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`US 20030036823Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Mahvi
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0036823 Al
`Feb. 20, 2003
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
`MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 701/1; 701/29; 340/426
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: A. Pascal Mahvi, Novelty, OH (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY L.L.P.
`801 S. Figueroa St., 14th FI.
`Los Angeles, CA 90017-5554 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/931,698
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 15, 2001
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G06F 19/00
`
`This invention relates generally to vehicle monitoring and
`control systems and more particularly to imposing various
`conditions on the operation of a vehicle. The conditions may
`involve, but are not limited to, allowable areas of travel,
`acceptable times and dates, permissible occupant load, per(cid:173)
`missible vehicle speeds, and operator alcohol consumption.
`Various constraining events may be initiated if any and/or all
`of the conditions are not satisfied. For example, if the
`operator of a vehicle drives outside an "allowable" area, the
`vehicle may be disabled.
`
`,. ~ '" %!,,..,..._
`tiR®'T'_®_• _,~_-·. - - -
`
`12
`
`\
`
`14
`
`16
`
`20
`
`22
`
`GPS Module
`
`Time/Dale
`Module
`
`Speed Detector
`Module
`
`Ignition Conlro!
`Module
`
`Occupant
`Sensor Module
`
`24 1
`
`26 1
`
`Engine Control
`Unit
`
`1
`
`1
`
`t
`
`1
`
`28 1
`External
`Communication
`Module
`
`Communicalions BUS
`
`30
`
`1
`
`Owner Control
`Module
`
`32
`
`1
`Breath Alco~ol
`Module
`
`36 1
`Audio
`Control
`Module
`
`34 1
`!
`110
`;
`j interface
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 1
`
`

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`interface
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`34
`
`I
`
`Module
`
`Breath Alco~ol
`
`Module
`
`Owner Control
`
`---
`
`Sensor Module
`
`Occupant
`
`Module
`
`Ignition Control
`
`22
`
`20
`
`Module
`
`Speed Detector
`-·---·-
`
`18
`
`'
`
`FIGURE -1
`
`Communicalions BUS
`
`-···-
`1
`
`1
`
`-
`
`I
`i
`l
`I
`30
`
`Module
`
`Communication
`
`External
`
`28 1
`
`Unit
`
`Engine Control
`26 1
`
`t
`
`Module
`
`Time/Dale
`
`24 1
`
`GPS Module
`
`16
`
`14
`
`\
`
`12
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 2 of 15
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`US 2003/0036823 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 3 of 15
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
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`FORD EX. 1041, p. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 6
`
`41 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`START
`
`1120
`
`GPS ascertains
`position of vehicle
`
`J, 122
`
`Position sent to
`computer
`
`I V
`
`Computer
`checks if current
`position is within
`acceptable
`
`no 128
`I
`.....---------(cid:157)
`
`132
`,--S-at-em;e--
`: Transmission J
`
`130
`( __ F_u_e_l C-u-to_ff_)
`
`" '
`
`'.'
`I •
`
`I
`
`136
`- - - - -no /
`
`'
`
`I
`
`l
`
`•✓'•
`.... /138 ·,_
`//Override',, ,
`/ Command
`'
`Received
`~
`/
`( ~ ,./'
`..., ....
`
`....
`
`134
`Change
`acceptable
`range
`
`140
`/ yes
`
`'142
`
`Terminate locality
`check
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 7 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`GPS ascertains
`, - ----- ----) position of vehicle
`
`l
`
`Position sent to
`computer
`
`l
`
`Computer
`checks if current
`position is within
`acceptable
`range
`
`yes
`
`no
`-!,
`1547--------
`Computer issues
`
`, warning to driver, J
`
`I d;splay, ;m, Umll
`
`1
`
`-
`
`'
`change-
`acceptable
`range
`
`156
`
`158
`J,
`no
`
`160"--> yes
`
`1
`
`34'
`Computer
`checks if current
`position is within
`acceptable
`range
`
`yes ___ _ i
`
`Terminate locality
`check
`
`<.------ yes
`
`( Limit Fuel
`
`)
`
`/
`
`>E--no /
`
`,, ~ /
`
`/
`
`/
`
`Override
`Command
`Received
`
`,
`
`~ ///
`
`no
`
`l
`I Transmission
`
`, ~ , Satellite
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 8
`
`Key inserted into
`ignition
`(Ignition initially
`disabled)
`
`172
`
`l
`
`Clock reports time
`and dale to
`computer
`
`178
`Computer
`checks if time
`and date are within
`acceptable
`range
`
`184no
`
`176
`
`Reset
`
`' - - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - (cid:157)
`
`<- ---------------·- - --
`
`.
`
`__ _
`
`174
`
`Change
`number
`
`182
`
`1 BO
`yes----'?
`
`Ignition Enabled
`
`I
`
`I
`
`yes190
`
`/
`
`,
`
`,,
`
`'
`//188',_
`186
`'
`/
`I
`, Override ',
`I
`, / Comn:iand
`I Satellite
`j Transmission 1 ~ ·, ,..
`Received
`- I~ _,//
`
`'x,
`
`/
`
`'
`
`,
`/
`'_/,,
`
`no 192
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`B
`l 200
`
`Key inserted into
`ignition
`(Ignition initially
`disabled)
`
`1 202
`I Sensor ascertains
`J
`
`number of
`passengers
`
`I
`
`204
`
`208
`
`I Resel I
`
`number sent to
`computer
`
`I v
`
`210
`Computer
`checks if number
`is under
`maximum
`allowable
`
`no216
`
`------------1-------(cid:157)
`
`<
`
`214
`
`212
`yes--,
`
`Ignition Enabled
`
`106
`r-------,
`1 Change
`·
`number
`
`218
`: Satellite
`,
`__ / - Command
`, Transmission I ----) ,
`Received
`
`'
`
`I
`
`<-7
`!
`!
`I
`i
`' 220
`yes
`/
`/ 222 ·,,
`.. / Override
`
`-...,,
`
`no 224
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 10
`
`EJ
`230 1
`
`Clock reports
`current lime and
`date to computer
`
`<----
`
`-
`
`--i
`1
`
`"'
`
`232
`Computer
`checks if time )234
`and date are in
`yes
`acceptable
`range
`
`no 236
`I
`
`238
`---- -- -------~ ,_.
`i
`Satellite
`!
`Transmission
`
`'
`
`)
`
`240
`···-----··
`Change
`acceptable
`range
`
`V
`
`V
`
`--~
`,.....
`/246 ',
`'
`.
`/,. Override ',,,
`/. Command
`· " 248
`244
`---.. r~ /_,-✓
`' - - - - - no ,:
`Received
`'• yes -~ - -~ Terminate check
`'
`
`',
`'
`
`.....
`
`/
`'./
`
`250
`
`,
`
`/
`
`/
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 11
`
`9,.,
`
`j speed detector I
`! ascertains speed I
`1 264
`
`speed sen! to
`computer
`
`l
`
`268
`Computer
`checks if current
`speed is within
`acceptable
`range
`
`272 no
`
`270
`yes-
`
`Fuel cut-off
`
`T
`I
`
`266
`
`Fuel cut-off
`calculation made
`
`/'.AL
`
`_J _____ ----)
`
`274
`
`, Satellite
`Transmission
`
`276
`Change
`maximum
`value
`
`282L I
`
`, yes
`
`/
`
`284
`Terminate
`Algorithm
`
`/
`
`"' /''"•
`/2ao··,.
`Override ', -
`Command
`Received
`
`278
`/
`no,
`
`r~
`
`/ ,
`,,,~~
`
`•,
`
`· .. /
`
`/
`///
`
`/
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`290
`
`"'
`
`Clock starts
`
`9
`Driver alerted 1 ·" take '~"th,.,,
`
`294
`
`l
`
`no 306 1
`~'°"'<8>
`
`314
`yes---;
`
`296
`
`Driver lakes
`breath lest
`
`300
`es ~ cohol level sent I
`2~
`i'AI
`I ~
`Y
`to computer
`
`I
`
`FIGURE 12
`
`292
`
`Delay X minutes
`reset clock
`
`<---- ··· --- - -------- -- -
`
`- - - - -
`
`304
`yes
`
`302
`
`is alcohol
`level under
`maximum
`
`no308
`
`I
`
`316
`
`~isable Vehicle)~( _____ _,
`
`------- ·----------- -- ---- -- ____ I
`
`1
`
`I
`V
`
`V
`
`318
`
`Satellite
`1
`i Transmission ,
`I
`
`320
`
`Change
`Maximum
`
`l
`
`//·.
`/ 322 '·
`/ Override
`Command
`Received
`
`<'
`-.. __
`
`·-.. _ I<' / .·
`
`\ no
`
`324
`
`326
`
`Terminate
`test
`
`yes 328
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 13
`
`B
`l
`
`switch
`
`330
`
`332
`
`334
`
`Figur.i 8
`
`Figure 9
`
`I 336
`! Breathalizer
`I
`
`I
`
`338
`
`Vehicle started
`
`l
`
`342
`
`Figure 6 or
`Figure 7
`
`1
`
`l
`
`346
`
`348
`
`349
`
`344
`
`Figure 10
`
`Figure 11
`
`Figure 12
`
`Figure 15
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 14
`
`START
`
`360
`
`User specifies
`volume level
`
`,.
`
`is
`specified
`volume under
`predetermined
`maximum
`
`366
`
`no
`J,
`
`368
`
`output limited
`
`yes---
`364
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`FIGURE 15
`
`9
`
`Microphone
`ascertains
`occupant noise
`
`400
`
`-~
`
`l
`
`402
`noise level sent to
`computer
`
`l
`
`404
`
`Computer
`checks if current
`noise level is
`acceptable
`
`406
`yes
`
`408
`
`no
`-1
`Computer issues
`warning to driver,
`displays time limit
`
`j,
`
`~.,, J,
`
`no
`
`414""'--? yes
`
`l
`
`416
`
`Computer
`checks if current
`
`yes
`418
`
`change
`acceptable
`maximum
`
`428
`- - - - - - ye s
`,,...~
`~ ...
`~ ... ~~ ..
`~,.../
`4~2_2 _ _ _ ~
`, · Override • ..
`/ Command
`',. ,
`I Satellite
`/
`/ f-- : Transmission
`i ______ _
`
`-"- r
`
`Received
`
`', ~ /
`··-.,,.
`, <~24
`
`. . . ✓~
`
`; ·<
`
`3n
`
`~
`
`Terminate
`algorithm
`
`Disable Vehicle
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 16
`
`

`

`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`Feb.20,2003
`
`1
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
`MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] This invention relates generally to vehicle moni(cid:173)
`toring and control systems and, more particularly, to a
`system for imposing various conditions on the operation of
`a vehicle. The conditions may involve, but are not limited to,
`allowable areas of travel, acceptable times and dates, per(cid:173)
`missible occupant loads, operator alcohol consumption, and
`maximum vehicle speed.
`
`[0003] 2. General Background and State of the Art
`
`[0004] Vehicle computer technology, allowing vehicles
`such as automobiles and boats to be controlled by comput(cid:173)
`ers, has undergone rapid and sophisticated development.
`Computers in vehicles control the engine, advanced diag(cid:173)
`nostics, comfort, convenience, and safety features, transmis(cid:173)
`sion management, global positioning system ("GPS"), and
`fuel economy systems. These control functions have fos(cid:173)
`tered the need for sophisticated control systems and vehicles
`which contain many microprocessors and control modules.
`The design advantage of a computer controlled vehicle is
`that a central computer module, or a plurality of intercon(cid:173)
`nected computer modules, can regulate the various elec(cid:173)
`tronic and electro-mechanical systems of the vehicle.
`
`[0005] Computer controlled vehicles may contain many
`different control modules to operate and maintain the dif(cid:173)
`ferent systems of the vehicle. For example, the engine
`control unit, or ECU, manages sophisticated control
`schemes to regulate the air/fuel mixture to the engine. The
`ECU may use closed control loops to manage emissions and
`the fuel economy of the vehicle. Examples of other control
`modules include, but are not limited to, the airbag control
`module, body control module, cruise control module, instru(cid:173)
`ment panel control module, climate control module, ABS
`control module, transmission control module, power control
`module, and GPS control module.
`
`[0006] The various control modules operate on a central
`communications bus, using a particular vehicle communi(cid:173)
`cations protocol. Communication chips are also imple(cid:173)
`mented to allow the various control modules to communi(cid:173)
`cate with each other on the communications bus. All of the
`different modules communicate with each other by sending
`and receiving data to and from the communications bus,
`respectively.
`
`[0007] Despite the elaborate controls that vehicle com(cid:173)
`puter modules can maintain over a vehicle, a typical problem
`vehicle owners encounter is not having control over their
`vehicle when the vehicle is in use by another person.
`Furthermore, if a vehicle owner intends the vehicle to be
`used in a particular manner, there is little that can be done
`to remotely regulate control of the vehicle. For example,
`although the ignition control of a vehicle may be a highly
`sophisticated computer which regulates starting the vehicle,
`a vehicle owner cannot presently use the module to prevent
`ignition during certain times of the day. Therefore, there is
`still a need for a vehicle monitoring and control system that
`communicates with and can instruct the various modules of
`the vehicle to allow the vehicle owner to control the vehicle
`in a precise manner.
`
`INVENTION SUMMARY
`[0008] One of the features of the present invention is to
`provide the owner with a control module (hereinafter the
`"Owner Control Module") which is adapted to operate on
`the communications bus of a vehicle. The Owner Control
`Module is a computer which can control the other modules
`and/or send and receive data to and from the other modules.
`An input/output interface may be attached to the Owner
`Control Module which allows the vehicle owner to maintain
`desired settings. For example, the vehicle owner can specify
`to the Owner Control Module via the input/output interface
`to prohibit the vehicle from exceeding posted speed limits.
`The GPS Control Module may be utilized to ascertain the
`posted speed limit by corresponding the vehicle location to
`a location on a pre-stored map which contains the speed
`limits for particular roads. The Owner Control Module
`would then communicate with the GPS Control Module and
`the Engine Control Unit such that if the vehicle exceeds a
`posted speed limit, the Engine Control Unit would cut and/or
`limit fuel to the vehicle.
`[0009] Another feature of the present invention is to
`provide a system and method of controlling a vehicle that
`allows a vehicle owner to control the area in which another
`operator may operate the vehicle and/or control the time and
`date when another person may operate the vehicle. In this
`exemplary embodiment, a GPS Control Module communi(cid:173)
`cates the current position of the vehicle to the Owner Control
`Module. Also, a Time and Date Module may communicate
`the current time and date to the Owner Control Module. The
`Owner Control Module then instructs the Engine Control
`Unit to cut off and/or limit fuel to the vehicle if the current
`position reported by the GPS Control Module is not within
`a predetermined geographic area and/or the current time and
`date reported by the Time and Date Module are not within
`a predetermined time setting.
`[0010] Another feature of the present invention is to
`provide a system and method of controlling a vehicle that
`allows a vehicle owner to prevent ignition of the vehicle if
`the number of passengers exceeds a preset maximum and/or
`the time and the date of an attempted vehicle ignition is
`outside a predetermined range. In this exemplary embodi(cid:173)
`ment, an Occupant Sensor Module communicates the num(cid:173)
`ber of passengers in the vehicle to the Owner Control
`Module. At the time of an attempted ignition, the Time and
`Date Module communicates the current time and date to the
`Owner Control Module. The Owner Control Module then
`communicates with the Ignition Control Module, which may
`be an independent control module or part of the Engine
`Control Unit, for example. The Owner Control Module
`disables the Ignition Control Module to prevent ignition if
`the reported number of passengers is not under a predeter(cid:173)
`mined maximum and/or the reported time and date are not
`within a designated range.
`[0011] Another feature of the present invention is to
`provide a system and method of controlling a vehicle that
`allows a vehicle owner to control the acceptable volume of
`a vehicle audio system. In this exemplary embodiment, the
`owner can prevent a vehicle operator from setting the
`volume of the audio system in the vehicle above a prede(cid:173)
`termined setting. Furthermore, the noise level of the pas(cid:173)
`sengers may be monitored and the vehicle may be disabled
`if the occupant noise level exceeds a predetermined maxi(cid:173)
`mum allowable level.
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 17
`
`

`

`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`Feb.20,2003
`
`2
`
`[0012] Yet another feature of the present invention is to
`provide a system and method of controlling a vehicle that
`allows a vehicle owner to prohibit vehicle operation by
`persons who are under the influence of alcohol. In this
`exemplary embodiment, a breath or blood alcohol measur(cid:173)
`ing device is provided to communicate the detected level of
`alcohol in an operator to the Owner Control Module. The
`Owner Control Module then instructs the Engine Control
`Unit to disable the vehicle if the detected level of alcohol is
`not under an acceptable maximum.
`
`[0013] Still another feature of the present invention is to
`provide a system and method of controlling a vehicle that
`allows a vehicle owner to control the speed at which a
`person may operate the vehicle. In this exemplary embodi(cid:173)
`ment, a Speed Control Module communicates the current
`speed of the vehicle to the Owner Control Module. A GPS
`Control Module may communicate the current position of
`the vehicle to the Owner Control Module which can then
`access its data bank to determine speed limits for the street
`on which the vehicle is traveling. The Owner Control
`Module then communicates with the fuel control module,
`which may be an independent control module or part of the
`engine control module, for example. The Owner Control
`Module instructs the fuel control module to limit fuel to the
`vehicle if the current speed reported by the GPS Module is
`not within a predetermined range and/or under the speed
`limit ascertained by the GPS control module.
`
`[0014] Many modifications, variations, and combinations
`of the methods and systems of controlling a vehicle are
`possible in light of the embodiments described briefly
`above. The description above and many other features and
`attendant advantages of the present invention will become
`apparent from a consideration of the following detailed
`description when considered in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0015] A detailed description with regard to the embodi(cid:173)
`ments in accordance with the present invention will be made
`with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system diagram of a
`vehicle control system;
`
`[0017] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system diagram of a
`GPS module;
`
`[0018] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary system diagram of an
`external communications module;
`
`[0019] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary system diagram of a
`speed detector module;
`
`[0020] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary system diagram of a
`breath alcohol module;
`
`[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle is controlled within a permissible area of travel;
`
`[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle is controlled within a permissible area of travel and
`a warning may be issued to a vehicle operator;
`
`[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle ignition is controlled to limit ignition within a
`permissible range of times and/or dates;
`
`[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle ignition is controlled based upon a permissible
`number of passengers;
`[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle ignition is controlled based upon a permissible range
`of times and/or dates;
`[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle is controlled based upon a permissible maximum
`speed;
`[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle is controlled based upon a permissible operator
`alcohol consumption level;
`[0028] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary system diagram
`which allows control of one or more of the methods of FIGS.
`2-8;
`[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a method diagram where the
`audio level in a vehicle is controlled; and
`[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates a method diagram where a
`vehicle is controlled based upon a permissible occupant
`noise level.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0031] The following figures and description should not
`be taken in a limiting sense but is provided for the purpose
`of illustrating and describing the principles of the invention.
`The section titles and overall organization of the detailed
`description are for purposes of convenience only and are not
`intended to limit the present invention.
`[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle 10 and an exemplary
`system diagram of the vehicle's control system 12. The
`control system 12 comprises a number of interconnected or
`even combined control modules for processing signals and
`controlling various systems within the vehicle 10. In the
`present embodiment, each control module may contain a
`processor and/or a memory unit and a means to communi(cid:173)
`cate with the other modules via the communications bus. For
`example, the means to communicate may be a communica(cid:173)
`tions chip and/or a network interface card. A myriad of
`different communications standards, means, and/or proto(cid:173)
`cols known to one skilled in the art may be used in the
`present invention, such as for example, the CAN ( controller(cid:173)
`area networking) standard. This communication standard
`allows for communication speeds of up to 500 kilobits per
`second (kbps) and is realized using two communications
`wires. High speed communications is desired because some
`of the control modules may communicate data onto the bus
`hundreds of times per second.
`[0033]
`In the present embodiment, the computer modules
`may include a Time/Date Module 16, a Speed Detector
`Module 18, an Ignition Control Module 20, an Occupant
`Sensor Module 22, a Global Positioning System (GPS)
`Module 14, an Engine Control Unit 26, an External Com(cid:173)
`munication Module 28, and or a Breath-alcohol Module 32.
`All of the modules may communicate with one another via
`a communications bus 24 and any one module may depend
`in part on any other module for proper operation. It is to be
`understood that the disclosed descriptions of vehicle mod(cid:173)
`ules are for exemplary purposes only. Any combinations of
`control modules may be used and the precise nomenclature
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 18
`
`

`

`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`Feb.20,2003
`
`3
`
`is not intended to limit the present invention. For example,
`although an Engine Control Unit 26 is shown, which in this
`exemplary embodiment is intended to control the fuel sys(cid:173)
`tem, it is within the scope of the present invention to have
`a separate Fuel Control Module. As another example, the
`Ignition Control Module 20 may be contained within the
`Engine Control Unit 26, or any other module. Similar
`combinations apply to all of the modules. The Owner
`Control module 30 and/or the Input/Output interface 34 may
`be contained within any of the other modules.
`
`[0034] The Owner Control Module 30 of the present
`invention is communicatively coupled to the communica(cid:173)
`tions bus 24 and allows the owner to program and control the
`various control modules through the Input/Output interface
`34. The term "owner" simply denotes the person who has
`access to the Owner Control Module. The Owner Control
`Module may be protected by a password and/or any type of
`encryption and/or computer security known to one skilled in
`the art.
`
`[0035] The Ignition Control Module 20 is responsible for
`starting the car when a vehicle operator performs an ignition
`starting event. An ignition starting event may be inserting
`the ignition key into to the ignition key hole and turning it
`and/or pressing an ignition start button utilized in certain
`types of automobiles.
`
`[0036] The Engine Control Unit (ECU) 26 uses an equa(cid:173)
`tion and a large number of lookup tables to determine the
`appropriate fuel equation for various operating conditions.
`Oxygen sensors (not shown) monitor the amount of oxygen
`in the exhaust, and the Engine Control Unit 26 uses this
`information to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio in real-time. The
`ECU also controls spark timing and other critical compo(cid:173)
`nents of engine management. The Owner Control Module 30
`can instruct the Engine Control Unit 26 to shutoff fuel to the
`vehicle, disable the vehicle, or limit fuel to the vehicle to
`maintain a desired speed.
`
`[0037] The Audio Control Module 36 is responsible for
`controlling the audio system(s) of a vehicle. The Audio
`Control Module may integrated into a component of a
`vehicle audio system. For example, the Audio Control
`Module may be a processor located inside the vehicle audio
`amplifier. Alternatively, the Audio Control Module 36 may
`be a separate component which can communicate with the
`vehicle audio system(s).
`
`[0038] The Time and Date Module 16 of the present
`invention, reports the current time and date and may verify
`the accuracy or obtain the time and date from an external
`clock signal received through the External Communication
`Module 28 and/or the GPS Module 14.
`
`[0039] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary Global Positioning
`System ( GPS) Module 14, of the present invention, which in
`accordance with the one embodiment picks up the transmis(cid:173)
`sions of GPS satellites 40, 42, 44 and combines the infor(cid:173)
`mation in those transmissions with information in an elec(cid:173)
`tronic map stored electronically in any of the modules. The
`map may also be shared in the local memory 54. The GPS
`Module 14 further combines the information from the sat(cid:173)
`ellite transmission with information obtained by a mechani(cid:173)
`cal motion sensor 50 such as a gyroscope unit (not shown).
`The gyroscope unit is used to supplement the GPS Module
`14 if, for example, the GPS Module 14 is in a tunnel and
`
`cannot detect a signal from the satellites. The gyroscope unit
`calculates the vehicles angular speed along the path of
`motion. Errors typical of gyroscopes, such as scale factor
`errors and bias drift, are taken into consideration. The output
`of the gyroscope unit is used by the GPS Module 14 to
`accurately report position. The processor 52 in the GPS
`Module 14 then mathematically determines the receiver's
`position on Earth and communicates this information to any
`of the other modules on the communication bus 24, via the
`communications controller 56. The basic information the
`GPS Module 14 provides is the latitude, longitude and
`altitude ( or some similar measurement) of its current posi(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`[0040] FIG. 3 shows the External Communication Mod(cid:173)
`ule 28 of the present invention which controls communica(cid:173)
`tions between the vehicle 10 and other entities such as
`satellites 70, cellular network stations 74, and/or other
`vehicles 78. The External Communication Module 28 may
`include an electromagnetic transmitter and receiver 80 in
`order to send and receive data. In one embodiment, the
`External Communication Module 28 may be a cellular
`telephone transmitter/receiver which communications to and
`from typical cellular network stations 74. Alternatively, the
`External Communication Module 28 may be a system
`designed to communicate directly with a satellite 70. In
`another embodiment, the External Communication Module
`28 is designed to communicate directly to a low earth orbit
`satellite (not shown) optimized for global network (internet)
`communications.
`
`[0041] FIG. 4 shows the Speed Detector Module 18 of the
`present invention, which reports the current speed of the
`vehicle. In one embodiment, the Speed Detector Module 18
`may be communicatively coupled to the speedometer 96 of
`the vehicle, via the communications bus 24 or directly. The
`Speed Detector Module 18 may report the speedometer 96
`reading when requested by another module or may send the
`current speed to the communication bus 24 periodically in
`equal time intervals. In an alternative embodiment, the
`Speed Detector Module 18 uses successive locations
`obtained through the GPS Module 14 and time information
`from the Time/Date Module or the GPS Module in order to
`calculate the speed. An external computer can also calculate
`the speed of the vehicle in this manner through information
`transmitted and received through the External Communica(cid:173)
`tion Module 28.
`
`[0042] FIG. 5 shows the Breath Alcohol Module 32 which
`contains an input mechanism 100 which tests the operators
`breath to detect whether the operator has been consuming
`alcohol 102. The Breath Alcohol Module 32 may contain an
`algorithm which predicts the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
`based upon a breath analysis.
`
`[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates, by way of example, an exem(cid:173)
`plary method of the present invention where the Owner
`Control Module 30 executes a program which precludes an
`operator from driving outside a predetermined area. The
`program may be implemented as a software algorithm
`utilizing the Owner Control Module's 30 microprocessor
`and local memory. First, the owner inputs via the Input/
`Output Interface 34, the permissible driving areas. In one
`exemplary embodiment, the owner inputs a central location
`and then specifies a maximum allowable radius around that
`central location. In an alternative embodiment, the owner
`
`FORD EX. 1041, p. 19
`
`

`

`US 2003/0036823 Al
`
`Feb.20,2003
`
`4
`
`may draw a boundary which is superimposed onto a map.
`The Input/Output Interface may be a port which the operator
`can connect to via a network and a client computer. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, the Input/Output Interface may be a computer with
`an input and an output device and a display which the owner
`can use to program the Owner Control Module 30. An input
`device could be a floppy diskette or a smart-card or a
`memory stick. Any device easily programmable by any PC
`is preferred.
`
`[0044] After a predetermined permissible area of travel is
`specified, the algorithm begins with the Global Positioning
`System Module 14 ascertaining the current position of the
`vehicle 120. The current position is then sent 122 to the
`Owner Control Module 30 via the communication bus 24.
`The Owner Control Module 30 checks if the reported
`position is within the owner defined acceptable areas of
`travel 124. If the reported position is within the acceptable
`areas of travel 126, the algorithm starts over again with
`ascertaining the position of the vehicle 120. If however, the
`reported position is outside the acceptable areas of travel
`128, the Owner Control Module 30 may instruct the Engine
`Control Unit 26 to cutoff fuel 130 to the engine. In an
`alternative embodiment, the Owner Control Module 30
`instructs the External Communication Module 28 to send a
`message 132 to the owner that the current operator has
`driven outside the acceptable areas. The communication
`made to the owner may be a phone call with an automated
`message, a pager and/or an e-mail message or any form of
`remote communications known to one skilled in the art. The
`External Communication 28 module then waits 138 for a
`predetermined time for a response by the owner. If the owner
`does not respond in the allotted time 136, which is tracked
`by the Owner Control Module 30, the fuel is limited or even
`shut off.
`
`[0045] On the other hand, if the owner receives the mes(cid:173)
`sage from the vehicle that the current operator has traveled
`outside the permissible area, he/she may issue an override
`command 140 which is received by the External Commu(cid:173)
`nication Module 28 and then sent to the Owner Control
`Module 30. The override command 140 may simply be an
`instruction to terminate the algorithm 142 or the owner may
`specify a new acceptable driving range 134. The owner can
`specify the desired override option via the telephone or a 2
`way pager, or the inte