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US 2026/0279117 A1Published application
Keys to a fleet of vehicles
OwnerAlan Harrisoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key to a fleet of vehicles is operable at a vehicle charging station to poll vehicles parked at the charging station and to identify an optimal next vehicle for the relay. This enables a method of traveling by a relay of vehicles from the fleet, using the key.
Claims14
A method implemented at least in part by a vehicle-mounted processor, said method comprising:
- detecting presence of a key within a vehicle;
- obtaining a key hash value from the key;
- obtaining a verifying hash value that matches the key hash value;
- and
- in response to the verifying hash value matching the key hash value, actuating an interlock that permits a motor controller to operate a motor of the vehicle.
2 more elements
A key device comprising:
- a body;
- a memory that stores a unique identifier;
- an input output connector that receives a time signal and broadcasts a key hash value;
- a processor that produces the key hash value by implementing a hash function on the time signal and the unique identifier.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- a key receiving a signal that a currently traveling vehicle has arrived at a charging station;
- the key receiving an indication that the key should poll the vehicles at the charging station for a next vehicle to travel toward a destination;
- the key issuing a poll to the vehicles at the charging station;
- the key receiving one or more responses to the poll;
- the key interpreting the responses;
- based on interpreting the responses, the key selecting a next vehicle;
- the key alerting the next vehicle of the selection.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.