VEHICLE REMOTE START REQUEST

Abstract

A system includes a computer including a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle. The instructions include issuing a notification in response to disabling the remote start request. Then, the instructions include actuating one or more vehicle components as specified by the remote start request upon receiving user input to override disabling the remote start request.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] This disclosure relates to a remote start request in vehicles. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A vehicle may be equipped with a remote start feature that allows a user to request the vehicle to start from outside the vehicle, such as from within the user's home or office, using a remote device, such as a remote key fob or a mobile phone. In some cases, a user may schedule remote start requests to start the vehicle at a specified or predetermined time. SUMMARY

[0003] A system includes a computer including a processor and memory having stored instructions executable by the processor to determine to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle. Issue a notification in response to disabling the remote start request; and then actuate one or more vehicle components, as specified by the remote start request, upon receiving user input to override disabling the remote start request.

[0004] The instructions may further include instructions for identifying a user of the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle.

[0005] A method includes determining to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle. In response to disabling the remote start request, the method includes issuing a notification at a specified time and then, upon receiving user input to override disabling the remote start request, actuating one or more vehicle components as specified by the remote start request.

[0006] The method may include identifying a user of the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle.

[0007] The specified time can be determined based on the current state.

[0008] The current state of the vehicle may include a vehicle location.

[0009] The vehicle location can be an indoor location.

[0010] The vehicle location can be within a geofence area.

[0011] The current condition of the vehicle may include a suspension height of the vehicle.

[0012] The current state of the vehicle may include an external component status of the vehicle.

[0013] The current state of the vehicle may include a wheel attachment status.

[0014] The user input to override the remote start request can be given within a specified time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of components of a vehicle that includes components for implementing a remote start system. Fig. 2 illustrates a first example vehicle location for a remote start request. Fig.3 illustrates a second example vehicle location for a remote start request. Fig. 4A illustrates a third example vehicle location for a remote start request. Fig. Figure 4B illustrates a fourth example vehicle location for a remote start request. Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of an example process for the remote start system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] With reference to Fig.1, a vehicle system 100 may be provided to manage a remote start of a vehicle 110, which includes receiving a remote start request and initiating or preventing a remote start in response to the remote start request. A "remote start request" is a request sent from a location remote from the vehicle 110, i.e., outside of and at a certain distance from the vehicle 110, to a vehicle computer 112 to start the vehicle 110. Starting a vehicle 110 means engaging a vehicle power and / or propulsion system, i.e., engaging the vehicle to a state in which the vehicle can be actuated to move, e.g., engaging one or more of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a hybrid drive, vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), etc.The system 100 may include one or more remote devices 118 for communicating with the vehicle 110. In some examples, the one or more remote devices 118 may be in communication with the vehicle 110 via a network 114, e.g., a local area network (LAN), such as a WiFi® network or the like, and / or a wide area network (WAN), including, e.g., cellular communication and / or the Internet. For example, a user of the one or more vehicles 110 may send the remote start request via the remote device 118 over the network 114 to start the vehicle 110 from a location remote from the vehicle 110. The sensors 116 of the vehicle 110 may detect a current state of the vehicle 110, and the vehicle computer 112 may determine, based on the current state of the vehicle 110, that the remote start request should be disabled.In some implementations, a notification or message may be provided to the user of the vehicle 110 to allow the user of the vehicle 110 to override disabling the remote start request.

[0016] A system 100 for vehicle 110 accordingly includes vehicle computer 112, which includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine to disable a remote start request in vehicle 110 based on a current state of vehicle 110. The instructions may include, in response to disabling the remote start request, issuing a notification or message that the user may override the disabling of the remote start request, typically for a specified time. The message may be issued to a remote device for input by a user of the remote device, and the notification may be available for input by the user for the specified time.Then, the instructions include operating one or more vehicle components as specified by the remote start request, upon receiving user input within the specified time, overriding the deactivation of the remote start request.

[0017] The system 100 may be provided in any suitable type of land vehicle, e.g., an electric cart, a warehouse vehicle such as a forklift, a passenger vehicle, or a commercial or consumer vehicle such as a sedan, a coupe, a truck, an SUV, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, a motorcycle, etc.

[0018] The vehicle computer 112 includes a processor and memory, as known, and may communicate via a vehicle network 122. The vehicle computer 112 may be a general-purpose computer with a processor and memory, as described above, and / or may include an electronic control unit (ECU) or controller for a specific function or set of functions. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the vehicle computer 112 actually includes a plurality of devices, the vehicle network 122 may be used for communication between devices, which are depicted in this disclosure as the vehicle computer 112. Further, as noted below, various controllers and / or sensors 116 may provide data to the vehicle computer 112 via the vehicle network 122.

[0019] A vehicle network 122 may include a conventional vehicle communication bus, such as a CAN bus, LIN bus, etc., and / or could include other wired and / or wireless technologies, e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi®, cellular, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), etc. Accordingly, a vehicle computer 112, an ECU, etc., may transmit messages to various devices in the vehicle 110 and / or receive messages from the various devices, e.g., ECUs, controllers, actuators, sensors 116, etc.

[0020] The vehicle sensors 116 can communicate on the vehicle network 122 with various vehicle components, such as the vehicle computer 112. A sensor 116 is a device that can obtain one or more measurements of one or more physical phenomena inside or outside the vehicle 110. Some sensors 116 detect the outside world, for example, radar sensors, scanning laser rangefinders, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices, and image processing sensors, such as cameras. A LIDAR device detects distances to objects by emitting laser pulses and measuring the time of flight for the pulse to travel to the object and back. Sensor operation can be affected by obstructions, e.g., dust, snow, insects, etc. Often, but not necessarily, a sensor 116 includes a digital-to-analog converter to convert sampled analog data into a digital signal that can be provided to a digital computer, e.g.,via a network 122. The sensors 116 may include a variety of devices and may be arranged in a variety of ways to sense vehicle environmental conditions, provide data about a machine, etc. The vehicle sensor 116 may be mounted in or on a vehicle 110. Further, other sensors in or on a vehicle 110 may include cameras, short-range radar, long-range radar, LIDAR and / or ultrasonic transducers, weight sensors, accelerometers, motion detectors, etc., i.e., sensors 116 to provide a variety of data. Some vehicle sensors 116 detect internal conditions of the vehicle 110, for example, wheel speed, wheel alignment, and engine and transmission variables.Some sensors 116 detect the position and / or orientation of the vehicle 110, for example, global positioning system (GPS) sensors 116; accelerometers, such as piezoelectric or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS); gyroscopes, such as rate gyros, laser gyros, or fiber optic gyros; inertial measurement units (IMUs); and magnetometers. Furthermore, various controllers in the vehicle 110 may operate as the sensors 116 to provide data via the vehicle network 122 or bus, e.g., data related to speed, location, the status of subsystems 120 and / or components of the vehicle, etc.To provide just a few non-limiting examples, sensor data could include data for determining a position of the vehicle 110, a position of one or more vehicle components, a location of an object, a speed of an object, a type of object, a grade of a roadway 124, a temperature, a presence or amount of moisture, a fuel / oil level, a data rate, etc.

[0021] The vehicle subsystems 120 may include a location subsystem. The location subsystem may be implemented using circuits, chips, or other electronic components that can determine a current location of the vehicle 110. The location subsystem may be implemented using a satellite-based system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). The location subsystem may triangulate a location of the vehicle 110 based on signals received from various satellites in orbit around the Earth. A "location" in the context of this document is a position on the Earth's surface, which may be represented in a coordinate system, such as geospatial coordinates determined by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and / or another coordinate system, such as a local coordinate system for an area.The location subsystem may be programmed to output signals representing the current location of the vehicle 110, e.g., to the vehicle computer 112 via the vehicle network 122. For example, the current location of the vehicle 110 may be a stored location, a location within geofence areas 132, etc.

[0022] A vehicle computer 112 may use any suitable technique to determine a vehicle location. Further, in examples where the remote start system 100 is implemented within a building or structure, the navigation system may use an indoor positioning system (IPS), which may include various suitable mechanisms to enable the vehicle computer 112 to determine a location of the vehicle 110. For example, a vehicle computer 112 may detect or receive an electronic signal over the network 114, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, etc., and / or may detect landmarks provided within a travel range of the vehicle 110, such as magnets, QR codes, infrared-visible markers, etc. Location data provided by the location subsystem may be provided when the vehicle 110 is not in use, e.g.,parked and in a non-started state, and / or when the vehicle 110 is in an operating state, e.g., moving, to determine the location of the vehicle 110. For example, a computer 112 may receive a signal or communication over a network associated with a location, e.g., a specified garage or other parking location, e.g., via a Wi-Fi® or other local area network. Alternatively or additionally, a vehicle camera sensor 116 could scan a QR code or the like and / or could detect a marker or landmark, etc., that the programming of the computer 112 associates with a location and / or determines to be associated with a location based on data provided from a remote computer server (not shown) over the network 114, e.g., according to QR code technology.

[0023] The propulsion system included in vehicle subsystems 120 may include one or more of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a hybrid propulsion system including an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, etc.

[0024] A vehicle communication module (not shown) may communicate on the vehicle network 122 with various vehicle components, such as a vehicle computer 112, vehicle sensors 116, etc., and may communicate via wireless communication with entities external to the vehicle 110. The vehicle communication module 122 may include connecting, for example, through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-infrastructure or -everything (V2X), vehicle-to-everything, including cellular vehicle-to-everything (CV2X) wireless communication (cellular and / or DSRC, etc.), to another vehicle and / or to a remote server (not shown). The vehicle communication module 122 may include one or more mechanisms for communicating with other devices, including any desired combination of wireless (e.g.,The module may include communication mechanisms (cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) and any desired network topology (or topologies if multiple communication mechanisms are utilized). Example communications provided via the module may include cellular, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), cellular V2X (C-V2X), and the like.

[0025] A remote start request may be sent from a remote device 118 to the vehicle computer 112. A "start" of the vehicle 110, in the context of this disclosure, may be any operation that enables the powertrain of the vehicle 110 to operate a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), etc. For example, a "start" may include activating one or more of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a hybrid powertrain, etc.

[0026] Upon receiving a remote start request, the vehicle computer 112 may send a signal to the remote start system 100 to start the vehicle 110. For example, the remote device 118 may be a mobile or portable device, such as a remote key fob associated with the vehicle 110, or a portable computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet; examples are also possible where the remote device 118 is a desktop and / or laptop computer, etc.

[0027] The remote device 118 may be any suitable device that provides a user interface, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI), to enable a user to provide input. The remote device 118 may have the capability to enable a user to initiate and / or schedule remote start requests. For example, the user may use an application downloaded to the remote device. e.g., an application provided by a vehicle original equipment manufacturer, such as FordPass®, may provide remote start initiation and / or scheduling capabilities and could be further enhanced or modified to support operations as described herein.

[0028] In some examples, the remote start request may be a "real-time" remote start request. In such an example, a user may provide input to send the remote start request at the time they want to initiate a remote start. For example, a user could press a button on a remote key fob or make a selection in a remote device application to send the remote start request immediately. In other examples, the remote start request may be scheduled to be sent to the vehicle computer 112 at a specified time. In other words, the remote start request may be scheduled for some time in the future, not immediately. In such an example, a user may select a specific time in the future in the remote device application to send the remote start request to the vehicle computer 112.

[0029] Upon receiving the remote start request, the vehicle computer 112 may determine the current state of the vehicle 110. A "current state" of a vehicle means a set of values that describes one or more current conditions of the vehicle and / or an environment surrounding the vehicle. The current state of the vehicle 110 may be determined based on data from one or more vehicle sensors 116. The current state of the vehicle provides the vehicle computer 112 with data indicating whether the remote start request sent to the vehicle 110 should be disabled. In some examples, the current state of the vehicle 110 may indicate that the remote start request may be enabled (or not disabled). In such an example, enabling the remote start request allows the user to start the vehicle 110 when the user is away from the vehicle 110.The distance from the vehicle 110 may vary based on the location of the vehicle 110 relative to the user and / or the remote device. In other examples, the current state of the vehicle 110 may indicate that the remote start request may be disabled. In such an example, disabling the remote start request prevents the vehicle 110 from starting unless another condition, such as providing an override input, is met.

[0030] The following are non-limiting examples of current conditions that may be evaluated by vehicle computer 112 when determining whether to disable the remote start request. Table 1 includes a list of examples of current conditions of the example vehicle data types that may be used to determine the current condition. Such information is further described following Table 1. Table 1: Examples of current states and data for determining current states Current status Example data types Example data values and results Location Location data (camera data, LIDAR data, stored location data, indoor location data, geofencing, remote device data, etc.) Garage at home (indoor) = Disable remote start request Maintenance center (stored) = Disable remote start request Distance between user and vehicle > threshold = Disable remote start request Driveway at home (outdoor) = Enable remote start request External component Wheel attachment status Wheel not attached = deactivate remote start request Suspension height Distance from the road Suspension height > threshold = Disable remote start request Component level Fluid levels, pressure levels, temperature levels Levels > OR < threshold = Disable remote start request User identification Camera data, biometric data, data from remote devices User identified = Disable remote start request OR Enable remote start request (Depending on the identified users)

[0031] As one example, the current state of the vehicle 110 may include a location of the vehicle 110, i.e., a vehicle location. The location of the vehicle 110 may be determined based on GPS data, data from vehicle sensors 116 that sense external vehicle environmental conditions of the vehicle 110, e.g., cameras, LIDAR, etc., or any other suitable data from any other suitable vehicle sensors 116. For example, as described above, a vehicle computer 112 may use data from the camera sensor 116 to obtain an image of a marker or indicia, e.g., a QR code or the like, that could indicate a vehicle location. In other words, the vehicle sensors 116 may sense the outside world to determine the current state based on the location of the vehicle 110.

[0032] A determination of whether to disable a remote start capability may be based on a vehicle location included in the current state of the vehicle. For example, if location data indicates a location of the vehicle 110 that is within an area 126 of a map indicated to be an open space, e.g., outside in a parking lot, in a driveway, in a parking garage, etc., a remote start request is not to be disabled when the vehicle computer 112 receives a remote start request. An "open space" herein means a space that is not fully enclosed, e.g., a space located outdoors or a space that is not fully within an enclosed structure (e.g., an automobile parked in a location with an overhead cover but no walls, or with walls that do not fully enclose a parked vehicle). In the Fig.2, the vehicle 110 is parked in a parking space 128 located in an area 126, e.g., an open space, and accordingly, the remote start request would not be disabled based on determining the location in the area 126.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 3, in other examples, if the location data indicates that the vehicle 110 is located at a location determined to be unsuitable for a remote start request, the vehicle computer 112 may disable the remote start request based on the determined location. Locations such as vehicle dealerships, service centers, home garages, or any other suitable location, which may be an indoor location, may be examples of locations where the remote start request may be disabled.

[0034] With continued reference to Fig.3, cameras or other sensors 116 may identify the external vehicle environmental conditions with respect to the current state determined based on the vehicle sensors 116 sensing external vehicle environmental conditions. As one example, the vehicle sensors 116 may identify that the vehicle 110 is located in an indoor location, e.g., a structure 130. In such an example, the remote start request may be deactivated based on determining that the vehicle 110 is located in an interior space. The vehicle sensors 116 may identify characteristics of an interior location, such as walls, windows, tools, equipment, markings such as QR codes or the like, etc., to determine that the remote start request may be deactivated using conventional image recognition techniques, training a neural network, etc. In the Fig.3, the vehicle 110 is parked within a structure 130, e.g., an indoor location, and the remote start request may be disabled because the vehicle 110 is identified as being within the structure 130.

[0035] With respect to the current state determined based on GPS data, the location of the vehicle 110 may be determined based on a geofence area 132. A “geofence area 132” is an area specified by geocoordinates, e.g., a rectangle or other polygon with corners defined by respective coordinate pairs. A geofence area may be defined within which a vehicle 110 may operate and / or perform specified operations, e.g., move at or below a specified speed, etc. A geofence area may be defined based on various features on a ground surface, e.g., for a roadway or a segment thereof, a radius of predetermined / stored locations / buildings, an area covered by predetermined / stored locations / buildings, etc. In the Fig.3, in addition to the vehicle 110 being parked within a structure 130, the vehicle 110 is located within a geofence area 132. In such an example, a remote start request may be disabled when the vehicle 110 is within the geofence area 132.

[0036] As another example, a distance between the vehicle location and the user may be used in determining whether to enable or disable the remote start request. For example, location data, e.g., GPS data, from the remote device 118 may be used in determining whether a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle 110. A location of the remote device 118 may be compared to the location data, e.g., GPS data, of the vehicle 110, and if the distance between the vehicle 110 and the remote device 118 is greater than a threshold distance, the remote start request may be disabled. If the distance between the vehicle 110 and the remote device 118 is less than a threshold distance, the remote start request may be enabled.

[0037] In addition to identifying that a vehicle 110 is located within an interior space, the vehicle sensors 116 may detect other phenomena to determine a current vehicle condition. For example, the vehicle sensors 116 may detect whether exterior components of the vehicle 110 are attached to the vehicle 110 and in a position to support the vehicle 110 and / or move the vehicle 110. Such components may include the wheels 134 of the vehicle 110. The wheels 134 may be identified as not being attached to the vehicle, e.g., the wheels 134 may be identified as being spaced apart from the vehicle 110. In other words, the wheels 134 may be spaced apart from the vehicle 110 by such a distance that it would be impossible for the wheels 134 to be attached to the vehicle 110; for example, the wheels 134 may be more than a maximum allowable suspension height away from the vehicle 110.In addition to the vehicle sensors 116, tags associated with each of the wheels 134, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, may also indicate that the wheels 134 are not within a threshold distance of the vehicle 110 and, therefore, that the wheels 134 cannot be attached to the vehicle 110. An RFID reader may be used to determine that the RFID tags associated with the wheels are within range of the RFID reader or that the wheels are within a threshold distance of the vehicle. The vehicle 110 and / or the tags may provide a wheel attachment status. The wheel attachment status provides the vehicle computer 112 with sensor data regarding whether the wheels 134 are attached to the vehicle 110 or not attached to the vehicle 110.In examples where the vehicle sensors 116 or component tags identify that the wheels 134 or other exterior components are not attached to the vehicle 110, the remote start request may be disabled. In the example shown in . Fig. 3, a wheel 134 of the vehicle 110 is not attached to the vehicle 110 and is spaced from the vehicle 110 such that the remote start request can be disabled.

[0038] With reference to the Fig. 4A and Fig.4B, as another example, the vehicle sensors 116 may identify vehicle conditions that may disable the remote start request. An example of a vehicle condition may be the suspension height H, or ground clearance, of the vehicle 110. In such an example, when a vehicle 110 is suspended from a jack 136, e.g., for maintenance purposes, the suspension height H is typically greater than when vehicle wheels are resting on a ground surface and supporting the vehicle 110. Using vehicle design information and / or data from empirical testing, a predetermined height threshold may be specified, where a determination of a height H above the threshold may be interpreted to mean that the vehicle is on a jack or suspension device.If the distance between wheel 134 and the rest of vehicle 110 is greater than a predetermined threshold, the remote start request may be deactivated. In the cases described in . Fig. 4A, the vehicle 110 is not suspended above the roadway 124, ie, the wheels 134 of the vehicle 110 touch the roadway 124. In the example shown in Fig. 4B, the wheels 134 are spaced upward from the roadway 124 because the vehicle 110 is suspended from a lifting device 136 for maintenance. Thus, the suspension height H in Fig. 4B greater than the suspension height H in Fig. 4A and may exceed the predetermined height threshold.

[0039] Other examples of vehicle conditions used to determine the current state of the vehicle 110 may include fluid levels, pressure levels, and / or temperature levels of certain components within the vehicle 110. Fluid levels may include fluids such as fuel, oil, or any other suitable fluid of the vehicle 110. If the fluid levels are outside an upper threshold or a lower threshold, the remote start request may be disabled. The fluid levels may be measured by vehicle sensors 116 associated with a specific fluid. Pressure levels may include pressures of fluids such as fuel, oil, or any other suitable fluid of the vehicle 110. If the pressure levels are outside an upper threshold or a lower threshold, the remote start request may be disabled.The pressure levels can be measured by vehicle sensors 116 associated with a specific fluid. In the example of a vehicle that uses an electric motor for propulsion, a temperature of a battery, such as a traction battery, can be measured. If the battery temperature is above a certain temperature, the remote start request can be deactivated. The temperature can be measured by vehicle sensors 116 associated with the battery.

[0040] Vehicle sensors 116 may be used to identify users of the vehicle 110. For example, cameras of the vehicle 110, either inside the vehicle 110 or outside the vehicle 110, may identify a user and enable or disable the remote start request based on the user's identity, e.g., biometric data such as facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, or other suitable types of biometric data could be used to determine a user's identity, which in turn could be used to determine whether the user is authorized to start the vehicle.

[0041] The current state of the vehicle 110 may be determined based on input provided by a user of a remote device 118. For example, a remote start request may be disabled based on user input to disable the remote start request and / or based on user input or stored data associated with a current state indicating that the remote start request should be disabled. As an example, the user may schedule a service appointment via an application on the remote device 118. For example, an application such as FordPass® could be modified or enhanced to enable such user operations.During such an appointment, the remote start request may be disabled so that the vehicle 110 will not start during the service appointment; that is, the computer 112 could include programming to disable any remote start request received at a time when a service appointment is scheduled. In an example where the remote device 118 is a remote key fob, the user can program the remote key to be associated with specific users of the vehicle 110. For example, the remote key may be associated with a service location, a maintenance technician, a valet parking user, family members of the user, or any other suitable association, i.e., a vehicle computer 112 could be programmed to associate these. In such examples, features of the vehicle 110 may be configured based on detecting a remote key, e.g.,an identifier of the remote key, and determining the features of the vehicle 110 to be enabled or disabled may be based on an identity of a user with whom the remote key is associated, a location associated with the remote key, etc. For example, a remote start request could be disabled based on identifying a remote key in or near the vehicle 110 that is associated with a certain user.

[0042] As another example, the vehicle sensors 116 may identify a person, e.g., a service technician or other user, who is in proximity to the vehicle 110 (e.g., within a distance, such as five or ten feet) for a predetermined period of time and / or may detect use of tools on the vehicle 110, e.g., connection to a service port, such as an OBD port or the like. The person may be identified using conventional image recognition techniques, training a conventional neural network, stored image data, stored biometric data related to different individuals, etc. In such examples, where it may be determined that a vehicle service scenario is occurring, a remote start request may be disabled.

[0043] The current conditions described above could be evaluated individually or in conjunction with one or more other current conditions to determine whether to disable a remote start request. As one example, the location of the vehicle, e.g., the vehicle being in a repair shop for service, could be used individually to determine the current condition of the vehicle. As another example, the suspension height could be used in combination with camera data identifying a service technician located adjacent to the vehicle to determine the current condition of the vehicle. Any other suitable combination may be used based on the remote start request.

[0044] In the event that a remote start request is sent to the vehicle computer 112 and the current state of the vehicle 110 indicates that the remote start request should be disabled, a notification or message may be issued by the vehicle computer 112 to the user to determine whether to override the disabling of the remote start request. In other words, in some implementations, a user is able to override the disabling of the remote start request to enable the vehicle 110 to be started remotely. The notification may prompt a user for input as to whether to override the disabling of the remote start request.

[0045] As one example, the vehicle computer 112 may transmit a notification to the remote device 118 or an application on a remote device 118. The notification may appear on a user interface of the remote device 118. The notification may request user input regarding whether to override disabling a remote start request. For example, the user interface of the device 118 may include an option of "Yes" to override disabling and "No" to not override disabling. If the user input is "Yes," the remote start request may be overridden and the remote start request enabled. If the user input is "No," in this example, the remote start request is not overridden and the remote start request is disabled, meaning the vehicle 110 would be disabled or prevented from starting.In other examples, the notification may be output to any suitable interface so that a user can receive the notification, e.g., a user interface within the vehicle 110, etc.

[0046] A user may be preempted or prevented from responding to the notification after a predetermined period of time (or a "specified time"), i.e., user input responsive to the notification will no longer be accepted after the predetermined period of time. The specified time may be based on empirical testing or simulations to specify how long a user typically needs to review and respond to a notification and / or prevent a vehicle from starting after conditions defining the current state of the vehicle may have changed. Further, the specified time may be dynamically selected or varied based on the current state of the vehicle 110 or any other suitable condition of the vehicle 110.For example, the specified time may vary based on the location of the vehicle, the identified user of the vehicle, or any other characteristic described in this document that is used to determine the current state of the vehicle. If the user does not provide input in response to the notification within the specified time, the remote start request is set to Disabled by default in some implementations. On the other hand, if the user provides input to respond to the notification within the specified time, the remote start request may be enabled, meaning that disabling the remote start request is overridden.

[0047] One or more vehicle components, as specified by the remote start request, may be actuated upon receiving a user input within the specified time to override the remote start request. The remote start request described herein involves sending a request to start a vehicle and power components used in normal operation of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle's propulsion system and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are typically turned on by a remote start request.

[0048] If the remote start request is disabled, in some implementations, the vehicle computer 112 may be programmed to receive and evaluate a second remote start request, e.g., in a manner similar to that just described for a first remote start request. For example, after a period of time, a new, i.e., second, remote start request may be sent by the user. In such an example, the system 100 may have been reset to receive the second remote start request.

[0049] The vehicle computer 112 may store instructions executable by a processor of the computer 112 to control components of the vehicle 110, e.g., by actuating vehicle components and / or providing commands to other components or computers in the vehicle. Fig.5 is a process flow diagram 500 of an exemplary process 500 for the system 100, wherein steps of the process 500 could be performed according to programming of the computer 112.

[0050] With reference to Fig. 5, an exemplary process 500 begins at decision block 505, where computer 112 determines (e.g., according to programming that may be executed when a vehicle is in a powered-off or idle state in which computer 112 is configured to listen for remote start requests, e.g., via network 114) whether a remote start request has been received by vehicle computer 112. Upon determining that the remote start request is received by vehicle computer 112, process 500 proceeds to block 510. If no remote start request is received by vehicle computer 112, process 500 returns to its beginning.

[0051] Referring to block 510, process 500 includes determining the current state of vehicle 110.

[0052] Next, in decision block 515, the process 500 includes determining whether the current state indicates that the remote start request should be disabled based on the current state determination. If the current state indicates that the remote start request should be disabled, the process 500 proceeds to block 520. If the current state indicates that the remote start request should be enabled, the process 500 proceeds to block 555.

[0053] Referring to block 520, process 500 includes determining to disable the remote start request in vehicle 110 based on determining the current state of vehicle 110 and that the current state of vehicle 110 indicates that the remote start request should be disabled, ie, vehicle computer 112 disables the remote start request. Process 500 then continues to block 525.

[0054] Referring to block 525, the process 500 includes issuing a notification in response to disabling the remote start request. As discussed above, the notification may be issued, for example, to the remote device 118 or to a user interface within the vehicle 110. The notification may be available, for example, on the remote device 118 or the user interface, and / or user input in response to the notification may not be accepted for longer than the specified time. The process 500 proceeds to decision block 530.

[0055] Referring to decision block 530, process 500 includes determining whether user input is received within the specified time. The input may include input on a user interface. Vehicle computer 112 may receive a message that the user has provided input to the user interface, including, for example, data based on the input, such as that the user has provided input to override remote start disabling. For example, in the case of a remote device 118, the remote device may send a message to vehicle computer 112 indicating the user input. If input is received from the user, process 500 proceeds to block 535. If no input is received, process 500 proceeds to block 540.

[0056] Referring to decision block 535, based on determining that a user input was received, the process 500 includes determining whether the user input was an input to override disabling the remote start request. Again, the vehicle computer 112 may receive a message including data provided by the user input. For example, the remote device 118 may send a message to the vehicle computer indicating that the input was an input to override disabling the remote start request. If the user input was an input to override the remote start request, the process 500 proceeds to block 555. If the user input was not an input to override, the process 500 returns to block 545.

[0057] Referring to decision block 540, based on determining that no user input has been received, process 500 includes determining whether the specified time has elapsed. If the specified time has elapsed, process 500 proceeds to block 545. If the specified time has not elapsed, process 500 returns to decision block 530 to again determine whether the user has provided input.

[0058] Referring to block 545, the process 500 includes disabling the remote start request upon receiving no user input to override disabling the remote start request or upon determining that the specified time has elapsed. After the remote start request is disabled, the process 500 returns to block 505.

[0059] Referring to decision block 550, which may follow block 515, the vehicle computer 112 determines whether the process 500 should continue. The process may be interrupted for any suitable reason, e.g., the application of the remote device 118 is shutting down, the application receives user input to cancel the remote start request, a battery of the vehicle 110 is depleted, etc. If the process 500 should not continue, the process 500 ends following block 550. Otherwise, the process 500 proceeds to block 555.

[0060] Referring to block 555, process 500 includes actuating one or more vehicle components in accordance with the remote start request, e.g., the vehicle's powertrain, the vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, etc., upon receiving user input to override disabling the remote start request or upon determining that the current state does not indicate that the remote start request can be disabled. Once the remote start request is enabled, process 500 ends.

[0061] Executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages and / or techniques, including, among others, either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, HTML, etc. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from memory, a computer, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transferred using a variety of computer-readable media. A file in a networked device is generally a collection of data stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a storage medium, random access memory, etc.A computer-readable medium includes any medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer. Such a medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and so on. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent storage. Volatile media includes dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a film disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, any other physical medium with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any other memory chip or any other memory cartridge, or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0062] The use of “in response to,” “based on,” and “upon determining,” including with respect to process 500, herein indicates a causal relationship, not just a purely temporal relationship.

[0063] The term “exemplary” is used herein to mean an example.

[0064] In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements. Furthermore, some or all of these elements could be changed. With respect to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc. described in this specification, it is understood that although the steps of such processes, etc., have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be implemented in practice such that the described steps are performed in an order different from the order described in this specification. Further, it is understood that certain steps could be performed concurrently, other steps could be added, or certain steps described in this specification could be omitted.In other words, the descriptions of processes in this document are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed as limiting the claimed invention.

[0065] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than limiting. The numerical adjectives "first" and "second" are used herein merely as identifiers and do not indicate order or importance. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0066] According to the present invention, a system is provided comprising: a computer including a processor and a memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to: determine to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle; issue a notification in response to disabling the remote start request; and then actuate one or more vehicle components, as specified by the remote start request, upon receiving user input to override disabling the remote start request.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the current state of the vehicle includes a vehicle location.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the vehicle location is an interior location.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the vehicle location is within a geofence area.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the current state of the vehicle includes a suspension height of the vehicle.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the current state of the vehicle includes an exterior component status of the vehicle.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the current state of the vehicle includes a wheel attachment status.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the instructions further include instructions for identifying a user of the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the user input to override the deactivation of the remote start request occurs within a specified time.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the specified time is determined based on the current state.

[0076] According to the present invention, a method includes: determining to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle; issuing a notification in response to disabling the remote start request; and then, upon receiving user input, actuating one or more vehicle components, as specified by the remote start request, to override disabling the remote start request.

[0077] In one aspect of the invention, the current state of the vehicle includes a vehicle location.

[0078] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle location is an interior location.

[0079] In one aspect of the invention, the vehicle location is within a geofence area.

[0080] In one aspect of the invention, the current state of the vehicle includes a suspension height of the vehicle.

[0081] In one aspect of the invention, the current state of the vehicle includes an exterior component status of the vehicle.

[0082] In one aspect of the invention, the current state of the vehicle includes a wheel attachment status.

[0083] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes identifying a user of the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle.

[0084] In one aspect of the invention, the user input to override the deactivation of the remote start request occurs within a specified time.

[0085] In one aspect of the invention, the specified time is determined based on the current state.

Claims

[1] Procedure comprising: Determining to disable a remote start request in a vehicle based on a current state of the vehicle; Issue a notification in response to disabling the remote start request; and then Actuating one or more vehicle components as specified by the remote start request upon receiving user input to override deactivation of the remote start request. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the current state of the vehicle includes a vehicle location. [3] The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle location is an interior location. [4] The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle location is within a geofence area. [5] The method of claim 1, wherein the current state of the vehicle includes a suspension height of the vehicle. [6] The method of claim 1, wherein the current state of the vehicle includes an external component status of the vehicle. [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the current state of the vehicle includes a wheel attachment status. [8] The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a user of the vehicle based on the current state of the vehicle. [9] The method of claim 1, wherein the user input to override the deactivation of the remote start request occurs within a specified time. [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the specified time is determined based on the current state. [11] A computer programmed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-10. [12] A vehicle including a computer programmed to implement the method of any one of claims 1-10.

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