Communication method and system for configuring electric...

Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C340S426110, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C320S109000, C701S049000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06373380

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to communicating information between a user and an electric powered vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
Electric powered vehicles run on electrical energy stored in onboard batteries and fuel cells. Battery and fuel cell technology currently provides the most promising future alternative to the internal combustion engine. In operation, the vehicles run on the energy stored in the battery and may keep running until no more energy is left in the battery. The battery must then be recharged with more energy until the battery is fully charged. For instance, the battery for use with the vehicle in accordance with the present invention provides enough energy to enable the vehicle to travel fifty miles at a top vehicle speed such as 25 miles per hour.
Electric powered vehicles are especially useful for commuting within closed communities and work environments because of their range and speed. These vehicles provide users with mobility within a relatively small geographic area. Such small geographic areas include planned communities, resorts, industrial complexes, airports, golf courses, and the like.
Operators of such geographic areas may desire to have a fleet of electric powered vehicles for use by users. For instance, a resort operator may desire to have electric powered vehicles scattered around the resort complex for guests to use. Similarly, a golf course operator may desire to have electric powered vehicles lined up for use by golfers. To provide the highest possible service to their guests and users, the operators may desire the electric powered vehicles to be configured to the requirements of their guests. The operators may also want to monitor the usage of the vehicles by the users. Accordingly, what is needed is a method for configuring an electric powered vehicle to the profile of a random user and monitoring the usage of the vehicle by the user.
Further, in operation, an electric powered vehicle is connected to an electrical power supply to charge the battery. Electrical energy flows from the electrical power supply to the battery through the connection such as a hard wire connection. While recharging the vehicle the user may desire to communicate data with the vehicle to further ready the vehicle for use for the next driving session or to receive information regarding the use of the vehicle during the previous driving session. Preferably, the communication of data between the user and the electric powered vehicle should be able to be performed simultaneously with the recharging of the vehicle. Further, the data communication should be performed through the power connection to minimize the amount of effort required by the user for communicating with the vehicle. Accordingly, what is needed is a method for communicating data with the electric powered vehicle as the electric powered vehicle is being recharged.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for communicating information between a user and an electric powered vehicle.
In accordance with the above object and other objects, the present invention provides a method for configuring features of an electric powered vehicle to a profile of a random user. The method includes storing a profile of a user on a device possessed by the user. The profile is indicative of how the features of the electric powered vehicle are to be configured. The profile of the user on the device is then transmitted to the electric powered vehicle using a radio frequency (RF) transmission link. The features of the electric powered vehicle are then configured in accordance with the profile of the user upon the vehicle receiving the profile of the user.
Further, in accordance with the above object and other objects, the present invention provides a method for communicating data between a user and an electric powered vehicle as the electric powered vehicle is being recharged. The method includes connecting the electric powered vehicle to an electric power supply using a hard wired connection. Electrical power from the electric power supply is then supplied to the electric powered vehicle using a power signal through the hard wire connection. A carrier signal is then multiplexed on the power signal as the electrical power is being supplied from the electric power supply to the electric powered vehicle. A data signal is then transmitted on the carrier signal to communicate data between the electric powered vehicle and the electric power supply.


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