IP Library › Granted Patent US 12668130
Granted Patent B2
US 12668130 · App. 18/648,817 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Determination of preferred information communication variants in vehicles

Inventors: Paul Li (Plano, TX); M. Idris Stallworth (Plano, TX); Hitesh Alimchandani (Plano, TX); Doug Coleman (Plano, TX)
Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60K35/85B60K35/10B60K35/22B60K35/20B60K35/23B60K2360/1438B60K2360/151B60K2360/166B60K2360/169B60K2360/182B60K2360/592B60K2360/731B60K2360/741B60W50/14B60W2050/143B60W2050/146B60W2540/047B60W2540/215B60W2540/225
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668130
App. No.
18/648,817
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Different information communication variants (e.g., icon size or arrangement) are selected for use in the in-cabin displays and other user interaction mechanisms. As users adjust and interact with the in-cabin interaction mechanisms, those adjustments and interactions are collected. These user interface data, charging behaviors, etc. are then analyzed and used to determine preferred information communication variants. The vehicle cockpit becomes a personal testing laboratory on wheels that aims to understand the driver and produce the best-in-class cockpit experience for drivers/users.

Claims (59)

1 . A system to determine preferred information communication variants in vehicles, the system comprising:

one or more user interaction mechanisms positioned in a plurality of vehicles; and

a processor communicably coupled to the user interaction mechanisms, the processor having a memory and configured to perform operations comprising:

generating, using an A/B testing methodology, a first information communication variant and second information communication variant to be tested on a plurality of users inside a plurality of vehicles on a communications network;

causing the first information communication variant to be communicated to a first group of users, the first information communication variant being displayed to the first group of users within a first group of vehicles;

causing the second information communication variant to be communicated to a second group of users different from the first group of users, the second information communication variant being displayed to the second group of users within a second group of vehicles;

receiving, via the one or more user interaction mechanisms inside the first and second group of vehicles, interaction data related to user interactions with the first and second information communication variants;

determining, based on the interaction data, a preferred information communication variant between the first and second information communication variants; and

causing the preferred information communication variant to be transmitted to one or more target vehicles in response to determining the preferred information communication variant.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second group of users are randomly selected.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more user interaction mechanisms comprise at least one of:

a vehicle eye-tracking mechanism;

a motion capture mechanism inside the vehicle;

a vehicle microphone;

a vehicle touchscreen; or

a vehicle setting mechanism.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the preferred information communication variant is transmitted to the one or more target vehicles over-the-air in real-time.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second information communication variants are:

different arrangements or themes of vehicle in-cabin displays; or

different sensory outputs inside the vehicle.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interaction data is:

data related to alterations of the first or second communication variants initiated by the first or second group of users; or

eye tracking data of the first or second group of users obtained via an eye tracking mechanism.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more user interaction mechanisms is a user interface intended to communicate a user's intention with respect to vehicle charging activity.

8 . A computer-implemented method to determine preferred information communication variants in vehicles, the method comprising:

generating, using an A/B testing methodology, a first information communication variant and second information communication variant to be tested on a plurality of users inside a plurality of vehicles on a communications network;

causing the first information communication variant to be communicated to a first group of users, the first information communication variant being displayed to the first group of users within a first group of vehicles;

causing the second information communication variant to be communicated to a second group of users different from the first group of users, the second information communication variant being displayed to the second group of users within a second group of vehicles;

receiving, via the one or more user interaction mechanisms inside the first and second group of vehicles, interaction data related to user interactions with the first and second information communication variants;

determining, based on the interaction data, a preferred information communication variant between the first and second information communication variants; and

causing the preferred information communication variant to be transmitted to one or more target vehicles in response to determining the preferred information communication variant.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the first and second group of users are randomly selected.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more user interaction mechanisms comprise at least one of:

a vehicle eye-tracking mechanism;

a motion capture mechanism inside the vehicle;

a vehicle microphone;

a vehicle touchscreen; or

a vehicle setting mechanism.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the preferred information communication variant is transmitted to the one or more target vehicles over-the-air in real-time.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the first and second information communication variants are;

different arrangements or themes of vehicle in-cabin displays; or

different sensory outputs inside the vehicle.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the interaction data is:

data related to alterations of the first or second communication variants initiated by the first or second group of users; or

eye tracking data of the first or second group of users obtained via an eye tracking mechanism.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more user interaction mechanisms is a user interface intended to communicate a user's intention with respect to vehicle charging activity.

15 . A computer-implemented method for determining preferred information communication variants in vehicles, the method comprising:

generating, using an A/B testing methodology, a first information communication variant and second information communication variant to be tested on a plurality of users inside a plurality of vehicles on a communications network;

causing the first information communication variant to be communicated to a first group of users, the first information communication variant being displayed to the first group of users within a first group of vehicles;

causing the second information communication variant to be communicated to a second group of users different from the first group of users, the second information communication variant being displayed to the second group of users within a second group of vehicles;

receiving interaction data related to user interactions with the first and second information communication variants; and

determining a preferred information communication variant between the first and second information communication variants.

16 . The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the preferred information communication variant is transmitted to one or more target vehicles.

17 . The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the wherein the first and second group of users are randomly selected.

18 . The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the first and second information communication variants:

are different arrangements or themes of vehicle in-cabin displays; or

different sensory outputs inside the vehicle.

19 . The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the interaction data is received via a user interaction mechanism intended to communicate a user's intention with respect to vehicle charging activity.

20 . The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the interaction data relates to charging history, Electric Vehicle route planning, public charger recommendations, range information, range improvement recommendations and state of charge.