IP Library Granted Patent US 11,546,954
Granted Patent B2
US 11,546,954 · App. 17/139,737 · Granted Jan 3, 2023

Device and vehicle pairing using a network connection

Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Zellen (Farmington Hills, MI); Matthew Bourdua (Peachtree City, GA); Janardhan Thodeti (Peachtree City, GA)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
H04W76/14G07C5/008H04W4/80H04W76/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,546,954
App. No.
17/139,737
Granted
Jan 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A server device includes a memory and processor. A vehicle identification number (VIN) is stored in the memory. The VIN is associated with connection information for a vehicle associated with the VIN. The processor executes A VIN matcher stored in the memory, and denies a request for connection information in response to a mismatch between a supplied VIN from a connecting device and the VIN stored in memory. The processor executes a network connector stored in the memory, and sends connection information to a connecting device in response to a match between the supplied VIN from the connecting device and the VIN stored in memory. The connection information is sent through the network connection using a first communication protocol and contains information for the connecting device to connect to the vehicle through direct pairing using a second communication protocol.

Claims (32)

1. A server device for pairing a connecting device and vehicle using a network connection, comprising:

a memory to store data and instructions;

a processor;

a vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the memory, where the VIN is associated with connection information for a vehicle associated with the VIN;

a server device network connector stored in the memory that when executed by the processor sends the connection information to the connecting device in response to a match between a supplied VIN from the connecting device and the VIN stored in memory, the connection information sent through the network connection using a first communication protocol and containing information for the connecting device to connect to the vehicle through a direct pairing using a second communication protocol.

2. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are distinct protocols from one another.

3. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the VIN is stored in the memory in response to VIN being provided to the server device.

4. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the connection information enables the connecting device to begin device to device pairing protocols with the vehicle associated with the VIN in response to receipt by the server device of the VIN.

5. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory and the connection information is removed from the memory in response to a threshold number of VIN matches have been identified.

6. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory and the connection information is removed from the memory in response to an elapsing of a threshold time duration since an initial storing of the VIN and the connection information in the memory.

7. The server device of claim 1 , wherein the connection information is a service set identifier (SSID) and an SSID authentication key.

8. A method for pairing a connecting device and vehicle using a network connection comprising:

identifying a vehicle identification number (VIN) and connection information for a vehicle associated with the VIN, wherein the VIN is stored in a memory device that links the VIN with the connection information;

attempting to match a supplied VIN from the connecting device with the VIN stored in the memory device; and

sending the connection information to the connecting device in response to the supplied VIN matching the VIN stored in the memory device, the connection information being sent through the network connection using a first communication protocol and containing information for the connecting device to connect to the vehicle through a direct pairing using a second communication protocol.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the connection information is sent to the connecting device with information for pairing to the vehicle using the second communication protocol distinct from the first communication protocol.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the VIN is stored in the memory device in response to VIN being provided to a server device.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the connection information enables the connecting device to begin device to device pairing protocols with the vehicle in response to receipt by a server device of the VIN.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory device and the connection information is removed from the memory device in response to a threshold number of VIN matches have been identified.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory device and the connection information is removed from the memory device in response to an elapsing of a threshold time duration since an original storing of the VIN and the connection information in the memory device.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the connection information is a service set identifier (SSID) and an SSID authentication key.

15. A server device for pairing a connecting device and vehicle using a network connection, comprising:

a memory to store data and instructions;

a processor;

a vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the memory, where the VIN is associated with connection information for a vehicle associated with the VIN;

a VIN matcher stored in the memory that when executed by the processor denies a request for the connection information in response to a mismatch between a supplied VIN from the connecting device and the VIN stored in memory; and

a server device network connector stored in the memory that when executed by the processor sends the connection information to the connecting device in response to a match between the supplied VIN from the connecting device and the VIN stored in memory, the connection information being sent through the network connection using a first communication protocol and containing information for the connecting device to connect to the vehicle through a direct pairing using a second communication protocol.

16. The server device of claim 15 , wherein the first communication protocol carrying the connection information and the second communication protocol for the connection between the server device and the vehicle are distinct protocols from one another.

17. The server device of claim 15 , wherein the VIN is stored in the memory in response to VIN being provided to the server device.

18. The server device of claim 15 , wherein the connection information enables the connecting device to begin device to device pairing protocols with the vehicle associated with the VIN in response to receipt by the server device of the VIN.

19. The server device of claim 15 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory and the connection information is removed from the memory in response to a threshold number of VIN matches have been identified.

20. The server device of claim 15 , wherein the VIN stored in the memory and the connection information is removed from the memory in response to the elapsing of a threshold time duration since an original storing of the VIN and connection information in the memory.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: ZELLEN, JEFFREY MICHAEL; BOURDUA, MATTHEW; THODETI, JANARDHAN
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 054788/0385 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16505818 · Jul 9, 2019
Provisional Application 62711877 · Jul 30, 2018
Related Publication 20210127438A1 · Apr 29, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,389,469