In-vehicle text messaging experience engine
Granted: July 15, 2014
Patent Number:
8781838
The disclosed invention provides a system and apparatus for providing a telematics system user with an improved texting experience. A messaging experience engine database enables voice avatar/personality selection, acronym conversion, shorthand conversion, and custom audio and video mapping. As an interpreter of the messaging content that is passed through the telematics system, the system eliminates the need for a user to manually manipulate a texting device, or to read such a device.…
Roadside handling for alternate-propulsion systems
Granted: July 15, 2014
Patent Number:
8781657
The described method and system allow a service provider to remotely interact with a vehicle analysis system, high voltage battery contactors, and other vehicle systems to eliminate certain sources of inconvenience for service personnel and users. For example, when the high voltage battery contactors are disconnected inadvertently or as a precaution, they may later need to be safely reengaged to allow the user to drive the disabled but otherwise operational vehicle. Conversely, when an…
Method for storing off-board navigation destination locations
Granted: July 8, 2014
Patent Number:
8775079
A method for verifying and storing location coordinates includes receiving a verification request at a call center, the verification request including location coordinates. The method further includes determining routability of received location coordinates, and transmitting location information from the call center to an off-board navigation device based on the determination. The method further includes, storing the location information. A system and a computer readable medium including…
Speech recognition for premature enunciation
Granted: June 24, 2014
Patent Number:
8762151
Methods of automatic speech recognition for premature enunciation. In one method, a) a user is prompted to input speech, then b) a listening period is initiated to monitor audio via a microphone, such that there is no pause between the end of step a) and the beginning of step b), and then the begin-speaking audible indicator is communicated to the user during the listening period. In another method, a) at least one audio file is played including both a prompt for a user to input speech…
Production of cryptographic keys for an embedded processing device
Granted: June 24, 2014
Patent Number:
8761390
A system and method for producing cryptographic keys for use by an embedded processing device within a manufactured product. A pseudo random number generator is seeded with entropy data gathered by the embedded device, and the result is used to generate a public-private key pair. The process can be carried out during manufacturing so that the public key of each manufactured product can be stored in a database along with a unique identifier for the embedded device associated with the key.…
Extending the range of vehicular cellular communications
Granted: June 17, 2014
Patent Number:
8755764
A system and method for extending the cellular range of communications using a vehicle telematics unit. The system includes the vehicle telematics unit which is connected with other vehicle hardware and includes wireless cellular capability for communicating from the vehicle to a call center or other facilities via a wireless communication system. The method carried out by the system includes identifying a cellular base station in wireless communication with a vehicle telematics unit;…
Male acoustic model adaptation based on language-independent female speech data
Granted: June 17, 2014
Patent Number:
8756062
A method of generating proxy acoustic models for use in automatic speech recognition includes training acoustic models from speech received via microphone from male speakers of a first language, and adapting the acoustic models in response to language-independent speech data from female speakers of a second language, to generate proxy acoustic models for use during runtime of speech recognition of an utterance from a female speaker of the first language.
Providing emergency communication services using a vehicle telematics unit and a mobile device
Granted: June 17, 2014
Patent Number:
8754766
A system and method for providing a communication about a potential vehicular crash via a vehicle telematics unit and a personal mobile device. In one embodiment, the method carried out by the system receives a notification of a potential vehicular crash from a personal mobile device located at the vehicle. Then, the method confirms the occurrence of the crash by the vehicle telematics unit. Later, the method provides a wireless communication about the crash to one or more parties.
Method of processing vehicle crash data
Granted: June 10, 2014
Patent Number:
8749350
A method of processing vehicle crash data includes the steps of receiving vehicle data obtained at a vehicle during a vehicle crash, determining the identity of the vehicle, estimating the severity of the vehicle crash using the determined vehicle identity and the received vehicle data, and providing the estimated severity to an emergency responder.
Vehicle telematics communication for well-being checks
Granted: June 10, 2014
Patent Number:
8750943
A method and system for attempting contact with a person via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system involves receiving a request for well-being check of a person, placing a call to that person's vehicle, and performing a well-being check if the person answers the call. If the call is not answered, then the method further involves setting a vehicle trigger, presenting a well-being check message to the occupant upon occurrence of the trigger, receiving a return…
Method and system for enabling a device function of a vehicle
Granted: June 10, 2014
Patent Number:
8751241
The current invention provides a method and system for enabling a device function of a vehicle. A speech input stream is received at a telematics unit. A speech input context is determined for the received speech input stream. The received speech input stream is processed based on the determination and the device function of the vehicle is enabled responsive to the processed speech input stream. A vehicle device in control of the enabled device function of the vehicle is directed based…
Method of using vehicle location information with a wireless mobile device
Granted: June 3, 2014
Patent Number:
8744745
A system and method for monitoring vehicle position includes receiving vehicle location information at a mobile wireless device via short-range communication from the vehicle, storing the received vehicle location information at the wireless mobile device, receiving a request from a user of the wireless mobile device for a navigational route to the vehicle, determining the location of the wireless mobile device, and providing at the wireless mobile device the navigational route between…
Method of initiating a hands-free conference call
Granted: June 3, 2014
Patent Number:
8744421
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…
System and method for automatically managing current draw from a telematics device in transit
Granted: May 27, 2014
Patent Number:
8738225
The described method and system provide for reduction of the current draw from a vehicle battery caused by a telematics unit while the vehicle is in transit. By programming the telematics unit with instructions to ignore the awake algorithm or awake parameters while the vehicle is being shipped, or by programming the telematics unit to apply a different set of load-saving awake parameters while the vehicle is being shipped, the current draw from the vehicle battery caused by the…
Method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway and method and system of communicating the same
Granted: May 27, 2014
Patent Number:
8738214
A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for…
Method of vehicle notification of call center service interruptions
Granted: May 20, 2014
Patent Number:
8731145
A method of regulating data transmissions used with telematics-equipped vehicles. The steps include establishing a period of anticipated call center service outage, notifying a plurality of telematics units of the period of anticipated call center service outage, storing that outage information at the plurality of telematics units, and then when a call from the vehicle to the call center is desired during the service outage, the process implements a call handling procedure that delays…
Method of reducing response time for delivery of vehicle telematics services
Granted: May 20, 2014
Patent Number:
8732405
A method of operating a predictive data cache includes receiving a request for telematics service from a telematics service requester, determining the subject matter of the request, querying a predictive data cache to determine if the predictive data cache includes a service response to the subject matter of the request and, if the predictive data cache includes the service response, then providing the service response to the requester and updating the predictive data cache using the…
Method for providing a security service using a vehicle keyfob
Granted: May 20, 2014
Patent Number:
8731741
A system and method that enables a user of a telematics-equipped vehicle to initiate security services by activating their vehicle keyfob. If a user senses an emergency situation, such as a person breaking into their home, they can engage a panic button on their vehicle keyfob. This causes the vehicle to send a wireless warning signal to a call center which already has emergency contact numbers on file. The call center can then call the user to see if they require assistance from a…
Method of using a smart phone as a telematics device interface
Granted: May 20, 2014
Patent Number:
8731627
A system and method for controlling a vehicle telematics unit via a smart phone using the steps of: storing a software application for remotely controlling the telematics unit at the smart phone; using the stored software application to communicatively connect the smart phone with the telematics unit via a short-range wireless communication link; receiving data from the telematics unit that is used to display a menu of telematics service selections at the smart phone; receiving a…
Method for remotely controlling vehicle features
Granted: May 20, 2014
Patent Number:
8731155
A method and system that enables users to remotely control or manage certain vehicle features, such as emergency flashers or a remote engine start, through the use of a trigger device other than a conventional vehicle key fob. For example, a trigger device like a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a computer can be used to remotely control or activate select vehicle features. In one embodiment, short message service (SMS) messages are used to send feature commands…
