IP Library Granted Patent US 12,060,071
Granted Patent B2
US 12,060,071 · App. 17/534,824 · Granted Aug 13, 2024

Performance limiter

Inventors: Michael P. Slattery (Irvine, CA); Oliver Jeromin (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
B60W50/12B60W40/09B60W50/082B60W2040/0809B60W2050/0064B60W2050/0065B60W2540/043B60W2540/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,060,071
App. No.
17/534,824
Granted
Aug 13, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and computer-implemented methods for selectively restricting a performance attribute of a vehicle for an operator or group of operators. In an illustrative embodiment, a computing device includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: identify an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and restrict at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode.

Claims (47)

1. A system comprising:

a drive system comprising one or more motors associated with a vehicle; and

a computing device including:

a processor; and

computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to:

identify an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; and

based on the operating credential associated with the operator:

determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and

facilitate restriction of at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode;

wherein the at least one performance attribute comprises one or more of maximum allowable acceleration and maximum allowable speed; and

wherein the restriction causes selective engagement of the one or more motors of the drive system so as to limit the one or more of the maximum allowable acceleration and the maximum allowable speed of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one performance attribute further comprises one or more of maximum allowable speed relative to a speed limit, restricted access to infotainment systems, mandated use of automated driving, mandated use of autosteering, a following distance recognized by an automated driving system, a following distance recognized by a collision warning system, and a following distance recognized by an autobraking system.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operating credential specifies an operator classification chosen from a designated vehicle owner, an authorized regular user, an authorized guest user, an organizational role, and a job description.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to enable the designated vehicle owner to set the performance mode associated with the operator credential according to the operator classification.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to enable the operator to manually set the performance mode to restrict the at least one performance attribute.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to determine the performance mode for the operator responsive to an experience level of the operator wherein the experience level corresponds to experience with a vehicle type that includes the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to determine the performance mode associated with the operating credential using a performance mode controller aboard the vehicle, a remote system in communication with the performance mode controller, and combinations thereof.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to automatically adjust the performance mode based on an at least one input chosen from a driving behavior assessment of the operator or a stipulation provided by an insurer providing coverage for use of the vehicle by the operator, or combinations thereof.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to identify the operating credential associated with the operator by recognizing an identifier chosen from a key associated with the operator, a key fob associated with the operator, a smartphone associated with the operator, a wearable device associated with the operator, or an appearance of the operator or combinations thereof.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a cabin;

a drive system comprising one or more motors; and

a computing device including:

a processor; and

computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to:

identify an operating credential associated with an operator of the vehicle; and

based on the operating credential associated with the operator:

determine a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and

facilitate restriction of at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode;

wherein the at least one performance attribute comprises one or more of maximum allowable acceleration and maximum allowable speed; and

wherein the restriction causes selective engagement of the one or more motors of the drive system so as to limit the one or more of the maximum allowable acceleration and the maximum allowable speed of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the at least one performance attribute further comprises one or more of maximum allowable speed relative to a speed limit, restricted access to infotainment systems, mandated use of at least one of automated driving and autosteering, and a following distance recognized by at least one of an automated driving system, a collision warning system, and an autobraking system.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the operating credential specifies an operator classification chosen from a designated vehicle owner, an authorized regular user, and an authorized guest user, an organizational role, and a job description.

13. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to enable a designated vehicle owner to set the performance mode associated with the operator credential according to an operator classification.

14. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to adjust the performance mode for the operator responsive to an experience level of the operator with a vehicle type that includes the vehicle.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising:

identifying an operating credential associated with an operator of a vehicle; and

based on the operating credential associated with the operator:

determining a performance mode associated with the operating credential; and

facilitating restriction of at least one performance attribute of the vehicle in accordance with the performance mode;

wherein the at least one performance attribute comprises one or more of maximum allowable acceleration and maximum allowable speed; and

wherein the restriction causes selective engagement of one or more motors of a drive system associated with the vehicle so as to limit the one or more of the maximum allowable acceleration and the maximum allowable speed of the vehicle.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one performance attribute further comprises one or more of maximum allowable speed relative to a speed limit, restricted access to infotainment systems, mandated use of at least one of automated driving and autosteering, and a following distance recognized by at least one of an automated driving system, a collision warning system, and an autobraking system.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , wherein the operating credential specifies an operator classification chosen from a designated vehicle owner, an authorized regular user, and an authorized guest user, an organizational role, and a job description.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , further comprising enabling the operator to manually set the performance mode to restrict the at least one performance attribute.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the performance mode for the operator responsive to an experience level of the operator with a vehicle type that includes the vehicle.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 , further comprising automatically adjusting the performance mode based on an at least one input chosen a driving behavior assessment derived from monitored driving behavior of the operator an insurer stipulation provided by an insurer providing coverage for use of the vehicle by the operator.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2021
From: SLATTERY, MICHAEL P.; JEROMIN, OLIVER
To: RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
Reel/Frame 058205/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2021
From: RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
To: RIVIAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 058205/0245 →
Continuity (1)
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Cited By (1)
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