Methods of operation for plug-in wireless safety device
View Patent ↗An aftermarket plug-in safety device that allows a vehicle to communicate with other vehicles or infrastructures in a V2X communications system. The device includes a radio for transmitting and receiving signals and a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals and providing vehicle position data. The device also includes a memory for storing digital security certificates and vehicle application data and a processor configured to be put in electrical communication with a vehicle CAN bus. The processor receives vehicle location signals from the GPS receiver, files from the memory and signals from the radio and providing signals for transmission to the radio. The processor identifies the vehicle that the plug-in device is coupled to and provides data on the CAN bus identifying the device. The processor also performs self-configuring operations based on type of vehicle, access to vehicle systems and location of the vehicle.
1. A plug-in device adapted to be selectively coupled to a vehicle, said plug-in device comprising:
a transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications signals;
a position device for providing vehicle position information;
a memory for storing digital security certificates and vehicle application data; and
a processor configured to be put in electrical communication with a vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus on the vehicle, said processor:
receiving vehicle location signals from the position device, files from the memory and signals from the transceiver,
providing signals for transmission to the transceiver,
identifying the vehicle that the plug-in device is coupled to,
providing data on the CAN bus identifying the plug-in device, and
performing self-configuring operations based on type of vehicle, access to vehicle systems and a geographic location of the vehicle.
2. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the self-configuring operations include standards for geographic region, system security access, paid subscriptions and priorities for local environment.
3. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the self-configuring operations for access to vehicle systems include determining whether access to vehicle systems are fully or partially granted based on device manufacturer, device type and purchased services.
4. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the self-configuring operations for access to vehicle systems include vehicle information systems and vehicle control systems.
5. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to provide settings for a particular user.
6. The plug-in device according to claim 5 wherein the processor is programmed for the particular user by using a smart phone or near field communications.
7. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to download and identify digital certificates in connection with a secure message authentication system.
8. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to identify the geographic location of the vehicle and set features of the plug-in device based on restrictions for the geographic location.
9. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to perform an authentication process so as to set device operation capabilities.
10. The plug-in device according to claim 9 wherein the plug-in device is limited to a standalone operation mode that only requires position information when the plug-in device is not authenticated.
11. The plug-in device according to claim 9 wherein the plug-in device operates in a connected operation mode that provides enhanced device capabilities when the plug-in device is authenticated.
12. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the plug-in device is configured to be coupled to an on-board diagnostic connector on the vehicle.
13. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the plug-in device is configured to be coupled to a junction connector that is installed at a vehicle telematics module.
14. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the transceiver is selected from the group consisting of a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) radio, a Wi-Fi radio, a Bluetooth radio and a long term evolution (LTE) radio.
15. The plug-in device according to claim 1 wherein the position device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.
16. A plug-in device adapted to be selectively coupled to an on-board diagnostic connector on a vehicle, said plug-in device comprising:
a radio for transmitting and receiving signals;
a position device for providing vehicle position information;
a memory for storing digital security certificates and vehicle application data; and
a processor configured to be put in electrical communication with a vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus on the vehicle, said processor:
receiving vehicle location signals from the position device, files from the memory and signals from the transceiver,
providing signals for transmission to the transceiver,
identifying the vehicle that the plug-in device is coupled to,
providing data on the CAN bus identifying the plug-in device, and
being programmed to perform an authentication process so as to set device operation capabilities where the plug-in device is limited to a standalone operation mode that only requires position information when the plug-in device is not authenticated and the plug-in device operates in a connected operation mode that provides enhanced device capabilities when the plug-in device is authenticated.
17. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to download and identify digital certificates in connection with a secure message authentication system.
18. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to identify a geographic location of the vehicle and set features of the plug-in device based on restrictions for the geographic location.
19. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the processor performs self-configuring operations based on type of vehicle, access to vehicle systems and a geographic location of the vehicle, wherein the self-configuring operations include standards for geographic region, system security access, paid subscriptions and priorities for local environment, wherein the self-configuring operations for access to vehicle systems include determining whether access to vehicle systems are fully or partially granted based on device manufacturer, device type and purchased services, and the self-configuring operations for access to vehicle systems include vehicle information systems and vehicle control systems.
20. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to provide settings for a particular user.
21. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the radio is selected from the group consisting of a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) radio, a Wi-Fi radio, a Bluetooth radio and a long term evolution (LTE) radio.
22. The plug-in device according to claim 16 wherein the position device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.