Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to systems and methods for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information. 
     2. Discussion 
     A vehicle may have a computer that communicates with the internet. Sensitive information may reside with the computer. Unauthorized use of the vehicle may lead to unauthorized access of the information. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention may take the form of a system to update first configuration information of a computing platform of a vehicle. The system includes an information store configured to receive and store second configuration information and a token configured to supply identification information. The system also includes an identification module configured to receive the identification information and determine whether to enable the computing platform. The system further includes a communication module configured to establish a communication line between the computing platform and the information store if the computing platform is enabled and an update module configured to determine whether the first configuration information is different from the second configuration information and update the computing platform with the second configuration information. 
     Embodiments of the invention may take the form of a method for updating first configuration information of a computing platform of a vehicle. The method includes receiving second configuration information, determining whether the first configuration information is different from the second configuration information, and updating the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different from the first configuration information. 
     While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and shows the communicative relationship between a central processor, passive anti-theft system, and ignition system. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the vehicle, a network, and a remote server for storing configuration information and shows the vehicle communicating default configuration information to the remote server via the network. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an update terminal, a network, and the remote server and shows updated configuration information being submitted to the remote server via the network, modified by the remote server in accordance with a policy, and returned to the update terminal via the network. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the vehicle, network, and remote server of  FIG. 2  and shows that at vehicle start-up, the vehicle and remote server cooperate to determine whether the remote server has updated configuration information. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dash panel of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  and shows a monitor with the updated configuration information. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some embodiments, a two level authentication system in which the second level is optional based on customer preference and level of security is provided. An immobilizer transponder, passive keyless entry transponder, or remote keyless entry transmitter may be used to authenticate the holder of a token as a valid user for the system. In addition, an optional pin code may be used for enhanced authentication. Keyboard entry of a pin number may be from radio preset selection buttons or other convenient buttons provided for this or other combined features. Such token/pin authentication enables the appropriate function, features, content, and data for a valid user. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of integrated system  10  of vehicle  12 . Processor  14  provides an occupant of vehicle  12  with a common access point to various vehicle components and data. Processor  14  receives input from wireless keyboard  16 , microphone  18 , and camera  20 . Processor  14  also receives input via display screen  22 , e.g., touchscreen, and displays various information via display screen  22 . Processor  14  is also connected with the sound system for vehicle  12 . The sound system includes audio head unit  24 , amplifier  26 , and speakers  28 . The volume of speakers  28  may be remotely controlled with remote volume switch  30 . Processor  14  receives signals via antenna  32  and transmits and receives wireless data via transceiver  34 . 
     Consumer port  36 , e.g., USB port, permits an occupant to exchange information with vehicle  12 . GPS sensor  38 , together with processor  14 , determines the current location of vehicle  12 . 
     Car area network  40  is connected with processor  14 , speed sensor  42 , ignition system  44 , and passive anti-theft system  46 . Speed sensor  42  determines, in conventional fashion, the speed of vehicle  12 . In alternative embodiments, some or all of the elements connected directly with processor  14  may be connected with car area network  40  and thus communicate with processor  14  via car area network  40 . 
     Passive anti-theft system  46  prevents unauthorized use of vehicle  12  and processor  14 . As described below, passive anti-theft system  46  may prevent ignition system  44  from starting vehicle  12  and may also prevent the operation of processor  14 . 
     Keys  48 ,  50  include embedded identifying information  49 ,  51  respectively. Passive anti-theft system  46  uses identifying information  49 ,  51  to determine whether keys  48 ,  50  are associated with vehicle  12  and to distinguish between keys  48 ,  50 . 
     If key  48  is inserted into key slot  52 , key slot  52  senses identifying information  49 . Identifying information  49  includes a vehicle identifier, e.g., “Z”, that indicates key  48  is for use with vehicle  12 . This vehicle identifier, e.g., “Z”, is shared between keys  48 ,  50 . That is, in this example, identifying information  51  of key  50  will also include the vehicle identifier “Z”. On the basis of the vehicle identifier, passive anti-theft system  46  determines that key  48 , or key  50 , is for use with vehicle  12 . Identifying information  49  also includes a driver identifier, e.g., “ 4 ”, that indicates key  48  is different from key  50 . This driver identifier, e.g., “ 4 ”, is not shared between keys  48 ,  50 . That is, in this example, identifying information  51  of key  50  will include a different driver identifier, e.g., “ 5 ”. On the basis of the driver identifier, passive anti-theft system  46  distinguishes between key  48  and key  50  and thus distinguishes between Driver A who normally uses key  48  and Driver B who normally uses key  50 . As described below, if processor  14  is informed as to which driver is to drive vehicle  12 , processor  14  can check to see if Driver A or Driver B has updated their respective configuration information and, if so, update system  10  with any updated configuration information. 
     If key  48  is inserted into key slot  52 , passive anti-theft system  46  determines that key  48  is associated with a particular driver, e.g., Driver A, and may be used to start ignition system  44 . If, instead, key  50  is inserted in key slot  52 , passive anti-theft system  46  determines that key  50  is associated with a different particular driver, e.g., Driver B, and may be used to start ignition system  44 . 
     If key  48  is inserted in key slot  52 , passive anti-theft system  46  enables processor  14  such that Driver A will have use of processor  14  and access to data on processor  14  specific to Driver A. If, instead, key  50  is inserted in key slot  52 , passive anti-theft system  46  enables processor  14  such that Driver B will have use of processor  14  and access to data on processor  14  specific to Driver B. 
     Identifying information  49 ,  51  need not be embedded with keys  48 ,  50 . In some embodiments, identifying information  49 ,  51  may be provided by key fobs or other devices. In some embodiments, additional identifying information may be required prior to enabling ignition system  44  or processor  14 . For example, a driver may need to input an additional identifying code via touch display  22 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of vehicle  12 , remote location  54 , and network  56 . During assembly, processor  14  ( FIG. 1 ) is loaded with factory set configuration information  53  which determines, inter alia, the appearance and functionality of display screen  22 . Configuration information  53  is uploaded and stored at remote location  54  via network  56 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , configuration information  53  specifies audio channels  1 ,  2 , and  3 , a red background, and three (3) buttons for display  22 . Configuration information  53  also includes a part number for a component of vehicle  12 , e.g., HVAC#: 35X71. As described below, this component information may be used to verify that requested configuration information is directed to an authorized vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of update terminal  57 , remote location  54 , and network  56 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , Driver A accesses remote location  54  via network  56  and submits updated configuration information  58  including audio channel, background, and number of button information for display  22 . Remote location  54  checks to see whether updated configuration information  58  complies with policy  60  regarding the number of buttons for display  22 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , policy  60  permits a maximum of 5 buttons for display  22 . If updated configuration information  58  violates policy  60 , remote location  54  will modify updated configuration information  58  such that it complies with policy  60 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , updated configuration information specifies audio channels  3 ,  5 , and  7 , a blue background, and twenty-five (25) buttons for display  22 . Policy  60 , however, limits the number of buttons to five (5). Remote location  54  will modify updated configuration information  58  such that it includes only five (5) buttons. Modified configuration information  62  will be stored at remote location  54  and returned to Driver A via network  56 . 
     In alternative embodiments, remote location  54  may reject updated configuration information  58  if it does not comply with policy  60 . As such, remote location  54  is able to control the configuration information associated with processor  14  and display  22 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of vehicle  12 , remote location  54 , and network  56 . Upon the next authorized start-up of vehicle  12  by Driver A, following the process described with respect to  FIG. 3 , processor  14  will communicate with remote location  54 , via wireless access point  34  ( FIG. 1 ), through network  56  to determine whether factory installed configuration information  53  is to be updated. Processor  14  will request from remote location  54  an indicator as to whether the configuration information has changed, and, if so, processor  14  will download modified configuration information  62  and configure processor  14  and display  22  based on modified configuration information  62  during the use of vehicle  12  by Driver A. 
     In the absence of any update to configuration information  53  by Driver B, upon the next authorized start-up of vehicle  12  by Driver B, processor  14  will reconfigure processor  14  and display  22  based on configuration information  53  during the use of vehicle  12  by Driver B. 
     In some embodiments, prior to the download of updated configuration information, remote location  54  may request the part number of a vehicle component, e.g., HVAC#: 35X71, to confirm that the vehicle requesting the configuration information is authorized to do so. Remote location  54  may compare the received vehicle component number and compare it to that stored and uploaded by the factory. If the numbers match, remote location  54  may allow the download of any updated configuration information to occur. If the numbers do not match, remote location  54  may deny the request to download any updated configuration information. 
     In some embodiments, driver behavior may be used to determine whether to prevent access or disable some or all of the functionality of system  10 . For example, speed sensor  42  may indicate that the vehicle speed exceeds all legal limits, e.g., 100 m.p.h., suggesting unauthorized use of vehicle  12 . Under such circumstances, passive anti-theft system may disable some or all of the functionality of processor  14  to protect information residing in processor  14 . It is contemplated that other techniques may be used to monitor driver behavior, e.g., frequency of stop and start, intensity of breaking or acceleration, etc. 
       FIG. 5  is an perspective view of the dash panel of vehicle  12  and shows display  22  with modified configuration information  62 , e.g., display unit  22  is shown with audio channels  3 ,  5 , and  7  and five (5) buttons. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 5