Programmable wireless in-line connector
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8326484
A system employing a vehicle module, and an intelligent connector in communication with the vehicle module implements a method for controlling the vehicle module. First, the intelligent connector receives a wireless transmission of a command signal. Second, the intelligent connector determines one or more control actions responsive to the command signal. Finally, the intelligent connector communicates one or more control signals indicative of the control action(s) to the vehicle module.
Downloaded destinations and interface for multiple in-vehicle navigation devices
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8326527
The described method and system for providing navigation assistance to a user of a mobile navigation system includes presenting a web interface to the user, the web interface having one or more user-selectable fields including a destination field. Through the interface, the user can identify a desired destination and download data associated with the destination to a database associated with a call center. Later, the user may download the data to their mobile navigation device, e.g.,…
Method and system for staffing a call center utilizing a time-based, graduated shrink ramp schedule
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8326667
A method for staffing a call center involves, via a processor at the call center, generating a work schedule of a call center advisor for a then-current work day, the work schedule including i) information related to at least one planned activity, and ii) information related to at least one shrink activity, the information related to the at least one shrink activity being forecasted from a time-based, graduated ramp schedule. The method further involves, via the processor, utilizing the…
Wireless communication using compact certificates
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8327146
A method and communications system for generating and using compact digital certificates for secure wireless communication. Each compact certificate includes a digital signature and only a portion of the data used in generating the signature. The remaining certificate data is pre-stored on one or more wireless devices for which secure communication is desired. Upon receiving a compact certificate, the wireless device authenticates the certificate using its digital signature along with…
Remote trigger of an alternate energy source to power a vehicle system
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8326470
The described method and system improve electric-power driving range for electric vehicles, i.e., electric-only, hybrid electric, and other vehicles that draw electrical power from an on-board storage system for propulsion and auxiliary functions such as HVAC, defroster, defogger, seat heaters, seat coolers, etc. The described system uses an alternate energy source off-board of the vehicle, e.g., the municipal power grid, to power and run vehicle systems while the vehicle is plugged into…
Method and system for conference calling with vehicle occupant
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8320893
The disclosed system and method provide a mechanism for facilitating a conference call between a telematics subscriber and third parties through a call center. In one aspect, vehicle data may be uploaded data from the telematics unit while maintaining the conference call. The uploaded data may contain GPS location of the vehicle to assist a requester in locating and assisting the vehicle occupant.
Voice channel data connection retry strategy
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8320914
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…
System and method for providing route guidance to a requesting vehicle
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8321125
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a recommended route, based, in part, on fuel consumption, to a requesting vehicle using data collected from other vehicles. The system includes, but is not limited, to a communication system that is configured to receive vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. A data storage system is in communication with the communication system and is configured to store the vehicle data as compiled vehicle data. A processor is in communication with…
Method for obtaining electronic vehicle identification number (VIN)
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8321524
A method for obtaining an electronic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a vehicle. According to one embodiment, an electronic VIN request is generated at the vehicle through a vehicle user interface, such as a visual display, a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, or an electronic control or button. According to another embodiment, the electronic VIN request is generated at an entity, such as a remote call center, that is remotely located from the vehicle. In either case, the…
Interactive information dissemination and retrieval system and method for generating action items
Granted: November 13, 2012
Patent Number:
8312104
An interactive information dissemination and retrieval system is disclosed herein. The system includes a website configured to host a blog and to receive at least one blog post. An information retrieval reporting system is configured to i) extract a first set of tags from the blog and a second set of tags from the at least one blog post and ii) recognize a semantic relationship between the first and second sets of tags. At least one analyzer is included in the system and is configured to…
Method and system for configuring a telematics device using two-way data messaging
Granted: November 6, 2012
Patent Number:
8306560
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…
Voice fallback strategy for vehicle originated cellular communication to a call center
Granted: October 23, 2012
Patent Number:
8295816
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…
Voice dialing using a rejection reference
Granted: October 23, 2012
Patent Number:
8296145
A voice dialing method includes the steps of receiving an utterance from a user, decoding the utterance to identify a recognition result for the utterance, and communicating to the user the recognition result. If an indication is received from the user that the communicated recognition result is incorrect, then it is added to a rejection reference. Then, when the user repeats the misunderstood utterance, the rejection reference can be used to eliminate the incorrect recognition result as…
Method and system for communicating data over a wireless communication system voice channel utilizing frame gaps
Granted: September 11, 2012
Patent Number:
8265193
The present invention provides a method for communicating data over a voice channel of a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving a first periodic data signal and modulating the first periodic data signal to produce a second periodic data signal. Modulating the first periodic data signal includes inserting a predetermined silence period into the first periodic data signal at timed intervals to produce the second periodic data signal. The method further includes…
Data communication via a voice channel of a wireless communication network using discontinuities
Granted: September 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8259840
A system and method for data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel using a vocoder that operates in different modes depending upon characteristics of the inputted signal it receives. To prepare the digital data for transmission, one or more carrier signals are encoded with the digital data using one of a number of modulation schemes that utilize differential phase shift keying to give the modulated carrier…
Method for changing the mobile number of a wireless communications device
Granted: September 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8260345
An automated method for remotely changing the mobile number (MDN or MIN) of a wireless communications device, such as a vehicle communications device capable of making hands-free calls. Generally, some wireless carriers do not allow multiple mobile numbers to be simultaneously activated to a single wireless communications device. Therefore, when a mobile number change request is made, the automated method determines what type of process is most appropriate for that change: an indirect…
Bayesian product recommendation engine
Granted: August 28, 2012
Patent Number:
8255263
The invention provides a method of generating a recommendation for a product type. A plurality of product attributes associated with the product type is provided. A sampled set of consumer values is received. At least one user preference corresponding to the product attributes is received. A plurality of consumer values based on the at least one user preference and the sample set of consumer values is calculated, and at least one product recommendation is determined based on the…
Algorithm for intelligent speech recognition
Granted: August 14, 2012
Patent Number:
8244536
A method for intelligent speech recognition for premature enunciators is disclosed. The method allows for speech recognition systems to adjust to commands of premature enunciators, who speak before the system is ready receive speech input. The method comprises activating the speech recognition system, informing the user that the speech recognition system is ready to receive speech input, and initiating a listening period. The method further comprises receiving input from a user before…
Cellular voice channel origination for vehicle communication with a call center
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8238896
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…
Voice fallback origination for vehicle cellular communication with a call center
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8238897
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…
