Abstract:
A method of transmitting driver specific vehicle data includes entering driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller; identifying a vehicle driver; displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle; and configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a wireless vehicle communications system. In particular, the invention relates to an improved wireless transceiver for transmitting data to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and receiving HEV status indicators. 
         [0002]    Remote activation devices for use with vehicles are well known in the art. These devices often take the form of a small electronic FOB that may be conveniently carried by the vehicle operator, to which the vehicle operator may conveniently attach the vehicle keys. The FOB usually contains a radio transmitter that communicates with a receiver and control system of the vehicle. For example, when the user activates an “unlock” button on the FOB, the FOB sends a radio signal to the vehicle control system, which then causes one or more of the door locks to open. 
         [0003]    Other known functions on the FOB include a lock, alarm, engine start, lights ON/OFF, and open trunk functions. Such FOBs also typically include a key attachment aperture. When one or more of the function buttons is depressed or otherwise activated by the user, the FOB sends wireless command signal to an associated nearby vehicle where the signal is received by an antenna coupled to a vehicle control system. The control system interprets the command signal received from the FOB and causes the corresponding vehicle sub-system to respond. For example, if the “unlock” button has been activated, the control system then causes a lock on a vehicle door to move from a locked to an unlocked position. There continues to be a need however, for additional functions and other improvements for remote control systems in vehicles, especially hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present application describes various embodiments of a method of transmitting driver specific vehicle hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) data into a vehicle. One embodiment of the method of transmitting driver specific HEV data includes entering driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller; identifying a vehicle driver; displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle; and configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings. 
         [0005]    An advantage of an embodiment is that the preferred settings for different operators of the hybrid electric vehicle may be automatically set for each particular vehicle operator, and, as a particular operator prepares to drive the vehicle, this operator is provided with a unique personalized hybrid vehicle experience. Other advantages of the method of transmitting driver specific vehicle HEV data will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of a vehicle communications system. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a plurality of wireless transceivers interacting with a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an instrument panel display according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the word “powertrain” is defined as the combination of engine, transmission/transaxle and differential (rear-wheel drive) for a vehicle. The word “driveline” is defined as the components that connect the transmission/transaxle to the driving axle, including the universal/constant velocity joints and driveshaft/halfshafts. 
         [0010]    Referring now to the drawings, there is shown at  10  in  FIG. 1  the steps in an exemplary embodiment of a system for transmitting and receiving hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) status indicator data and driver specific settings between an HEV and a transceiver. 
         [0011]    In a first step  12  of the system, a vehicle, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)  20  and a plurality of wireless communications devices or transceivers  22 A,  22 B, as shown in  FIG. 2 , are programmed with driver specific HEV data. For example, an electronic display configuration  24 , such as in the instrument panel  26  may be programmed to display driver specific and HEV unique data, such as the cabin pre-condition mode, performance and fuel economy mode, battery charge, and the like, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0012]    Additionally, various electronic control units (ECU) or controllers in the vehicle may be programmed with driver specific settings. For example, a powertrain controller may be programmed with driver specific settings for engine use and output, electronic power use, fuel economy, and other HEV specific and operator desired settings. 
         [0013]    A driveline mode controller may also be programmed with driver specific settings for driveline components so as to pre-select a vehicle operating mode. For example, the driveline mode controller may be programmed with driver specific settings, such as to balance vehicle performance and fuel economy based on individual driver preferences. 
         [0014]    Further, one or more controllers for HEV specific functions may be programmed with driver specific settings. By executing a remote start function for example, the vehicle  20  may enter a climate control pre-conditioning mode. For example, one driver may desire that the vehicle use the battery and/or plug-in power source to pre-condition the vehicle cabin, such as to a desired cabin temperature. Another driver may prefer that both the engine and the battery be used to pre-condition the vehicle cabin. The HEV specific controller may further be programmed with HEV unique navigation settings, such as identifying the location of the cheapest nearby gas station, and calculating the most efficient route. A vehicle controller may also be programmed to provide driver specific reminders, such as a reminder to a first operator to plug a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) into an electrical outlet after the ignition is turned off, and reminding a second operator to fill up the fuel tank in two days because gas prices are projected to decrease. 
         [0015]    Each wireless transceiver  22 A,  22 B may be programmed such that it is associated with the driver specific data for one operator. Accordingly, the driver specific data stored in the various vehicle controllers may be wirelessly transmitted to a transceiver  22 A,  22 B. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the transceiver  22 A,  22 B may be a wireless device with a liquid crystal display (LCD)  28 . The illustrated LCD  28  is an alphanumeric display configured to display data  30 , such as driver specific data transmitted from the vehicle  20 . Such driver specific data  30  may include any desired data, including HEV specific data  30  such as fuel economy. Any other HEV specific data available for display in the vehicle  20  may also be transmitted and displayed on the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. The transceiver  22 A,  22 B may include other types of visual displays to display selected driver specific data. 
         [0016]    The illustrated transceiver  22 A,  22 B includes various command function switches, buttons, and/or other actuators  32 . Such buttons  32  may be disposed at any location on the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. 
         [0017]    The transceiver  22 A,  22 B may also be configured as a FOB. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of wireless transceivers, represented in  FIG. 2  by the transceivers  22 A,  22 B, is associated with an individual driver. Each illustrated transceiver  22 A,  22 B transmits a unique identification signal to the vehicle. Alternatively, any one of the wireless transceivers  22 A,  22 B may be associated with multiple drivers and may, for example, be changed between unique driver settings and unique driver identification signals with a button  32  on the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. 
         [0018]    In a second step  14 A, and as further shown in  FIG. 2 , a first signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver may be sent to the vehicle  20  and received by an antenna  36  coupled to a vehicle controller  38 . For example, a driver may actuate one or more buttons  32  on the transceiver  22 A,  22 B to send the first signal  34  to the vehicle  20 . For simplicity, the antenna  36  is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 . It will be understood that the type of antenna  36  will be selected based on the signaling frequencies used. 
         [0019]    In a third step  16 A, upon receipt of the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver, the vehicle controller  38  will reconfigure a display, such as the instrument panel display  24 , such that the selected driver specific and HEV unique data settings are displayed in the vehicle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0020]    In an alternate third step  16 B, upon receipt of the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver, the powertrain controller may adjust the powertrain to driver specific HEV data settings. Examples of such driver specific HEV data settings include powertrain output, such as measured by engine torque, economy mode wherein performance may be balanced relative to fuel economy, and accelerator pedal response time. Any other function controlled by the powertrain controller may also be adjusted according to the selected driver specific HEV data settings. 
         [0021]    In another alternate third step  16 C, upon receipt of the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver, the driveline mode controller may adjust the driveline to driver specific HEV data settings. Examples of such driver specific HEV data settings include choosing between a “sport mode” wherein vehicle performance is prioritized, and an “economy mode” wherein fuel economy is prioritized. For example, the driveline mode controller may determine the appropriate balance between operating in a two-wheel drive mode and an all-wheel drive mode, or determine when to engage traction control based on the driver&#39;s specific settings. Any other function controlled by the driveline controller may also be adjusted according to the selected driver specific HEV data settings. 
         [0022]    In another alternate third step  16 D, upon receipt of the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver, any other HEV specific feature controller may adjust a selected HEV specific feature to driver specific HEV data settings. Examples of such driver specific HEV data settings include selecting HEV unique data to be displayed in the instrument panel  26 , selecting the cabin precondition mode, and selecting the performance and fuel economy mode, as described herein above. Any other function controlled by an HEV specific feature controller may also be adjusted according to the selected driver specific HEV data settings. 
         [0023]    It will be understood that the illustrated third steps  16 A through  16 D in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  may occur independently, concurrently, or in any combination of two or more steps. During any of the steps  16 A through  16 D, a second or return signal  40  may be sent from the vehicle  20  to the transceiver  22 A,  22 B to transmit any desired driver specific data for display in the LCD  28  of the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. For example, fuel economy data may be transmitted from the vehicle  20  and displayed in the LCD  28  of the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. 
         [0024]    Any desired data may be transmitted from the vehicle  20  and displayed in the LCD  28  of the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. For example, a driver may choose to have data from only the most recent key cycle (i.e., key-on, drive, key-off) displayed in the transceiver  22 A,  22 B. Alternatively, the driver may display data for the most recent trip log. For example, the driver may choose to display the most recent six days of driving data or data since the last time the driver reset the vehicle trip recorder. Further, the driver may also display a lifetime data summary, such as a summary of all data since the driver last drove the vehicle. 
         [0025]    In an alternative of the second step  14 B, the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver may be passively transmitted to the vehicle controller  38 . For example, a unique passive RF signal may be generated by an integrated key-head transmitter (IKT), a key FOB, a remote-start FOB, or any other suitable transmitter. Additionally, the signal  34  identifying the vehicle driver may be passively sent to the vehicle controller  38  through a keypad entry system, through the vehicle seat selection memory input, or through any other suitable passive input available in the vehicle  20 . Biometric sensors, and non-key wireless communication devices such as a phone, PDA, or satellite communication device, may also be used to transmit the first signal  34  to identify the driver, and/or receive the second signal from the vehicle. 
         [0026]    Advantageously, when more than one operator drives an HEV, each driver may pre-select and preset driver specific settings that will be stored by the vehicle separately from the settings of other drivers and automatically recalled upon entry to the vehicle, activation of the transceiver  22 A,  22 B, or initiation of any of the passive transmission means identified above. 
         [0027]    In accordance with the wireless vehicle communications system  10  described, HEV operators may easily personalize the feel and function of their vehicles by prescribing or programming driver specific settings for HEV-unique vehicle features. 
         [0028]    The principle and mode of operation of the wireless vehicle communications system have been described in its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the wireless vehicle communications system described herein may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.