Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090047929 | METHOD OF AUTHENTICATING A SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS) MESSAGE - An authentication method that can be used by a telematics-equipped vehicle to authenticate an SMS message and provide additional security features above and beyond those inherent to the SMS protocol. Generally speaking, a call center uses a mathematical function to derive a security code, and then sends an SMS message to a telematics-equipped vehicle that includes information related to the derived security code. The telematics-equipped vehicle can utilize the transmitted information to authenticate the sender of the SMS message and/or its contents. One group of suitable mathematical functions utilizes keyed-hash message authentication codes (HMACs). | 02-19-2009 |
20090088187 | Method and System for Configuring a Telematics Device Using Two-Way Data Messaging - A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration. | 04-02-2009 |
20090168742 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TIMING OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INVOLVING TELEMATICS-EQUIPPED VEHICLES - A timing control method for use with wireless communications involving telematics-equipped vehicles. The timing control method generally determines a temporally-distributed sequence of message response times for a group of telematics-equipped vehicles, and then includes these different response times in wireless messages that are sent to the vehicles. In reply, the vehicles use the various message response times to respond in an apportioned or distributed fashion that generally correlates with the temporally-distributed sequence; instead of all at once. In another disclosed method, the response times are determined at each vehicle itself. The methods can be used for requesting data from vehicles via SMS messages. | 07-02-2009 |
20090172102 | PROCESSING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES WIRELESSLY SENT TO A VEHICLE - A processing system and method for controlling the distribution of certain types of electronic messages, such as SMS messages, instant messages, emails, etc., that are wirelessly sent to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a messaging application installed on a communication device diverts to a call center outgoing messages destined for the vehicle. Once the electronic message is properly checked and authenticated at the call center, it is wirelessly forwarded on to the vehicle where its contents can be displayed to the passengers. By controlling the distribution of these types of electronic messages to the vehicle, the processing method can reduce or mitigate the effects of unauthorized third party communications. | 07-02-2009 |
20100167702 | VOICE FALLBACK STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167721 | VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167722 | PRIMARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167727 | VOICE CHANNEL DATA CONNECTION RETRY STRATEGY - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167737 | SECONDARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20100167745 | TERTIARY CONNECTION STRATEGY FOR VEHICLE ORIGINATED CELLULAR COMMUNICATION TO A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 07-01-2010 |
20110039527 | NETWORK SELECTION AND BASE STATION ACQUISITION WITH OTA PROGRAMMING FOR A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. Cell selection can be carried out using an acquisition task, background scan and inter-country PLMN reselection process that are used to select among available PLMNs and base stations. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039528 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS DATA LOGGING - A system and method for data logging of telematics events by a vehicle telematics unit. Upon detection of a telematics event, checks are made to determine if location data logging is enabled and if the telematics event is an incoming personal call. If the location data logging is enabled and the telematics event is not an incoming personal call, then a data log entry is created that includes the current vehicle location; otherwise, a data log entry without any location information is created. Thereafter, the data log entries can be uploaded to a call center for analysis. Procedures for handling data logging during a standby mode of the telematics unit are also provided. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039533 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT ACTIVATION WITH PROVISIONING DETECTION - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. Cell selection can be carried out using an acquisition task, background scan and inter-country PLMN reselection process that are used to select among available PLMNs and base stations. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039556 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT BACKGROUND SCAN FOR NETWORK SELECTION IN A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. Cell selection can be carried out using an acquisition task, background scan and inter-country PLMN reselection process that are used to select among available PLMNs and base stations. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039559 | INTER-COUNTRY PLMN RESELECTION FOR A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. Cell selection can be carried out using an acquisition task, background scan and inter-country PLMN reselection process that are used to select among available PLMNs and base stations. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039587 | OUTGOING BINARY SMS MESSAGING FOR VEHICLE COMMUNICATION WITH A CALL CENTER - A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts each of which utilize at least one of a number of different voice and data call origination processes. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. | 02-17-2011 |
20110069680 | ENHANCED MOBILE NETWORK SYSTEM ACQUISITION USING SCANNING TRIGGERS - A system and method for executing network acquisition employ a triggered scan for network acquisition regardless of the recorded optimal nature of the current network. In general, when one or more predefined conditions occur, a network scan is initiated to identify another network, if any, that is more optimal than the current network. Example trigger conditions include failed registration attempts, exceeding a predetermined distance threshold, entry to or exit from a pre-determined region, excess CDMA Chip delay, and others. Triggers may be used singly or in Boolean combinations. In this way, network scanning occurs when it may be beneficial, but will not be initiated too frequently or in situations where connectivity may not actually be suboptimal. This triggered scan provides improved connectivity, and can allow the device to make and receive calls in locations where it would otherwise not have been possible. | 03-24-2011 |
20110158084 | Retry for Telematics Packet Data Connection Failures in CDMA 1xRTT Network - A technique and system are provided for executing retry procedures to resolve a packet connection failure during a CDMA 1xRTT packet session. In particular, the DTE is configured and controlled to retry based on either failure signals from the NAD or the Application Service Timer. Moreover, in one aspect, the DIE is configured and controlled to retry the packet connection selectively for traffic channel assignment failure, PPP connection failure, TCP/IP connection failure and Application service failure. In this way, the end user will experience a shorter service delivery time for packet-based telematics services. | 06-30-2011 |
20110244830 | AUTHENTICATING A SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS) MESSAGE - A vehicle telematics unit or other electronic hardware in a vehicle authenticates an incoming SMS message and provides additional security features above and beyond those inherent to the SMS protocol. A call center uses a mathematical function to derive a security code, and then sends an SMS message to the vehicle. The telematics unit can utilize the transmitted information to authenticate the sender of the SMS message and/or its contents. One group of suitable mathematical functions utilizes keyed-hash message authentication codes (HMACs). | 10-06-2011 |
20110249714 | MODEM SIGNALING USING A MULTITONE PREFIX OVER A VOICE CHANNEL OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system and method of communicating data between a vehicle and call center via a voice channel of a wireless communication system. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: establishing a voice channel connection between a vehicle telematics unit and call center via a wireless cellular network; generating a modem signaling carrier comprising a prefix followed by a single frequency tone; sending the modem signaling carrier over the voice channel connection using an EVRC-B vocoder; establishing a data communication session over the voice channel connection in response to the modem signaling carrier; and thereafter carrying out data communications between the vehicle telematics unit and call center during the data communication session. | 10-13-2011 |
20110260884 | METHOD FOR COLLECTING DATA AND SYSTEM FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE SAME - A method for collecting data is disclosed herein. The method involves selecting, via a processor associated with a telematics service center, a mobile vehicle to collect data from a sensor configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more selected vehicles and, via a telematics unit disposed in the selected mobile vehicle, receiving data collected by the sensor. The method further involves, via the telematics unit, transmitting the data from the telematics unit to a data aggregator and reporting the data from the data aggregator to a facility. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same. | 10-27-2011 |
20110294466 | PROVIDING WIRELESS MOBILE DEVICE INFORMATION TO A CALL CENTER - A method and system for providing wireless mobile device information from a vehicle to a call center. The method includes the steps of (a) detecting the presence of a personal mobile device at the vehicle, (b) receiving at a vehicle interface module a mobile device identifier from the personal mobile device, and (c) sending the mobile device identifier from the vehicle interface module to a call center via the mobile device. The mobile device identifier received at the call center can be used for various purposes such as to provide a callback number in the event of a dropped call, or to validate that services are authorize for the vehicle. | 12-01-2011 |
20120028607 | MOBILE-ORIGINATED SMS LOCAL BROADCAST - A method and system for local broadcasting of messages from a wireless mobile device to many others located within the same geographic area. This can be done using SMS messaging wherein a message to be broadcast is addressed to a particular designated address and, when received by a wireless carrier system, is checked to determine that it came from an authorized sender, and then is broadcasted by the wireless carrier system to a geographically-limited area within which the sending wireless mobile device is located. | 02-02-2012 |
20120028617 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING VOICE AND DATA TRANSMISSIONS FOR TELEMATICS APPLICATIONS - A method of establishing an alternate communication channel between a telematics unit and a central facility that includes determining that a vehicle telematics unit is unable to communicate data over a voice call using a voice channel; initiating a data call from the vehicle telematics unit to a central facility based on that determination; sending information identifying the vehicle telematics unit to the central facility over the data call; establishing a voice call from the central facility to verbally communicate with the vehicle telematics unit based on the information identifying the vehicle telematics unit; and communicating data between the central facility and vehicle telematics unit via short messaging services (SMS) messages using the voice call from the central facility. | 02-02-2012 |
20120028656 | METHOD OF IDENTIFYING TELEMATICS CALLS - A method of identifying telematics calls includes the steps of receiving at a vehicle telematics unit a paging message used to connect a call over a wireless carrier system; determining at the vehicle telematics unit if the paging message used to connect the call includes a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) or a Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID); and establishing the call and, if the vehicle telematics unit determines that the paging message includes the MEID, entering into a mode in which the vehicle telematics unit uses a modem for receipt and transmission of data | 02-02-2012 |
20120028681 | MULTI-TONE DETECTION FOR IN-BAND DATA MODEM LINK ESTABLISHMENT IN WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method and system for modem signaling over a voice channel of a cellular or other wireless communication system. A plurality of sequential tones are transmitted, each of which corresponds to at least one network type and contains at least one primary frequency selected so as to successfully be passed through its associated network type. This permits the use of modem signaling to establish a data connection regardless of the type of network equipment utilized, so that the method will work with both newer and older generation vocoders and other network equipment. | 02-02-2012 |
20120147863 | METHOD OF VALIDATING 1X PACKET AVAILABILITY IN A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A method of communicating with a telematics-equipped vehicle includes receiving a circuit-switched telephone call at a central facility from a telematics-equipped vehicle via a wireless carrier system that is in local communication with the telematics-equipped vehicle; determining during the circuit-switched telephone call that a separate packet-data communication session between the telematics-equipped vehicle and the central facility is desired; identifying the wireless carrier system that is in local communication with the telematics-equipped vehicle; querying the identified wireless carrier system from the central facility to determine whether the telematics-equipped vehicle is authorized to establish a packet-data communication session using the identified wireless carrier system; if so, obtaining an Internet protocol (IP) address from the identified wireless carrier system; and commencing the exchange of data between the telematics-equipped vehicle and the central facility using the obtained IP address. | 06-14-2012 |
20120196564 | Hands Free Calling System for Telematics Users Using A Network-Based Pre-Pay System - The described invention provides a method and system for allowing subscribers of a telematics service provider (TSP) to make hands-free phone calls within their vehicles through a telematics unit over a network or hardware-based pre-pay system, wherein the telematics unit or a wireless network provider associated with the TSP controls the ingoing and outgoing hands-free calling (HFC) processes. The wireless network provider, through its system at a remote call center or through the telematics unit, may determine whether the subscriber has subscribed to the TSP's HFC service, whether the subscriber has a sufficient remaining balance to initiate, receive or continue a call, and whether a user of the telematics unit is “roaming.” When a user attempts to make or receive a call through the telematics unit, the wireless network provider or the telematics unit may handle the incoming or outgoing call processing, and may further provide subscriber account balance notifications to the user. | 08-02-2012 |
20120244816 | Telematics Provisioning System for Deactivated Devices - The disclosed invention provides a system and method for efficiently establishing a data call connection from a TSP call center to deactivated telematics units without a subscriber profile being in an HLR or VLR and without the use of a “500” number. An equipment identifier associated with a deactivated telematics unit may be delivered to the wireless network provider, and a calling line ID based on the equipment identifier and a common number for deactivated telematics units may be translated into a paging address through which the deactivated telematics unit may be paged. An appropriate paging strategy based on the network topology may be used to page the deactivated telematics unit and establish a data call connection with the deactivated telematics unit. The deactivated telematics unit may then be provisioned or perform or have performed on it other functions based on the data call connection. | 09-27-2012 |
20120244850 | MEID-BASED PAGING TO REACH DE-ACTIVATED TELEMATICS MODULES - A method of operating a telematics unit includes replacing a mobile identification number (MIN) or a mobile dialed number (MDN) stored in a telematics unit with a temporary geographical mobile identification number (GMIN) that prevents the telematics unit from using all of its features; associating the GMIN with a mobile equipment identification number (MEID) of the vehicle telematics unit; storing the associated GMIN and MEID at a central facility; paging the telematics unit using the associated GMIN and MEID; and instructing the telematics unit via the page to communicate with the central facility over a wireless data connection. | 09-27-2012 |
20120302265 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS COMMUNICATION FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE TELEMATICS SERVICES - A method and system for providing a communication message to a vehicle occupant using a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system involves receiving a broadcasted message having a plurality of different codes at a vehicle telematics unit, generating a text message by converting at least some of the codes into one or more words, and concatenating the words together to form the text message. The method further involves presenting the text message to an occupant of the vehicle. | 11-29-2012 |
20120320825 | METHOD OF SPEEDING CALL FLOW - A system and method for communicating between a vehicle and a central facility includes initiating at a vehicle a request for turn-by-turn directions; establishing a packet-switched call between the vehicle and a central facility using a wireless carrier system and a mobile dialed number (MDN) associated with the vehicle; receiving determined route information at the vehicle from the central facility via the packet-switched call; offering a vehicle occupant a service option that uses a circuit-switched call; and if the vehicle occupant accepts the service option, directing the wireless carrier system to establish the circuit-switched call using the MDN while maintaining the packet-switched call in a dormant state. | 12-20-2012 |
20120327918 | TIMING ADJUSTMENT FOR EXTENDING THE WIRELESS RANGE OF A VEHICLE TELEMATICS UNIT - A system and method of extending the range of a vehicle telematics unit includes determining that a vehicle telematics unit is outside of a geographic range beyond which time division multiple access (TDMA) transmissions sent from the vehicle telematics unit to a base station arrive at the base station after a time slot allocated to the vehicle telematics unit in a time frame has passed; calculating a time delay that causes the TDMA transmissions to arrive at the base station in the allocated time slot of a subsequent time frame; and sending TDMA transmissions from the vehicle telematics unit at a time determined using the time delay. | 12-27-2012 |
20130016637 | VEHICLE BATTERY POWER SAVE TIMERAANM Yi; Ki HakAACI WindsorAACO CAAAGP Yi; Ki Hak Windsor CAAANM Shamoun; Christopher N.AACI Commerce TownshipAAST MIAACO USAAGP Shamoun; Christopher N. Commerce Township MI US - The described method and system provide for processing telematics service-related calls on a telematics-equipped vehicle when the vehicle ignition is off. By utilizing one or more call timers, the described invention is able to prevent excessive drain to the vehicle battery while still providing broad access to telematics services when the vehicle ignition is off. Certain types of calls may be excepted from the call timers, and different types of calls may use different call timers. A call center may also intervene and modify the process by changing the values of the timers. | 01-17-2013 |
20130090782 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING WITH A VEHICLE HAVING A TELEMATICS UNIT - A system and method for communicating between a vehicle having a vehicle telematics unit and a central facility includes establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a vehicle and a central facility; constructing a data message for communication between the vehicle and the central facility using the VPN; transmitting the data message via the VPN using an unreliable transmission protocol; and determining if the transmitted data message arrived at its destination. | 04-11-2013 |
20130109416 | VEHICLE TELEMATICS COMMUNICATION USING TEXT ENCODING OF BINARY DATA | 05-02-2013 |
20130130665 | METHOD OF INITIATING A HANDS-FREE CONFERENCE CALL - A method of operating a vehicle telematics unit includes storing a conference call access code; initiating a conference call from a vehicle based on verbal commands received from a vehicle occupant; receiving a request for the conference call access code from an automated telephone attendant (ATA) while initiating the conference call; determining that the ATA has requested the conference call access code using a speech recognition function at the vehicle; and sending the stored conference call access code to the ATA based on the determination of the speech recognition function. | 05-23-2013 |
20130310010 | METHOD OF COMMUNICATING BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND A TELEMATICS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE - A method of communicating between a vehicle and a telematics subscription service includes initiating a call from a vehicle telematics unit to a telematics subscription service via a wireless carrier system; accessing a vertical service code telephone number that is associated with the telematics subscription service and stored at a vehicle carrying the vehicle telematics unit; establishing a call between the vehicle telematics unit and the telematics subscription service using the accessed vertical service code telephone number; and wirelessly transmitting vehicle-related data between the vehicle telematics unit and the telematics subscription service over the established call. | 11-21-2013 |
20130329634 | RESOLVING IP ADDRESSES IN A WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT - A method of anonymously resolving Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a distributed network includes defining a virtual geographic area that comprises a micro dynamic domain name server (MDDNS); wirelessly receiving at a central facility a geographic attribute of a telematics unit; determining at the central facility that the telematics unit is within the virtual geographic area using the received geographic attribute; and transmitting an IP address of a host telematics unit in the MDDNS to the telematics unit. | 12-12-2013 |