IP Library Granted Patent US 12,600,368
Granted Patent B2
US 12,600,368 · App. 18/614,541 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Zonal architecture for vehicle

Inventors: Imad Zahid (Carrollton, TX); Joshua C. Batie (Frisco, TX)
Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60W50/06G07C5/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,600,368
App. No.
18/614,541
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example operation includes one or more of dividing a vehicle into a plurality of zones based on operations performed by vehicle, assigning a different subset of electronic control units (ECUs) from among a plurality of ECUs of the vehicle to each zone based on functions performed by the plurality of ECUs with respect to the plurality of zones, determining an operation to perform for the vehicle, identifying a zone from among the plurality of zones for controlling the operation, and pooling data input by and output by a subset of ECUs included in the zone during the operation and storing the pooled data in a storage device.

Claims (37)

1 . A method comprising:

dividing a vehicle into a plurality of zones based on operations performed by vehicle;

assigning a different subset of electronic control units (ECUs) from among a plurality of ECUs of the vehicle to each zone based on functions performed by the plurality of ECUs with respect to the plurality of zones;

determining an operation to perform for the vehicle;

identifying a zone from among the plurality of zones for controlling the operation;

pooling data input by and output by a subset of ECUs included in the zone during the operation and storing the pooled data in a storage device; and

transferring the pooled data from the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone to the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different zone among the plurality of zones based on a hierarchy among the zone and the different zone.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises capturing sensor data from one or more of an exterior of the vehicle and an interior of the vehicle, via the different subset of ECUs of the vehicle assigned to a different zone from among the plurality of zones, while simultaneously controlling the operation with the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining to perform a vehicle maneuver with respect to a side of the vehicle, and performing the vehicle maneuver with the subset of ECUs assigned to the side of the vehicle while isolating operation of the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different side of the vehicle from the vehicle maneuver.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises performing the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and reducing activity of one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation to reduce power consumed by the one or more other zones.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises performing the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and capturing sensor data of the operation via one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation via the subset of ECUs included in the zone.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises training an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on execution of the AI model on the pooled data stored in the storage device and storing the trained AI model within the storage device.

7 . An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:

divide a vehicle into a plurality of zones based on operations performed by vehicle,

assign a different subset of electronic control units (ECUs) from among a plurality of ECUs of the vehicle to each zone based on functions performed by the plurality of ECUs with respect to the plurality of zones,

determine an operation to perform for the vehicle,

identify a zone from among the plurality of zones for controlling the operation,

pool data input by and output by a subset of ECUs included in the zone during the operation and storing the pooled data in a storage device; and

transfer the pooled data from the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone to the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different zone among the plurality of zones based on a hierarchy among the zone and the different zone.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to capture sensor data from one or more of an exterior of the vehicle and an interior of the vehicle, via the different subset of ECUs of the vehicle assigned to a different zone from among the plurality of zones, and simultaneously control the operation with the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform a vehicle maneuver with respect to a side of the vehicle, and perform the vehicle maneuver with the subset of ECUs assigned to the side of the vehicle while isolating operation of the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different side of the vehicle from the vehicle maneuver.

10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and reduce activity of one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation to reduce power consumed by the one or more other zones.

11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to perform the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and capture sensor data of the operation from one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation via the subset of ECUs included in the zone.

12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on execution of the AI model on the pooled data stored in a storage device and store the trained AI model within the storage device.

13 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored therein which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform:

dividing a vehicle into a plurality of zones based on operations performed by vehicle;

assigning a different subset of electronic control units (ECUs) from among a plurality of ECUs of the vehicle to each zone based on functions performed by the plurality of ECUs with respect to the plurality of zones;

determining an operation to perform for the vehicle;

identifying a zone from among the plurality of zones for controlling the operation; and

pooling data input by and output by a subset of ECUs included in the zone during the operation and storing the pooled data in a storage device; and

transferring the pooled data from the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone to the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different zone among the plurality of zones based on a hierarchy among the zone and the different zone.

14 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform capturing sensor data from one or more of an exterior of the vehicle and an interior of the vehicle, via the different subset of ECUs of the vehicle assigned to a different zone from among the plurality of zones, while simultaneously controlling the operation with the subset of ECUs assigned to the zone.

15 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform determining to perform a vehicle maneuver with respect to a side of the vehicle, and performing the operation with the subset of ECUs assigned to the side of the vehicle while isolating operation of the different subset of ECUs assigned to a different side of the vehicle from the vehicle maneuver.

16 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and reducing activity of one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation to reduce power consumed by the one or more other zones.

17 . The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform the operation via execution of the subset of ECUs included in the zone, and capturing sensor data of the operation from one or more other subsets of ECUs assigned to one or more other zones from among the plurality of zones while performing the operation via the subset of ECUs included in the zone.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2026
From: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 075707/0445 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2024
From: ZAHID, IMAD; BATIE, JOSHUA C.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 067438/0129 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250296582A1 · Sep 25, 2025
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