Vehicle integrated computer

Abstract

An electric vehicle (EV) can include a VIC in operable communication with the EV main computer and the EV infotainment system. The VIC can include a processor, a memory in operable communication with the processor, and a computer-readable medium in operable communication with the processor and having software, such as a hypervisor, stored thereon. The VIC can be configured to have internet connectivity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric vehicle (EV), comprising:
 an EV main computer that controls operations of the EV;   an infotainment system; and   a vehicle-integrated computer (VIC) in operable communication with the EV main computer and the infotainment system,   wherein the VIC comprises:
 a processor; 
 a memory in operable communication with the processor; and 
 a computer-readable medium in operable communication with the processor, 
   wherein the VIC is configured to have internet connectivity.   
     
     
         2 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the internet connectivity is provided via one or more of an internet modem, WiFi connectivity, and tethering to an external mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the VIC further comprises a 5G modem in operable communication with the processor, the internet connectivity being provided by at least the 5G modem. 
     
     
         4 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the VIC is configured to operate without failing within an ambient temperature range of from −25° C. to 80° C. 
     
     
         5 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable medium has a hypervisor stored thereon, and wherein the hypervisor runs and manages a plurality of operating systems (OSs), and
 wherein the plurality of OSs comprises a first OS dedicated to gaming, music, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR).   
     
     
         6 . The EV according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vehicle sensor in operable communication with the VIC, wherein the VIC is configured to exchange data with the at least one vehicle sensor, and
 wherein the at least one vehicle sensor comprises at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, and a light sensor.   
     
     
         7 . The EV according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one controller area network (CAN) bus via which the VIC communicates with the EV main computer and the infotainment system. 
     
     
         8 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the VIC is configured to perform data processing and provide visual and audio output in real time. 
     
     
         9 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with a remote central server,
 wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with, and receive data from, a mobile application on a user mobile device,   wherein the mobile application allows a user to enter user preferences for the EV,   wherein the data received by the VIC from the mobile application includes the user preferences, and   wherein the user preferences are stored in at least one of the remote central server and the memory of the VIC.   
     
     
         10 . The EV according to  claim 10 , wherein the VIC is configured to allow for automatic detection of the stored user preferences of a particular user based on detection of a key fob, which is linked to the particular user, being in a predetermined proximity to the EV. 
     
     
         11 . The EV according to  claim 1 , wherein the VIC is configured to accept high definition video input from a gaming system and generate a video output to a central interactive display in operable communication with the VIC and disposed within the EV, and
 wherein the VIC is configured to be capable of rescaling the high definition video input to the proper resolution for the central interactive display.   
     
     
         12 . The EV according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front storage area forward of a dashboard area of the EV,
 wherein the VIC is disposed in one of the following locations: within a rear right quarter panel of the EV; within a rear left quarter panel of the EV; in a dashboard of the EV, adjacent to a glove compartment area of the EV; or in a compartment adjacent to the front storage area, at least a portion of the compartment being disposed between the front storage area and the dashboard area.   
     
     
         13 . An electric vehicle (EV), comprising:
 an EV main computer that controls operations of the EV;   an infotainment system;   at least one vehicle sensor, the at least one vehicle sensor comprising at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, and a light sensor; and   a vehicle-integrated computer (VIC) in operable communication with the EV main computer and the infotainment system,   wherein the VIC comprises:
 a processor; 
 a memory in operable communication with the processor; 
 a computer-readable medium in operable communication with the processor; and 
 a 5G modem in operable communication with the processor, 
   wherein the VIC is configured to have internet connectivity, the internet connectivity being provided by at least the 5G modem,   wherein the VIC is configured to operate without failing within an ambient temperature range of from −25° C. to 80° C.,   wherein the computer-readable medium has a hypervisor stored thereon, and wherein the hypervisor runs and manages a plurality of operating systems (OSs),   wherein the plurality of OSs comprises a first OS dedicated to gaming, music, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR),   wherein the VIC is configured to exchange data with the at least one vehicle sensor,   wherein the EV further comprises at least one controller area network (CAN) bus via which the VIC communicates with the EV main computer and the infotainment system,   wherein the VIC is configured to perform data processing and provide visual and audio output in real time,   wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with a remote central server,   wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with, and receive data from, a mobile application on a user mobile device,   wherein the mobile application allows a user to enter user preferences for the EV,   wherein the data received by the VIC from the mobile application includes the user preferences,   wherein the user preferences are stored in at least one of the remote central server and the memory of the VIC,   wherein the VIC is configured to allow for automatic detection of the stored user preferences of a particular user based on detection of a key fob, which is linked to the particular user, being in a predetermined proximity to the EV,   wherein the VIC is configured to accept high definition video input from a gaming system and generate a video output to a central interactive display in operable communication with the VIC and disposed within the EV, and   wherein the VIC is configured to be capable of rescaling the high definition video input to the proper resolution for the central interactive display.   
     
     
         14 . A vehicle-integrated computer (VIC), comprising:
 a processor;   a memory in operable communication with the processor; and   a computer-readable medium in operable communication with the processor,   wherein the VIC is configured to have internet connectivity, and   wherein the VIC is configured to operate without failing within an ambient temperature range of from −25° C. to 80° C.   
     
     
         15 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , further comprising a 5G modem in operable communication with the processor, the internet connectivity being provided by at least the 5G modem. 
     
     
         16 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , wherein the computer-readable medium has a hypervisor stored thereon, wherein the hypervisor runs and manages a plurality of operating systems (OSs), and wherein the plurality of OSs comprises a first OS dedicated to at least one of gaming, music, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR). 
     
     
         17 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one controller area network (CAN) bus via which the VIC communicates with a vehicle main computer, a vehicle infotainment system, and at least one vehicle sensor,
 wherein the at least one vehicle sensor comprises at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, and a light sensor.   
     
     
         18 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with a remote central server,
 wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with, and receive data from, a mobile application on a user mobile device,   wherein the mobile application allows a user to enter user preferences for an electric vehicle (EV),   wherein the data received by the VIC from the mobile application includes the user preferences,   wherein the user preferences are stored in at least one of the remote central server and the memory of the VIC, and   wherein the VIC is configured to allow for automatic detection of the stored user preferences of a particular user based on detection of a key fob, which is linked to the particular user, being in a predetermined proximity to the EV.   
     
     
         19 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , wherein the VIC is configured to accept high definition video input from a gaming system and generate a video output to a display in operable communication with the VIC,
 wherein the VIC is configured to be capable of rescaling the high definition video input to the proper resolution for the display, and   wherein the VIC is configured to perform data processing and provide visual and audio output in real time.   
     
     
         20 . The VIC according to  claim 14 , further comprising a 5G modem in operable communication with the processor, the internet connectivity being provided by at least the 5G modem,
 wherein the computer-readable medium has a hypervisor stored thereon, wherein the hypervisor runs and manages a plurality of operating systems (OSs),   wherein the plurality of OSs comprises a first OS dedicated to at least one of gaming, music, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR),   wherein the VIC further comprises at least one controller area network (CAN) bus via which the VIC communicates with a vehicle main computer, a vehicle infotainment system, and at least one vehicle sensor,   wherein the at least one vehicle sensor comprises at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass, a temperature sensor, and a light sensor,   wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with a remote central server,   wherein the VIC is configured to communicate with, and receive data from, a mobile application on a user mobile device,   wherein the mobile application allows a user to enter user preferences for an electric vehicle (EV),   wherein the data received by the VIC from the mobile application includes the user preferences,   wherein the user preferences are stored in at least one of the remote central server and the memory of the VIC,   wherein the VIC is configured to allow for automatic detection of the stored user preferences of a particular user based on detection of a key fob, which is linked to the particular user, being in a predetermined proximity to the EV,   wherein the VIC is configured to accept high definition video input from a gaming system and generate a video output to a display in operable communication with the VIC, and   wherein the VIC is configured to perform data processing and provide visual and audio output in real time.