Managing recreational vehicles and accessories
Inventors
Shaughnessy, Aidan B. • Weed, Joshua T. • Koosmann, Adam C. • Krosschell, Brian D. • Holt, Austin A. • Fuchs, Benjamin S. • Fredrickson, Donovan L
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12012054-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A vehicle is electrically connected to one or more accessories. The vehicle includes at least one controller that may be configured to identify the accessory based on accessory identification information. The controller may also be configured to provide one or more commands to control an operation of the accessory.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for connecting an accessory to a vehicle in response to establishing a physical connection between the vehicle and the accessory. A controller receives accessory identification information and identifies the connected accessory based on the received accessory identification information. The method also includes displaying, on a display of the vehicle, a portrayal of at least a portion of the vehicle and a portrayal of the connected accessory in response to the identification of the connected accessory.
Accessory identification information is received using in-vehicle communications or physical-connection electrical characteristics. The controller receives accessory identification information via a controller area network (CAN) bus or via a local interconnect network (LIN) bus, and identification can alternatively be based on receiving signal fluctuation characteristics through one or more power lines and comparing the received signal fluctuation characteristics to known signal fluctuation characteristics associated with the accessory.
In another aspect, the invention includes a wirelessly implemented accessory identification and portrayal approach. A vehicle controller wirelessly receives, from a mobile device, accessory identification information corresponding to the accessory, determines the accessory based on the received identification information, and causes display of a graphical representation of at least a portion of the vehicle and a graphical representation of the accessory on a user interface in response to the determination.
Claims Coverage
The document contains four independent claims, directed respectively to a method for connecting an accessory with vehicle portrayal, a wirelessly implemented method using a mobile device, a vehicle system that controls a removable accessory and provides commands via a wiring harness, and a recreational vehicle configured to receive accessory identification information and display a portrayal in response to the connection. Across the independent claims, the inventive features center on receiving accessory identification information, identifying the accessory, portraying the vehicle/accessory on a display or user interface, and, in system/vehicle contexts, providing commands to control the removable accessory.
Accessory identification after physical connection and vehicle portrayal
In response to establishing a physical connection between the vehicle and the accessory, receiving, by a controller and from the accessory, accessory identification information; identifying the connected accessory based on the received accessory identification information; and displaying, on a display of the vehicle, a portrayal of at least a portion of the vehicle and a portrayal of the connected accessory in response to the identification of the connected accessory.
Wireless accessory identification from a mobile device and graphical user interface portrayal
Wirelessly receiving, from a mobile device and by a vehicle controller, accessory identification information corresponding to the accessory; determining the accessory based on the received accessory identification information; and causing display of a graphical representation of at least a portion of the vehicle and a graphical representation of the accessory on a user interface, the graphical representation of the accessory being displayed in response to the determination of the accessory.
Vehicle system receiving accessory identification via wiring harness and controlling the removable accessory
Receive, from the at least one removable accessory and via a wiring harness, accessory identification information for the at least one removable accessory; identify the at least one removable accessory based on the accessory identification information; display a portrayal corresponding to the at least one removable accessory and a portion of the recreational vehicle; provide one or more commands to control the at least one removable accessory based on the identifying the at least one removable accessory; and the wiring harness operatively coupled to the at least one removable accessory and the recreational vehicle.
Recreational vehicle receiving accessory identification and displaying portrayal in response to connection
In response to establishing a connection between the vehicle and a removable accessory, receive, from the removable accessory, accessory identification information; identify the removable accessory based on the received accessory identification information; and displaying, on a display of the vehicle, a portrayal of at least a portion of the vehicle and a portrayal of the removable accessory in response to the connection of the removable accessory.
Overall, the claim set covers accessory identification and adaptive vehicle/accessory portrayal on a display or user interface. Identification is based on accessory identification information obtained after physical connection and can also be based on wireless receipt from a mobile device, while system/vehicle claims further include providing one or more commands to control the removable accessory using a wiring harness and a controller.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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