IP Library Granted Patent US 12,459,430
Granted Patent B2
US 12,459,430 · App. 18/468,196 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Control method

Inventors: Kenichi Yamada (Nisshin, JP); Toshiki Kashiwakura (Tokyo, JP); Akane Umezu (Nagoya, JP); Kayo Tsumoto (Nisshin, JP); Yuta Shishime (Tokyo, JP); Satoshi Komamine (Nagoya, JP); Kenji Ishiyama (Kasugai, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60Q9/00B60R25/01B60R25/241
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,459,430
App. No.
18/468,196
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control method executed by a computer configured to be able to communicate with a vehicle includes: storing a work item included in a charging operation to the vehicle and a work time of the work item in association with each other; and outputting an alert when an end notification of the work item is not received from the vehicle before the work time.

Claims (30)

1 . A control method executed by a computer configured to communicate with a vehicle, the control method comprising:

storing an operation item included in a charging operation to the vehicle and an operation time corresponding to the operation item, in association with each other; and

outputting an alert in a case where an end notification of the operation item is not received from the vehicle before the operation time expires after a start notification of the operation item is received from the vehicle.

2 . The control method according to claim 1 , wherein the operation time is updated based on at least one of vehicle information of the vehicle, environment information associated with the charging operation, or history information related to past operations.

3 . The control method according to claim 1 , further comprising outputting a request for starting capturing an image by an in-vehicle camera of the vehicle in the case where the end notification is not received from the vehicle before the operation time expires after the start notification is received from the vehicle.

4 . The control method according to claim 1 , wherein the charging operation includes, as a first operation item, unlocking a door of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle.

5 . The control method according to claim 4 , further comprising

transmitting a digital key corresponding to the door to a terminal device associated with an operator performing the charging operation,

wherein a start notification of the first operation item is a notification indicating that the door is unlocked by the digital key, and an end notification of the first operation item is a notification indicating that the door is locked by the digital key.

6 . The control method according to claim 1 , wherein the alert is output to a terminal device associated with a user of the vehicle or an operator performing the charging operation, and

the alert includes at least one of a visual notification, an audio notification, or a transmission of a message to the terminal device.

7 . The control method according to claim 1 , wherein the operation item includes connecting a charging connector to a charging port of the vehicle, and the end notification is based on detecting removal of the charging connector.

8 . The control method according to claim 2 , wherein the environment information includes at least one of a charging location, a time zone of the charging operation, or a weather condition at the charging location.

9 . The control method according to claim 2 , wherein the history information includes a cumulative count or a statistical record of elapsed operation times for corresponding operation items performed on a same or similar vehicle models.

10 . The control method according to claim 3 , wherein the image captured by the in-vehicle camera is transmitted to a server or a terminal device associated with a user of the vehicle or an operator performing the charging operation.

11 . The control method according to claim 5 , wherein the digital key is transmitted from a server to the terminal device via a wireless network prior to initiation of the charging operation.

12 . The control method according to claim 5 , wherein the start notification and the end notification of the first operation item are determined based on unlocking and locking of the door detected by the vehicle using the digital key.

13 . A control method executed by a computer configured to communicate with a vehicle, the control method comprising:

transmitting a digital key to a terminal device associated with an operator to initiate a charging operation on the vehicle;

receiving, from the vehicle, a start notification indicating that an operation item has begun using the digital key;

measuring an elapsed time from receipt of the start notification;

determining whether an end notification indicating completion of the operation item is received from the vehicle before expiration of a predetermined operation time; and

in a case where the end notification is not received before expiration of the operation time, outputting an alert,

wherein the operation item includes at least one of unlocking a cabin door of the vehicle or connecting a charging connector to a charging port of the vehicle.

14 . The control method according to claim 13 , wherein the end notification indicates that the cabin door has been locked using the digital key, and

the operation time is determined based on at least one of a type of the vehicle, environmental conditions, or history information related to past operations.

15 . The control method according to claim 13 , wherein the end notification indicates that the charging connector has been removed from the charging port, and

the operation time is determined based on at least one of a type of the vehicle, environmental conditions, or history information related to past operations.

16 . The control method according to claim 13 , further comprising:

transmitting a request to start image capturing by an in-vehicle camera in a case where the end notification is not received before expiration of the operation time.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2023
From: YAMADA, KENICHI; KASHIWAKURA, TOSHIKI; UMEZU, AKANE; TSUMOTO, KAYO; SHISHIME, YUTA; KOMAMINE, SATOSHI; ISHIYAMA, KENJI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 064922/0077 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-199779 · Dec 14, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240198905A1 · Jun 20, 2024
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