, instance, or illustration. To avoid doubt, such examples do not limit the subject matter described herein. Additionally, any aspect or design described herein as "example" and / or "exemplary" is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor does it exclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in the specification and claims, if any, are used to distinguish similar elements and do not necessarily describe a particular order or temporal sequence. These terms are interchangeable where appropriate, such that embodiments herein can, for example, be operated in an order different from that shown or otherwise described herein. Further, the terms "comprising", "having", and any variations thereof cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0052] As used herein, the terms "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "above", "below", etc. in the specification and claims, if any, are for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing a permanent relative position. Such terms are interchangeable where appropriate, such that embodiments of the devices, methods, and / or articles of manufacture described herein can, for example, be operated in other orientations different from those shown or otherwise described herein.

[0053] Unless explicitly described as such, the acts or instructions of an element used herein are not critical or necessary. Additionally, the term "group" includes items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and can be interchanged with "one or more". The term "a" or similar language is used where only one item is intended. Also, the terms "having", "possessing", "containing", or similar terms are open-ended terms. Further, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the phrase "based on" means "at least partially based on".

[0054] As used herein, the terms "system", "apparatus", "unit", and / or "module" refer to different components, component parts, or components at various levels in that order. However, other expressions that achieve the same purpose can replace these terms.

[0055] As used herein, the terms "coupled", "coupled to", "coupling", "coupled with", etc. refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically, electrically, and / or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled together. The coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent, or semi-permanent or only instantaneous. "Electrically coupled" includes all types of electrical coupling. The absence of the words "removably", "removable", etc. near the words "coupled", etc. does not mean that the coupling, etc. being discussed is or is not removable.

[0056] As used herein, the term "or" refers to an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified, or clear from the context, "X employs A or B" means any natural inclusive arrangement. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied in any of the foregoing instances.

[0057] As used herein, two or more elements or modules are "integral" or "integrated" if they operate together functionally. Two or more elements are "non-integral" if each element can operate functionally independently.

[0058] As used herein, the term "real-time" refers to an operation that is actually carried out as fast as possible when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event may include receiving data necessary to perform a task or otherwise process information. Due to the latency inherent in transmission and / or computing speed, the term "real-time" encompasses operations that occur "near" real-time or are slightly delayed from the triggering event. In several embodiments, "real-time" may mean real-time less than the time latency for processing (e.g., determining) and / or transmitting data. The specific time latency may vary depending on the type and / or amount of data, the processing speed of the hardware, the transmission capacity of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc. However, in many embodiments, the time latency may be less than about one second, two seconds, five seconds, or ten seconds.

[0059] As used herein, the term "about" may mean within a specified or unspecified range of the specified or unspecified value. In some embodiments, "about" may mean within plus or minus ten percent of the value. In other embodiments, "about" may mean within plus or minus five percent of the value. In further embodiments, "about" may mean within plus or minus three percent of the value. In still other embodiments, "about" may mean within plus or minus one percent of the value.

[0060] As used herein, the term "component" refers to distinct and recognizable parts, elements, or units within a larger system, structure, or entity. It is a building block that provides a specific function or purpose within a more complex whole. Components are typically designed to be modular and interchangeable, allowing them to be combined or replaced in various configurations to create or modify a system. A component can be a combination of mechanical, electrical, hardware, firmware, software, and / or other engineering elements.

[0061] Digital electronic circuits, or computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or combinations of one or more of them, can implement the implementations and all functional operations described in this specification. An implementation can be one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus. The computer-readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter affecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The term "computing system" encompasses all devices, apparatus, and machines for processing data, including, for example, programmable processors, computers, or multiple processors or computers. In addition to hardware, the device can also include code that creates an execution environment for the computer programs being discussed, e.g., code constituting processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal (e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal) that encodes information for transmission to a suitable receiver device.

[0062] The actual special-purpose control hardware or software code for implementing these systems and / or methods is not limited to these implementations. Thus, any software and any hardware can implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein without reference to specific software code.

[0063] A computer program (also referred to as a program, software, software application, script, or code) is written in any suitable form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages. It can be deployed in any suitable form, including as a stand-alone program or module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. The program can be stored in a part of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts in a markup language document), stored in a single file dedicated to the program being discussed, or stored in multiple cooperating files (e.g., files that hold one or more modules, subroutines, or portions of code). A computer program can be executed on one computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0064] One or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output, executing the processes and logic flows described in this specification. These processes and logic flows may also be performed by dedicated logic circuitry, and the device may also be implemented as dedicated logic circuitry, such as, but not limited to, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application specific standard products (ASSPs), system on a chip (SOC) systems, complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0065] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, for example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors of any suitable kind of digital computer. The processor will receive instructions and data from either a read only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. The computer will also include or be operatively coupled to one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, optical disks, or solid state disks, in order to receive data therefrom, transfer data thereto, or both. However, the computer need not have such devices. In addition, another device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile audio player, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, etc., may be embedded in the computer. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices (such as, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices), magnetic disks (such as, internal hard disks or removable disks), magneto-optical disks (such as, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM) disks, digital versatile disk read only memory (DVD-ROM) disks), and solid state disks. The dedicated logic circuitry may supplement or be incorporated in the processor and the memory.

[0066] To provide interaction with a user, the computer may have a display device for displaying information to the user, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may also provide interaction with the user. For example, feedback to the user may be any suitable form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and the computer may receive input from the user in any suitable form, including sound, voice, or tactile input.

[0067] A computing system that includes backend components such as data servers, or includes middleware components such as application servers, or includes frontend components such as client computers having a graphical user interface or a web browser, or any suitable combination of one or more such backend, middleware, or frontend components can implement the implementations described herein, where a user can interact with the implementation via a graphical user interface or a web browser. Digital data communication in any suitable form or medium, such as a communication network, can interconnect the components of the system. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as intranets and the Internet.

[0068] A computing system can include clients and servers. The clients and servers are remote from each other and typically interact via a communication network. The relationship between the client and the server arises by means of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0069] Embodiments of the present invention may include or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention may also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any media accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions is a physical storage medium. A computer-readable medium carrying computer-executable instructions is a transmission medium. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, embodiments of the present invention may include at least two different kinds of computer-readable media: physical computer-readable storage media and transmission computer-readable media.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention described herein are referenced to specific example embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. For example, hardware circuits (e.g., complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based logic circuits), firmware, software (e.g., implemented in a non-transitory machine-readable medium), or any combination of hardware, firmware, and software can enable and operate the various devices, units, and modules described herein. For example, transistors, logic gates, and circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or digital signal processor (DSP) circuits) can implement various electrical structures and methods.

[0071] In addition, non-transitory machine-readable media and / or systems can implement the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0072] A physical computer-readable storage medium includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage (such as CDs, DVDs, etc.), magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, solid state disks, or any other medium. They store the desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures that are accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0073] As used herein, the term "network" refers to one or more data links that enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When a network or another communication connection (either wired, wireless, or a combination of wired or wireless) transfers or provides information to a computer, the computer appropriately views the connection as a transmission medium. Access to the transmission medium by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer can include a network and / or a data link that carries the desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures. The scope of computer-readable media includes combinations of the foregoing, which enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. The term network can include the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, or combinations thereof. A network can include one or more networks or communication systems, such as the Internet, telephone systems, satellite networks, cable television networks, and various other private and public networks. Additionally, the connection can include a wired connection (such as wires, cables, fiber optic lines, etc.), a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, although not shown, other computers, systems, devices, and networks can also be connected to the network. A network refers to any set of devices or subsystems that are (directly or indirectly) connected by links that join a group of terminal nodes that share resources located on or provided by network nodes. Computers communicate with each other using common communication protocols over digital interconnections. For example, a subsystem can include a cloud. A cloud refers to servers accessible via the Internet, as well as the software and databases running on those servers.

[0074] In addition, upon reaching various computer system components, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can automatically transfer from the transmission computer-readable medium to the physical computer-readable storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received via a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (NIC) and then ultimately transferred to the computer system RAM and / or a less volatile computer-readable physical storage medium at the computer system. Thus, computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize the transmission medium can include the computer-readable physical storage medium.

[0075] Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or special-purpose processing device to perform a particular function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binary, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter described herein is in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, the described features or acts do not limit the subject matter defined in the claims. On the contrary, the described features and acts are example forms for implementing the claims.

[0076] Although this specification contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or the claims, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in this specification can be implemented in the context of a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described herein in the context of a single embodiment can be implemented by multiple embodiments, either alone or in any suitable sub-combination. In addition, although the features described herein operate in certain combinations and are even initially claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination can in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0077] Similarly, although the operations depicted in the drawings are shown in a particular order for achieving a desired result, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all of the operations shown be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, the separation of various system components in the embodiments should not be construed as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0078] Even if a particular combination of features is recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, such combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible embodiments. Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims. For example, the acts recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim may directly depend only on one claim, the disclosure of possible embodiments includes the combination of each dependent claim with every other claim in the claim group.

[0079] In addition, a computer system including one or more processors and a computer-readable medium such as computer memory can practice the method. In particular, the one or more processors execute computer-executable instructions stored in the computer memory to perform various functions such as the actions recited in the embodiments.

[0080] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in a network computing environment having many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, messaging processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The present invention can also be implemented in a distributed system environment where local and remote computer systems, which are linked by a network (either by a hardwired data link, a wireless data link, or a combination of hardwired and wireless data links), both execute tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0081] As used herein, the term "unauthorized access" is the situation when someone uses someone else's account or other means to gain access to a website, program, server, service, or other system. For example, if someone keeps guessing the password or username of an account that is not theirs before gaining access, it is considered unauthorized access.

[0082] As used herein, the term "IoT" stands for the Internet of Things, which describes a network of physical objects, "things," or objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.

[0083] As used herein, "machine learning" refers to algorithms that give a computer the ability to learn without explicit programming, including algorithms that learn from data and make predictions about data. Machine learning techniques include, but are not limited to, support vector machines, artificial neural networks (ANNs) (also referred to herein as "neural networks"), deep learning neural networks, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, random forests, linear regression, rule-based machine learning, naive Bayes, nearest neighbor, decision trees, decision tree learning, and hidden Markov, among others. For clarity purposes, an algorithm such as linear regression or logistic regression may be used as part of a machine learning process. However, using linear regression or another algorithm as part of a machine learning process is different from performing statistical analysis such as regression using a spreadsheet program. As new data becomes available and without relying on explicit or rule-based programming, the machine learning process can continuously learn and adjust the classifier. ANNs can be characterized by feedback loops to dynamically adjust the system output as it learns from new data when new data becomes available. In machine learning, backpropagation and feedback loops are used to train artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) models to improve the accuracy and performance of the models over time. Statistical modeling relies on finding relationships between variables (e.g., mathematical equations) to predict outcomes.

[0084] As used herein, the term "data mining" is the process used to transform raw data into useful information. It is the process of analyzing large datasets to uncover hidden patterns, relationships, and insights that can be used to make decisions and predictions.

[0085] As used herein, the term "data acquisition" is the process of sampling signals that measure real-world physical conditions and converting the resulting samples into computer-manipulable digital values. A data acquisition system typically converts analog waveforms into digital values for processing. Components of a data acquisition system include sensors that convert physical parameters into electrical signals, signal conditioning circuits that convert sensor signals into a form that can be converted into digital values, and analog-to-digital converters that convert the conditioned sensor signals into digital values. Standalone data acquisition systems are commonly referred to as data loggers.

[0086] As used herein, the term "dashboard" is a type of interface that visualizes specific key performance indicators (KPIs) of a particular goal or process. It is based on data visualization and information graphics.

[0087] As used herein, a "database" is an organized collection of information such that the information can be easily accessed, managed, and updated. A computer database typically contains an aggregation of data records or files.

[0088] As used herein, the term "data set" (or "data collection") is a collection of data. In the case of tabular data, a data set corresponds to one or more database tables, where each column of the table represents a particular variable and each row corresponds to a given record of the data set under discussion. A data set lists the values of each variable for each member of the data set, such as the height and weight of an object. Each value is referred to as data. A data set can also consist of a collection of documents or files.

[0089] As used herein, a "sensor" is a device that detects and measures physical properties from the surrounding environment and converts this information into an electrical or digital signal for further processing. Sensors play a key role in collecting data across industries for various applications. Sensors can be made of electronic, mechanical, chemical, or other engineering components. Examples include sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, proximity, light, acceleration, orientation, etc.

[0090] As used herein, the term "infotainment system" or "in-vehicle infotainment system" (IVI) refers to a combination of vehicle systems used to deliver entertainment and information. In one example, information can be delivered to the driver and passengers of the vehicle / occupants through audio / video interfaces, control elements (such as touchscreen displays), button panels, voice commands, etc. Some of the main components of an in-vehicle infotainment system are an integrated head unit, a head-up display, high-end digital signal processors (DSPs), and graphics processing units (GPUs) to support multiple displays, an operating system, controller area network (CAN), low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), and other network protocol support (as required), connection modules, automotive sensor integration, digital dashboards, etc.

[0091] As used herein, the term "environment" or "surroundings" refers to the environment and space in which the vehicle is navigating. It refers to the dynamic environment in which the vehicle is navigating, including other vehicles, obstacles, pedestrians, lane boundaries, traffic signs and signals, speed limits, potholes, snow, standing water, etc.

[0092] As used herein, the term "autonomous mode" refers to an independent and unsupervised mode of operation.

[0093] As used herein, the term "vehicle" refers to an item used for transporting people or goods. Automobiles, cars, trucks, buses, etc. are examples of vehicles.

[0094] As used herein, the term "autonomous vehicle", also known as a self-driving vehicle, driverless vehicle, robotic vehicle, refers to a vehicle that incorporates vehicle automation, that is, a vehicle that can sense its environment and move safely with little or no human input. Autonomous vehicles combine multiple sensors to perceive their surrounding environment, such sensors including, for example, thermal cameras, radio detection and ranging (RADAR), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), sound navigation and ranging (SONAR), global positioning system (GPS), odometry, and inertial measurement units. The control system is designed to interpret sensor information for the purpose of identifying an appropriate navigation path as well as obstacles and associated signage.

[0095] As used herein, the term "communication module" or "communication system" refers to a system that enables the exchange of information between two points. The process of transmitting and receiving information is referred to as communication. The elements of communication include, but are not limited to, a transmitter of information, a communication channel or medium, and a receiver of information.

[0096] As used herein, the term "autonomous communication" includes communication over a period of time with minimal supervision in different scenarios and is not based solely or entirely on a pre-coded scenario or pre-coded rules or predefined protocols. Autonomous communication generally occurs in an independent and unsupervised manner. In one embodiment, the communication module can be used for autonomous communication.

[0097] As used herein, the term "communication connection" refers to a communication link. It refers to a communication channel that connects two or more devices for the purpose of data transmission. It can refer to a physical transmission medium (e.g., a wire), or to a logical connection over a multiplexed medium (e.g., a wireless telecommunications channel in telecommunications and computer networks). The channel is used for the transfer of information such as a digital bit stream from one or several transmitters to one or several receivers. The channel has a certain capacity for transmitting information, usually measured by its bandwidth in hertz (Hz) or by its data rate in bits per second. For example, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication can wirelessly exchange information about the speed, location, and heading of surrounding vehicles.

[0098] As used herein, the term "communication" refers to the transmission of information and / or data from one point to another. Communication can be carried out by means of electromagnetic waves. Communication is also the flow of information from one point (referred to as the source) to another point (the receiver). Communication includes one of the following: transmitting data, instructions, information, or a combination of data, instructions, and information. Communication occurs between any two communication systems or communication units. In this document, the term communication includes systems that combine other more specific types of communication, such as: V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2N (Vehicle-to-Network), V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle), V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), V2D (Vehicle-to-Device), V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid), and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication.

[0099] The term "Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication" refers to the technology that allows vehicles to broadcast and receive messages. The messages can be omnidirectional messages, thus creating a 360-degree "awareness" of other nearby vehicles. Vehicles can be equipped with appropriate software (or safety applications) that can use the messages from surrounding vehicles to determine potential collision threats as they develop.

[0100] As used herein, the term "Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication" refers to the transmission of information from a vehicle to any entity that can affect the vehicle and vice versa. Depending on the underlying technology employed, there are two types of V2X communication technologies: cellular networks and other technologies that support direct device-to-device communication (such as dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), port community systems (PCS), etc.).

[0101] As used herein, the term "protocol" refers to the processes required to initiate and maintain communication; a set of formal conventions that manage the format and relative timing of message exchange between two communication terminals; a set of conventions that manage the interaction of processes, devices, and other components within a system; a set of signaling rules for conveying information or commands between boards connected to a bus; a set of signaling rules for conveying information between agents; a set of semantic and syntactic rules that determine the behavior of interacting entities; a set of rules and formats (semantic and syntactic) that determine the communication behavior of an analog application; a set of conventions or rules that manage the interaction of processes or applications between communication terminals; a set of formal conventions that manage the format and relative timing of message exchange between communication terminals; a set of semantic and syntactic rules that determine the behavior of functional units when achieving meaningful communication; a set of semantic and syntactic rules for exchanging information.

[0102] As used herein, the term "communication protocol" refers to the standardized communication between any two systems. An example communication protocol is the DSRC protocol. The DSRC protocol uses a specific frequency band (e.g., 5.9 GHz (gigahertz)) and specific message formats (e.g., basic safety messages, signal phase and timing, and roadside alerts) to enable communication between vehicles and infrastructure components (e.g., traffic signals and roadside sensors). DSRC is a standardized protocol, and its specifications are maintained by various organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International.

[0103] As used herein, the term "two-way communication" refers to the exchange of data between two components. In one example, the first component may be a vehicle and the second component may be infrastructure enabled by a system of hardware, software, and firmware.

[0104] The term "alert" or "alert signal" refers to a communication that draws attention. Alerts can include visual, tactile, auditory alerts, and combinations of these alerts to warn a driver or occupant. These alerts allow the recipient (e.g., the driver or occupant) to react and respond quickly.

[0105] As used herein, the term "communicate with" refers to any coupling, connection, or interaction that exchanges information, messages, instructions, commands, and / or data using signals, using any system, hardware, software, protocol, or format, regardless of whether the exchange occurs wirelessly or through a wired connection.

[0106] The term "electronic control unit" (ECU), also known as "electronic control module" (ECM), is generally a module that controls one or more subsystems. In this document, the ECU can be installed in a vehicle or other motor vehicle. It can refer to many ECUs and can include, but is not limited to, an engine control module (ECM), a powertrain control module (PCM), a transmission control module (TCM), a brake control module (BCM) or an electronic brake control module (EBCM), a central control module (CCM), a central timing module (CTM), a general electronic module (GEM), a body control module (BCM), and a suspension control module (SCM). The ECUs are sometimes collectively referred to as the vehicle's computer or the vehicle's central computer and can include separate computers. In one example, the electronic control unit can be an embedded system in automotive electronics. In another example, the electronic control unit is wirelessly connected to automotive electronics.

[0107] The terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" include a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. Additionally, the terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" include any tangible medium that can store, encode, or carry a set of instructions for execution by a processor, such as, when executed, causing the system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and / or storage disk and to exclude propagated signals.

[0108] As used herein, the term "vehicle data bus" refers to an interface to a vehicle data bus (e.g., Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Ethernet / IP, FlexRay, and Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST)), which can enable communication between on-board equipment (OBE) of a vehicle and other vehicle systems to support connected vehicle applications.

[0109] The term "handshake" refers to the exchange of a predefined signal between agents connected by a communication channel to ensure that each agent is connected to the other (and not to an imposter). This can also include an operator using passwords and codes. The handshake signal is sent back and forth over the communication network to establish a valid connection between two stations. Hardware handshakes use dedicated wires, such as the Request to Send (RTS) and Clear to Send (CTS) lines in Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) serial transmissions. Software handshakes send codes such as "Synchronize" (SYN) and "Acknowledgment" (ACK) in Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) transmissions.

[0110] The term "computer vision module" or "computer vision system" allows a vehicle to "see" and interpret the world around it. The system uses a combination of cameras, sensors, and other technologies (such as Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR), Global Positioning System (GPS), and machine learning algorithms, etc.) to collect visual data about the vehicle's surrounding environment and analyze the data in real time. The computer vision system is designed to perform a series of tasks, including object detection, lane detection, and pedestrian recognition. It uses deep learning algorithms and other machine learning techniques to analyze the visual data and make decisions on how to control the vehicle. For example, the computer vision system can use object detection algorithms to identify other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles in the vehicle's path. It can then use this information to calculate the vehicle's speed and direction, adjust its trajectory to avoid collisions, and apply brakes or acceleration as needed. It allows the vehicle to navigate safely and efficiently in various driving conditions.

[0111] As used herein, the term "driver" refers to an occupant who, even when the occupant is not actually driving the vehicle but is located in the vehicle to be able to take over control and act as the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle control system hands over control to the occupant or driver or when the vehicle control system does not operate in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode. The driver is also referred to as the operator of the vehicle.

[0112] The term "application server" refers to a server that hosts applications or software that deliver business applications via a communication protocol. The application server framework is a service layer model. It includes software components that software developers can access via application programming interfaces. It is system software between an operating system (OS) residing on one side, external resources (such as a database management system (DBMS)) on the other side, communication and Internet services, and user applications on the third side.

[0113] As used herein, the term "cybersecurity" refers to the application of technologies, processes, and controls to protect systems, networks, programs, devices, and data from cyberattacks.

[0114] As used herein, the term "cybersecurity module" refers to a module that includes the application of technologies, processes, and controls to protect systems, networks, programs, devices, and data from cyberattacks and threats. It is designed to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect against unauthorized exploitation of systems, networks, and technologies. It includes, but is not limited to, critical infrastructure security, application security, network security, cloud security, and Internet of Things (IoT) security.

[0115] As used herein, the term "encryption" refers to the use of one or more mathematical techniques along with a cipher or "key" for decrypting information to protect digital data. It refers to converting information or data into code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. It can also refer to hiding information or data by converting the information or data into code. It can also be referred to as cipher, code, encryption, encoding. A simple example is representing the alphabet with numbers - for example, 'A' is '01', 'B' is '02', etc. For example, a message like "HELLO" will be encrypted as "0805121215", and this value will be transmitted over the network to the recipient(s).

[0116] As used herein, the term "decryption" refers to the process of converting an encrypted message back to its original format. It is generally the inverse process of encryption. It decodes the encrypted information so that only authorized users can decrypt the data, as decryption requires a key or cipher. The term can be used to describe methods of decrypting data manually or using an appropriate code or key to decrypt the data.

[0117] As used herein, the term "cybersecurity threat" refers to any potential malicious attack that attempts to illegally access data, disrupt digital operations, or damage information. Malicious acts include, but are not limited to, damaging data, stealing data, or generally disrupting digital life. Cybersecurity threats include, but are not limited to, malware, spyware, phishing attacks, ransomware, zero-day exploits, Trojans, advanced persistent threats, wiper attacks, data manipulation, data destruction, rogueware, plagiarism, unpatched software, computer viruses, man-in-the-middle attacks, data leaks, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and other attack vectors.

[0118] As used herein, the term "hash value" can be considered the fingerprint of a file. By processing the content of a file through an encryption algorithm and generating a unique numerical value that identifies the file content, the hash value. If the content is modified in any way, the hash value will also change significantly. Example algorithms used to generate hash values: Message Digest - 5 (MD5) algorithm and Secure Hash Algorithm - 1 (SHA1).

[0119] As used herein, the term "integrity check" refers to checking the accuracy and consistency of system-related files, data, etc. It can be performed using checking tools that can detect whether any critical system files have been changed, enabling system administrators to look for unauthorized changes to the system. For example, data integrity corresponds to the quality of data in a database and to the level at which users check the quality, integrity, and reliability of data. Data integrity checks verify that the data in the database is accurate and functions as expected within a given application.

[0120] As used herein, the term "alert" refers to the triggering when a component or system in the system fails or does not perform as expected. When an event occurs, the system can enter an alert state. An alert indication signal is a visual signal used to indicate the alert state. For example, when a cybersecurity threat is detected, the system administrator can be warned via a sound alert, message, glowing LED, pop-up window, etc. The alert indication signal can be reported downstream from the detection device to prevent adverse situations or cascading effects.

[0121] As used herein, the term "cryptographic protocol" is also referred to as a security protocol or an encryption protocol. It is an abstract or concrete protocol that performs security-related functions and often applies cryptographic methods as a sequence of cryptographic primitives. A protocol describes how to use algorithms. A protocol that is detailed enough includes details about data structures and representations, at which point it can be used to implement multiple interoperable versions of a program. Cryptographic protocols are widely used for secure application-level data transfer. Cryptographic protocols typically include at least some of these aspects: key negotiation or establishment, entity authentication, symmetric encryption and message authentication material construction, secure application-level data transfer, non-repudiation methods, secret sharing methods, and secure multi-party computation. Hash algorithms can be used to verify the integrity of data. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) (the successor to SSL) are encryption protocols that can be used by network switches to protect data communications over a network.

[0122] The embodiments described herein can be directed to one or more of any possible level of integration of technical details in a system, method, device, and / or computer program product. A computer program product can include a computer-readable storage medium (or media) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to execute aspects of one or more embodiments described herein.

[0123] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and / or operation of possible implementations of systems, computer-implemented methods, and / or computer program products according to one or more embodiments described herein. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, segment, and / or portion of instructions comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In one or more alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, depending on the functionality involved, be executed substantially concurrently, and / or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions and / or acts, and / or execute combinations of special purpose hardware and / or computer instructions.

[0124] As used in this application, the terms "component", "system", "platform", "interface" and / or similar terms can refer to and / or can include computer-related entities or entities related to machines with one or more specific functions. Entities described herein can be any one of hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As an illustration, an application running on a server and the server can both be components. One or more components can reside within a process and / or an execution thread, and a component can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In another example, corresponding components can execute from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. These components can communicate via local and / or remote processes, such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component that interacts with another component in a local system, a distributed system, and / or interacts with other systems via a network such as the Internet). As another example, a component can be a device having a specific function provided by a mechanical part operated by an electrical or electronic circuit, which electrical or electronic circuit is operated by a software and / or firmware application executed by a processor. In this case, the processor can be inside and / or outside the device and can execute at least a portion of the software and / or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be a device that provides a specific function through electronic components rather than mechanical parts, where the electronic components can include a processor and / or other means to execute software and / or firmware that at least partially imparts the function of the electronic components. In one aspect, a component can emulate an electronic component via a virtual machine (e.g., within a cloud computing system).

[0125] The embodiments described herein include only examples of systems and computer-implemented methods. Of course, it is not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and / or computer-implemented methods for the purpose of describing one or more embodiments, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and / or permutations of one or more embodiments are possible. Additionally, with respect to the use of the terms "comprising", "having", "owning" or similar terms in the detailed description, the claims, the appendices, and / or the drawings, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the way the term "including" is interpreted when used as a transitional word in the claims.

[0126] The description of one or more embodiments is for illustrative purposes and not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the embodiments described herein. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used herein are best suited to explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, and / or technical improvements found in the marketplace, and / or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments described herein.

[0127] As used herein, the term "occupant" refers to any individual inside or on a vehicle. Broadly, it can cover any person or thing inside the vehicle. It includes the driver and passengers. In some cases, an item or cargo being transported may also be considered an occupant. The term "user" may also be used to refer to an occupant of the vehicle.

[0128] As used herein, the term "occupant profile" refers to a set of personalized preferences and settings associated with an individual. For example, an occupant profile includes information such as seat position, climate control settings, mirror adjustments, entertainment preferences, and other customizable features. These profiles are typically linked to a specific individual, allowing the vehicle's on-board system to identify and apply the appropriate settings when the identified occupant enters the vehicle. An occupant profile can include any data stored in a data storage device and / or database related to a person's body shape, the vehicles the person uses, the settings for each vehicle for the person, and the devices belonging to the person.

[0129] As used herein, the term "vehicle settings" or "plurality of vehicle settings" refers to customizable configurations and preferences within a vehicle that address the comfort, safety, and convenience of its occupant(s). These settings cover a range of features, including seat adjustments (such as position, lumbar support, and memory presets), climate control preferences, mirror positions, steering wheel settings, cruise settings, and personalized configurations for entertainment and infotainment systems. Vehicle settings can allow occupants to customize their in-vehicle experience, ensuring a personalized and ergonomic environment. Vehicle settings can be stored to an occupant's profile. It is also referred to as user preferences or occupant preferences.

[0130] As used herein, the term "restriction settings" or "plurality of restriction settings" refers to constraints or parameters imposed on the operation of a vehicle when driven by an individual other than the primary owner or designated user. These settings are designed to regulate and control certain aspects of vehicle functions, such as speed limits, geographical boundaries, acceleration patterns, or even specific time frames for operation. The purpose of restriction settings can be to promote safety, ensure responsible use, and provide a level of control or supervision for those with authority over the vehicle or concern / responsibility for the occupants. These are also referred to as "restrictions" or "constraints".

[0131] As used herein, the term "setting" or "settings" refers to one or more of vehicle settings (multiple vehicle settings) and restriction settings (multiple restriction settings).

[0132] As used herein, the term "priority level" refers to an indicator associated with reserved permissions or the ability to override certain actions. For example, in a vehicle with multiple occupants, each having a different occupant profile, a priority level can be assigned to determine which profile / restriction takes precedence. A higher priority level may indicate greater permissions, allowing certain restrictions to override lower priority restrictions or take precedence over them. Conversely, a lower priority level may imply a limitation on the ability to override actions with a higher priority. This concept is used in real-time vehicle operation, where safety and emergencies can be given a higher priority than a given priority related to comfort. In this context, the priority level helps ensure that the restrictions and settings of one occupant do not inappropriately override the settings and restrictions of other occupants.

[0133] As used herein, the term "vehicle system" or "system of the vehicle" refers to a vehicle that includes the systems described in this application. The system can be integrated and be part of the vehicle, such as a system that executes a method on a processor storing instructions in a non-transitory memory of the vehicle's computer system. The system can be external, but the instructions or method are executed by the vehicle, such as the method being on the cloud but accessed and executed by the vehicle. The system can be designed for a specific purpose to perform a specific function or task, for example, to transmit a specific message to a user device. The designed system including instructions can also use existing systems present on the vehicle, such as the vehicle's communication system.

[0134] Most vehicles allow the owner of the vehicle to set the vehicle and its functions based on the owner's profile. However, the problem is that when a non-owner driver uses the vehicle, the non-owner driver will have to set up a user profile (e.g., adjust the seat, temperature, music, etc.). Typically, this occurs when someone rents a vehicle or borrows someone else's vehicle. It would be better if the vehicle could identify the driver regardless of ownership and adjust various aspects of the vehicle. Thus, there is a need to add an intelligent system to each vehicle that can identify the driver and additional passengers (if any), and initiate adjustments to the vehicle.

[0135] In one aspect, when a device approaches the vehicle, the vehicle can connect to the device including user preferences and restrictions. Based on the proximity of the device, if a new occupant is identified as the driver rather than a passenger, the vehicle's intelligent system can start adjusting the seat, mirrors, etc.

[0136] In one aspect of the connection process, when a person enters someone else's vehicle, various technologies are used and the intelligent system identifies the person (driver or passenger) and determines: 1) the preferences of the person and 2) any adjustments to functions (speed limit, stereo volume, etc.). For example, vehicle ABC (e.g., owned by another vehicle such as a rental vehicle, a friend's or family member's vehicle) includes an intelligent system that allows user preferences to be set based on a device / transmitter (e.g., a phone, a key FOB (frequency operation button), a badge, etc.) carried by the new occupant. When the occupant (e.g., driver or passenger) approaches vehicle ABC, the intelligent system starts a handshake process to connect to one or more devices that can provide user profile information. Once a connection is established with one or more devices, the system starts retrieving information about the user and restrictions associated with the user. For example, a message can be transmitted from the device and received by the intelligent system including a receiver when the device approaches vehicle ABC. The receipt of such a message initiates the handshake process to establish a connection. Once the connection is established, user preferences and adjustments are extracted from the device. In one aspect, the intelligent system can transmit a request for information. In another aspect, once the handshake process is complete, the device can automatically transmit information. Based on this information, the intelligent system initiates adjustments to the seat, mirror, temperature, radio station, communication settings for connected devices such as phones and contact lists, etc. The system starts monitoring any additional adjustments made by the occupant and stores the new settings to be uploaded to the user device. In one aspect, any adjustments made during the rental period are transmitted to the transmitter, which includes the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and seat and mirror settings, so that the next time the user uses a similar vehicle, those adjustments will be made automatically. The device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a memory (information can be automatically uploaded or downloaded from the cloud or initiated by the user (e.g., pressing a button on the FOB, using an application from the phone, etc.). The system also includes an erasure process where once the user exits the vehicle or the rental / borrowing period ends, all adjustments to the vehicle are reset. This action can be prompted on the infotainment system to allow the user to cancel or continue the erasure process.

[0137] In one aspect, the intelligent system receives a message broadcast by the transmitter. The message includes user preference information. This information includes user preferences (e.g., seat position, mirror position, temperature preference, information for determining a route, etc.). When the message is received, the system can initiate a handshake sequence to establish a connection with the transmitter. If the user makes any adjustments during the use of the vehicle, the system also needs to transmit the message back to the device. These new adjustments are associated with the vehicle ID, model, and year of manufacture.

[0138]

[0139] ​When someone borrows or rents a vehicle (e.g., a child borrows their parent's vehicle), they may not know who the passengers entering the vehicle are. For example, it may be okay for parents to lend their vehicle to their child without restrictions on its use. However, when additional passengers are involved, for the safety of the passengers, parents may want to restrict certain functions of the vehicle, such as maximum speed, maximum acceleration, use of sport mode, location restrictions, stereo volume, etc. Current systems do not allow such control.

[0140] In one aspect, a user profile can be provided for the driver or passengers. In the case of the driver, the system can adjust the seat, mirrors, and temperature on the driver's side. Based on restrictions associated with the transmitter / driver, the system can limit where the driver is allowed to travel (geo-fencing or route restrictions), and how fast the driver can accelerate, or not allow the driver to exceed any posted speed limit without an emergency. If no restrictions are provided for the driver / borrower, the system can create restrictions based on the additional passengers. For example, at the beginning of the borrowing period, no restrictions are provided to the driver, but when a passenger of a certain age is added as an occupant of the vehicle, e.g., when an elderly person or a minor becomes a passenger, the system determines that the elderly person or minor is a passenger and automatically places a restriction on acceleration or maximum speed. In one aspect, the restrictions can be modified based on the number of passengers added after the initial connection to the intelligent vehicle system. For example, the driver is allowed to reach location X, but now additional passengers are added and the driver is not allowed to reach location X. Also, if a minor enters the vehicle, the vehicle can no longer be driven at a speed exceeding a certain speed limit, or the sport mode option is not available.

[0141] In one aspect, when a passenger enters the vehicle, various methods are used to determine their user profile. For example, when a passenger enters the vehicle, the passenger's phone or the passenger's transmitter connects to the vehicle and provides the passenger's profile to the intelligent system, including age. Based on the passenger's profile and preferred restrictions, the vehicle can enforce those restrictions and use the infotainment system to notify the driver of the restrictions. If an additional passenger of a certain age becomes an occupant in the case of a vehicle being lent or rented, restrictions on the use of the vehicle can be set to limit the vehicle's functions. The restrictions can be modified when more passengers are added or removed. In one embodiment, when more passengers are added, more restrictions are to be implemented. Once the passenger's device establishes a connection with the vehicle's intelligent system, a message including user information such as device identity, name, height, weight, body dimensions, and restriction settings such as maximum speed, maximum acceleration, geo-fencing can be transmitted. This novel idea will allow parents of passengers to set restrictions on the functions of the vehicle their children will enter. It can also be useful for passengers using carpooling or taxis.

[0142] Most vehicles allow the owner of the vehicle to set the vehicle and its functions based on the owner profile. However, the problem is that when a driver uses a vehicle owned by someone else, the driver will have to set up a user profile (e.g., adjust the seat, temperature, music, etc.). Typically, this occurs when someone rents a vehicle or borrows someone else's vehicle. Thus, there is a need to add an intelligent system to each vehicle that can connect to a device including user preferences and restrictions.

[0143] In one aspect, a transmitter on the user device assists in establishing a connection with the vehicle by broadcasting a connection request message. Once the connection is established, the user device transmitter broadcasts a user preference message that includes user identity, seat position, mirror position, temperature settings, routing information, one or more restrictions that limit the functions of the vehicle, such as maximum vehicle speed, maximum allowable acceleration, geofencing data, wakefulness verification requirements, etc. In one aspect, the transmitter can be a key card, identity card, telephone device, or any small portable device capable of exchanging messages with the intelligent system to set user preferences and restrictions. In one aspect, if the user has modified the settings, the user device transmitter can receive a settings message (multiple settings messages) from the vehicle system. This may be due to the type of vehicle being borrowed. The message can include seat settings, mirror settings, make of the vehicle, model of the vehicle, model year of the vehicle, and vehicle identification number.

[0144] When a user borrows or rents a vehicle for a short period of time, the borrowed vehicle does not have the user preferences stored in the borrowed vehicle. Additionally, when passengers enter the vehicle, their preferences are not available in the vehicle either. Thus, there is a need for a system to receive function and setting information from a device to modify the settings for the duration of use.

[0145] In one aspect, a transmitter device (e.g., a telephone, a portable device with a microchip, a key card, etc.) is connected to the intelligent system of the vehicle. See one aspect of the connection process below. In one embodiment, the key card can include a short-range radio transmitter / radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and an antenna. Once a connection (handshake) is established with the vehicle, the transmitter conveys a message to the intelligent system. The message includes height data, weight data, body size data, one or more seat / mirror adjustment data including default seat adjustments associated with the make and model used by the user in their own vehicle (the system must map the seat and mirror adjustments to the current make and model), the make and model of the vehicle associated with the seat / mirror adjustment, additional seat / mirror adjustment data with specific make and model data for all previous borrowed or rented vehicles, radio settings data, telephone settings data to establish or add the telephone to the vehicle Bluetooth list device, etc.

[0146] In one aspect, using an identity from a restriction setting, the system can determine additional restrictions even without an increase in restrictions, e.g., based on prior usage or driving records. If a driver abuses the vehicle or receives a speeding violation, the vehicle intelligence system can restrict the use of the vehicle to protect the owner's interests. A message including seat setting data, mirror setting data, the make of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the model year of the vehicle, and the vehicle identification number can be received at the device from the vehicle intelligence system. This message is transmitted by the vehicle intelligence system if the user adjusts the settings of the vehicle during the borrowing period. The data is stored in memory or in the cloud upon receipt.

[0147] Figure 1 FIG. is an illustration of a vehicle with various sensors, actuators, and a system according to one embodiment. The system includes: various sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, radar sensors, etc.; actuators such as brake actuators, steering actuators, etc.; and various subsystems such as a propulsion system, a steering system, a brake sensor system, a communication system, etc. Figure 1 is depicted as an example system; it is neither limited by the depicted system nor an exhaustive list of sensors, actuators, and systems / subsystems and / or features of an autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the depicted vehicle should not be construed as restrictive with respect to the arrangement of any of the depicted sensors, actuators, and systems / subsystems. These sensors, actuators, and systems / subsystems can be arranged to suit the purposes performed by an autonomous vehicle. An autonomous vehicle, also known as a self-driving vehicle or a driverless vehicle, is a vehicle that can navigate and operate without human intervention. For example, sensors including cameras, LIDAR, radar, and ultrasonic sensors enable an autonomous vehicle to detect and identify objects, obstacles, and pedestrians on the road. An autonomous vehicle uses advanced control systems to make real-time decisions based on sensor data and pre-programmed rules or an intelligent decision-making system. These systems control, for example, the acceleration, braking, steering, and communication of the vehicle. Navigation systems such as GPS, maps, and other location-based technologies help autonomous vehicles navigate and plan the best route to a destination. The communication systems of autonomous vehicles help them communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure such as traffic lights and road signs to exchange information and optimize traffic flow. Autonomous vehicles have several safety features including collision avoidance systems, emergency braking, and a backup system in the event of a system failure. Autonomous vehicles are assisted by artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to analyze data, identify patterns, and improve performance over time.

[0148] Figure 2 FIG. shows a block diagram of the electronic components of a vehicle according to one embodiment. In the example shown, the electronic components include an on-vehicle computing platform 202, a human-machine interface (HMI) unit 204, a communication module 220, sensors 206, an electronic control unit (ECU) 208, and a vehicle data bus 210.Figure 2 An example architecture of some of the electronic components shown as Figure 1 is presented. The in-vehicle computing platform 202 includes a processor 212 (also referred to as a microcontroller unit or controller) and a memory 214. In the example shown, the processor 212 of the in-vehicle computing platform 202 is configured to include a controller 212-1. In other examples, the controller 212-1 is incorporated into another ECU having its own processor and memory. The processor 212 can be any suitable processing device or group of processing devices, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, an integrated circuit, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory 214 can be a volatile memory (e.g., RAM including non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, etc.), a non-volatile memory (e.g., disk memory, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.), an immutable memory (e.g., EPROM), a read-only memory, and / or a high-capacity storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, etc.). In some examples, the memory 214 includes multiple memories, particularly a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 214 is a computer-readable medium on which a set or multiple sets of instructions, such as software for operating the methods of the present disclosure, can be embedded. The instructions can implement one or more of the methods or logics described herein. For example, during the execution of the instructions, the instructions reside entirely or at least partially within any one or more of the memory 214, the computer-readable medium, and / or within the processor 212.

[0149] The HMI unit 204 provides an interface between the vehicle and the user. The HMI unit 204 includes digital and / or analog interfaces (e.g., input devices and output devices) to receive inputs from the user(s) and display information to the user. The input devices include, for example, control knobs, instrument panels, digital cameras for image capture and / or visual command recognition, touchscreens, audio input devices (e.g., cabin microphones), buttons, or touch pads. The output devices may include instrument cluster outputs (e.g., dials, lighting devices), haptic devices, actuators, the display 216 (e.g., head-up display, a central console display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a flat panel display, a solid state display, etc.), and / or speakers 218. For example, the display 216, the speakers 218, and / or other input and output devices (multiple input and output devices) of the HMI unit 204 may be operable to issue an alert, such as an alert requesting manual takeover by the operator of the vehicle (e.g., the driver). Additionally, the HMI unit 204 of the illustrated example includes the hardware (e.g., processors or controllers, memories, storage devices, etc.) and software (e.g., operating systems, etc.) for an infotainment system presented via the display 216.

[0150] The sensors 206 are arranged in and / or around the vehicle to monitor the characteristics of the vehicle and / or the environment in which the vehicle is located. One or more sensors 206 may be installed to measure characteristics around the exterior of the vehicle. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the sensors 206 may be installed inside the cabin of the vehicle or in the vehicle body (e.g., engine compartment, wheel well, etc.) to measure the characteristics of the vehicle and / or internal sensing of the vehicle. For example, the sensors 206 include accelerometers, odometers, tachometers, pitch and yaw sensors, wheel speed sensors, microphones, tire pressure sensors, biometric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR / LiDAR), radio detection and ranging systems (radar), global positioning system (GPS), millimeter wave (mmWave) sensors, cameras, and / or any other suitable type of sensors. The sensors may include object detection sensors 206-1 such as light detection and ranging, radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, GPS sensors, etc., to detect the distance between the vehicle and an object or target in its vicinity.

[0151] According to one embodiment of the system, one or more sensors associated with a vehicle include one or more of a magnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a load sensor, an electrical sensor, a vision sensor, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, and a GPS sensor. According to one embodiment of the system, one or more sensors associated with a vehicle include a camera coupled to a computer vision system. According to one embodiment of the system, one or more sensors associated with a vehicle are mounted on the vehicle such that changes in sensor data are used to detect an occupant of the vehicle.

[0152] The ECU 208 monitors and controls subsystems of the vehicle. For example, the ECU 208 is a collection of discrete electronic devices that include their own circuitry (circuits) (e.g., integrated circuits, microprocessors, memories, storage devices, etc.) and firmware, sensors, actuators, and / or mounting hardware. The ECU 208 communicates and exchanges information via a vehicle data bus (e.g., the vehicle data bus 210). Additionally, the ECUs 208 can communicate characteristics (e.g., the status of the ECUs, sensor readings, control status, error and diagnostic codes, etc.) and / or receive requests from each other. For example, a vehicle can have a number of ECUs located at various positions around the vehicle and communicatively coupled via the vehicle data bus 210.

[0153] In the example shown, the ECU 208 includes an autonomy unit 208-1 and a body control module 208-2. For example, the autonomy unit 208-1 is operable to perform autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers (e.g., defensive driving maneuvers) of the vehicle based at least in part on instructions received from the controller 212-1 and / or data collected by the sensors 206 (e.g., object detection sensors). Additionally, the body control module 208-2 controls one or more subsystems throughout the vehicle, such as power windows, power locks, an anti-theft system, power mirrors, etc. For example, the body control module 208-2 includes circuitry to drive one or more relays (e.g., to control windshield washer fluid, etc.), brushed direct current (DC) motors (e.g., to control power seats, power locks, power windows, windshield wipers, etc.), stepper motors, LEDs, safety systems (e.g., seatbelt pretensioners, airbags, etc.), etc.

[0154] The vehicle data bus 210 is communicatively coupled to the communication module 220, the in-vehicle computing platform 202, the HMI unit 204, the sensors 206, and the ECU 208. In some examples, the vehicle data bus 210 includes one or more data buses. The vehicle data bus 210 may be implemented according to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus protocol defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11898-1, the Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus protocol, the CAN Flexible Data (CAN-FD) bus protocol (ISO 11898-7), and / or the K-line bus protocol (ISO 9141 and ISO 14230-1) and / or the Ethernet TM bus protocol IEEE 802.3 (prior to 2002), etc.

[0155] The communication module for the nearby device 220-1 is operable to communicate with other nearby communication devices. In the example shown, the communication module 220 includes a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module. The DSRC module includes antennas (multiple antennas), radios (multiple radios), and software to communicate with nearby vehicles (multiple nearby vehicles) via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, communicate with infrastructure-based modules (multiple infrastructure-based modules) via vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and / or more generally, communicate with nearby communication devices (multiple nearby communication devices) (e.g., mobile device-based modules) via vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. V2V communication allows vehicles to share information such as speed, location, direction, and other relevant data so that they can cooperate and coordinate their actions to improve safety, efficiency, and mobility on the road. It can rely on dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and other wireless protocols, which enable fast and reliable data transfer between vehicles. V2V communication, which is a form of wireless communication between vehicles, allows vehicles to exchange information and coordinate with other vehicles on the road.

[0156] Additionally, alternatively, the communication module 220-2 for an external network includes a Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) module. The C-V2X module includes hardware and software for communicating with other vehicles (multiple other vehicles) via Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, hardware and software for communicating with infrastructure-based modules (multiple infrastructure-based modules) via Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication, and / or more generally hardware and software for communicating with nearby communication devices (e.g., mobile device-based modules) via V2X communication. For example, the C-V2X module is operable to communicate directly and / or via a cellular network with nearby devices (e.g., vehicles, roadside units, mobile devices, etc.). Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project is developing standards related to C-V2X communication. Additionally, the communication module 220-2 is operable to communicate with an external network. For example, the communication module 220-2 includes hardware (e.g., a processor, memory, storage, antenna, etc.) and software to control a wired or wireless network interface. In the illustrated example, the communication module 220-2 includes one or more communication controllers for cellular networks (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), Near Field Communication (NFC), and / or other standards-based networks (e.g., WiMAX (IEEE 802.16m), local area wireless networks (including IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac or others), Wireless Gigabit (IEEE 802.11ad), etc.). In some examples, the communication module 220-2 for an external network includes a wired or wireless interface (e.g., an auxiliary port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, wireless nodes, etc.) to communicatively couple with a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a wearable device, a smart watch, a tablet, etc.). In such an example, the vehicle can communicate with an external network via the coupled mobile device. The external network(s) can be a public network, such as the Internet; a private network, such as an intranet; or a combination thereof, and can utilize various networking protocols available now or developed later, including but not limited to TCP / IP-based networking protocols.

[0157] In an embodiment of the system, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is based on a wireless communication protocol using at least one of Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. In one embodiment, the communication module is enabled for autonomous communication, where autonomous communication includes communication over a period of time with minimal supervision in different scenarios. The communication module includes hardware components, and the hardware components include a vehicle gateway system, and the vehicle gateway system includes a microcontroller, a transceiver, a power management integrated circuit, and an Internet of Things device capable of transmitting one of an analog and a digital signal over one of a telephone, communication, wired or wireless communication.

[0158] The autonomous unit 208-1 of the illustrated example is operable to perform autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers for a vehicle, such as defensive driving maneuvers. For example, the autonomous unit 208-1 performs autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers based on data collected by the sensors 206. In some examples, the autonomous unit 208-1 is operable to operate a fully autonomous system, a parking assistance system, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), and / or other autonomous systems (multiple autonomous systems) for the vehicle.

[0159] In addition, in the illustrated example, the controller (or control module) 212-1 is operable to monitor the surrounding environment of the vehicle. For example, to enable the autonomous unit 208-1 to perform autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers, the controller 212-1 collects data collected by the sensors 206 of the vehicle. In some examples, the controller 212-1 collects location-based data via the communication module 220-1 and / or another module (e.g., a GPS receiver) to facilitate the autonomous unit 208-1 in performing autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers. Additionally, the controller 212-1 collects data from (i) adjacent vehicles (multiple adjacent vehicles) via the communication module 220-1 and V2V communication and / or from (ii) roadside units via the communication module 220-1 and V2I communication to further facilitate the autonomous unit 208-1 in performing autonomous and / or semi-autonomous driving maneuvers.

[0160] In some examples, the controller 212-1 is operable to determine a takeover time of an adjacent vehicle based on measured characteristics of the vehicle combination and measured characteristics of the adjacent vehicle (e.g., speed, acceleration, size, etc.), the operator of the adjacent vehicle (e.g., measured reaction time, etc.), and / or the environment of the adjacent vehicle (e.g., road conditions, weather conditions, etc.). Additionally, if the current situation is maintained, the time to collision corresponds to the time it takes for the adjacent vehicle to collide with another vehicle (e.g., a third vehicle) and / or an object (e.g., a guardrail, a highway lane marking device, etc.).

[0161] According to one embodiment of the system, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication is based on a wireless communication protocol using at least one of dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology. According to one embodiment of the system, V2X communication includes at least one of vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), vehicle-to-device (V2D), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P). Then, the system notifies nearby or surrounding vehicles or vehicles communicating with the communication module of the vehicle. The vehicle uses, for example, a message protocol, i.e., a message that reaches other vehicles via broadcast.

[0162] In one embodiment, a connection is established between a vehicle and a user device. The user device is detected by exchanging handshake signals. Handshaking is an automatic process for negotiating the establishment of a communication channel between entities. The processor sends a start signal via the communication channel to detect the user device. If the user device receives the signal, the processor may receive an acknowledgement signal from the user device. Upon receiving the acknowledgement signal, the processor establishes a secure connection with the user device. The processor may receive signals from the user device at the communication module. The processor may further automatically determine the source of the signals. The processor communicatively connects the communication module to the user device. Then, the processor is operable to send messages to and / or receive messages from the user device. The signals received by the communication module may be analyzed to identify the source of the signals, thereby determining the location of the user device.

[0163] In one embodiment, the system is capable of two-way communication. The system or the vehicle sends a signal and then receives a signal / communication from the user device. As a first step in the method according to the present disclosure, a data link is established between the vehicle and an external device to allow for the exchange of data between the vehicle and the user device in the form of two-way communication. This may be achieved, for example, via a radio link or a data cable. Thus, it is possible for the user device to receive data from the vehicle, or for the vehicle to request data from the user device. In one embodiment, the two-way communication includes means for data collection and is designed to exchange data bidirectionally with each other. Additionally, at least the vehicle includes logical means for collecting data and arranging it into a specific protocol based on the protocol of the receiving entity. Initially, a data link for two-way communication is established. The vehicle and the user device may communicate with each other via the data link and thus request or exchange data, where the data link may be implemented, for example, as a cable link or a radio link. Two-way communication has various advantages as described herein. In various embodiments, the data is communicated and transmitted at appropriate time intervals, including, for example, 200 milliseconds (ms) intervals, 100 ms intervals, 50 ms intervals, 20 ms intervals, 10 ms intervals, or even more frequently and / or in real-time or near real-time, to allow the vehicle to respond to the data or otherwise react to the data. Two-way communication may be used to facilitate data exchange.

[0164] In an embodiment, a vehicle may transmit messages via a communication link. It may use any combination of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) types of communication. In one embodiment of the system, the vehicle may be operable to establish communication with a user device via a communication module to obtain an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes vehicle settings and restriction settings. In one embodiment of the system, LIDAR, radar, and cameras are used to obtain information about the user / occupant. In one embodiment of the system, the communication between the vehicle and the user device is via V2X communication. In one embodiment of the system, the V2X communication is based on a wireless communication protocol using at least one of dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies. In one embodiment of the system, the communication between the vehicle and a trailer or an attachment is via an Internet connection.

[0165] According to one embodiment of the system, the communication module can be used for at least one of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and vehicle-to-network communication. According to one embodiment of the system, the communication module supports a communication protocol, where the communication protocol includes at least one of the Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP), the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, the Simple (or Streaming) Text Oriented Message Protocol (STOMP), the Zigbee protocol, the Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) protocol, the Open Diagnostic Data Exchange Format (ODX) protocol, Internet Protocol Diagnostic (DoIP), the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) protocol, and a predetermined protocol standard.

[0166] Figure 3 A block diagram of a system 300 for accessing a user profile and configuring functions of a vehicle intelligent system based on the user profile according to one embodiment is shown. The system includes a processor 302, a memory 304, a communication module 306, a vehicle details module 308, an owner profile / default profile module 310, an occupant identification module 312, an occupant profile access module 314, a conflict resolution module 316, a vehicle settings module 318, a restriction settings module 320, a settings and restriction monitoring module 322, and a display module 324.

[0167] The processor 302 can be a high-performance multi-core CPU or a system-on-chip (SoC) solution to process a large amount of data from various sensors that can be used. The processor 302 processes data from inputs such as cameras, LIDAR, radar sensors, and others to make real-time decisions, recommendations, and perform control actions for the corresponding vehicle. The processor 302 can include a graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU is utilized due to its ability to accelerate tasks such as image and sensor data processing. Some vehicles can incorporate field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to efficiently perform specialized computations, while other vehicles can utilize application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to optimize functionality. The choice of processor depends on factors such as the vehicle's autonomy level, processing requirements, power consumption, and thermal considerations. The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the heart and brain of any computer or electronic device capable of executing instructions. The function of the processor or processors is to process data and perform computations, etc. At the core of their operation is data processing, where they perform arithmetic and logical operations on data stored in memory. The CPU executes instructions to perform various tasks, which are a set of specific operations encoded in machine language. The control unit within or interacting with the processor manages and coordinates the execution of instructions, fetches instructions from memory, decodes the instructions, and directs the appropriate components to execute the instructions. To ensure a controlled and orderly task flow, the processor uses an internal clock that generates regular electrical pulses to synchronize its operation across clock cycles. The processor supports a multi-tasking environment, quickly switching between executing different tasks for various applications. Additionally, they can work with an operating system to manage virtual memory, allowing programs to access more memory than is physically available and efficiently managing memory usage. The processor or processors can be integrated with security features, including hardware-level encryption, memory protection, and support for a secure execution environment, enhancing the security of the system against potential threats. The processor can run complex algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) software to analyze sensor data, detect users, interpret the environment, and help make decisions. Its high-performance capabilities and parallel processing help ensure that the vehicle can quickly and accurately sense and respond to its surroundings. In one embodiment, the processor can be a neuromorphic processor inspired by the human brain, which provides a unique approach to processing AI tasks. The processor interacts and exchanges data with one or more other components or modules of the system, such as the memory 304, communication module 306, vehicle details module 308, owner profile / default profile module 310, occupant identification module 312, occupant profile access module 314, conflict resolution module 316, vehicle settings module 318, limit settings module 320, settings and limit monitoring module 322, and display module 324, as Figure 3 shown.

[0168] The memory 304 can be a non-volatile memory (NVM) used in the reliable operation of the system to ensure data preservation even during power outages or failures. Various NVM technologies are utilized, such as flash memory for storing the operating system and software, EEPROM for maintaining configuration data, calibration values, and sensor settings, ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) for critical real-time information, and emerging technologies like ReRAM for potential performance enhancements due to their high-speed operation and low power consumption. In one embodiment, the memory can be cloud-based memory. In another embodiment, the memory can be local memory. In yet another embodiment, it can be a combination of local and cloud-based memory. Local memory refers to traditional memory components present in a physical device, such as a computer's RAM, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD). It provides fast access to data and is directly connected to the device, making it suitable for immediate processing tasks and offline use. On the other hand, cloud-based memory relies on remote servers and services provided by a third-party cloud provider to store and manage data over the Internet. The system can access its data from anywhere using an Internet connection, allowing for seamless collaboration and scalability. Cloud-based memory is typically used for storing large amounts of data, enabling data sharing, and providing backup and disaster recovery solutions. The combination of local memory and cloud-based memory allows for flexible and efficient data management tailored to the different needs of the system.

[0169] The function of the communication module 306 is similar to that of the communication module 220 described in this application with respect to Figure 2 Furthermore, it facilitates communication between different modules within the system, as well as communication between the user device and the vehicle.

[0170] The vehicle details module 308 includes information about the vehicle, covering details such as vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year of manufacture, and body type. It can further include vehicle weight, engine specifications, transmission details, fuel efficiency, dimensions, safety features, vehicle characteristics, performance, and history. It further includes a list of user-configurable settings, such as adjustable seat positions, configurable infotainment settings, configurable driver assistance preferences, and configurable display 324 preferences for dashboard information. It can further include the presence, details, and functionality of safety elements, such as airbags, antilock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It can further include maintenance and service records, driving profile records, usage records, etc., providing a history of repairs and routine maintenance, the driving habits of the driver who drives the vehicle, the usage of the vehicle in terms of handling, etc. It can further include software and hardware feature updates made to the vehicle via the cloud. In one embodiment, the vehicle details module 308 includes all the details that can be present, organized, and digitally accessible in a vehicle manual.

[0171] The owner's profile and default profile module 310 includes records with various details about an individual's ownership and interactions with a specific vehicle and / or all vehicles used by the owner (user). The profile can include the owner's personal information, such as full name, contact details, and address. It is combined with the vehicle identification number (VIN) owned and serves as a unique identifier associated with manufacturing details, model specifications, and the history of the vehicle. The owner's profile can further include and store vehicle settings provided by the owner. The vehicle settings provided by the owner can also be usage-based learning settings. The settings can further include remote access settings and settings that allow the user to control vehicle components from a remote location or a remote computer. The settings can also be based on historical driving patterns, recent driving activities, the performance of the vehicle during a specific driving session, the performance of specific vehicle components, etc. The owner's profile can include specific settings, preferences, usage, history, and settings learned from the earlier usage of one or more vehicles. The profile settings defined / recorded by the driver and stored in the vehicle can be transmitted by a cloud service to one or more vehicles utilized by the owner. For example, if the user wishes to utilize their daily vehicle, the profile settings may already be stored on that vehicle. If the user wishes to utilize a different vehicle, such as a friend's vehicle, a rented vehicle, a shared vehicle, a temporary vehicle, a lent vehicle, a test drive vehicle, a company vehicle, etc., the user's (owner's) profile can also be transmitted to that vehicle via a database stored in the cloud or the user's mobile phone.

[0172] In addition to personal and vehicle identification details, the owner's profile can further include information related to the purchase of the vehicle, including the date of acquisition, purchase price, and related documents such as sales receipts and titles. It can also record the vehicle's service, insurance details, emission details, and maintenance history, detailing any notable modifications or upgrades. In one embodiment, the vehicle system can include a default profile that allows for a neutral configuration when the owner does not wish to personalize the vehicle or when the vehicle is handed over to another user, ensuring that subsequent users operate with neutral settings.

[0173] The occupant identification module 312 of the vehicle system detects occupants entering and leaving the vehicle. If an occupant is entering the vehicle for the first time, a new profile will be created and a unique occupant identifier will be provided. Sensors such as light detection and ranging, cameras, etc. are used to extract information about the occupant's height, weight, body dimensions, sitting posture, etc., and will be mapped to the new identifier that the system has just detected. In one embodiment, the camera can be coupled to a computer vision module. Additionally, the sensors measure seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, radio settings, occupant behavior (such as their attentiveness to the road, driving habits, interaction with other passengers, etc.), all of which will be stored in the database under the occupant identifier. Each of these is analyzed, classified, and stored according to data categories (such as vehicle settings, restriction settings, historical data, last used settings, etc.). In one embodiment, when a person is sitting in the vehicle, a microphone-assisted scanner can perform face recognition and / or biometrics to identify the driver, and then configure the system using the settings and other restrictions from the occupant profile. Additionally, the settings and restrictions in the occupant profile can be adjusted based on specific inputs. According to one embodiment of the system, one or more of login credentials, passwords, biometric reads, face recognition, fingerprint reads, retina scans, and voice detection are used to determine the identity of the occupant.

[0174] According to one embodiment of the system, the system further determines the identity of the occupant via one or more sensors. According to one embodiment of the system, the one or more sensors include video cameras, radio frequency identification chip (RFID) readers, motion sensors, weight sensors, proximity sensors, biometric scanners, light detection and ranging sensors, radar sensors, light sensors, and audio sensors.

[0175] In one embodiment, the facial recognition module is operable to recognize vehicle occupants, and it employs advanced technologies to analyze and authenticate individuals based on their unique facial features. Integrated within the vehicle system, the module uses cameras strategically positioned within the vehicle cabin to capture facial images of the occupants. Through a combination of facial detection algorithms and machine learning, the module differentiates and identifies specific facial features, such as the arrangement of eyes, nose, and mouth. This biometric recognition process allows for the identification and access of personalized occupant profiles. The facial recognition module includes methods for analyzing facial landmarks, facial geometry, texture, skin color, facial expressions, symmetry, 3D representation, liveness detection, etc. In one embodiment, the module can utilize infrared imaging and perform age and gender estimation, gait analysis, as well as context information analysis for accurate and comprehensive identification.

[0176] In one embodiment, when a person enters a sedan, the system will use various technologies to identify the person. In some existing systems, the user can be identified via a key card. When the user sits in the vehicle and the vehicle system is programmed such that when the vehicle is started with a specific key card, the settings of the vehicle are based on the key card. Such a system does not actually identify the driver based on the key card because many users may use the same key card. The system can act as if it is the same person. In one embodiment, it is an intelligent system that determines who the driver is via the key card, where the key card can include an intelligent tag or an identifier for identifying the driver. In one embodiment, a biometric recognition system can be integrated into the key card. The key card can include an intelligent chip that identifies a person via biometrics or a microphone integrated into the key card. The key card identifies the person who is operating or manipulating the key card and attempting to drive the vehicle. The key card can extract the correct occupant profile stored in the key card. In one embodiment, the key card can be further connected to a cloud system via a network and access the user profile once it identifies the user. The key card is no longer just a key but serves as an intelligent key. In one embodiment, the system of the vehicle can use the biometrics of a person to determine the identity via a steering wheel integrated with a biometric system. Once the person starts the vehicle and places their hand on the steering wheel, the system can determine the identity of the person driving the vehicle.

[0177] In one embodiment, the system detects the user or occupant of the vehicle. The methods employed for identifying the entering individual can involve technologies such as voice recognition, cameras, direct input from a mobile device, retrieval of personal information, biometrics, fingerprint readers within the key card, pressing a keypad on the vehicle to obtain fingerprint recognition, etc. Biometrics can include facial detection; fingerprint recognition, eye retina examination, voice fingerprint, voice commands, and combinations thereof.

[0178] In one embodiment, the present invention uses various techniques, such as a key fob or other device, to identify who the driver is. The system determines the identity of the person, accesses the profile of the occupant via the occupant profile access module 314, and then determines the preferences of the person, such as settings, restrictions, etc. In one embodiment, the vehicle may provide pre-set automatic restrictions that are set by the user or someone else. Others may include the person who lends the vehicle to the user or a vehicle rental service. In one embodiment, the vehicle may provide restrictions provided by the owner / guardian / rental service based on real-time receipt of the restriction settings.

[0179] In one embodiment, the vehicle determines who the user is. Additionally, the system may determine where the user is permitted to travel, i.e., substantially limited to a geolocation. The vehicle system can determine the geolocation to which the user is restricted. For example, parents may allow their child to use the vehicle, yet set a 20-mile geographical restriction, so the child can go anywhere within the set geolocation but not beyond it. In one embodiment, the parents can program / set the restrictions and send that information to the vehicle's system. In one embodiment, the system is programmed or set by the parents such that with a key fob, their daughter can drive the sedan, while no one else can. In the case where the key fob includes the restrictions set by this patent, only she can drive the vehicle, and the vehicle's system restricts itself to a specific location or a specific geofence. It may not allow the driver to go to the location of some other friend. In one embodiment, the vehicle system can further restrict adding passengers, etc.

[0180] When an occupant sets these settings, the system monitors and stores those settings. The occupant can be the driver or a passenger using a particular vehicle. Once another driver rents the vehicle, the system proceeds to the next driver and accesses and sets the data corresponding to the next driver. In one embodiment, a rental agency can provide a smart card that includes an occupant profile, which includes occupant information, where the occupant is the rented driver. The occupant profile can include information about the occupant, different vehicles previously used by the occupant and their corresponding settings, any restricted settings, the priority level of the settings, routing information, etc. The profile can be encrypted and can require the prior authorization of the user in order to be accessed by another user or agent / group. In one embodiment, the profile can be password protected for access. When a user / occupant rents a vehicle, the user profile can be loaded onto the card and provided to the user. In one embodiment, an access code can be provided to the user via a mobile phone or a smart phone. The smart phone can act as a smart card with all the information about the vehicle. Once the user approaches the vehicle, the vehicle starts scanning. In another embodiment, the smart card can broadcast information to the vehicle that the user should access, i.e., the rented vehicle or the vehicle that the user will use. The smart card sends the occupant's profile to the vehicle, and the vehicle adjusts everything according to the occupant profile information. Vehicle settings can occur before the occupant enters the vehicle or immediately after the occupant enters the vehicle and before he starts driving.

[0181] The vehicle is provided with a system for receiving the information that the smart card is going to transmit. Once a handshake is established between the smart card and the vehicle, all the occupant settings and restrictions can be implemented by the vehicle based on the information received from the handshake signal. When the occupant starts the vehicle, the vehicle can further be operable to receive information about restricted settings. The restricted settings can be provided by a third party, such as parents, other users, the owner of the vehicle, or a rental agency. The restricted settings can be, for example, one or more of a geofence, a restriction on a particular route, a speed limit, a speed limit on a particular route, a time limit, a restriction on the number of occupants and their ages, etc.

[0182] In one embodiment, identifying the occupant can include accessing a unique identifier belonging to the occupant. Figure 4AShows an occupant detection module and an occupant profile access module according to one embodiment. According to this embodiment, the occupant 402 can carry a user device 404, such as a smart card, a key card, a smart card including an RFID tag, or a mobile phone, which can be detected using a wireless signal 406 via a communication module based on proximity to the vehicle. Once the occupant 402 is detected, the occupant identifier is retrieved. It can be a mobile phone number or any unique code. Using the occupant identifier and vehicle details such as the make and model of the vehicle and the VIN from the vehicle details module 308, the occupant profile is accessed. Further vehicle settings matching the VIN, make, and model are retrieved from the occupant profile from a database locally stored on the mobile phone or user device. In one embodiment, the details can be customized for a specific vehicle the user may be accessing and the details can be stored in a local device such as a key card, a smart card, or the like.

[0183] Figure 4B Shows an occupant detection module and an occupant profile access module according to another embodiment. According to this embodiment, the occupant 402 can carry a user device 404, such as, a smart card, a key card, a smart card including an RFID tag, or a mobile phone, which can be detected using a wireless signal 406 via a communication module based on proximity. Once the occupant 402 is detected, the occupant identifier is retrieved. It can be a mobile phone number or any unique code. Using the occupant identifier and vehicle details such as the make and model of the vehicle and the VIN from the vehicle details module 308, the occupant profile is accessed via the cloud network 408. Further vehicle settings matching the VIN, make, and model are retrieved from the occupant profile. In one embodiment, the occupant profile is received by the vehicle system and the vehicle system locally selects the settings matching the VIN, make, and model.

[0184] Figure 4CA vehicle system is shown that receives restriction settings in real time from a second device according to an embodiment. According to this embodiment, an occupant 402 may carry a user device 404, such as a smart card, a key fob, a smart card including an RFID tag, or a mobile phone that can be detected based on proximity via a wireless signal 406 by a communication module. Once the occupant 402 is detected, an occupant identifier is retrieved. It may be a mobile phone number or any unique code. Using the occupant identifier and vehicle details such as the make and model of the vehicle and the VIN from the vehicle details module 308, an occupant profile is accessed. Other vehicle settings that match the VIN, make, and model are retrieved from the occupant profile from a database locally stored on the mobile phone or user device. In one embodiment, the details may be customized for a particular vehicle the user may be accessing and may be stored in a local device such as a key fob, a smart card, or the like. Additionally, once the occupant is identified, the system may connect to a parent or guardian 410 via the parent's user device 412 and receive restriction settings in real time via the parent's user device 412. In one embodiment, the parent's user device 412 may send the restriction settings directly to the vehicle system. In one embodiment, the parent's user device 412 may send the restriction settings to the occupant's user device 404. In one embodiment, the parent's user device 412 may send the restriction settings to the cloud where the user profile is stored and the vehicle system may access the restriction settings. In one embodiment, the vehicle may send an updated message with any adjustments made to the restrictions and settings. The vehicle may also send GPS-based location, the route taken by the system, the current speed, and any other information customized by the parent / guardian.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the method, the occupant profile further includes restriction settings, wherein the restriction settings are received via an external device. According to one embodiment of the method, a priority level indicates the precedence of the restriction settings in case of conflict with another occupant profile. According to one embodiment of the method, the priority level has a value in the range from 1 to 10, where 1 is the highest priority and 10 is the lowest priority.

[0186] The occupant profile access module 314 accesses the stored occupant profile, creates an occupant profile if it does not exist, and stores it in the database. The occupant profile may include standard settings that can be set for various vehicles, or customized settings selected for the user based on settings learned over time by using various vehicles. In one embodiment, the user profile is continuously updated and stored in the database, which is accessible by a cloud service. The database may include a data storage device, such as cloud storage, a data center database, a distributed database, a local storage device on the vehicle, a network storage device, or the like. Figure 4DA vehicle system 430 accessing an occupant profile from an occupant data system 440 is shown according to one embodiment. The vehicle system 430 includes sensors 432, a communication module 434, a vehicle seat 436, and vehicle controls 438. The vehicle system 430 includes a combination of hardware and software. The occupant data system 440 may include a data storage device 442, which includes an occupant account 444, where the occupant account 444 includes an occupant profile 446. The occupant data system 440 further includes a customized application 448 with a user interface 450.

[0187] The vehicle system 430 includes one or more sensors 432. The sensors 432 may include video cameras, microphones, RFID readers, motion sensors, weight sensors, proximity sensors, biometric scanners, light detection and ranging (LiDar) devices, radio detection and ranging (radar) devices, beamforming light sensors, audio sensors, and other sensors for detecting the identity and / or location of a person within the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the system, the sensors include one of a weight sensor, a thermal sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, an inertial sensor, a compression sensor, an image sensor, an RFID reader, a smart card reader, and a proximity sensor.

[0188] The sensors 432 communicate sensor data, which may be processed to determine the identity and / or location of an occupant. For example, the sensors 432 may include a camera, where the identity is determined based on performing facial recognition. The sensors 432 may also include a weight sensor mounted in the vehicle seat 436 of the vehicle. In this example, the identity of the occupant may be determined based on measuring the weight distribution fingerprint of the vehicle occupant. The sensors 432 may include an RFID reader to read an RFID tag carried by a vehicle occupant. The sensors 432 may include a microphone mounted in the vehicle. The identity may be determined based on voice recognition. The microphone may be a directional microphone to detect the direction and location of an occupant when the occupant is speaking.

[0189] In one embodiment, a capacitance-based sensor is used. The capacitance sensor detects a change in capacitance, which may occur when a person sits on the seat. In one embodiment, a millimeter wave radar sensor may be used to detect an occupant in the vehicle. The millimeter wave radar sensor operates by emitting electromagnetic waves in the millimeter wave frequency range and then measuring the time it takes for the wave to bounce back after hitting an object. The radar sensor may analyze the reflected signal to detect an occupant. Once an occupant is detected, occupant details and profile information may be accessed via radio frequency identification chip (RFID) technology, where the RFID tag on the smart card includes the occupant profile and the RFID reader is associated with the vehicle.

[0190] The communication module 434 may allow data generated within the vehicle system 430 to be communicated via the network 420 to the occupant data system 440. The communication module 434 may include, for example, a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a modem, or other devices that provide communication via the network 420. In some embodiments, the communication module 434 may include a hotspot or access point for allowing the mobile device 460 to connect to the network 420. This may provide network access to the occupant's mobile device 460. The communication module 434 may be coupled to the sensors 432, the vehicle seats 436, the vehicle controls 438, the infotainment system, the display, and other vehicle input / output systems. The communication module 434 may collect data received at the vehicle and transmit the data via the network 420. Additionally, the communication module 434 may receive data or control instructions via the network 420 and transmit them to the vehicle and associated vehicle components.

[0191] The communication module 434 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The vehicle system 430 interacts with user devices such as the mobile device 460. In one embodiment, the user device may include one or more of a key fob, a smart card, a personal device, a wearable device, etc. In one embodiment, the vehicle system 430 may access the occupant profile 446 via the occupant data system 440 that may be stored on the mobile device 460. In one embodiment, once the vehicle system 430 obtains the occupant identification data via the mobile device 460, it may interact with the network 420 to access the occupant profile 446 via the occupant data system 440. The occupant data system may reside on the cloud / network 420. In one embodiment, cloud services may also be accessible via the network 420.

[0192] The vehicle system 430 includes one or more vehicle seats 436 having identifiers and further includes sensors 432. The seats generally have settings for adjusting their position and orientation. The sensors 432 may identify the seats occupied by the user during a journey and record such settings used by the occupant in the user profile corresponding to the user, along with the seat identifier. This will enable the recording of the user's data using the mapping of the vehicle make and model, the seat identifier, and the seat settings corresponding to the seat identifier. Based on the recorded data, the settings used by the front seats and the rear seats, or the settings used by the occupant as a driver and the occupant as a passenger, can be well distinguished, where the recorded data is processed and stored as structured data in the data storage device 442.

[0193] The vehicle system 430 may include one or more vehicle controls 438 for controlling vehicle settings. The vehicle controls 438 may be located throughout the vehicle such that one or more occupants may manually select the vehicle controls 438. The vehicle controls 438 may provide access to and control of user profiles, vehicle settings, restriction settings, climate control, display control, volume control, video selector, audio selector, seat control, privacy control, or other controls for customizing the driving experience. The privacy control may be a control for manipulating a physical barrier to at least partially separate vehicle occupants. The privacy control may include controls for curtains, screens, and / or walls. For example, if the vehicle is a taxi that shuttles different occupants to different destinations when shared, each occupant may access the privacy control to have privacy from other occupants. The vehicle controls 438 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software to allow an occupant to edit, modify, or adjust occupant preferences or vehicle settings. For example, the vehicle controls 438 may include a menu system. The menu system may include multiple occupant-selectable options for configuring the vehicle. Occupant input for the vehicle controls 438 may include, for example, voice commands, tactile touches, actuation of buttons, knobs, switches, or scrollers, gestures, poses while sitting in a vehicle seat, biometric input, or any other input from an occupant in the vehicle. The occupant input may be sensed via one or more input systems in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle controls 438 may include virtual controls implemented by a graphical user interface presented by a display and / or a mobile device 460. For example, before an occupant enters the vehicle using the interface presented by the mobile device 460, the occupant may provide occupant input to select the vehicle controls 438. The mobile device 460 may present a display depicting virtualized controls that the occupant may select. These virtualized controls correspond to the vehicle controls 438 to remotely configure the vehicle. For example, an occupant may specify a desired temperature setting, content preference, volume setting, etc. via the mobile device 460.

[0194] In one embodiment, one or more displays may be located in front of one or more seats. In some embodiments, at least some seats have dedicated displays such that each occupant may view a separate display. The display may include a video screen and speakers. The display may present video to vehicle occupants and provide information related to the current seat settings and potential adjustments such that comfort and safety may be increased. In some embodiments, the display of the mobile device 460 may be used as a display. In one embodiment, the display may be a touch screen or may include input controls for receiving occupant input such that vehicle settings and restriction settings may be adjusted from the display. Each display of the vehicle may be configured to present content separately to vehicle occupants such that each vehicle occupant may customize the content presented by the separate display. Each display may be selected based on a display identifier. For example, instructions for controlling the display may include a display identifier.

[0195] The components of the occupant data system 440 and the data storage device 442 may represent one or more data storage devices. The data storage device 442 includes, for example, an occupant account 444. The occupant account 444 can be created and maintained for one or more occupants. The occupant account 444 may include an occupant profile 446. Accessing the occupant profile 446 may include providing occupant credentials for authenticating the occupant and providing access to the occupant information. The occupant profile 446 includes occupant information such as height data, weight data, body dimension data, age, vehicle settings, and restriction settings. The occupant profile 446 includes historical data regarding vehicle settings and restriction settings, including those used during past trips. Vehicle settings include settings used by the occupant in a particular make and model of the vehicle and settings for a particular seat identifier within the vehicle. The occupant profile 446 may also include vehicle settings and configurations provided manually by the occupant or automatically generated when the occupant interacts with the occupant data system 440. The occupant account 444 may be accessible on the user device and / or on the vehicle system 430 via the network 420. The user device may include a mobile device 460. The user device may generally include one of a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a key fob, a portable device with a microchip, an identification card, a badge, a personal computing device, a wearable device, or other computing devices configured to communicate via the network 420. The mobile device 460 may include a browser or a dedicated application to communicate with the custom application 448. In some embodiments, the occupant account 444 may be locally stored on the mobile device 460 or stored in the memory of the vehicle 430. Cloud services may be used to identify the occupant (e.g., authenticate or authorize the occupant). For example, cloud services may include social media platforms, voice recognition services, biometric services, or third-party services for authenticating an individual based on the occupant input.

[0196] The custom application 448 can be used by the occupant to interact with the vehicle system 430 and / or the mobile device 460. The custom application 448 includes a user interface 450 to facilitate various operations such as access, storage, modification, control, etc. via the vehicle system 430 and / or the mobile device 460. The user interface 450 provides an interface for users to personalize their preferences. It includes a dashboard for navigation and guides the user through customizable options. The user interface 450 provides the user with the ability to adjust the layout configuration, rearrange widgets, and select from various design elements. Additionally, the interface allows the user to visualize these changes in real time before applying them. The user interface 450 allows the user to manage privacy settings, notifications, and account preferences. The custom application 448 may include a portal to give the occupant access to the functions provided by the occupant data system 440. For example, an occupant using the mobile device 460 can access the portal provided by the custom application 448.

[0197] The occupant data system 440 maintains an occupant profile 446 for one or more occupants and manages the occupant vehicle settings or functions for one or more occupants of different types of vehicles, as well as the occupant vehicle settings or functions of one or more vehicles that the user / occupant has previously used. In one embodiment, the occupant data system 440 is integrated with the system's network security module for end-to-end encryption and decryption of data during authentication.

[0198] The vehicle system 430 and the occupant data system 440 can be connected to a network 420, such as, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a wired network, a cellular network, a wireless network, or any other suitable network, or any combination of two or more such networks. The network 420 can include, for example, a server computer or any other system that provides computing capabilities. Alternatively, the network 420 can employ multiple computing devices, which can be arranged, for example, in one or more server groups or computer groups or other arrangements. Such computing devices can be located in a single facility or can be distributed among many different geographical locations. For example, the network 420 can include multiple computing devices that together can include hosted computing resources, grid computing resources, and / or any other distributed computing arrangement. In some cases, the network 420 can correspond to elastic computing resources, where the capacity of the allocated processing, network, storage, or other computing-related resources can vary over time. The network 420 can implement one or more virtual machines. According to various embodiments, various applications and / or other functions can be executed in the network 420. Moreover, various data are stored in a data storage device 442 or other memory accessible to the network 420.

[0199] When the user is near the vehicle, the vehicle system 430 can connect to the occupant's mobile device 460, or the user can access the vehicle system via a custom application 448 on his mobile device 460. Access to the occupant account 444 can be via authentication, and then the occupant profile 446 can be accessed. The desired vehicle settings and / or restrictions corresponding to the vehicle model and year can be accessed and applied in the vehicle system 430 automatically or on demand by the user.

[0200] When entering the vehicle, one or more sensors 432 can identify the occupant and his seating position via seat identifiers within the vehicle. For example, the sensors 432 can be configured to transmit sensor data to the occupant data system 440 via the network 420. In one embodiment, the occupant data system 440 can be accessed via the mobile device 460. The occupant data system 440 can perform an analysis on the sensor data to retrieve the correct settings corresponding to the occupant, vehicle type, and seat position. When determining the identity of the occupant by the vehicle system 430, the occupant data system 440 determines the occupant profile 446 corresponding to the occupant stored in the system. If no match for the vehicle type is found, the system prompts the user to select or automatically selects the closest model or default profile of the current vehicle. Each vehicle occupant is associated with a unique occupant identifier. When the identity of the occupant is detected, the vehicle identifier is used to obtain the corresponding occupant profile 446.

[0201] Figure 4E Shows the content of an occupant profile according to one embodiment. The occupant profile 470 includes occupant information 472, vehicle information 474, and restriction settings 476. The occupant profile further includes an overall priority level, occupant category, parent / guardian phone number, emergency phone number, etc. The vehicle information 474 includes the vehicle identifier and then includes the vehicle settings corresponding to the vehicle identifier. In one embodiment, when the vehicle identifier is not found in the list, the profile is identified as the default profile for considering vehicle settings. According to one embodiment of the system, the vehicle settings include one or more of seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, radio settings corresponding to the vehicle identification data of the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the system, the seat settings include one or more of the settings for seat height, recline of the seat, lumbar support of the seat, armrest height, and temperature of the seat. According to one embodiment of the system, the mirror settings include one or more of mirror tilt, mirror angle, mirror height, and mirror position. According to one embodiment of the system, the mirror settings are configured to adjust the mirror, where the mirror is one or more of the side view mirror and the rearview mirror. According to one embodiment of the system, the temperature settings include fan speed, preferred temperature, and the tilt and position of the vents of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the system, the radio settings include one or more of the preferred content style, audio playback settings, and volume.

[0202] According to one embodiment of the method, the occupant profile further includes occupant data, which includes the height of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, the body size of the occupant, and the age of the occupant. According to one embodiment of the method, the vehicle settings include seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, radio settings, and routing information. According to one embodiment of the method, the seat settings include one or more of the settings for seat height, the recline of the seat, the lumbar support of the seat, the armrest height, and the temperature settings. According to one embodiment of the method, the mirror settings include one or more of the mirror tilt, the mirror angle, the mirror height, and the mirror position. According to one embodiment of the method, the mirror settings are configured to adjust the mirror, where the mirror is one or more of the side view mirror and the rear view mirror. According to one embodiment of the method, the temperature settings include the fan speed, the preferred temperature, and the tilt and position of the vents of the vehicle's HVAC system. According to one embodiment of the method, the radio settings include one or more of the preferred content style, the audio playback settings, and the volume.

[0203] The restriction settings 476 include the maximum speed, the maximum acceleration, the geofencing data, the time limit data, the sobriety verification requirement data, etc. According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant profile further includes restriction settings, where the restriction settings are received via an external device. According to one embodiment of the system, the restriction settings include one or more of the maximum speed data, the maximum acceleration data, the sobriety verification requirement, the route restriction data, the time limit data, and the geofencing data. According to one embodiment of the method, the restriction settings include the maximum speed data, the maximum acceleration data, the sobriety verification requirement, the time-based data, and the geofencing data. According to one embodiment of the method, the occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0204] In one embodiment, once the user enters the vehicle in real time, the restriction settings section of the profile is received from the phone number of the parent or guardian who confirms / provides the restrictions. In one embodiment, the restriction setting values may not exist in the profile and are received via the phone number of the parent or guardian. In one embodiment, these settings are changed by the parent according to the situation of the vehicle and the occupant. Additionally, a priority level or indicator can be assigned to one or more restrictions, which confirms whether the restriction can be changed or not when a conflict situation occurs. For example, an overall priority number can indicate how flexible the profile restrictions are with respect to change. A value of 1 can indicate that there are no restrictions and tend to change. Similarly, for the overall priority, a value greater than 1 can indicate the flexibility regarding one or more restriction settings. When a restriction setting has a separate priority level of 1, it has the highest priority and cannot be changed in case of conflict unless contacted and approved by the parent or guardian. On the other hand, individual priority levels for restriction settings such as 5 or 8 mean that the restriction settings can be overridden when a conflict situation occurs or when the situation demands.

[0205] According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant profile further includes occupant information. According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant information includes the height of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, the body size of the occupant, the age of the occupant, the contact number of the occupant, the emergency contact number, and the additional contact number, where the additional contact number includes the parent contact number or the guardian contact number. According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant profile further includes an overall priority.

[0206] When identifying the appropriate occupant profile 446, the occupant data system 440 extracts the vehicle settings and the restriction settings, and generates control instructions to implement the vehicle settings and the restrictions. The control instructions are transmitted via the network 420 and received by the communication module 434 of the vehicle including the occupant. The vehicle may include computing components such as a processor and a memory to process the control instructions such that they are implemented in the vehicle. For example, if the occupant profile specifies a particular temperature, the vehicle may receive the temperature setting and use the vehicle controls 438 to implement the temperature setting. Additionally, control instructions may be generated based on the seat identifier of the vehicle occupant. For example, depending on the seat on which the occupant is sitting, the control instructions are applied to the corresponding seat identifier. In this regard, the control instructions may cause the vehicle controls 438 to be adjusted such that they are customized relative to the occupant's seating position. According to one embodiment of the method, the occupant profile is stored in one or more of a local storage device, a remote storage device, and a cloud storage device.

[0207] Figure 4F An example default occupant profile according to one embodiment is shown. In one embodiment, the user profile may be a default profile set for certain situations. The pre-set occupant profile 480 may be activated by using keywords as shown in the keyword 484. The pre-set profile includes the restriction settings 486 as Figure 4F shown. Example scenarios may be valet parking, test driving, vehicle service, etc. For example, when the driver leaves the vehicle, they may issue a voice command such as "valet driver" or "valet parking". In this case, the vehicle will identify the next driver as "valet" and implement specific restrictions such as a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and a predefined boundary based on the restrictions provided for the valet parking space. In this scenario, the system may not allow many adjustments or it may allow adjustments, but it will neither identify the driver nor record the settings. The profile for "valet" may remain the profile set by the owner of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the system may receive a "clear profile" from the driver or occupant upon departure, and the vehicle's system will clear the details of the occupant from the vehicle's system.

[0208] The conflict resolution module 316 is operable to detect and analyze the current scenario in the vehicle, such as the current passenger situation, other passengers in the vehicle, and make decisions accordingly. In one embodiment, the body shape of the occupant is considered, such as height, weight, body size, etc. In one embodiment, the settings can be adaptively adjusted together with the actual occupant profile. For example, the occupant may be a passenger who usually likes to sit upright and be alert, with the radio playing in the background. However, perhaps currently he has some illness due to which he prefers to lean back and not have the radio playing. The system will identify the occupant, retrieve the occupant profile, and further check the current mood and health of the passenger. If the occupant is normal, the original settings will be applied. If the occupant is sick or has some health problems, then after identifying the occupant's condition, the system can suggest deviations or additional settings different from the occupant profile. In such a case, the system can prompt the occupant and consider the occupant's input. The system can store these additional settings back in the profile under an additional sick category. Similarly, different categories can be created for each occupant, such as party mode, silent mode, work mode, etc.

[0209] As a parent, one can authorize their child to use the vehicle. The parent can send the user profile for that particular vehicle to the child's mobile device. The device carried by the child has a child profile for the specific vehicle, which has the conditions, settings, and restrictions provided by the parent. When the occupant is near the vehicle's system, the system retrieves the occupant profile and configures the settings of the vehicle according to the occupant profile.

[0210] In one embodiment, the system is configured to resolve any conflicts in the settings and restrictions present in the occupant profiles when there is more than one occupant in the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle has an occupant and the speed limit has been set to 65 miles per hour, and then another occupant, perhaps a young occupant, enters the vehicle, the speed limit will be adjusted. Initially, the speed limit can be set to 65 miles per hour, but in the case of adding another occupant such as a young driver, the speed limit can be reduced to, for example, 55 miles per hour. As a parent, this not only ensures that your young driver does not exceed 55 miles per hour, but also sets additional constraints based on the profile of the new occupant. The system is able to understand the driver's profile and the occupant's profile, combine them to adjust the overall restrictions on vehicle use. In one embodiment, the speed limit set in the occupant profile is adjusted based on another occupant in the vehicle. Additionally, when one of the occupants leaves, the system will reset the adjustment according to the remaining occupants in the vehicle.

[0211] For example, if there are more than one occupant, the volume of the stereo is affected along with other parameters. One may not be able to increase the volume beyond a certain level. When an occupant enters the vehicle, the volume of the stereo is automatically based on the occupant's profile. When the volume is too high, the system may limit the volume to ensure that the driver appears to be focused and the driver's attention is on driving. This scenario is applicable when the driver is alone or when the driver is present with other occupants. In one embodiment, once the occupant leaves, and if the occupant is the sole occupant of the vehicle, the system will reset to the default settings and restrictions. For example, for a rental vehicle or the return of a leased vehicle, all settings have been reset to the default settings, and occupant profile-related information and any data will be stored in the cloud database authorized by the occupant, and any copies of the occupant profile and data locally present on the system will be erased.

[0212] Additionally, when checking for conflict scenarios, consider the case where, upon entering the vehicle, say the primary occupant (possibly the driver) activates a designated device containing the driver's profile. When the driver enters the vehicle, various adjustments are made. Once the initial profile is established, the system begins monitoring additional occupants, typically passengers who may not be driving but still have specific preferences. In this case, the system must first assign user profile settings based on the driver's preferences. However, complexities arise when introducing secondary profiles that may conflict with the primary profile. The conflict resolution may involve adjusting various factors such as the seat positions of the front and rear passengers, temperature control, and route information to optimize energy efficiency.

[0213] In one embodiment, even if the vehicle has a pre-set profile or no pre-set profile, the system should automatically apply the passenger's profile upon entry. This becomes crucial for scenarios where parents want to ensure certain safety parameters, such as speed limits, following distances, lane change frequencies, etc., that are enforced when their children are driving or accompanying someone else's vehicle. In this case, the system needs to identify and prioritize user profiles, especially those related to safety attributes. Thus, the proposed solution involves giving user profiles a priority ranking, where safety-related attributes are preferably prioritized over comfort-related attributes. This ensures that when conflicting profiles are detected, the system gives priority to safety aspects, such as limiting the maximum speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, restricting the route or geographical area for the vehicle, etc., while allowing flexibility in other non-safety-related settings.

[0214] In one embodiment, safety is given priority over comfort, especially when new passengers bring their priority levels into someone else's vehicle. The proposed solution aims to achieve conflict resolution based on the priority levels using an override mechanism. When a new user profile is received, the system checks for conflicts and prioritizes safety-related settings over other preferences. This approach addresses the concerns of parents who wish to protect their children when traveling in an unfamiliar vehicle and emphasizes the need for the system to identify safety aspects and prioritize them over other user preferences.

[0215] Instructions are received from a third party, such as a parent or the owner of the vehicle, for additional settings and restrictions such as geofencing and speed. Restrictions on the occupants assert that the vehicle cannot exceed certain limits related to safety aspects, regardless of whether the occupant is a passenger driving the vehicle or a borrower, the owner of the vehicle or a passenger, or the parent / guardian of the occupant. However, when a new occupant enters, a dynamic change occurs and shifts. They may potentially limit or relax the available settings and restrictions. Additionally, existing preferences can address these concerns for an individual user, but do not consider the implications of multiple additional occupant profiles. In one embodiment, the system automatically updates the occupant settings in response to determining the category of the occupants in the vehicle, such as minors, the elderly, medical emergencies, in-vehicle infants category, etc.

[0216] Figure 5A A flowchart showing conflict resolution of vehicle settings and restrictions in a vehicle when there are more than one occupant according to one embodiment. It should be understood that Figure 5A the flowchart only provides an example of many different types of implementations that can be adopted by the system described herein. Figure 5A the flowchart can be regarded as depicting an example of the elements of a method implemented in the system according to one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, Figure 5A the functionality can be implemented within one or more computing devices installed in the vehicle. In step 502, the vehicle's system receives sensor data. The sensor data can originate from one or more sensors installed in and around the vehicle. The sensor data can include raw data for identifying the occupants and / or the position of the occupants. The sensor data can include a sensor identifier associated with the sensor that generated the sensor data. The sensor identifier can be used to determine the location of the sensor to assist in identifying the seat occupied by the occupant. The sensor data can be collected and processed within the system or can be sent via a network to the cloud for processing. The sensor data can include sensor samples or raw data that are packaged for transmission over the network to the cloud.

[0217] In step 504, the system performs sensor data analysis to identify the vehicle occupants. For example, if the sensor data includes a facial image, the system can perform facial recognition. If the sensor data includes audio data, the system can perform voice recognition. The sensor data can include data from multiple types of sensors to determine the identity of the vehicle occupants. The sensor data can include biometric scans, such as fingerprint scans or retina scans. The system can process the sensor data and compare it with the occupant identifier to determine the identity of the occupant. In some embodiments, the system determines the occupant identifier by connecting a hotspot or access point installed in the vehicle to the user device of the occupant. For example, when the hotspot or access point of the vehicle is connected to the user device, the hotspot or access point establishes communication with an application running on the mobile device. The application can convey the occupant identifier and vehicle data including the vehicle identifier to the hotspot or access point when the connection is established. The communication module can transmit the occupant identifier to the occupant data system to retrieve the occupant profile.

[0218] Then, in step 506, the system continues to identify the seat occupied by the occupant in the vehicle from the sensor data. The seat identifier can be included in the sensor data, or the sensor identifier can also serve as the seat identifier. For example, each seat can be monitored by a dedicated sensor. Thus, the receipt of the sensor data allows the system to determine which seat is being occupied by the occupant. In some embodiments, the vehicle can include motion sensors, weight sensors, directional microphones, or image-based sensors to determine which seat is being occupied. By analyzing the sensor data, the seat identifier can be determined. The system can determine the seat identifier and map it to the seat position or otherwise derive the seat position, where the seat position indicates the relative position of the seat within the vehicle. The seat identifier can include data indicating the position of the seat within the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes seats, and each seat has a weight sensor for detecting the presence and / or identity of the occupant. The seat identifier is determined depending on which weight sensor detects the weight corresponding to the occupant.

[0219] Then, in step 508, the system retrieves the occupant profile. By determining the vehicle occupants based on the sensor data, the system can access the data storage device to determine the occupant profile corresponding to the occupant identifier. In one embodiment, the system retrieves the vehicle settings and limitations corresponding to the vehicle identifier including the make and model of the vehicle from the occupant profile. In another embodiment, the system retrieves the occupant profile and processes the profile to retrieve the vehicle settings and limitations corresponding to the vehicle identifier including the make and model of the vehicle from the local occupant profile.

[0220] In step 510, the system applies vehicle settings and restrictions. The occupant profile can include various vehicle settings and restrictions. These occupant profiles can contain vehicle settings based on how the occupant wishes to configure the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle settings are further organized by seat type or in other words seat position. For example, an occupant may prefer certain seat adjustments for the driver's seat but different seat adjustments when sitting in the passenger seat.

[0221] When referring to the occupant profile corresponding to the occupant identifier, the system can automatically generate one or more control instructions to apply or implement the settings available in the occupant profile. For example, if the setting indicates a temperature setting of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the system can generate control instructions to control the vehicle temperature accordingly. As another example, if the occupant profile indicates the occupant's preference for video content, the system can generate and transmit instructions to control the content presented by the display according to the occupant profile. The instructions can indicate the display identifier based on the seat identifier such that the most appropriately positioned display presents the content.

[0222] In step 512, the system checks whether any other vehicle seat / seats are occupied. For example, the system can periodically receive sensor data from the vehicle to indicate which seats are occupied and which seats are empty. If any other seat becomes occupied, then in step 514, the system adjusts and applies the vehicle settings and restrictions for the occupant. These adjusted settings may or may not be stored in the database as these are temporary adjustments. Once one or more occupants leave, or if the occupant role changes from driver to passenger, these settings are further subject to adjustment. According to one embodiment of the system, the system is operable to establish a connection to a first device of a first occupant by sending a connection request via a communication module. According to one embodiment of the system, retrieve the first occupant profile via the first device. According to one embodiment of the system, receive the identity of the first occupant via the first device and retrieve the first occupant profile from the cloud via the network. The first occupant can use the first device, and the second occupant can use the second device. According to one embodiment of the system, the first device includes one of a phone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to one embodiment of the system, the system is operable to establish a connection to a second device of a second occupant by sending a connection request via a communication module. According to one embodiment of the system, retrieve the second occupant profile via the second device. According to one embodiment of the system, receive the identity of the second occupant via the second device and retrieve the second occupant profile from the cloud via the network. According to one embodiment of the system, the second device includes one of a phone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0223] In some embodiments, the system resolves conflicts or implements compromises to address the situation where a vehicle carries more than one occupant with different occupant profiles. The result may involve generating additional control instructions to adjust vehicle settings and restrictions for at least one or more of the occupants in the vehicle. In another embodiment, the system may implement an artificial intelligence-based system that includes machine learning algorithms to determine adjustments to be made to vehicle settings and restrictions in response to detecting a new occupant. In one embodiment, the system may implement one or more rules to determine adjustments to be made to vehicle settings and restrictions in response to detecting a new occupant. The rule / AI approach may be based on the priority levels indicated in the occupant profile or may be globally implemented rules. For example, if the second occupant is a minor, the speed limit may be adjusted to prioritize safety according to the occupant profile indicator. In another example, all content displayed in the vehicle may be restricted to accommodate the minor passenger. The rule may trigger the transmission of control instructions to update occupant preferences related to the presentation of content. As another example, subsequent control instructions may be to limit the playback volume, control the privacy screen, adjust the seat settings, adjust the temperature to an average temperature, or other instructions to adjust vehicle controls in response to detecting the presence or identity of a new occupant.

[0224] The settings and restrictions may apply to any passenger / occupant including the driver. In this case, settings and restrictions without conflicts will be directly implemented. In one embodiment, an occupant may have a priority associated with their profile. For example, if an occupant has a level one profile, the restrictions and settings are set. If the occupant is the driver and a first-time user of the vehicle, the vehicle will first set the occupant profile and the vehicle's system will record the settings and restrictions. If a passenger enters and happens to have settings and certain restrictions, perhaps the occupant is a minor and is provided with a smart card or a device (which may be a smart phone) that includes the occupant profile. If a passenger enters the vehicle, the vehicle's system will now consider the second input, which is the second occupant profile. The vehicle's system receives the driver's profile, for example, using a smart tag or a smart phone. Similarly, the system will also receive the input of each passenger entering the vehicle. The vehicle's system will then resolve conflicts, if any, based on an analysis of all the profiles of the driver and passengers and the profile priority levels. For each occupant, settings without conflicts will be applied, for example, the height of the seat, the backrest of the seat, etc. The seat recline and legroom may be adjusted based on a conflict resolution between passenger preferences, passenger body shape, and seat occupancy. However, for common characteristics among all vehicle occupants using conflict resolution, such as temperature, it may be adjusted. The temperature may then be adjusted for each person, which may be close to their preferences. In one embodiment, the rear seat temperature may be adjusted differently from the front seat.

[0225] In one embodiment, a system of a vehicle identifies a priority number associated with a profile. Based on the priority number, a conflict resolution can give a higher weight to a high-priority profile than to a profile with a low priority number. For example, if a passenger enters and is a minor, their profile will carry a higher priority number than an adult driver profile. The system then checks the restrictions associated with the minor, and for example, the restriction can be a speed limit, which restricts the system from exceeding the set limit. For example, if a driver profile with a priority level of 6 and a passenger profile with a priority level of 1 are together in the vehicle, the system sets the restrictions provided to the passenger with the priority level of 1, regardless of the restrictions of the occupant with the profile of priority level 6. In one embodiment, in an emergency or similar situation, the system is operable to allow a driver or a relevant person (owner or parent) to adjust the restrictions. In one embodiment, these adjustments can be transmitted and controlled remotely. In one embodiment, the adjusted restrictions can be communicated back to the parent or guardian.

[0226] The vehicle has the ability to receive input from a transmitter of a potential occupant. The transmitter can be one of a phone, an application, a badge, an identity card, or a smart card. As the occupant approaches the vehicle, the vehicle receives the transmitted information. The transmitted information can be a message, including the user's height, the user's weight, the user's previous driving habits, driving patterns, etc. In one embodiment, the vehicle analyzes the historical data of the occupant and applies the settings accordingly. For example, the vehicle may have previously driven with all the settings of a first occupant who just drove around town. However, when a second occupant enters the vehicle the next day (possibly on a Sunday morning), the vehicle applies all the settings for this person, including adjusting the vehicle for a sports mode, because every Sunday for the past six months, the second occupant has been using those specific settings. The vehicle system identifies the second occupant and applies the settings corresponding to that occupant after analyzing the historical data of the occupant. In one embodiment, an occupant of the vehicle can be identified via an application or a smart tag that can transmit predetermined information to the vehicle; and then, using that information, the vehicle makes adjustments based on the occupant.

[0227] Initially, the driver of the vehicle can be part of the system. The vehicle performs all adjustments based on the identity of the driver. The vehicle has means for receiving additional information from a transmitter and then making secondary adjustments using an application or user interface on the infotainment system provided in the vehicle. Initially, the system performs certain settings and then readjusts the settings at a later point in time. There can be additional settings that can be maintained until a specific time period or as needed. In one embodiment, the system of the vehicle receives a message from the user's application or smart card and extracts all information from the message. In one embodiment, the system of the vehicle obtains the identity information of the passengers and then extracts the remaining information from the cloud. The system can store information on the cloud using tags or identities.

[0228] Figure 5B A flowchart showing the use of a machine learning model to adjust vehicle settings and limitations according to one embodiment. When there is more than one occupant, the vehicle system is operable to continuously monitor and adaptively adjust vehicle settings and limitations. The system can receive real-time data related to the occupants from sensors associated with the vehicle, as shown at 532. Any type of sensor can be used to collect data related to the vehicle. The sensor output can be, for example, an image, video, audio, LiDAR measurements, infrared measurements, temperature measurements, GPS data, or any other information measured or detected by the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor output can be the result of one or more sensors capturing environmental information associated with the vehicle's surroundings, and the environmental information can include traffic, road surface conditions, etc. at that location. The system can receive any data associated with the sensor output from the sensors, including the raw sensing output and / or any derived data. In one embodiment, the system can process the received data and use a machine learning model to identify any actionable parameters of interest, and the machine learning model is trained using a training data set. It can receive other data 536 from other sensors of the vehicle, such as weather conditions, road conditions, traffic conditions, humidity, temperature, driver behavior, tire tread, tire condition, tire pressure, etc.

[0229] As shown in step 534, the system can extract features from the received data via sensors and via profiles according to the machine learning model. The machine learning model is capable of doing this automatically based on what it learned during the training process. In one embodiment, appropriate weights learned during the training process can be applied to the features.

[0230] As shown in step 538, based on the received data and the characteristics of the occupant profile, a machine learning model can generate a score representing the likelihood or confidence of the received data regarding the occupant. The occupant profile includes vehicle settings and restrictions on how the vehicle settings and the restriction settings conflict with each other and how they affect the safety and comfort of the occupant. Safety and comfort can be given appropriate weights based on the situation. For example, on a very bumpy road, changes in seat orientation and seat belt tightness may affect both safety and comfort and may have a high score value such that the settings can be changed. In another example, when all occupants including the driver are active young people, as determined using a microphone, driving mode, etc., the score may be high in terms of safety and the speed limit provided by the parents can be strictly enforced. While in the vehicle when the occupant is a minor traveling with an adult, the score can be moderate and the speed limit can be provided with an adjustment range. In one embodiment, these changes are adaptively recommended based on real-time data / activity data from sensors associated with the vehicle.

[0231] A personalized profile for each occupant, covering vehicle settings and restriction settings, is stored and recognized by the system. The AI continuously monitors sensor data to detect conflicts and employs a communication interface to facilitate conversations among the occupants. If an occupant is subject to a speed limit set by a parent and has a priority level 1, the system enforces and integrates the parental control, ensuring compliance. Machine learning algorithms enable predictive analysis of user preferences over time, allowing the AI to propose proactive solutions and minimize conflicts. Implementing mechanisms such as voting or consensus and an adaptive user interface further refine the conflict resolution process, especially in scenarios involving more than two occupants. Additionally, the AI can provide an emergency override to prioritize safety in critical situations and when creating a harmonious and safe driving environment for all occupants.

[0232] As shown at step 540, the system can determine whether the score is high enough relative to a threshold or a criterion to warrant a particular action due to a conflict, such as changing vehicle settings and limit settings. If the score is not high enough, thus indicating a false-positive, the system can return to step 532 and continue monitoring subsequent input data. On the other hand, if the score is high enough, then at step 542, the system can adjust the vehicle settings and limit settings for the occupant that are different from the initially received occupant profile. This may be due to additional occupants, poor road conditions, speed conditions, weather conditions, etc. In one embodiment, the change in the vehicle settings and / or limit settings creates an alert for the occupant and generates or determines an appropriate action / response for the occupant. In one embodiment, the system can send an alert to an appropriate recipient based on the detected conflict and a priority number, such as sending an alert to a parent in the case of a minor. For example, an alert regarding a speed limit is generated in the vehicle, or an alert regarding a speed limit is generated when the speed limit or a geofence is adjusted based on another occupant.

[0233] In one embodiment, the system can repeat one or more steps of the method as appropriate. In one embodiment, steps 532 to 542 can be performed by the system, and any combination of those steps can be performed by any other computing system, such as a remote network or a cloud network. In an embodiment in which a machine learning model is used to make such determinations, the system can transmit the trained machine learning model to a computing system in the vehicle. This may be desirable because the sensor data may be too large to be transmitted to the in-vehicle system in a timely manner for training. In one embodiment, a system is provided in which a conflict resolution module utilizes a convolutional neural network (CNN). In one embodiment, due to its ability to use past time information to infer the current input, a recurrent neural network architecture can be used.

[0234] The alert signal generation module is an aspect of communication that draws immediate attention to a particular event, condition, or situation that requires prompt action or awareness. For example, when the limit setting of a speed limit changes, the alert signal alerts the user. These alert signals are designed to be noticeable, distinctive, and easily recognizable, ensuring that they effectively convey the emergency situation to the intended recipient. Depending on the context and the target audience, generating alert signals takes various forms.

[0235] In one embodiment, the alert can be an audible alert. They can range from a simple beep or chime to a siren that attracts attention. In one embodiment, the alert can be a visual alert. Bright and eye-catching visual signals, such as a flashing screen, a flashing LED display, or flashing text, are used to draw attention. In addition to audible and visual alerts, there can also be haptic feedback. The haptic feedback provides an alarm signal through touch, such as vibration or pulsation. This form of alert can be used in smart phones and wearable devices to notify users of messages, not relying solely on sound or vision. In one embodiment, it can be a text message, an email, and application notifications are also utilized to generate an alert signal on an electronic device. In various environments, alert signals are used to notify a driver of potential safety issues, such as when vehicle settings are interfering with the driver's attention. The effectiveness of alert signal generation depends on factors such as the clarity of the signal, the urgency of the situation, and the attention of the intended recipient. Appropriate design and consideration of the environment are taken into account to ensure that alert signals serve their intended purpose and effectively communicate important information to the user. In one embodiment, one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, haptic feedback, a text message, and a vehicle alert are used to keep the user informed of issues related to safety and recommended actions. Alert signals for safety issues in a vehicle are operable to ensure that passengers remain informed about safety. These alert signals are designed to prompt immediate attention and help the occupants make informed decisions about the trip. A common method of generating an alert signal is through a warning light on the vehicle dashboard. In addition to the warning light, the dashboard also provides continuous visual indications of vehicle safety and surrounding traffic as icons on the dashboard. When settings and limitations change, the display of the infotainment system or a dedicated display for the occupants is updated accordingly.

[0236] The vehicle settings module 318 includes vehicle controls that are operable to apply vehicle settings once the system accesses settings from the occupant profile corresponding to the identified user. Such identification and adjustment of settings by the user are desirable in cases where the user is renting a vehicle or borrowing the vehicle from a non-owner of the vehicle. The system will determine the identity of the person driving and apply the settings to the vehicle if the occupant is the sole occupant of the vehicle. Otherwise, the system will apply the adjusted vehicle settings and limitation settings output by the system. These adjusted settings are designed to maximize the safety and comfort of the occupants. These adjusted settings can be stored separately from the occupant profile settings based on other occupants in the vehicle. In one embodiment, these adjusted settings may not be stored back to the occupant profile unless the occupant requests the system to store the settings.

[0237] The restriction setting module 320 includes vehicle controls that are operable to apply restriction settings once the system accesses the restrictions from the occupant profile corresponding to the identified user. In one embodiment, the restriction settings to be set are based on the pre-set profile of the occupant. The restriction settings may include geographical regions, geographical boundaries, speed constraints, following distances, lane change frequencies, maximum accelerations, and any other safety-related constraints. These restrictions can be set via an application. The system will determine the identity of the person driving and apply the restriction settings to the vehicle if the occupant is the sole occupant of the vehicle. Otherwise, the system will apply adjusted restriction settings. These adjusted settings are designed to maximize safety and comfort when there is more than one occupant. These adjusted settings can be stored separately from the occupant profile based on the other occupants in the vehicle. In one embodiment, these adjusted settings may not be stored in the occupant profile unless the passenger requests the system to store the settings. In one embodiment, the restriction settings are received in real time from a device other than the occupant device. The system first receives the occupant profile, checks if there are any restriction settings, and checks the timestamp of the restriction settings and the priority number associated with the settings and the profile. Then, when the profile is associated with a minor or young adult, the system checks for the parent or guardian number. The system may check the parent's mobile phone number to confirm the restriction settings and the priority number. In one embodiment, the restriction settings are received in real time from the guardian or parent. In another embodiment, the restriction settings are received via the occupant profile after the system identifies the occupant. The vehicle will check the timestamp to verify that the restrictions were received after the occupant boarded the vehicle. Additionally, when there is more than one occupant, the priority level may be considered to adjust the restriction settings and then apply them to the vehicle.

[0238] The settings and restriction monitoring module 322 continuously monitors any changes made by the occupant to their settings and restrictions and uploads the information back to the occupant profile.

[0239] Figure 5CExample block diagram showing an occupant profile monitored using a machine learning model. The machine learning model 572 can take as input any data associated with the vehicle, the vehicle's sensors, the occupants, the occupant profile, and learn to identify features within the data that are predictive of the safety and comfort of each occupant. Training data samples can include, for example, vehicle data including VIN, make and model, etc. It further includes occupant data such as driving habits, speed curves, braking curves, reaction times, etc. In one embodiment, it relates to a system and method for using on-board cameras and / or other sensors to identify occupants in real time and access the occupant profile 562. Over a period of time, various occupants and their occupant profiles 562 can be grouped to learn vehicle settings and adjustments for a given scenario. This occupant identification, along with vehicle and user data, can be transmitted to the cloud, where the occupant identification is coupled with vehicle details to predict occupant comfort and safety. Some data can be historical data from the vehicle and occupants in similar situations. Subsequently, this information is used to calculate / estimate the safety and comfort of the occupants. The systems and methods of the present disclosure can also provide data analysis information that can be used later to improve safety.

[0240] In one embodiment, the training data samples can also include context data / sensor data 564 related to the surrounding environment. This can include, for example, the vehicle's location, current weather conditions, temperature, time of day, traffic conditions in the area, number of lanes, other obstacles, uphill sections of the road, etc. The system can also obtain context information from devices associated with the user. For example, through applications installed on the device, such as online map services, similar to maps, and location services, the system can know vehicle details. Real-time sensor data can be collected, which can include, for example, video, images, audio, infrared, temperature, 3D modeling, and any other suitable type of data that captures the current state around the vehicle. The current context information 564 includes real-time sensor data from the vehicle and the user device.

[0241] Other data 568 can include data derived from user data and vehicle data. For example, the manufacturer's specifications of the vehicle, remaining battery charge, range, route conditions, the social media status of the occupants, etc.

[0242] Any data of any of the foregoing types (e.g., occupant profile 562, context data / sensor data 564, other data 568) can be related to safety and comfort, and such a correlation can be automatically learned by machine learning model 572. In one embodiment, during training, machine learning model 572 can process training data samples (e.g., one or more occupants and occupant profile 562, context data / sensor data 564, other data 568), and, based on the current parameters of machine learning model 572, predict an output 574, which can be an adjustment to settings based on the safety and comfort of the occupant for a given scenario. In one embodiment, real-time sensor data can be processed using one or more machine learning models 572, trained and based on similar types of data to predict safety and comfort corresponding to current vehicle settings and limitations. The predicted output as an adjustment to vehicle settings and limitations can depend on training data having a label 570 associated with training data sample 558. In one embodiment, during training, the predicted output can be compared with the training data having label 570. For example, comparison 576 can be based on a loss function that measures the difference between the predicted output and the training data having label 570. Based on the comparison at 576 or the corresponding output of the loss function, the training algorithm can update the parameters of machine learning model 572 with the aim of minimizing the difference or loss between subsequent predicted output 574 and the corresponding label 570. By iteratively training in this way, machine learning model 572 can "learn" from different training data samples and become better at predicting output 574, predicting a range similar to the range represented by the training labels at 570. In one embodiment, machine learning model 572 is trained using data specific to the vehicle and different occupants for which the model is used to predict adjustments to settings that maximize the safety and comfort of a given occupant. In one embodiment, machine learning model 572 is trained using data common to the vehicle type and is used to predict adjustments to the safety and comfort of the occupant and thus adapt the settings based on real-time data. In one embodiment, for a given scenario, safety and comfort can carry different weights.

[0243] Using training data, machine learning model 572 can be trained to recognize features in the occupant profile data that represent safety and comfort or are related to safety and comfort. For example, the trained machine learning model 572 can recognize data features that represent the likelihood of an impact on the safety of the occupant and the vehicle. Through training, the machine learning model 572 can learn to identify predictive and non-predictive features and apply appropriate weights to each feature to optimize the prediction accuracy of the machine learning model 572. In an embodiment using supervised learning and where each training data sample 558 has a label 570, the training algorithm can iteratively process each training data sample 558 (including occupant profile 562, context data / sensor data 564, other data 568), and generate a predicted output 574 as an adjustment to the settings in the user profile for one or more occupants based on the safety and comfort of the occupants. Based on the comparison 576 results, the training algorithm can adjust the parameters / configuration (e.g., weights) of the model 572 accordingly to minimize the difference between the generated predicted output 574 and the corresponding label 570. Any suitable machine learning model and training algorithm can be used, including for example neural networks, decision trees, clustering algorithms, and any other suitable machine learning techniques. Once trained, the machine learning model 572 can take input data associated with the occupant profile and vehicle data and output adjustments to the vehicle settings and restriction settings for one or more occupant profiles such that safety and comfort are maximized for each of the occupants. In one embodiment, the machine learning model 572 is an artificial neural network (ANN) model.

[0244] Figure 5DShows the structure of a neural network / machine learning model with a feedback loop according to one embodiment. An artificial neural network (ANNs) model includes an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. Each node or artificial neuron is connected to another and has an associated weight and threshold. If the output of any single node is above the specified threshold, the node is activated and data is sent to the next layer of the network. Otherwise, no data is passed to the next layer of the network. A machine learning model or an ANN model can be trained on a set of data to take a request in the form of input data, make a prediction on the input data, and then provide a response. The input data includes data from the occupant profile 562, context data / sensor data 564, and other data 568, and the output includes an adjustment to the occupant profile to maximize the safety and comfort of the occupant profile in a given scenario. Safety and comfort can be weighted based on the scenario. In addition, while considering safety and comfort, additional parameters such as the fastest time to reach the destination, the optimal route, the least-traffic route, and the route for maximizing the range can also be considered. The model can learn from data. The learning can be supervised learning and / or unsupervised learning and can be based on different scenarios and have different data sets. Supervised learning includes the logic of using at least one of decision trees, logistic regression, and support vector machines. Unsupervised learning includes the logic of using at least one of k-means clustering, hierarchical clustering, hidden Markov models, and apriori algorithms. The output layer can predict adjustments to vehicle settings and limit settings based on the input as the occupant profile of the vehicle and sensor data.

[0245] In one embodiment, the ANN can be a deep neural network (DNN), which is a multi-layer neural network in series, including artificial neural network (ANN), convolutional neural network (CNN), and recurrent neural network (RNN), which can identify features from inputs, conduct expert reviews, and perform actions requiring prediction, creative thinking, and analysis. In one embodiment, the ANN can be a recurrent neural network (RNN), which is a type of artificial neural network (ANN) that uses sequential data or time series data. Deep learning algorithms are typically used for ordinal or time problems such as language translation, natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, image recognition, etc. Similar to feedforward and convolutional neural networks (CNN), recurrent neural networks utilize training data to learn. Their difference lies in their "memory" as they obtain information from previous inputs via a feedback loop to influence the current input and output. The output from the output layer in the neural network model is fed back into the model via feedback. When training the model, the weight changes in the hidden layer(s) will be adjusted to better fit the expected output. This will allow the model to provide results with much fewer errors. Neural networks are characterized by a feedback loop to dynamically adjust the system output as it learns from new data. In machine backpropagation, the propagation and feedback loop are used to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model and continuously improve it during use. As the input data received by the model increases, the model has more opportunities to learn from the data. The feedback loop or backpropagation algorithm identifies inconsistencies and feeds the corrected information back into the model as input. Even if the AI / ML model is well-trained with a large set of labeled data and concepts, soon, for many reasons, the performance of the model may degrade when new unlabeled inputs are added, including but not limited to concept drift, recall-precision degradation due to drift from true positives, and data drift over time. The feedback loop to the model keeps the AI results accurate and ensures that the model maintains its performance and improvement even when new unlabeled data is assimilated. The feedback loop refers to the process of reusing the predicted output of an AI model to train a new version of the model.

[0246] Initially, when training an AI / ML model, several labeled samples including positive and negative examples of concepts (e.g., occupant type, occupant profile, priority level of the profile, restrictions and priority levels, driving conditions, driver behavior, vehicle behavior, weather conditions, etc.) are used, and these concepts are intended to enable the model to learn how to perform adjustments and what adjustments need to be performed. Then, the model is tested using unlabeled data. By using, for example, deep learning and neural networks, the model can then predict whether the desired output (e.g., adjustments to occupant settings and restrictions to maximize safety, comfort, etc.) is within the prediction range. However, in the case where the model returns a low probability score, the input can be sent to a controller (which can be a human mediator), and the controller validates and, if necessary, corrects the result. The human mediator is only used for exceptional cases. The feedback loop dynamically feeds the labeled (automatically labeled or controller-validated) data back into the model and serves as training data, enabling the system to improve its predictions in real time and dynamically. These models can be used at various levels, e.g., (i) in image processing for detecting occupants and occupant data, (ii) in safety predictions for making given adjustments to vehicle settings, etc.

[0247] Figure 5E Illustrates the structure of a neural network / machine learning model with reinforcement learning according to one embodiment. The network receives feedback from an authorized networked environment. Although the feedback logic is similar to supervised learning, the feedback obtained in this case is evaluative rather than instructive, meaning there is no teacher as in supervised learning. After receiving the feedback, the network performs adjustments to the weights to obtain better predictions in the future. Machine learning techniques, similar to deep learning, allow the model to obtain labeled training data and learn to identify those concepts in subsequent data and images. New data for testing can be fed to the model, and thus the training is enhanced by feeding the data that has already been predicted to the model. If the machine learning model has a feedback loop, the reward for each true positive example of the system output is used to further enhance the learning. The feedback loop ensures that the AI results do not stagnate. By incorporating the feedback loop, the model output remains dynamic and improves with use / time.

[0248] According to one embodiment, the display module 324 in the vehicle can be connected to the alarm system through the vehicle's on-board computer or electronic control unit (ECU). The safety of the vehicle is continuously monitored. When the vehicle settings or restriction settings change, a warning signal is generated. Then, the warning signal is sent to the display module, which is responsible for presenting basic information to the occupants on the vehicle's dashboard or instrument cluster. The connection between the alarm system and the display module is typically established through a communication network within the vehicle. Modern vehicles use Controller Area Network (CAN) or other communication protocols to transmit data between different electronic components including the alarm system and the display module.

[0249] Once the warning signal reaches the display module, it activates appropriate visual and auditory alarms to notify the driver about safety. In another embodiment, the display module can also generate a pop-up alarm on the infotainment or navigation screen, providing more detailed information about safety issues and potential solutions, such as reducing speed, aborting a lane change, or maintaining an appropriate following distance, etc. Additionally, the vehicle can be equipped with haptic feedback capabilities, and the display module can trigger haptic alarms, such as a slight vibration in the steering wheel or seat, to provide additional tactile cues to the driver. The integration of the safety alarm system with the display module ensures that the driver receives timely and accurate information about their vehicle's combined area. In one embodiment of the system, the message includes generating an alarm in the vehicle, where the alarm is at least one of a text message, a visual cue, an audible alarm, a tactile cue, and a vibration.

[0250] Figure 5F Shows a sample message displayed on the vehicle dashboard or infotainment system according to one embodiment. The message shows that the priority level of the occupant is level 1, and thus the restrictions are applied without any changes. It can further specify from whom the restriction settings are received. The message can be displayed when the occupant enters the vehicle, and the vehicle starts to adjust the settings and restrictions.

[0251] Figure 6A Shows an example message received by the vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment. In one aspect, a transmitter device (e.g., a phone, a portable device with a microchip, a key fob, etc.) is connected to the vehicle's intelligent system. Once a connection with the vehicle is established, the transmitter conveys a message to the intelligent system. The message includes height data, weight data, body size data, one or more seat / mirror adjustment data including default seat adjustments associated with the make and model of the user's own vehicle used (the system must map the seat and mirror adjustments to the current make and model), the make and model of the vehicle associated with the seat / mirror adjustment, additional seat / mirror adjustment data with specific make and model data of all previous vehicles that have been borrowed or rented, temperature preferences, radio setting data, phone settings data for establishing a phone call or adding a phone to the vehicle's list of devices, etc.

[0252] In one aspect, using an identifier (ID) from the restriction settings, the system can determine additional restrictions, for example, based on previous usage or driving records, even if no restrictions have been added. If the driver abuses the vehicle or receives a speeding violation, the vehicle can restrict the use of the vehicle to protect the owner's interests.

[0253] Figure 6CAn exemplary message received from a vehicle at a device is shown. This message is transmitted by the vehicle if the user adjusts settings for the vehicle during a borrowing period. In one embodiment, the message includes seat setting data, mirror setting data, the make of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the year of manufacture, and the vehicle identification number (VIN).

[0254] In one aspect of the connection process, when a person enters someone else's vehicle, various techniques are used and the intelligent system identifies the person (driver or passenger) and determines 1) that person's preferences and 2) any adjustments to functions (such as speed limits, stereo volume, etc.). For example, sedan ABC (owned by another person such as a rental sedan, a friend's or family member's sedan, etc.) includes an intelligent system that allows user preferences to be set based on a device / transmitter (such as a phone, FOB, badge, etc.) carried by the new occupant. As the occupant (such as the driver or passenger) approaches sedan ABC, the intelligent system begins a handshake process to connect to one or more devices that can provide user profile information. Once a connection is established with one or more devices, the system begins retrieving information about the user and the restrictions associated with the user. For example, a message can be transmitted from the device and received by the intelligent system including a receiver when the device approaches sedan ABC. The receipt of this message initiates the handshake process to establish a connection. Once the connection is established, the user preferences and adjustments are extracted from the device. In one aspect, the intelligent system can transmit a request for information. In another aspect, once the handshake process is complete, the device can automatically transmit information.

[0255] The received message can include an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes occupant information, vehicle settings, and the vehicle settings include seat and mirror information categorized and listed by vehicle model and make. The occupant profile can include all the vehicles the occupant has used in the past and their settings. In one embodiment, when no match is found for the model of the vehicle the occupant has entered, there can be default vehicle settings to apply. In another embodiment, the settings for the new vehicle model can be communicated back and stored in the occupant profile. Additionally, the occupant profile can include common settings for all vehicles, such as temperature settings, radio settings, etc. In one embodiment, the occupant profile can include various phone numbers associated with the occupant. For example, the phone numbers can be for family members, the occupant's friends, and colleagues. In one embodiment, the occupant can define restriction settings for each of those passengers in advance. These restriction settings can be further changed dynamically. The restriction settings can include maximum speed, maximum acceleration, geofencing, etc. Additionally, the message can include a device identification number so that the vehicle knows which device it is communicating with and receiving the message from.

[0256] Figure 6BShows another example message received by a vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment. The received message may include an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes occupant information, vehicle settings, and the vehicle settings include seat and mirror information classified and listed by vehicle model and brand. The occupant profile may include all the vehicles the occupant has used in the past and their settings. In one embodiment, when no match is found for the model of the vehicle the occupant enters, there may be default vehicle settings to apply. In another embodiment, the settings of the new vehicle model may be communicated back and stored in the occupant profile. Additionally, the occupant profile may include common settings for all vehicles, such as temperature settings, radio settings, etc. In one embodiment, the occupant profile may include a phone number associated with the occupant, such as a parent. In one embodiment, the occupant profile may include predefined restriction settings. These restriction settings may be further dynamically changed by communicating with the phone number. The restriction settings may include maximum speed, maximum acceleration, geofencing, etc. Additionally, the message may include a device identification number so that the vehicle knows which device it is communicating with and receiving the message.

[0257] Figure 6C Shows an example message including vehicle settings transmitted by a vehicle to a user device according to one embodiment. In one aspect, the transmitter assists in establishing a connection with the vehicle by broadcasting a connection request message. Once the connection is established, the transmitter broadcasts a user preference message that includes a user ID, seat position, mirror position, temperature settings, routing information, one or more restriction data for functions that limit the maximum vehicle speed of the vehicle, allowed maximum acceleration, geofencing data, wakefulness verification requirements, etc. In one aspect, the transmitter may be a key card, ID card, phone device, or any small portable device capable of exchanging messages with an intelligent system to set user preferences and restrictions. In one aspect, if the user has modified the settings, the transmitter may receive a setting message from the vehicle system. This may be due to the type of vehicle being lent out. The message may include seat setting data, vehicle setting data, the brand of the sedan, the model of the sedan, the manufacturing year, and the vehicle identification number.

[0258] The received message may include vehicle settings, where the vehicle settings include seat and mirror information, temperature settings, radio settings, etc. for a specific vehicle model and brand that the occupant enters. In one embodiment, when no match is found for the model of the vehicle the occupant enters, default vehicle settings may be received.

[0259] Figure 6DShows an example message including a restriction setting received by a vehicle from a user device according to one embodiment. The restriction setting message may include user information such as name, height, weight, age, etc. to confirm that restrictions are set for the intended occupant. The message further includes a device identification number from which the message is shared along with a timestamp. The restriction setting may include a maximum speed, maximum acceleration, geofence data, a specific route, time limits, etc. In addition, each constraint or restriction in the message may be accompanied by a priority level. The restriction setting may also include an overall priority level. The restriction setting may be a pre-set restriction. The restriction setting may be received in real-time by the vehicle from another device via the user device. The restriction setting may be received in real-time by the vehicle from a device other than the user device.

[0260] In one embodiment, when a parent's child is borrowing a vehicle, the parent can establish restriction settings on the vehicle to promote safety and responsible driving. These restrictions may include setting a maximum speed for the vehicle to ensure compliance with speed limits, implementing a geofence to limit the operation of the vehicle within a specified geographical boundary, and enforcing a curfew constraint to limit driving during certain hours. Additionally, the restriction setting may include using seat belts and setting an audio volume limit to minimize distractions. Monitoring and restricting rapid acceleration or hard braking can be implemented, as well as restricting the use of a phone while driving to enhance attention to the road. The restriction setting may also consider setting a mileage limit to control the distance traveled and activating an ignition interlock device for breathalyzer testing to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol. These restriction settings are implemented by the vehicle to promote safe and responsible driving behavior among young drivers.

[0261] In one embodiment, a rental service may impose specific restrictions or constraints on a vehicle via restriction settings to ensure safety, proper use, and compliance. The restriction setting may include a mileage limit to control the distance traveled during the rental period, and exceeding these limits may incur additional fees; specific geographical boundaries or areas where the vehicle is allowed to operate, ensuring it stays within the designated area; speed limits that promote safe driving practices, and violating these limits may result in penalties; constraints on towing, off-road driving, and pet transportation.

[0262] In various scenarios, various constraints / limitations can be set in a profile. For teen drivers, parents can enforce speed, volume, and geographical boundary limits to instill responsible driving habits. In employee fleet management, companies can implement constraints on speed, vehicle characteristics, and geofencing to ensure safety and compliance. Vehicle / car rental services typically set limits on mileage, geographical boundaries, and speed to monitor and regulate vehicle usage. Emergency service vehicles may have speed constraints during non-emergency situations for overall safety. In the delivery department, companies can impose constraints on mileage, usage duration, and geographical boundaries to achieve operational efficiency. Public transportation vehicles can implement speed limits and route constraints to prioritize passenger safety. Ride-sharing programs utilize constraints on mileage, usage duration, and geographical boundaries for effective fleet management. In commercial freight, for safety and regulatory compliance, constraints on speed, idling, and routes are typically employed. Fleet management can include limitations on usage time, routes, and idling to optimize operations. Autonomous vehicle test vehicles may have constraints on specific conditions or areas during the testing phase. Corporate vehicle / car strategies typically enforce constraints consistent with sustainability goals, safety standards, and cost-effective management. Taxi services may limit certain vehicle characteristics and speed for passenger safety and comfort. Such constraints are used for safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across a wide range of industries and usage scenarios. In one embodiment, the limit settings can include following distance, lane change margin, safety zone limits, volume constraints, constraints on playing videos or certain types of videos, etc.

[0263] Figure 6E Shows an example message format according to one embodiment and the bits allocated for the content of the message. To prepare a compact message for communicating an occupant profile, a binary coding scheme can be used, where each item is allocated a specific number of bits. The number of bits allocated to each item will depend on the range and precision required for that particular attribute. Figure 6E Shows an example field and bit allocation according to one embodiment. In this example, each field in the message has a specific number of bits allocated to it:

[0264] The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) field uses 32 bits (32 characters, each represented by 8-bit ASCII code) to represent the vehicle identification number, i.e., the unique identifier of the trailer. The manufacturer uses 48 bits (6 characters, each represented by 8-bit ASCII code) to specify the name of the manufacturer. The model uses 48 bits (6 characters, each represented by 8-bit ASCII code) to specify the name of the model.

[0265] The occupant ID uses 12 bits to represent the occupant id. In one embodiment, it can be the mobile number of the occupant. Additionally, occupant details can include the occupant's weight using an 8-bit integer value, the occupant's height using 8 bits representing an integer value, and the occupant's body size using a 12-bit integer stating a size classifier value.

[0266] The priority level of the occupant profile can be an integer value using 4 bits. Additionally, the message can include an array of 96 bits assigned to vehicle settings, where the array size is 12 × 8 bits, and an array of 96 bits assigned to restriction settings, where the array size is 12 × 8 bits. The message further includes additional data bits, a 12-bit integer, to convey any additional data, such as a parent or guardian phone number, when the profile belongs to a minor, child, or young adult.

[0267] The time value field uses 32 bits to represent a timestamp in Unix epoch format, indicating when the message was generated. Reserved bits are a set of bits reserved for potential future use or additional attributes that can be added to the message format later.

[0268] The message fields and bit assignments are an assumed representation for example purposes. In an implementation, the fields, the actual message format, and the number of bits assigned to each item can vary based on the specific requirements and constraints of the application and the communication protocol used.

[0269] Figure 7A A block diagram showing method 700 for a vehicle to access an occupant profile and apply vehicle settings according to one embodiment is shown. According to one embodiment, it is a method that includes: detecting the identity of an occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including sensors, as shown in step 702; connecting to a first device via a communication module, as shown in step 704; retrieving an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes vehicle settings and restriction settings, and the restriction settings include a priority level, as shown in step 706; applying the vehicle settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 708; applying the restriction settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 710; and where the method is operable as a component of the vehicle.

[0270] According to one embodiment of the method, the restriction settings are received in real time after the occupant is identified via a second device. According to one embodiment of the method, the restriction settings are received from a second device via a first device. According to one embodiment of the method, occupant data, including location and speed, is periodically provided to the second device.

[0271] Figure 7BA block diagram of a vehicle system for accessing an occupant profile and applying vehicle settings according to one embodiment is shown. According to one embodiment, it is system 740, including sensor 742, communication module 744, and processor 746; wherein the processor is operable to: detect the identity of an occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including the sensor, as shown in step 702; connect to a first device via the communication module, as shown in step 704; retrieve an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes vehicle settings and restriction settings, and the restriction settings include a priority level, as shown in step 706; apply the vehicle settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 708; apply the restriction settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 710; and wherein the system is operable as a component of the vehicle.

[0272] According to one embodiment of the system, when the first device approaches the vehicle, the communication module detects the first device based on a handshake signal. According to one embodiment of the system, the handshake signal is exchanged via one of a Wi-Fi signal, a Bluetooth signal, a Near Field Communication (NFC) signal, a wireless monomer signal, and a radio signal. According to one embodiment of the system, the communication module is operable for both wired and wireless connections.

[0273] According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant profile is retrieved via the first device. According to one embodiment of the system, the first device includes one of a phone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an RFID chip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant includes one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0274] According to one embodiment of the system, the vehicle settings correspond to the make and model of the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the system, the vehicle settings include one or more of the position of the seat, the angle of the seat, the position of the mirror, the angle of the mirror, air and heat settings, lighting settings, the volume setting of the speaker, the video setting to be displayed, the heat setting of the seat, window settings, the digital glare setting of the window, and radio settings.

[0275] According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings include one or more of maximum speed data, maximum acceleration data, wake verification requirements, route restriction data, time restriction data, and geofence data. According to an embodiment of the system, the system is operable to connect to a second device via a communication module and receive restriction settings from the second device. According to an embodiment of the system, the second device belongs to one of a guardian, a parent, an owner of the vehicle, and a ride service administrator. According to an embodiment of the system, the second device includes one of a telephone, a key fob, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identification card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings are received in real time after the occupant is identified. According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings are received via the first device. According to an embodiment of the system, occupant data including location and speed is periodically provided to the second device. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant data further includes the route on which the vehicle is traveling. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant data further includes the total number of occupants in the vehicle.

[0276] According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings include a priority level. According to an embodiment of the system, the priority level is received in real time after the occupant is identified. According to an embodiment of the system, the priority level is received via one of the first device and the second device. According to an embodiment of the system, the priority level indicates the precedence of the restriction settings in a conflict situation. According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings are adjusted based on detecting another occupant in the vehicle according to the priority level.

[0277] Figure 7C A block diagram showing a method for accessing an occupant profile and applying vehicle settings executed by a non - transitory computer - readable medium according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a non - transitory computer - readable medium 774 on which instructions are stored that are executable by a computer system 771 to perform operations including: detecting the identity of an occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors, as shown in step 702; connecting to a first device via a communication module, as shown in step 704; retrieving an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes vehicle settings and restriction settings, where the restriction settings include a priority level, as shown in step 706; applying the vehicle settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 708; and applying the restriction settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 710. A software application 776 can be stored on the computer - readable medium 774 and executed using a processor 772 of the computer system 771.

[0278] According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a restriction setting is received in real time after an occupant is identified. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the restriction setting is received via a second device. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, occupant data is periodically provided to the second device, where the occupant data includes location and speed.

[0279] Figure 8 A block diagram showing a method performed by a vehicle for accessing an occupant profile and applying vehicle settings according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, it is a method 800, including: detecting the identity of an occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including sensors, as shown in step 802; connecting to a first device via a communication module, as shown in step 804; retrieving an occupant profile, where the occupant profile includes vehicle settings, as shown in step 806; connecting to a second device via the communication module, as shown in step 808; receiving a restriction setting in real time from the second device, as shown in step 810; applying the vehicle settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 812; applying the restriction setting to the vehicle, as shown in step 814; and where the method is operable as a component of the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the system, the restriction setting includes a priority level.

[0280] Figure 9A A block diagram showing a method performed by a vehicle for adjusting vehicle settings when there is more than one occupant in the vehicle according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, it is a method 900, including: detecting a first identity of a first occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including sensors, as shown in step 902; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module, as shown in step 904; retrieving a first occupant profile, where the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings, as shown in step 906; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module, as shown in step 908; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module, as shown in step 910; retrieving a second occupant profile, where the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings, as shown in step 912; adjusting the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module, as shown in step 914; and applying the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle, as shown in step 916.

[0281] According to one embodiment of the method, the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting, and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting. According to one embodiment of the method, the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level. According to one embodiment of the method, the first restriction setting and the first priority level are received in real time via a third device. According to one embodiment of the method, the second restriction setting and the second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device. According to one embodiment of the method, the first vehicle setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level. According to one embodiment of the method, the second restriction setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0282] According to one embodiment of the method, the first occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to one embodiment of the method, the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency. According to one embodiment of the method, the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to one embodiment of the method, the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0283] Figure 9B A block diagram of a vehicle system for adjusting vehicle settings when there is more than one occupant in the vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. According to one embodiment, it is system 940, including a sensor 942, a communication module 944; and a processor 946; wherein the processor is operable to: detect a first identity of a first occupant of the vehicle via a detection module including the sensor, as shown in step 902; connect to a first device of the first occupant via the communication module, as shown in step 904; retrieve a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes a first vehicle setting, as shown in step 906; detect a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module, as shown in step 908; connect to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module, as shown in step 910; retrieve a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes a second vehicle setting, as shown in step 912; adjust the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module, as shown in step 914; and apply the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting to the vehicle, as shown in step 916.

[0284] According to one embodiment of the system, the sensor includes one of a weight sensor, a thermal sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, an inertial sensor, a compression sensor, a camera sensor, an RFID reader, a proximity sensor, a smart phone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0285] According to an embodiment of the system, the first occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to an embodiment of the system, the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency. According to an embodiment of the system, the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to an embodiment of the method, the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0286] According to an embodiment of the system, the conflict resolution module includes artificial intelligence assisted by a machine learning module.

[0287] According to an embodiment of the system, the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting, and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting. According to an embodiment of the system, the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level. According to an embodiment of the system, the first restriction setting and the first priority level are received in real time via a third device. According to an embodiment of the system, the second restriction setting and the second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device. According to an embodiment of the system, the first vehicle setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level. According to an embodiment of the system, the second restriction setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0288] Figure 9C A block diagram showing a method for adjusting vehicle settings performed by a non-transitory computer-readable medium when more than one occupant is present in a vehicle according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system to perform operations including: detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors, as shown in step 902; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module, as shown in step 904; retrieving a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes a first vehicle setting, as shown in step 906; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module, as shown in step 908; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module, as shown in step 910; retrieving a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes a second vehicle setting, as shown in step 912; adjusting the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module, as shown in step 914; and applying the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting to the vehicle, as shown in step 916. The software application 976 can be stored on the computer-readable medium 974 and executed by the processor 972 of the computer system 971.

[0289] According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the first occupant profile further includes a first limit setting and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second limit setting. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the first limit setting further includes a first priority level and the second limit setting further includes a second priority level.

[0290] According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the first limit setting and the first priority level are received in real - time via a third device. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the second limit setting and the second priority level are received in real - time via a fourth device. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, a first vehicle setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the second limit setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0291] According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the first occupant includes one of a non - owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the second occupant includes one of a non - owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to one embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0292] Figure 10A A block diagram showing a method performed by a vehicle for transmitting and receiving messages by the vehicle according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, it is a method 1000, including: establishing a connection to a user device by sending a connection request via a communication module, as shown in step 1002; receiving a first message from the user device, wherein the first message includes an occupant profile, the occupant profile including a priority level and a vehicle setting corresponding to the vehicle, as shown in step 1004; determining a modification in the vehicle setting, as shown in step 1006; and transmitting a second message to the user device via the communication module, wherein the second message includes the vehicle setting configured to update the modification of the occupant profile, as shown in step 1008. According to one embodiment of the method, the communication module includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0293] According to an embodiment of the method, the user device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity (ID) card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to an embodiment of the method, the method is operable to transmit a third message from the vehicle to the user device, wherein the third message includes identification data of the vehicle before receiving the first message. According to an embodiment of the method, the vehicle settings include one or more of seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, and radio settings corresponding to the identification data of the vehicle.

[0294] Figure 10B FIG. shows a block diagram of a vehicle system for transmitting and receiving messages by a vehicle according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a system 1040 including a communication module 1044 and a processor 1042 coupled to a memory; and wherein the processor is configured to: establish a connection to the user device by sending a connection request via the communication module of the vehicle, as shown in step 1002; receive a first message from the user device, wherein the first message includes an occupant profile that includes a priority level and vehicle settings corresponding to the vehicle, as shown in step 1004; determine a modification in the vehicle settings, as shown in step 1006; and transmit a second message to the user device via the communication module, wherein the second message includes the modified vehicle settings configured to update the occupant profile, as shown in step 1008. According to an embodiment of the system, the communication module includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0295] According to an embodiment of the system, the user device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity (ID) card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to an embodiment of the system, the system further includes an application interface on the user device. According to an embodiment of the system, the system is operable to store the occupant profile on the user device.

[0296] According to an embodiment of the system, the system is operable to transmit a third message from the vehicle to the user device, wherein the third message includes identification data of the vehicle before receiving the first message. According to an embodiment of the system, the identification data of the vehicle includes one or more of a vehicle identification number, a make of the vehicle, and a model of the vehicle.

[0297] According to an embodiment of the system, the modified vehicle settings include a change or addition of one or more of seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, radio settings, and routing information. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant profile is stored in one or more of a local storage device, a remote storage device, and a cloud storage device.

[0298] According to one embodiment of the system, the system further includes an artificial intelligence module that includes a machine learning model to process historical data and recommend settings based on one or more of real-time sensor data, other occupants in the vehicle, current weather data, current traffic data, and road conditions.

[0299] Figure 10C A block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit and receive messages executed by a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, it is the operation of non-transitory computer-readable medium 1074, on which instructions are stored that are executable by computer system 1071 to perform operations including: establishing a connection to a user device by sending a connection request via a communication module, as shown in step 1002; receiving a first message from the user device, where the first message includes an occupant profile that includes a priority level and vehicle settings corresponding to the vehicle, as shown in step 1004; determining a modification in the vehicle settings, as shown in step 1006; and transmitting a second message to the user device via the communication module, where the second message includes the vehicle settings configured to update the modification of the occupant profile, as shown in step 1008. Software application 1076 may be stored on computer-readable medium 1074 and executed by processor 1072 of computer system 1071.

[0300] According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the occupant profile further includes the age of the occupant, the height of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, and the body dimensions of the occupant. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the connection is a wireless connection. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the non-transitory computer-readable medium is operable to transmit a third message from the vehicle to the user device, where the third message includes identification data of the vehicle before receiving the first message.

[0301] Figure 10D A block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit a message when a user adjusts settings of the vehicle according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, it is method 1080, including: establishing a connection between the vehicle and a user device via a communication module of the vehicle, as shown at 1082; transmitting a message to the user device via the communication module, where the message includes seat setting data, mirror setting data, the brand of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the manufacturing year of the vehicle, and the vehicle identification number, as shown at 1084; and where the method is operable as a component of the vehicle. According to one embodiment of the method, the user device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0302] Figure 10EBlock diagram of a system for a vehicle to transmit a message when a user adjusts settings of the vehicle, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a system 1040 including a communication module 1044 and a processor 1042; wherein the processor 1042 is configured to establish a connection between the vehicle and a user device via the communication module of the vehicle, as shown in step 1082; transmit a message to the user device via the communication module, wherein the message includes seat setting data, mirror setting data, the make of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the manufacturing year of the vehicle, and the vehicle identification number, as shown in step 1084; and wherein the system is operable as a component of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the method, the user device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0303] Figure 10F Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to transmit a message when a user adjusts settings of the vehicle, executed by a non - transitory computer - readable medium, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a non - transitory computer - readable medium 1074 storing instructions executable by a computer system 1071 to perform operations including: establishing a connection between the vehicle and a user device via the communication module of the vehicle, as shown at 1082; transmitting a message to the user device via the communication module, wherein the message includes seat setting data, mirror setting data, the make of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the manufacturing year of the vehicle, and the vehicle identification number, as shown at 1084. According to an embodiment of the non - transitory computer - readable medium, the user device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. A software application 1076 may be stored on the computer - readable medium 1074 and executed by a processor 1072 of the computer system 1071.

[0304] Figure 11A Block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to receive a message, executed by the vehicle, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, it is a method 1100 including: determining the identity of an occupant, as shown in step 1102; establishing a first connection by sending a first connection request to a first device via the communication module, as shown in step 1104; receiving a first message from the first device, wherein the first message includes an occupant profile that includes vehicle settings, as shown in step 1106; establishing a second connection by sending a second connection request to a second device via the communication module, as shown in step 1108; and receiving a second message from the second device, wherein the second message includes restriction settings and a priority level, as shown in step 1110. According to an embodiment of the method, the communication module includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0305] According to one embodiment of the method, the first device includes any one of a telephone, a key card, an infotainment system, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to one embodiment of the method, the second device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to one embodiment of the method, the method further includes an application on the first device to store the occupant profile in a database.

[0306] Figure 11B A block diagram of a vehicle system for receiving messages by a vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. According to one embodiment, it is a system 1140 including a communication module 1144 and a processor 1142; and wherein the processor 1142 is configured to: determine the identity of the occupant, as shown in step 1102; establish a first connection by sending a first connection request to the first device via the communication module, as shown in step 1104; receive a first message from the first device, wherein the first message includes an occupant profile that includes vehicle settings, as shown in step 1106; establish a second connection by sending a second connection request to the second device via the communication module, as shown in step 1108; and receive a second message from the second device, wherein the second message includes restriction settings and a priority level, as shown in step 1110.

[0307] According to one embodiment of the system, the communication module includes a transmitter and a receiver. According to an embodiment of the system, the first device includes any one of a telephone, a key card, an infotainment system, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge. According to one embodiment of the system, the second device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0308] According to one embodiment of the system, the system further includes an application on the first device that is operable to store the occupant profile in a database. According to one embodiment of the system, the occupant profile further includes occupant data, and the occupant data includes the height of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, the body size of the occupant, and the age of the occupant.

[0309] According to an embodiment of the system, the vehicle settings include one or more of seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, and radio settings. According to an embodiment of the system, the seat settings include one or more of seat height setting, recline of the seat, lumbar support of the seat, armrest height, and temperature setting. According to an embodiment of the system, the mirror settings include one or more of mirror tilt, mirror angle, mirror height, and mirror position. According to an embodiment of the system, the mirror settings are configured to adjust the mirror, where the mirror is one or more of a side view mirror and a rear view mirror. According to an embodiment of the system, the temperature settings include fan speed, preferred temperature, and tilt and position of the vents of the vehicle's HVAC system. According to an embodiment of the system, the radio settings include one or more of a preferred content style, audio playback settings, and volume.

[0310] According to an embodiment of the system, the system is operable to transmit a third message from the vehicle to the first device, where the third message includes identification data of the vehicle prior to receiving the first message. According to an embodiment of the system, the vehicle settings received from the first device correspond to the identification data of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the system, the restriction settings include maximum speed data, maximum acceleration data, wake verification requirements, time limit data, and geofence data. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to an embodiment of the system, the occupant profile is stored in one or more of a local storage device, a remote storage device, and a cloud storage device.

[0311] Figure 11C A block diagram showing a method for a vehicle to receive messages executed by a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to an embodiment is shown. According to an embodiment, it is a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1174, on which instructions are stored, and the instructions are executable by a computer system 1171 to perform operations including: determining the identity of the occupant, as shown in step 1102; establishing a first connection by sending a first connection request to the first device via a communication module, as shown in step 1104; receiving a first message from the first device, where the first message includes an occupant profile that includes vehicle settings, as shown in step 1106; establishing a second connection by sending a second connection request to the second device via the communication module, as shown in step 1108; and receiving a second message from the second device, where the second message includes restriction settings and a priority level, as shown in step 1110. The software application 1176 can be stored on the computer-readable medium 1174 and executed by a processor 1172 of the computer system 1171.

[0312] According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the occupant profile further includes occupant data, which includes the height of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, the body dimensions of the occupant, and the age of the occupant. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the vehicle settings include seat settings, mirror settings, temperature settings, radio settings, and routing information. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the restriction settings include maximum speed data, maximum acceleration data, wakefulness verification requirements, time-based data, and geofence data. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger. According to one embodiment of the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the occupant profile is stored in one or more of a local storage device, a remote storage device, and a cloud storage device.

[0313] In one embodiment, the system may include a cybersecurity module. In one aspect, a Secure Communication Management (SCM) computer device for providing a secure data connection is provided. The SCM computer device includes a processor in communication with a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a first data message from a first device. The first data message is in a standardized data format. The processor is further programmed to analyze the first data message for potential cybersecurity threats. If it is determined that the first data message does not contain a cybersecurity threat, the processor is further programmed to convert the first data message into a first data format associated with the vehicle environment and transmit the converted first data message to the vehicle system using a first communication protocol associated with the vehicle system. According to one embodiment, the secure authentication for data transfer includes providing a hardware-based security engine (HSE) located in the communication system, the HSE having been manufactured in a secure environment and certified as part of an approved network in the secure environment; performing asynchronous authentication, verification, and encryption of data using the HSE, storing user permission data and connection status data in an access control list for defining an allowable data communication path for the approved network, enabling communication of the communication system with other computing systems that comply with the access control list, performing asynchronous verification and encryption of data using the security engine, including using a hardware-based module provided with one or more security aspects for securing the system to identify a user device (UD) that incorporates credentials embodied in hardware, where the security aspects include user communication of the hardware-based module with the user device and the HSE.

[0314] Figure 12A block diagram of a network security module 1230 in view of a system and a server according to an embodiment is shown. Before data is transmitted from the system to the server or from the server to the system, the information security management module 1232 first verifies the data communication between the processor 1208 of the system 1200 and the server 1270 through the communication module 1212. The network security module 1230 includes the information security management module 1232. The information security management module is operable to analyze data for potential network security threats, encrypt the data when no network security threat is detected, and transmit the encrypted data to the system or the server. In one embodiment, the network security module further includes an information security management module that provides isolation between the system and the server. In one embodiment, the system includes a method for protecting data through the network security module. The information security management module is operable to receive data from the communication module, exchange security keys at the start of communication between the communication module and the server, receive a security key from the server, authenticate the identity of the server by verifying the security key, analyze the security key for potential network security threats, negotiate an encryption key between the communication module and the server, receive the encrypted data, and transmit the encrypted data to the server when no network security threat is detected. In one embodiment, the system includes decryption of data by the network security module according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the system includes a method for protecting data through the network security module. The information security management module is operable to receive data from the communication module, exchange security keys at the start of communication between the communication module and the server, receive a security key from the server, authenticate the identity of the server by verifying the security key, analyze the security key for potential network security threats, negotiate an encryption key between the communication module and the server, receive the encrypted data, decrypt the encrypted data, and perform an integrity check on the decrypted data, and transmit the decrypted data to the communication module when no network security threat is detected.

[0315] In one embodiment, the integrity check is a hash signature verification using the Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (SHA256) or a similar method. In one embodiment, the information security management module is configured to perform asynchronous authentication and verification of the communication between the communication module and the server. In one embodiment, the information security management module is configured to issue an alert if a network security threat is detected. In one embodiment, the information security management module is configured to discard the received encrypted data if the integrity check of the encrypted data fails. In one embodiment, the information security management module is configured to check the integrity of the decrypted data by checking the accuracy, consistency, and any possible data loss during communication through the communication module. In one embodiment, the server is physically isolated from the system by the information security management module. When the system communicates with the server, as Figure 12As shown, first, perform identity authentication on the system and the server. The system is responsible for communicating / exchanging the public key of the system and the signature of the public key with the server. The public key of the system and the public key signature are sent to the information security management module. The information security management module decrypts the signature and verifies whether the decrypted public key is consistent with the original public key received. If the decrypted public key is verified, the identity authentication passes. Similarly, the system and the server perform identity authentication on the information security management module. After the identity authentication passes through the information security management module, the two communicating parties, the system and the server, negotiate encryption keys and integrity check keys for data communication between the two communicating parties through the authenticated asymmetric keys. During the identity authentication process, the session ID number is transmitted, and the keys need to be bound to the session ID number; when the system sends data to the outside, the information security gateway receives the data through the communication module, performs integrity authentication on the data, then encrypts the data with the negotiated keys, and finally transmits the data to the server through the communication module. When the information security management module receives data through the communication module, it first decrypts the data, performs integrity verification on the decrypted data, and if the verification passes, sends the data out through the communication module; otherwise, discards the data.

[0316] In one embodiment, use signed asymmetric keys to implement identity authentication. In one embodiment, the signature is implemented through a pair of asymmetric keys trusted by the information security management module and the system, where the private key is used to sign the identities of the two communicating parties, and the public key is used to verify that the identities of the two communicating parties are signed. The signed identity includes a public key and a private key pair. In other words, the signed identity is called the common name of the certificate installed in the user machine. In one embodiment, the two communicating parties need to authenticate their identities through a pair of asymmetric keys, and the task of communicating with the information security management module of the system is identified by a unique pair of asymmetric keys. In one embodiment, the dynamically negotiated keys are encrypted by using the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) encryption algorithm. RSA is a public key cryptosystem widely used for secure data transmission. The negotiated keys include data encryption keys and data integrity check keys.

[0317] In one embodiment, the data encryption method is the Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (3DES) encryption algorithm. The integrity check algorithm is the Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC-MD5-128) algorithm. When outputting data, integrity check calculation is performed on the data. The calculated Message Authentication Code (MAC) value is added to the header of the value data message, and then the data (including the MAC of the header) is encrypted using the 3DES algorithm. After the data is encrypted, the header information of the security layer is added, and then the data is sent to the next layer for processing. In one embodiment, the next layer refers to the transport layer in the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) model. The information security management module, when the communication parties start data encryption and data integrity authentication, through identity authentication, ensures the security, reliability, and confidentiality of the communication between the system and the server. This method is particularly applicable to embedded platforms with less resources and not connected to the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system, and by ensuring the security and reliability of the communication between the system and the server, ensures that the data on the server under Internet conditions will not be jeopardized by hacker attacks.

[0318] The description of one or more embodiments is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the embodiments described herein. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used herein best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, and / or improvements to technologies found in the market, and / or enable other ordinary skilled persons in the art to understand the embodiments described herein.

[0319] Clause

[0320] 1. A system, comprising,

[0321] a sensor, a communication module; and a processor;

[0322] wherein the processor stores instructions in a non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to:

[0323] detect a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including the sensor;

[0324] connect to a first device of the first occupant via the communication module;

[0325] retrieve a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings;

[0326] detect a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module;

[0327] connect to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module;

[0328] Retrieve a second occupant profile, where the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings;

[0329] Adjust the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings via a conflict resolution module based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile; and

[0330] Apply the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

[0331] 2. The system according to clause 1, wherein the sensor includes one of a weight sensor, a thermal sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, an inertial sensor, a compression sensor, a camera sensor, an RFID reader, a proximity sensor, a smart phone, a key fob, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0332] 3. The system according to clause 1, wherein the first occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0333] 4. The system according to clause 1, wherein the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0334] 5. The system according to clause 1, wherein the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0335] 6. The system according to clause 1, wherein the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0336] 7. The system according to clause 1, wherein the conflict resolution module includes artificial intelligence assisted by a machine learning module.

[0337] 8. The system according to clause 1, wherein the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting.

[0338] 9. The system according to clause 8, wherein the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level.

[0339] 10. The system according to clause 9, wherein the first restriction setting and the first priority level are received in real time via a third device.

[0340] 11. The system according to clause 9, wherein the second restriction setting and the second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device.

[0341] 12. The system according to clause 9, wherein the first vehicle settings are adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0342] 13. The system according to clause 9, wherein the second limit setting is adjusted based on a first priority level and a second priority level.

[0343] 14. The system according to clause 1, wherein the system is operable to establish a connection to a first device of a first occupant by sending a connection request via a communication module.

[0344] 15. The system according to clause 1, wherein a first occupant profile is retrieved via the first device.

[0345] 16. The system according to clause 1, wherein the identity of the first occupant is received via the first device and the first occupant profile is retrieved from the cloud via a network.

[0346] 17. The system according to clause 1, wherein the first device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0347] 18. The system according to clause 1, wherein the system is operable to establish a connection to a second device of a second occupant by sending a connection request via a communication module.

[0348] 19. The system according to clause 1, wherein a second occupant profile is retrieved via the second device.

[0349] 20. The system according to clause 1, wherein the identity of the second occupant is received via the second device and the second occupant profile is retrieved from the cloud via a network.

[0350] 21. The system according to clause 1, wherein the second device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

[0351] 22. A method, comprising,

[0352] Detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors;

[0353] Connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module;

[0354] Retrieving a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings;

[0355] Detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module;

[0356] Connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module;

[0357] Retrieving a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings;

[0358] Adjusting the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting by a conflict resolution module based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile; and

[0359] Applying the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting to the vehicle.

[0360] 23. The method according to clause 22, wherein the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting.

[0361] 24. The method according to clause 23, wherein the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level.

[0362] 25. The method according to clause 24, wherein the first restriction setting and the first priority level are received in real time via a third device.

[0363] 26. The method according to clause 24, wherein the second restriction setting and the second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device.

[0364] 27. The method according to clause 24, wherein the first vehicle setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0365] 28. The method according to clause 24, wherein the second restriction setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0366] 29. The method according to clause 22, wherein the first occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0367] 30. The method according to clause 22, wherein the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0368] 31. The method according to clause 22, wherein the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0369] 32. The method according to clause 22, wherein the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0370] 33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system to perform operations including the following,

[0371] Detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors;

[0372] Connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module;

[0373] Retrieve a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes a first vehicle setting;

[0374] Detect a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via a detection module;

[0375] Connect to a second device of the second occupant via a communication module;

[0376] Retrieve a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes a second vehicle setting;

[0377] Adjust the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and

[0378] Apply the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting to the vehicle.

[0379] 34. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 33, wherein the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting.

[0380] 35. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 34, wherein the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level.

[0381] 36. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 35, wherein the first restriction setting and the first priority level are received in real - time via a third device.

[0382] 37. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 35, wherein the second restriction setting and the second priority level are received in real - time via a fourth device.

[0383] 38. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 35, wherein the first vehicle setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0384] 39. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 35, wherein the second restriction setting is adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

[0385] 40. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 33, wherein the first occupant includes one of a non - owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0386] 41. The non - transitory computer - readable medium according to clause 33, wherein the first occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

[0387] 42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 33, wherein the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, and a passenger.

[0388] 43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 33, wherein the second occupant is one of a minor, an elderly person, a baby on board, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a sensor, a communication module; and a processor; wherein the processor stores instructions in a non-transitory memory, and the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: detect a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including the sensor; connect to a first device of the first occupant via the communication module; retrieve a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detect a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connect to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieve a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjust the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and apply the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes one of a weight sensor, a thermal sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, an inertial sensor, a compression sensor, a camera sensor, an RFID reader, a proximity sensor, a smart phone, a key fob, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, a wearable device, and a badge.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, a passenger, a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency; and wherein the second occupant includes one of a non-owner driver, an owner driver, a passenger, a minor, an elderly person, an infant in the vehicle, and an occupant with a medical emergency.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the conflict resolution module includes artificial intelligence assisted by a machine learning module.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first occupant profile further includes first restriction settings and wherein the second occupant profile further includes second restriction settings.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first restriction settings further include a first priority level and the second restriction settings further include a second priority level; wherein the first restriction settings and the first priority level are received in real time via a third device; and wherein the second restriction settings and the second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings are adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first restriction settings and the second restriction settings are adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is operable to establish a connection to the first device of the first occupant by sending a connection request via the communication module.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first occupant profile is retrieved via one of the first devices or wherein the first identity of the first occupant is received via the first device and the first occupant profile is retrieved from the cloud via a network.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is operable to establish a connection to the second device of the second occupant by sending a connection request via the communication module.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second occupant profile is retrieved via one of the second devices and from the cloud via a network; and wherein the second device includes one of a telephone, a key card, a smart card, a portable device with a microchip, an identity card, a laptop computer, a personal computing device, a wearable device, and a badge.

14. A method comprising, detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module; retrieving a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieving a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjusting the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and applying the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein a first limit setting and a first priority level are received in real time via a third device.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein a second limit setting and a second priority level are received in real time via a fourth device.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system to perform operations including the following: detecting a first identity of a first occupant of a vehicle via a detection module including sensors; connecting to a first device of the first occupant via a communication module; retrieving a first occupant profile, wherein the first occupant profile includes first vehicle settings; detecting a second identity of a second occupant of the vehicle via the detection module; connecting to a second device of the second occupant via the communication module; retrieving a second occupant profile, wherein the second occupant profile includes second vehicle settings; adjusting the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings based on the first occupant profile and the second occupant profile via a conflict resolution module; and applying the first vehicle settings and the second vehicle settings to the vehicle.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first occupant profile further includes a first restriction setting and wherein the second occupant profile further includes a second restriction setting; and wherein the first restriction setting further includes a first priority level and the second restriction setting further includes a second priority level.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first vehicle setting and the second vehicle setting are adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the first restriction setting and the second restriction setting are adjusted based on the first priority level and the second priority level.

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