Patent Publication Number: US-2023159044-A1

Title: Performance limiter

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     To drive a vehicle with a motor or engine capable of high torque, new operators may need time to adapt to the capability of the vehicle. For example, some electric automobiles have high torque motors that may be capable of high acceleration. Operators who are inexperienced with such vehicles may be surprised by the high acceleration. Some operators have some difficulty in controlling such vehicles and may tend to have a high incident rate until they become accustomed to the power of such vehicles. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and computer-implemented methods for selectively restricting a performance attribute of a vehicle for an operator or group of operators. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, a computing device includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: identify an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and restrict at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a vehicle includes a cabin, a drive system, and a computing device that includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: identify an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and restrict at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes identifying an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; determining a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and restricting at least one performance attribute of the vehicle chosen from acceleration and speed in accordance with the performance mode. 
     Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It will be appreciated that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a vehicle including a performance mode controller; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of the performance mode controller of  FIG.  1    determining a performance mode associated with an operating credential; 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of various forms of operating credentials usable with the performance mode controller of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a cabin of a vehicle configured to verify operating credentials of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of systems usable to set a performance mode; 
         FIGS.  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9    are block diagrams of an illustrative system and illustrative screen displays for setting performance modes; 
         FIG.  10    is a block diagram of a systems configured to automatically adjust the performance mode; 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram of an illustrative computing system for performing functions of the performance mode controller and other systems in communication with the performance mode controller; 
         FIG.  12    is a block diagram of the performance mode controller of  FIG.  1    communicating with one or more remote systems; and 
         FIG.  13    is a block diagram in partial schematic form of an illustrative vehicle that includes the performance mode controller of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  14  and  15    are block diagrams in partial schematic form of an electrically-powered vehicle and an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle, respectively, that may be equipped with the performance mode controller of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  16    is a flow chart of an illustrative method for selectively restricting a performance attribute of a vehicle for an operator or group of operators. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description explains, by way of illustration only and not of limitation, various embodiments. 
     By way of a non-limiting introduction and overview, in various embodiments a system includes a computing device that includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: identify an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and restrict at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode. By associating a performance mode with an operator via the operating credential, the performance mode can be set to limit a performance attribute of the vehicle, such as maximum acceleration or velocity. The performance mode for the operator thus can be reduced at a request of the operator, of a vehicle owner, or by an insurer, and the performance mode can be set based on preferences to restrict a performance mode to a reduced level based on the operator’s experience level with the vehicle, the operator’s driving behavior, or other factors. In various embodiments, the operator may choose to manually restrict a performance attribute, such as maximum speed or maximum velocity, as a measure of safety to reflect the operator’s experience level or comfort level with the vehicle. 
     For the sake of illustration but not limitation, a problem may arise when a vehicle capable of a high acceleration may be driven by an operator who may not have experience with such a vehicle. When the operator presses the accelerator, the operator may be surprised by how rapidly the vehicle accelerates. Until the operator becomes used to a high acceleration, it may be desirable to set a performance mode to restrict the acceleration. Similarly, if an owner of the vehicle may wish set a performance mode for others who use the vehicle, either based on their user status (such as a fellow owner, a regular user such as a child, or a guest) or based on their individual identity. Each user may be provided with an operating credential, in the form of a key, key fob, or similar device, and the performance mode may be associated with the operating credential provided to each operator so that the performance mode for each operator will be applied when the operator presents the operating credential to use the vehicle. 
     In addition, the performance mode may be set remotely by other persons or entities. For example, an insurer that is providing coverage for the operator may set the insurance rate or agree to provide the coverage for use of the vehicle based on limiting the performance mode for young drivers or drivers with a questionable driving record. The performance mode may be automatically adjusted over time after the operator has a chance to acclimate to the vehicle’s performance and/or by driving safely. Now that a general overview has been given, details of various embodiments will be explained by way of non-limiting examples given by way of illustration only and not of limitation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a vehicle  100  includes a performance mode controller  110  coupled with the drive system  120  of the vehicle. In various embodiments, the performance mode controller  110  is responsive to input from an operator  131  and/or an operating credential  130 , such as a key, key fob, a smartphone storing an authentication code, or a similar object by which an operator  131  is able to demonstrate the operator’s authorization to use the vehicle  100 . It will be appreciated that the performance mode controller  110  may be a separate apparatus or the performance mode controller  110  may be incorporated in a vehicle control system, as further described below with regard to  FIG.  11   . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  2   , the operating credential  130  is associated with a performance mode  232 . The performance mode  232  may be stored in the operating credential  130  or the performance mode controller  110  may be able to retrieve the performance mode  232  associated with the operating credential  130  from a system on board the vehicle  100  or accessible over a network, as further described below. When the operating credential  130  is presented by the operator  131  in order to operate the vehicle  100 , the performance mode controller  110  examines the performance mode  232  and sets a performance attribute  222  of the drive system  120 . In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  is used to restrict the performance attribute  222 . In various embodiments, the performance attribute  222  may restrict a maximum acceleration or velocity below a maximum level  131  in order to prevent injuries to the operator, passengers, other people and/or to prevent damage to the vehicle  100  or other property, and/or to honor restrictions placed on use of the vehicle  100  by a designated owner, an insurer, or another person or entity. The designated owner may include a legal owner (by purchase or lease, for example) or a person within an organization who is designated at the vehicle’s owner for controlling the operation of the vehicle. In various embodiments, the performance attribute  222  associated with the operating credential  130  may mandate the use of automated driving or autosteering features as a condition of the operator’s use of the vehicle  100 , as further described below. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  3   , the operating credential  130  may include any number of objects from which authorization of the operator  131  can be verified. In various embodiments, the operating credential  130  may be a key or key fob  331  including a readable device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a transmitter to communicate with the vehicle  100  and/or the performance mode controller  110 . In various embodiments, the operating credential  130  may be a wearable device, such as a wristband  336  that includes an RFID tag  337  or other mechanism to communicate with the vehicle  100  and/or the performance mode controller  110 . In various embodiments, the operating credential  130  also may be a smartphone  338  or other electronic device to communicate with the vehicle  100  and/or the performance mode controller  110 . In addition, in various embodiments, the operating credential may be associated with the person of the operator  131  when the vehicle  100  is configured to verify the identity of the operator  131  from fingerprint verification, voice authentication, or facial recognition. In such cases, it will be appreciated that the performance mode  232  necessarily will have to be accessed from another system in which the performance mode is associated with the operator  131 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  4   , the operating credential  130  may be presented and verified in a number of ways. In various embodiments, a cabin  400  of the vehicle includes a receiver or reader  422  to receive signals from or read the key/key fob  331  and/or the wearable device  336  to verify the operating credential  130  associated therewith. In various embodiments, the cabin  400  may include a transceiver  452  to exchange information with the smartphone  338  to verify the operating credential  130  associated therewith. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  is configured to verify the operating credential  130  directly from the person of the operator  131  with a fingerprint reader  442  to verify a fingerprint of the operator  131 . In various embodiments, a microphone  452  may be included to perform voice authentication to verify a voice pattern of the operator  131 . In various embodiments, a camera  462  may be included to perform facial recognition to verify a face of the operator  131 . When the operating credential  130  is verified, the associated performance mode  232  may be applied to potentially restrict one or more performance attributes  222  of the vehicle  100 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  5   , the performance mode  232  for the operator  131 , or any other operator or user of the vehicle  100 , may be set in a number of ways and by a number of authorized persons or entities. In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  may be set directly with a computing device  530 , such as a smartphone configured with an appropriate application to set the performance mode  232  in or associate the performance mode  232  with the operating credential  130 . In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  may be set by an owner  531  (an actual owner or other designated owner, as previously described) of the vehicle  100 . In this context, it will be appreciated that the owner  531  may include an actual owner of the vehicle  100  or an owner in the sense of having control over access to the vehicle  100 , such as a fleet or vehicle pool manager. 
     In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  for the operating credential  130  may be set over a network  510 . For example, the owner  531  can set or associate the performance mode  232  over the network  510  using the computing device  530 . As a result, the owner  531  may be able to set or change the performance mode  232  remotely without having direct, local access to the operating credential  130 . 
     In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  may be set by an insurance carrier  540 . For the various types of operators that may use the vehicle  100 , whether owners, regular users, or guests, the insurance carrier  540  may mandate a particular the performance mode  232  in order to manage risk that may result from use of the vehicle  100 . In other words, a particular setting of the performance mode  232  (and a particular performance attribute  222  to restrict acceleration, velocity, or another attribute) may be a condition of the insurance carrier  540  to cover the use of the vehicle  100  by one or more operators. 
     In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  may be set by a driving behavior assessment system  550 . The driving behavior assessment system  550  may monitor operation of the vehicle by one or more particular operators and specify the performance mode  232  based on the monitored driving behavior. For example, if the monitored driving behavior system  550  determines that a particular operator is driving safely at a particular setting of the performance mode  232 , the performance mode  232  may be changed to provide the operator with access to greater acceleration. On the other hand, if the monitored driving behavior system  550  determines that a particular operator is not driving safely at a particular setting of the performance mode  232 , the performance mode  232  may be changed to further restrict acceleration or another performance attribute  222 . In various embodiments, the owner  531  (via the computing device  530 ), the insurance carrier  540 , and the driving behavior assessment system  550  may communicate over the network  510  with the performance mode controller  110  or another vehicle system to set or change the performance mode  232  or to receive data about an operator’s performance. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  6   , a list of performance attributes  605  may be provided an owner  531  (or other person authorized to set attributes). As further described below, the performance attributes  605  may be set for a particular user  606 , type of user, or group of users. Individual users or types of users may be identified by name (instead of as “user” as shown in  FIG.  6   ) and/or by an icon or image  607  that may include a photo of a particular user or a symbol indicative of a user type. As further described below, the type or user or group of users may be designated by an authorization level (such as an owner as opposed to an authorized user) or by an experience level or an organizational role designated or assigned within an organization. 
     In various embodiments, the list of performance attributes  601  may be presented as a menu on a presented via the computing device  530 . In various embodiments, the performance attributes includes a maximum allowable acceleration  611 , a maximum allowable speed  612 , a maximum allowable speed relative to a speed limit  613 , restricted access to infotainment systems  614 , mandated use of autosteering  615 , mandated use of automated driving  616 , a minimum following distance for automated driving  617 , an automated braking following distance  618  (before the braking system is activated), and a collision warning system following distance  619  (before an alarm is sounded). 
     In various embodiments, performance attributes may be associated with organizational roles or job descriptions that may be associated with particular users or groups of users. For example, an authorized to transport cargo attribute  620  may be associated with a user that is authorized to operate a vehicle carrying a load. Correspondingly, a cargo weight and/or towing attribute or attributes  621  may specify a load limit that the user  606  may be authorized to transport and/or whether the user  606  is authorized for towing a trailer or additional vehicle. A passenger authorization attribute  622  may be used to specify whether the user  606  is authorized to carry one or more passengers. It will be appreciated that sensors on the vehicle, such as weight sensors, sensors on the body operable to detect whether the vehicle is towing another body, and sensors in a passenger compartment, may be used to determine whether the vehicle carries a load, the weight of the load, the presence of a trailer, and the presence of one or more passengers to allow the attribute setting to be implemented. If the user  606  attempt to operate the vehicle in violation of the specified attributes, the performance mode controller  110  may prevent operation of the vehicle. 
     As a result, for example, the owner  531  may condition use of the vehicle  100  by the user  606  on the user employing autosteering or automated driving limit, control whether the user  606  may use infotainment systems aboard the vehicle  100 , and/or, if the user  605  is permitted manual control of the vehicle  100 , limit the acceleration and/or speed at which the vehicle  100  can be operated. Similarly, particular users or groups of users may be restricted from transporting cargo, transporting cargo over a certain weight, and/or from carrying passengers. The performance mode  232  ( FIG.  2   ) may specify one or more performance attributes  605  that may restrict or control operation of the vehicle  100 . The performance mode  232  may specify a single performance attribute  605  or may include multiple performance attributes  605 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  7   , in various embodiments the owner  531  (the legal owner or person otherwise designated as the owner for control of the vehicle) may set the performance mode  232  for the operating credential  130  according to an operator classification representative of types of operators authorized to use the vehicle  100 . In various embodiments, the operator classification may include different types of authorized users, including, for example, additional owners  710  (literal owners or persons with control of the vehicle  100 , such as a vehicle fleet manager), authorized regular users  720  (e.g., user who regularly use the vehicle  100  as authorized by an owner  531 ), such as family members, coworkers, or employees, and authorized guest users  730  (such as those being permitted single or otherwise limited ad hoc use of the vehicle). In addition, the operator classification may reflect an organizational role or job description of the operator. For example, and as described further below, the performance mode  232  may be associated with an operator who is designated as being a cargo driver, a courier, or having another organizational role, and the performance attributes of the associated performance mode may be set in accordance with the organizational role or job description. 
     In various embodiments, the performance mode  232  ( FIG.  2   ) may specify one or more performance attributes  705  that may restrict or control operation of the vehicle  100  with regard to a particular user or operator classification The performance mode  232  may specify a single performance attribute  705  for a particular user or operator classification or may include multiple performance attributes  705  for a particular user or operator classification. 
     In various embodiments, for the additional owners  710 , an owner performance mode  711  may include one or more performance attributes  705  including a maximum acceleration  712  and a maximum velocity  713  (including an overall velocity and/or a maximum velocity relative to a speed limit for a road being traveled). The owner performance mode  611  also may specify a performance attribute  705  as to whether automated driving (or “autodriving”) or autosteering  714  is mandated to use the vehicle  100 . The performance attribute  705  also may restrict access to infotainment controls, or specify a greater following distance to be used by forward collision warning or autobraking systems, or similar parameters. For the authorized regular users  720 , a user performance mode  721  may include a different or same maximum acceleration  722  and a maximum velocity  723 . The user performance mode  721  also may specify a performance attribute as to whether autodriving or autosteering  724  is mandated for the regular user to use the vehicle  100 . For the authorized guest users  730 , a guest performance mode  731  may include a different or same maximum acceleration  732  and a maximum velocity  733 . The owner performance mode  731  also may specify a performance attribute as to whether autodriving or autosteering  734  is mandated for the authorized guest to use the vehicle  100 . 
     In various embodiments the performance modes  711 ,  721 , and  731  all may be different. For example, for the authorized guest users  730 , although they may be authorized, guest users may have a lowest level of vehicle familiarity and/or may be least likely to be covered by the owner’s insurance for the vehicle  100 . Accordingly, the owner  531  may wish to set the performance attributes  732  and  733  to restrictive levels for the authorized guest users  630 . It will be appreciated that, if the vehicle  100  is part of a fleet, an ability to set the performance mode  232  for groups of users  710 ,  720 , and  730  would simplify a task of setting the performance mode  232  for users across the fleet. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  8   , in various embodiments, the owner may set the performance mode  232  for types or groups of users according to the users’ organizational role or job description. For example, a user designated as a cargo driver  810  (whose organizational role or job description may be associated with their operating credential  130  as described with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  3   ) may be associated with a particular performance mode  232 . A cargo driver performance mode  811  may specify a maximum acceleration  812  and maximum velocity  813  determined to be suitable for someone authorized to carry cargo, the authority to do which is specified by an authorized to transport cargo attribute  814 . As previously described with reference to  FIG.  6   , sensors on the vehicle may determine the load condition of the vehicle so that one who is not authorized to transport cargo will be unable to operate the vehicle. At the same time, the cargo driver performance mode  811  may not include the attribute that the cargo driver  810  is permitted to carry passengers, so the performance mode controller  110  may prevent operation of the vehicle if the cargo driver  810  attempts to carry a passenger. 
     By comparison, a user designated as a courier  820  (whose organizational role or job description may be associated with their operating credential  130  as described with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  3   ) may be associated with a particular performance mode  232 . A courier performance mode  811  may specify a maximum acceleration  822  and maximum velocity  823  determined to be suitable for a courier and that may, for example, exceed the maximum acceleration  812  and maximum velocity  813  permitted for the cargo driver  811 . However, the courier performance mode  820  may mandate the user of autodriving or autosteering  824 . The courier performance mode  820  also may not include the authorized to transport cargo attribute  814 , thus, the courier  820  may carry cargo in excess of a specified threshold weight limit. On the other hand, the courier performance mode  821  may include the authorized to transport passengers attribute  825  to enable the courier  820  to transport one or more passengers. Thus, various embodiments may allow control over users not only based on they are an authorized user of a various types, but also based on the authorized users’ roles. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  9   , in various embodiments the owner  531  may set the performance mode  232  associated with the operating credential  130  of individual operators. For each of a number of authorized operators  910  and  920 , the owner  531  may set the performance mode  911  and  921 . For each individual operator  910  and  920 , the owner  531  may set separate performance attributes  912 ,  913 ,  914 ,  922 ,  923 , and  924 . The performance attributes  912 ,  913 ,  914 ,  922 ,  923 , and  924  may be set based on the personal knowledge of the owner regarding each of the operators  910  and  920 . Similarly, for each of a number of authorized operators  910  and  920 , the owner  531  may set the performance mode  911  and  921  to specify a performance attribute that includes mandated use of autodriving or autosteering  914  and  924 , respectively. As a result, in various embodiments, the owner  531  has wide flexibility in being able to conveniently set the performance mode  232  for groups of users  710 ,  720 , and  730  ( FIG.  7   ) and  810  and  820  ( FIG.  8   ) and the granularity to set the performance mode for individual operators  910  and  920 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  9   , in various embodiments the performance mode  232  is automatically adjustable based on an operator’s experience level with the vehicle  100  and performance in using the vehicle  100 . As previously described, a motivation in setting the performance mode  232  is that an operator who lacks familiarity with a vehicle  100  with high acceleration may have trouble controlling the vehicle  100  until the operator gains familiarity with the vehicle  100 . However, with increasing experience with the vehicle, the performance mode  232  may be changed to allow the operator to take advantage of the capabilities of the vehicle  100  commensurate with the operator’s experience level. 
     In various embodiments, the performance mode controller  110  or another system (such as the driving behavior assessment system  550 ), may monitor how much experience an operator associated with the operating credential  130  has gained with the vehicle  100 . In various embodiments, experience data  930  representing the experience level of the operator may be stored and tracked by the performance mode controller  110  or the driving behavior assessment system  550 . As the operator associated with the operating credential  130  amasses specified levels of experience with the vehicle, the performance mode controller  110  or the driving behavior assessment system  550  may change the performance mode  232  to reduce restrictions of one or more performance attributes  222 . The performance mode  232  may be iteratively changed upon reaching different levels of experience. 
     In various embodiments, performance data  940  may be stored and tracked by the performance mode controller  110  or the driving behavior assessment system  550 . In various embodiments, if the performance data  940  indicates that the operator associated with the operating credential  130  demonstrates careful driving with the vehicle  100 , the performance mode controller  110  or the driving behavior assessment system  550  also may change the performance mode  232  to reduce restrictions of one or more performance attributes  222 . On the other hand, if the operator’s driving behavior is less than satisfactory, the performance mode  232  may be automatically changed to maintain or increase restriction of the performance attributes  222  specified by the performance mode  232  associated with the operating credential  130  for that operator. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  11    and given by way of example only and not of limitation, in various embodiments the performance mode controller  110 , the computing device  530 , and other computing systems used by the insurance carrier and the driving behavior assessment system  550  include a general purpose computing device  1100  operated according to computer-executable instructions to cause the computing device  110  to set performance modes  232  as previously described. The computing device  1100  typically includes at least one processing unit  1120  and a system memory  1130 . Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, the system memory  1130  may include volatile memory, such as random-access memory (“RAM”), non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), flash memory, and the like, or a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The system memory  1130  typically maintains an operating system  1132 , one or more applications  1134 , and program data  1138 . The operating system  1132  may include any number of operating systems executable on desktop or portable devices including, but not limited to, Linux, Microsoft Windows®, Apple iOS®, or Android®, or a proprietary operating system. The applications  1134  may include an embodiment of an application  1135  for setting a performance mode as herein described. The program data  1138  may include performance mode data  1139 , experience data  1030  ( FIG.  10   ), and performance data  1040  ( FIG.  10   ), as previously described. 
     The computing device  1100  may also have additional features or functionality. For example, the computing device  1100  may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, tape, or flash memory. Such additional storage devices are illustrated in  FIG.  11    by removable storage  1140  and non-removable storage  1150 . Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The system memory  1130 , the removable storage  1140 , and the non-removable storage  1150  are all examples of computer storage media. Available types of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory (in both removable and non-removable forms) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computing device  1100 . Any such computer storage media may be part of the computing device  1100 . 
     The computing device  1100  may also have input device(s)  1160  such as a keyboard, stylus, voice input device, touchscreen input device, etc. Output device(s)  1170  such as a display, speakers, short-range transceivers such as a Bluetooth transceiver, etc., may also be included. The computing device  1100  also may include one or more communication systems  1180  that allow the computing device  1100  to communicate with other computing systems  1190 , such as those described with reference to  FIG.  5    and further described below with reference to  FIG.  12   . As previously mentioned, the communication system  1180  may include systems for wired or wireless communications. Available forms of communication media typically carry computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” may include a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of illustrative example only and not of limitation, communications media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage media and communication media. 
     In further reference to  FIG.  11   , the computing device  1100  may include the location system/circuitry  1185 , which may include global positioning system (“GPS”) and/or geolocation circuitry that can automatically discern its location based on relative positions to multiple GPS satellites or other signal sources, such as cellphone towers or other signal sources. The location system/circuitry  1185  may be used to track location and movement of a vehicle which may be used in evaluating operator performance. 
     As previously described with reference to  FIG.  5   , in addition to one or more onboard computing systems, various embodiments may communicate with remote computing systems to perform the functions herein described. Referring to  FIG.  12   , an operating environment  1200  may include one or more sets of remote computing systems  1220  and  1221 . It will be appreciated that the remote computing systems  1220  and  1221  may each include one or more computing devices  1222  and  1223  that may reside at one or more locations. In various embodiments, the remote computing systems  1220  and  1221  each may include a server or server farm. The remote computing systems  1220  and  1221  may represent systems used by the insurance carrier  540  and the driving behavior assessment system  550  ( FIG.  5   ) to set the performance mode  232  as previously described. In various embodiments, the remote computing systems  1220  and  1221 , the performance mode controller  110  associated with the vehicle  100 , and the computing device  530  communicate via the network  510  over wired and/or wireless communications links  1211 - 1214 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  13   , in various embodiments a vehicle  1300  includes the performance mode controller  110 . In various embodiments, the performance mode controller  110  may be engaged or combined with a vehicle control system  1310  that controls operation of the vehicle  1300 . In various embodiments, the vehicle  1300  includes a body  1302  that may include a cabin  1304  capable of accommodating an operator, one or more passengers, and/or cargo and a cargo area  1306  separate from the cabin  1304 , such as a trunk or a truck bed, capable of transporting cargo. The vehicle  1300  includes a drive system  1320 , as further described below, which is selectively engageable with one or more front wheels  1322  and/or one or more rear wheels  1324  to motivate, accelerate, decelerate, stop, and steer the vehicle  1300 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  14   , the performance mode controller  110  may be used with an electrically-powered vehicle  1400 . The wheels  1412  and/or  1414  may be motivated by one or more electrically-powered drive systems  1420  and/or  1430 , such as motors, operably coupled with the wheels  1412  and/or  1414 . The drive systems  1420  and  1430  draw power from a battery system  1410 , which also may be used to power the performance mode controller  110 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  15   , the performance mode controller  110  may be used with an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle  1500 . The wheels  1512  and/or  1514  may be motivated by an internal combustion or hybrid engine  1520  coupled with a fuel tank  1510  via a fuel line  1511 . The engine  1520  may be coupled to the wheels  1512  and/or  1514  by mechanical linkages  1530  and  1540 , respectively, including axles, transaxles, or other drive train systems to provide rotational force to power the wheels  1512  and/or  1514 . It will be appreciated that  FIGS.  13 - 15    show four-wheeled land vehicles. However, as previously mentioned, it will be appreciated that the system  100  may be integrated with other land vehicles, aircraft, or marine craft. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   , an illustrative method  1600  is provided for selectively restricting a performance attribute of a vehicle for an operator or group of operators. The method  1600  starts at a block  1605 . At a block  1610 , an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle is identified. At a block  1620 , a performance mode associated with the operating credential is determined. At a block  1630 , at least one performance attribute of the vehicle is restricted, where the at least one performance attribute is chosen from acceleration and speed in accordance with the performance mode. The method  1600  ends at a block  1635 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems. 
     The term module, as used in the foregoing/following disclosure, may refer to a collection of one or more components that are arranged in a particular manner, or a collection of one or more general-purpose components that may be configured to operate in a particular manner at one or more particular points in time, and/or also configured to operate in one or more further manners at one or more further times. For example, the same hardware, or same portions of hardware, may be configured/reconfigured in sequential/parallel time(s) as a first type of module (e.g., at a first time), as a second type of module (e.g., at a second time, which may in some instances coincide with, overlap, or follow a first time), and/or as a third type of module (e.g., at a third time which may, in some instances, coincide with, overlap, or follow a first time and/or a second time), etc. Reconfigurable and/or controllable components (e.g., general purpose processors, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, etc.) are capable of being configured as a first module that has a first purpose, then a second module that has a second purpose and then, a third module that has a third purpose, and so on. The transition of a reconfigurable and/or controllable component may occur in as little as a few nanoseconds, or may occur over a period of minutes, hours, or days. 
     In some such examples, at the time the component is configured to carry out the second purpose, the component may no longer be capable of carrying out that first purpose until it is reconfigured. A component may switch between configurations as different modules in as little as a few nanoseconds. A component may reconfigure on-the-fly, e.g., the reconfiguration of a component from a first module into a second module may occur just as the second module is needed. A component may reconfigure in stages, e.g., portions of a first module that are no longer needed may reconfigure into the second module even before the first module has finished its operation. Such reconfigurations may occur automatically, or may occur through prompting by an external source, whether that source is another component, an instruction, a signal, a condition, an external stimulus, or similar. 
     For example, a central processing unit of a personal computer may, at various times, operate as a module for displaying graphics on a screen, a module for writing data to a storage medium, a module for receiving user input, and a module for multiplying two large prime numbers, by configuring its logical gates in accordance with its instructions. Such reconfiguration may be invisible to the naked eye, and in some embodiments may include activation, deactivation, and/or re-routing of various portions of the component, e.g., switches, logic gates, inputs, and/or outputs. Thus, in the examples found in the foregoing/following disclosure, if an example includes or recites multiple modules, the example includes the possibility that the same hardware may implement more than one of the recited modules, either contemporaneously or at discrete times or timings. The implementation of multiple modules, whether using more components, fewer components, or the same number of components as the number of modules, is merely an implementation choice and does not generally affect the operation of the modules themselves. Accordingly, it should be understood that any recitation of multiple discrete modules in this disclosure includes implementations of those modules as any number of underlying components, including, but not limited to, a single component that reconfigures itself over time to carry out the functions of multiple modules, and/or multiple components that similarly reconfigure, and/or special purpose reconfigurable components. 
     In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configured by,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (for example “configured to”) generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software (e.g., a high-level computer program serving as a hardware specification), firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, limited to patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. In an embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, limited to patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software (e.g., a high-level computer program serving as a hardware specification) and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.). 
     With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims. 
     It will be appreciated that the detailed description set forth above is merely illustrative in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist and/or spirit of the claimed subject matter are intended to be within the scope of the claims. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.