Method and device for wireless proximity-based provision of component information

Abstract

System that includes the following: a processor that is configured: an informational report about a vehicle component to which a BLUETOOTH Low Energy chip (BTLE chip) is assigned, which is attached to a vehicle, to provide a wireless device when it is determined that the wireless device is within a specified proximity to the BTLE chip.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The illustrative embodiments generally relate to a method and apparatus for wireless proximity-based provision of component information. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles are incredibly complex machines with various systems, subsystems, components, and modules. Many of these systems require occasional maintenance or updates to maintain optimal working conditions and to prevent serious deterioration of these or other components. Oil levels, tire pressure, brake pad wear, lighting conditions, etc. are all systems that a user can maintain, but users often don't know how to check the current condition of these systems or are often unaware that the systems require maintenance.

[0003] The document DE 10 2012 105 093 A1 describes a system in a vehicle comprising a module connected to a system of a vehicle and a connectivity module. The connectivity module has a data memory that communicates with said module. The connectivity module can write data to the data memory. The data memory enables a communication device to have read-only access to the data from said module. Further prior art relating to the background of the invention is provided by the documents US 2013 / 0 304 278 A1, CN 1 01 718 991 A1, and DE 10 2014 113 766 A1.

[0004] Additionally, with rental vehicles, a user may wish to inspect the vehicle before beginning a rental to ensure the user is not being charged for pre-existing damage or deteriorated vehicle systems. To be thorough, this would require a trip to a mechanic, which is not something a typical renter would do before committing to a rental agreement. SUMMARY

[0005] In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to provide an informational report about a vehicle component associated with a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip mounted on a vehicle to a wireless device when the wireless device is determined to be within a predetermined proximity to the BTLE chip.

[0006] In a second illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to provide a location report including an identifier of the vehicle's parking location in response to a received and verified location request from a wireless device when the processor determines that the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip installed at the parking location.

[0007] In a third illustrative embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes determining, using a vehicle computer, that a wireless device is within a predetermined proximity of a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip installed in a vehicle. The method also includes identifying a vehicle component associated with the BTLE chip and providing a status report of the vehicle component associated with the BTLE chip to the wireless device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows an illustrative vehicle computer system; Fig. Figure 2 shows an illustrative vehicle BTLE sensor arrangement; Fig. 3 shows an illustrative process for transferring system data; Fig. 4 illustrates an illustrative process for providing system information from the BTLE sensors; and Fig. Figure 5 shows an illustrative process for reporting vehicle location using the BTLE sensors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein as required; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 1 illustrates an example block topology for a vehicle-based computing system 1 (VCS) for a vehicle 31. An example of such a vehicle-based computing system 1 is the SYNC system manufactured by THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. A vehicle enabled with a vehicle-based computing system may include a visual front-end interface 4 located within the vehicle. The user may also be able to interact with the interface if, for example, it is provided with a touch-sensitive screen. In another illustrative embodiment, the interaction takes place through button presses, a spoken dialog system with automatic speech recognition, and speech synthesis.

[0010] In the Fig. In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 1, a processor 3 controls at least part of the operation of the vehicle-based computer system. The processor, provided within the vehicle, allows for on-board processing of instructions and routines. Further, the processor is connected to both a non-persistent memory 5 and a non-persistent memory 7. In this illustrative embodiment, the non-persistent memory is random access memory (RAM), while the non-persistent memory is a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. In general, non-persistent (non-volatile) memory can include any form of storage that maintains data when a computer or other device is turned off. These include, but are not limited to, HDDs, CDs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, solid-state drives, portable USB devices, and any other suitable form of non-persistent memory.

[0011] The processor is also provided with a number of different inputs that allow the user to interface with the processor. In this illustrative embodiment, a microphone 29, an auxiliary input 25 (for input 33), a USB input 23, a GPS input 24, a screen 4, which may be a touchscreen display, and a BLUETOOTH input 15 are provided. An input selector 51 is also provided to allow a user to switch between different inputs. Input to both the microphone and the auxiliary connector is converted from analog to digital by a converter 27 before being passed to the processor. Although not shown, many of the vehicle components and auxiliary components associated with the VCS may utilize a vehicle network (such asa CAN bus, but not limited to it) to route data to and from the VCS (or its components).

[0012] The outputs from the system may include, but are not limited to, a visual display 4 and a speaker 13 or a stereo system output. The speaker is connected to an amplifier 11 and receives its signal from the processor 3 through a digital-to-analog converter 9. The output may also be routed to a remote BLUETOOTH device, such as a PND 54, or a USB device, such as a vehicle navigation device 60, along the bidirectional data streams shown at 19 and 21, respectively.

[0013] In an illustrative embodiment, the system 1 uses the BLUETOOTH transceiver 15 to communicate 17 with a nomadic device 53 (e.g., a cellular phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or any other device having connectivity to a wireless remote network). The nomadic device can then be used to communicate 59 with a network 61 external to the vehicle 31, for example, through communication 55 with a cellular tower 57. In some embodiments, the tower 57 can be a WiFi access point.

[0014] The exemplary communication between the nomadic device and the BLUETOOTH transmitter / receiver is represented by signal 14.

[0015] Pairing of a nomadic device 53 and the BLUETOOTH transceiver 15 can be commanded by a button 52 or similar input. Accordingly, the CPU is instructed to pair the onboard BLUETOOTH transceiver and a BLUETOOTH transceiver in a nomadic device.

[0016] Data may be transferred between the CPU 3 and the network 61, for example, using a data plan, data over voice, or DTMF tones associated with the nomadic device 53. Alternatively, it may be desirable to include an on-board modem 63 with an antenna 18 to transfer data between the CPU 3 and the network 61 over the voice band 16. The nomadic device 53 may then be used to communicate 59 with a network 61 external to the vehicle 31, for example, through communication 55 with a cellular tower 57. In some embodiments, the modem 63 may establish communication 20 with the tower 57 to communicate with the network 61. As a non-limiting example, the modem 63 may be a USB cellular modem, and the communication 20 may be a cellular communication.

[0017] In one illustrative embodiment, the processor is provided with an operating system including an API for communicating with modem application software. The modem application software can access an embedded module or embedded firmware in the BLUETOOTH transceiver to complete wireless communication with a remote BLUETOOTH receiver (such as that found in a nomadic device). Bluetooth is a subset of the IEEE 802 PAN (Personal Area Network) protocols. The IEEE 802 LAN (Local Area Network) protocols include Wi-Fi and have considerable cross-functionality with the IEEE 802 PAN. Both are suitable for wireless communication within a vehicle. Other communication means that can be used in this area include free-space optical communication (such as IrDA) and non-standardized consumer IR protocols.

[0018] In another embodiment, the nomadic device 53 includes a modem for voiceband or broadband data communication. In the data-over-voice embodiment, a technique known as frequency division multiplexing may be implemented, whereby the owner of the nomadic device can speak through the device while data is transmitted. At other times, when the owner is not using the device, data transmission may utilize the entire bandwidth (300 Hz to 3.4 kHz in one example). While frequency division multiplexing may be and is still used for analog mobile communications between the vehicle and the Internet, it has largely been replaced by hybrids of code division multiplexing (CDMA), time division multiplexing (TDMA), and space division multiplexing (SDMA) for digital mobile communications.These are all ITU IMT-2000 (3G) compliant standards and offer data rates of up to 2 Mbps for stationary or walking users and 385 kbit / s for users in a moving vehicle. The 3G standards are now being replaced by the IMT-Advanced (4G), which offers 100 Mbps for users in a vehicle and 1 Gbit / s for stationary users. If the user has a data plan associated with the nomadic device, it is possible that the data plan allows broadband transmission and the system could use a much wider bandwidth (which speeds up data transmission). In yet another embodiment, the nomadic device 53 is replaced by a mobile communications device (not shown) installed in the vehicle 31. In yet another embodiment, the ND 53 may be a wireless local area network (LAN) device, e.g., a mobile radio device. B. (and without limitation) for communication over an 802.11g network (ieWiFi) or a WiMax network.

[0019] In one embodiment, the incoming data may be routed via data-over-voice or a data plan through the nomadic device, through an onboard BLUETOOTH transceiver, and into the vehicle's internal processor 3. In the case of certain temporary data, the data may be stored, for example, in the HDD or other storage media 7 until such time as the data is no longer needed.

[0020] Additional sources that may interface with the vehicle include a personal navigation device 54 having, for example, a USB connection 56 and / or an antenna 58, a vehicle navigation device 60 having a USB 62 or other connection, an on-board GPS connection 24, or a remote navigation system (not shown) having connectivity to the network 61. USB is one of a class of serial networking protocols. IEEE 1394 (FireWire™ (Apple), i.LINK™ (Sony), and Lynx™ (Texas Instruments)), EIA (Electronics Industries Association) serial protocols, IEEE 1284 (Centronics port), S / PDIF (Sony / Philips Digital Interconnect Format), and USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) form the backbone of serial device-to-device standards. Most of the protocols can be implemented for either electrical or optical communication.

[0021] Furthermore, the CPU could communicate with various other auxiliary devices 65. These devices may be connected via a wireless 67 or a wired 69 connection. The auxiliary device 65 may include, for example, but is not limited to, personal media players, wireless health devices, wearable computers, and the like.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the CPU could be connected to a vehicle-based wireless router 73, e.g., using a WiFi transceiver (IEEE 803.11 transceiver) 71. This could allow the CPU to connect to remote networks within range of the local router 73.

[0023] In addition to the example processes performed by a vehicle computing system located in a vehicle, in certain embodiments, the example processes may be performed by a computing system in communication with a vehicle computing system. Such a system may include, but is not limited to, a wireless device (e.g., and without limitation, a cellular phone) or a remote computing system (e.g., and without limitation, a server) connected by the wireless device. Such systems may collectively be referred to as vehicle-associated computing systems (VACS). In certain embodiments, specific components of the VACS may perform specific portions of a process depending on the particular implementation of the system.By way of example and not limitation, if a process includes a step of sending or receiving information to or from a paired wireless device, then the wireless device is likely not to perform that portion of the process because the wireless device would not "send and receive" the information to or from itself. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize when it is inappropriate to apply a particular computer system to a given solution.

[0024] In each of the illustrative embodiments discussed herein, an exemplary, non-limiting example of a process executable by a computer system is shown. With respect to each process, it is possible for the computer system executing the process to be configured as a special-purpose processor for the limited purpose of executing the process. All processes need not be performed in their entirety, but are understood to be examples of the types of processes that can be performed to achieve the elements of the invention. If desired, additional steps may be added to or removed from the exemplary processes.

[0025] There are a number of reasons why a driver might want a quick report from a vehicle system or component. For example, if a driver is renting or borrowing a vehicle, the driver may want to confirm that the vehicle is in drivable condition. If the driver uses the vehicle frequently, it may be nice to have updates on certain components and fuel levels at appropriate intervals. If a driver hears a noise or senses something "off" in the vehicle, it would be nice to be able to check several systems without taking the vehicle to a mechanic.

[0026] To facilitate the delivery of component information, BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chips can be added to a vehicle. These are very inexpensive to add to a vehicle and can be added at specific locations, so that the presence of the chips can, for example, identify a specific component directly from an identifying chip, or that several of these chips can be used to determine the location of a receiving device (such as a telephone) located somewhere among the deployed chips.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows an illustrative vehicle BTLE sensor arrangement. In this illustrative example, a passenger compartment 203 and an engine compartment 201 are shown. In this example, the sensors are deployed at various illustrative locations, including two sensors 205A and 205B deployed at the location of the headlights, a sensor 207 deployed next to an oil cap, a center console sensor 211, an instrument panel sensor 209, and two side door sensors 213A and 213B. These sensor locations are provided merely as examples; some or all of them may be omitted and / or additional sensors may be easily added.

[0028] The sensors can serve a dual purpose. It is possible to associate a specific system or report with a sensor, so that if a device is within a certain proximity of the sensor, it is assumed that the user is attempting to obtain data related to the device or report associated with the specific sensor. Placing the device near 205A or 205B could result in a light condition report. Placing the device near 207 could result in an oil life report. Placing the device near 209 could result in a fuel level report (another sensor could also be provided on the fuel cap).Placing the device near 211 could result in a vehicle settings report, and placing the device near 213A or 213B could result in a report regarding the status of the window or child safety locks for the respective rear doors.

[0029] Another purpose that can be served by the sensors is to use the proximity of a device to several of the sensors to triangulate the location of the device. Consequently, information about other vehicle components not equipped with specific sensors can be provided by determining that the device is near one of those components based on the device's deployment within an array of sensors.

[0030] Drivers can also request specific information when exiting or entering a vehicle. Relevant information, including but not limited to fuel levels, remaining range, etc., can be transmitted for retrieval while the driver is away from the vehicle. Critical alerts can also be uploaded if critical conditions (low air, low oil, etc.) occur. The chips can also upload data when a rental vehicle arrives at a designated parking space or return lane equipped with receivers. Fuel levels, mileage, etc., can be automatically uploaded directly to the rental company without the need for an operator to check the vehicle.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows an illustrative process for transferring system data. With respect to the illustrative embodiments described in this figure, it is noted that a general-purpose processor may be temporarily enabled as a special-purpose processor for the purpose of performing some or all of the example methods shown herein. When the processor is executing the code that provides the instructions to perform some or all of the steps of the method, the processor may be temporarily repurposed as a special-purpose processor until such time as the method is completed. In another example, to the appropriate extent, firmware operating according to a preconfigured processor may cause the processor to act as a special-purpose processor provided for the purpose of performing the method or any appropriate variation of the method.

[0032] In this illustrative example, the process is executed in a mobile device or other receiving device. The device is placed within range of a BTLE chip(s) installed in a vehicle and detects the presence of a BTLE signal 301. Once the signal is found 303, the process communicates with the chip to obtain the appropriate data associated with the chip. Alternatively, the chip can be used to identify a device location, where the device can communicate with a suitable vehicle transmitter (a BTLE chip or other wireless system) 305. The information related to a system immediately at the device can be obtained from any of the chips or another vehicle computer 307. The data can, for example,based on placing the device within a certain proximity to a system or chip or, for example, based on a start / stop of the vehicle.

[0033] Fig. Figure 4 shows an illustrative process for providing system information from the BTLE sensors. With respect to the illustrative embodiments described in this figure, it is noted that a general-purpose processor may be temporarily enabled as a special-purpose processor for the purpose of performing some or all of the example methods shown herein. When the processor is executing code that provides the instructions to perform some or all of the steps of the method, the processor may be temporarily repurposed as a special-purpose processor until such time as the method is completed. In another example, to the appropriate extent, firmware operating according to a preconfigured processor may cause the processor to act as a special-purpose processor provided for the purpose of performing the method or any appropriate variation of the method.

[0034] In this illustrative example, one or more BTLE chips communicate with a mobile device to determine whether the device is in a position through which the data should be received (e.g., near a specific system for which information can be provided). The chip(s) communicate with device 401 and can determine, for example, based on signal strength, how close the device is to each chip. The proximity of the device to each chip can be used to determine the location of phone 403 (e.g., if a radius around each chip is set to the distance from the phone to the chip, then the intersection of the circles defined by the radius and the chip as the center indicates the device's position).

[0035] If the phone's location corresponds to a known component or report 405 (e.g., near an oil cap to obtain an oil report, near a tire to obtain a brake and air level report, near an engine block to obtain a general engine report, etc.), the process can send the appropriate report. If there is no specific report or location associated with the location (e.g., if the phone is simply in a pocket of the driver sitting in the driver's seat), a driver-customizable general report can be sent 407. This could, for example, be a report of the data the driver wants each time the vehicle is used. This report can also have time limits associated with it to prevent excessive reporting (e.g., it can be sent once per trip, once per day, etc.).

[0036] If there is a specific component (or report) associated with the specific phone location, the process sends an identification of the component or report 409 so the customer can ensure the appropriate system data is received. The relevant component status data, configuration data, or another report may also be sent 411.

[0037] As previously stated, the chip can report the status of a component or report associated with it if the device is within a specified proximity of a BTLE chip. If the device is outside this proximity, the physical location of the device can be compared with the components or reports to determine which component is near the device. A status, configuration, or report for that component can then be sent.

[0038] Fig.Figure 5 shows an illustrative process for reporting vehicle location using BTLE sensors. With respect to the illustrative embodiments described in this figure, it is noted that a general-purpose processor may be temporarily enabled as a special-purpose processor for the purpose of performing some or all of the example methods shown herein. When the processor is executing code that provides the instructions to perform some or all of the steps of the method, the processor may be temporarily repurposed as a special-purpose processor until such time as the method is completed. In another example, to the appropriate extent, firmware operating according to a preconfigured processor may cause the processor to act as a special-purpose processor provided for the purpose of performing the method or any appropriate variation of the method.

[0039] In this illustrative example, a vehicle telematics system may receive a remote request to identify a vehicle location (such as when a renter attempts to locate the vehicle in a parking lot). The BTLE chip(s) may communicate with another chip installed in a marked rental parking space or immediately adjacent to a rental parking space, which can be used to identify the vehicle's location. If no chip is within communication range, the process may simply identify the vehicle's GPS location. Furthermore, once a device comes within 30 feet of the BTLE chip, the chip may communicate with the device so that an alert can be sent when the user is near the vehicle itself.

[0040] In this example, the process executing in the vehicle communicates with a device 501, e.g., through a vehicle modem and telematics system. As part of the communication, a request for a vehicle location is received 503. If the requesting device is permitted to access the vehicle location (through some association with the vehicle, such as being previously paired, or through the transmission of a valid security code) 505, the process continues. Otherwise, the request is rejected 507.

[0041] In this example, the process then checks to determine if a BTLE communication device is installed outside and near the vehicle 509. For example, a chip might be located in a concrete barrier or on a signpost that is near another chip in a bumper or fender of the vehicle. If the chips are within a certain distance, the vehicle is assumed to be in the parking space associated with the outside chip. If such a device is found, the process reports the specific location 511. Otherwise, the process simply reports GPS coordinates of the vehicle.

[0042] While embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Instead, the words used in the description are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the features of the various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

[1] System comprising: a processor that is configured: an informational report on a vehicle component associated with a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip mounted on a vehicle, a wireless device when it is determined that the wireless device is within a predetermined proximity to the BTLE chip. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the informational report includes a component operational status. [3] The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the informational report includes a component wear status. [4] The system of any of claims 1-3, wherein the informational report includes a component fluid level status. [5] The system of any of claims 1-4, wherein the processor is configured to determine a device location based on the proximity of the device to a plurality of BTLE chips. [6] The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of BTLE chips includes at least three chips. [7] The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the processor is configured to determine the proximity of the device to the BTLE chips based on the signal strength of a signal between the BTLE chips and the device. [8] The system of any of claims 5-7, wherein the processor is configured to provide an information report about a component located within a predetermined proximity of the device location. [9] The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to provide a general driver-configured vehicle report if there is no component located within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle location. [10] System comprising: a processor that is configured: provide a location report including an identifier of the vehicle's parking location in response to a received and verified location request from a wireless device when the processor determines that the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip installed at the parking location. [11] The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to verify the location request based on the wireless device previously paired with the vehicle. [12] The system of claim 10 or 11, wherein the processor is configured to verify the location request based on a security code included in the location request. [13] The system of any of claims 10-12, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the vehicle is within the predetermined proximity of the BTLE chip installed at the parking space based on communication between a BTLE chip installed in the vehicle and the BTLE chip installed at the parking space. [14] The system of claim 13, wherein the predetermined proximity is determined based on a signal strength of the communication. [15] The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the BTLE chip installed in the vehicle is installed in a front or rear bumper. [16] The system of any of claims 10-15, wherein the processor is configured to provide a GPS location of the vehicle when the processor determines that the vehicle is not within the predetermined proximity of the BTLE chip installed at the parking space. [17] Computer-implemented method comprising: Determining that a wireless device is within a predetermined proximity of a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BTLE) chip installed in a vehicle using a vehicle computer; Identifying a vehicle component to which the BTLE chip is assigned; and Providing a status report of the vehicle component to which the BTLE chip is associated to the wireless device. [18] The method of claim 17, wherein determining includes determining a distance between the device and the BTLE chip based on a signal strength of the communication between the device and the BTLE chip. [19] The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising determining the location of a wireless device based on the signal strength between a plurality of secondary BTLE chips and the wireless device if the wireless device is not within the predetermined proximity of the BTLE chip. [20] The method of claim 19, further comprising identifying a vehicle component associated with the location of the wireless device and providing the status report for the vehicle component associated with the location of the wireless device.

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