Patents Assigned to General Motors LLC
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Patent number: 9843499Abstract: A scalable distributed server system and method to maintain the system, wherein the system comprises a top virtual layer that includes a fixed or variable number of virtual buckets, wherein a virtual bucket maps an input to a routing bucket in one or more middle routing layers; and a bottom server layer that includes a variable number of servers that each include a database that stores data and an application that recalls data from and stores data into the database, wherein the one or more middle routing layers comprise a variable number of routing buckets that route input received from a virtual bucket in the top virtual layer to a server contained within the bottom server layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Primo M. Pettovello
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Patent number: 9841288Abstract: An improved guidance system and method provide a packaged tour object having tour directions and media related to points of interest of a tour for playing via a telematics unit. A user is provided, via their telematics unit, with specific directions to access points of interest of the tour in a certain sequence, while the telematics unit optionally conveys media content to the user at appropriate points. The media content may be keyed to an upcoming site, and may comprise audio and/or visual information. In addition, user convenience information such as parking and ticketing information may be contained ion the packaged tour object for presentation via the telematics unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Chester A. Huber, Nebojsa Nedeljkovic, Richard A. Johnson, Laurence J. Tretyak
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Publication number: 20170345304Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a parking space with a sign. A sensor monitors the parking space and generate sensor data. A short-range transceiver receives a vehicle identification key and communicates over a short-range communication channel. A processor module is communicatively coupled with the sensor and the short-range transceiver. The processor module is configured to determine whether a vehicle in the parking space is an approved vehicle or an unapproved vehicle based on at least one of the sensor data and the vehicle identification key. The processor module generates a first notification when the the approved vehicle is in the parking space and a second notification when unapproved vehicle is in the parking space. The first and second notifications are transmitted by the short-range transceiver over the short-range communication channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: CHRISTOPHER L. OESTERLING, PAUL H. PEBBLES, PETER B. KOSAK
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Patent number: 9830641Abstract: In an example of an ordering method, an application receives an order for a product. The application may be an in-vehicle application resident on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit of a vehicle or a mobile-device application resident on a memory of a mobile device. Without contacting a merchant of the product, the application determines a preparation time for the product. The application dynamically determines an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle or the mobile device at a location of the merchant. The application holds the order for the product until the estimated time of arrival is equal to or less than the preparation time for the product.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Nate Williams, Marco T. Carnevale, Dario A. Lencina Talarico, Vijay Vardhan, Paul H. Pebbles
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Patent number: 9817838Abstract: A communication system and a method for purging user data stored in a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes: (a) receiving an input associated with a future time for performing a purge of user data in a vehicle module; (b) determining a first expiration threshold associated with the input; (c) determining one or more additional expiration thresholds based on the first expiration threshold; (d) monitoring vehicle parameter values associated with the first and additional expiration thresholds; (e) based on the parameter values and the first and additional expiration thresholds, determining to initiate a user data purge event; and (f) purging the user data based on the determination of step (e).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Thomas K. Mauti, Jr.
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Patent number: 9794768Abstract: A communication system and methods of using the communication system to re-activate a previously used access point name (APN) in order to re-establish connectivity between an application service provider (ASP) and a telematics unit in a vehicle. The steps of the method include: receiving content data at the vehicle via the ASP using a first access point name (APN); experiencing a loss of connectivity between the vehicle and the ASP, wherein the loss of connectivity includes de-activation of the first APN with the ASP; transmitting from the vehicle via a second APN a re-activation request associated with the first APN; and in response to the re-activation request, receiving a notification at the vehicle that the first APN has been re-activated.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Bonnie Chen
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Publication number: 20170291539Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting objects within a vehicle. A sensor monitors an interior of the vehicle and generates sensor data. A detection module detects objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor data. An action module takes an action based on the objects detected in the interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventor: CARTER T. AVERY
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Publication number: 20170295478Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering product information to a mobile device. A beacon uses a transmitter to transmit a product identification key to the mobile device over a first communication channel. A remote server has a database of detailed product information corresponding to the product identification key. An application on the mobile device to requests the detailed product information from the remote server over a second communication channel. The remote server transmits the detailed product information to the mobile device over the second communication channel and the detailed product information is displayed on the mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventor: KUNAL JAGGI
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Patent number: 9767697Abstract: A method for automated enrollment and activation of a mobile telematics system comprising receiving a customer data record of a customer at a communication services database, determining a command signal based on the customer data record, sending the command signal to a telematics unit of a vehicle, enrolling the customer in a telematics-unit access system based on the command signal and activating the telematics unit of the telematics-unit access system based on the command signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: David W. Rockett, Frederick J. Beiermeister, Gary M. Gumushian
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Patent number: 9768956Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating communications between a vehicle and a service provider are provided. A first address of a vehicle communication device and a second address of a service provider communication device are obtained at a remote location that is remote to both the vehicle and the service provider. A set of keys, including a first key and a second key, is generated at the remote server. The first key is for use by the vehicle in establishing communications with the service provider, and the second key is for use by the service provider in establishing communications with the vehicle. The first key is provided to the vehicle, and the second key is provided to the service provider.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventor: Mark S. Schaefer
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Patent number: 9769647Abstract: A system and method of provisioning a wireless device that uses cellular communication protocols. The method carried out by the system includes: establishing a wireless communications session with the wireless device at a remote facility; transmitting provisioning information from the remote facility to the wireless device via the wireless communications session; and including a computer readable instruction with the provisioning information commanding the wireless device to contact the remote facility when the wireless communications session has been interrupted and the transmission of provisioning information is not complete.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Matthew R. Waldner, Kyle M. Ellard, Monika Todorovic
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Patent number: 9759815Abstract: Implementations described herein contemplate measuring the carrier phase (CP) of carrier signals transmitted by constituent satellites of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide highly accurate calculations of a gradient of a road segment between different points at which the vehicle received carrier signals (from which CP measurements were made). The methods described herein are able to calculate the road grade with only an approximate estimate of the absolute altitude of the receiver. Similarly, the methods described herein are able to provide a precise estimate of road grade with only an approximate estimate of the absolute value of latitude or longitude. Furthermore, implementations described herein provide highly accurate calculations of road grade information with standard GNSS vehicle hardware and are thereby able to achieve a substantial increase in accuracy without increasing cost.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Chaminda Basnayake
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Patent number: 9762559Abstract: A system and method for securely providing a mobile device with a cryptographic key in a vehicle. The method includes generating a cryptographic key pair that includes a first and second cryptographic keys. One of the keys is used to create a scannable image which is then incorporated into a label that is displayed in the vehicle, either as a physical label mounted in the vehicle or via a display screen within the vehicle. The label containing the scannable image can then be read by a mobile device at the vehicle, thereby providing the one key to the mobile device for use in sending communications to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Kenneth L. Peirce
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Patent number: 9756669Abstract: A method of establishing a packet data connection includes accessing a Domain Name Server (DNS) to obtain an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a vehicle telematics unit; initiating a mobile-terminated packet data connection with the vehicle telematics unit using the IP address of the vehicle telematics unit; and establishing the mobile-terminated packet data connection when the vehicle telematics unit determines that a hostname representing an IP address of a third party initiating the mobile-terminated packet data connection matches at least one approved hostname recognized by the vehicle telematics unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Swapan Das, David George, Mohammad Ishfaq
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Patent number: 9736669Abstract: A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Mark S. Frye, Michael B. Ames, Derek Hopper
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Patent number: 9716758Abstract: A system for reduction of discontinuous-receive (DRx) transmissions for a network access device (NAD) of a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle includes: the telematics unit, configured to determine whether vehicle ignition of the telematics-equipped vehicle is on or off, the telematics unit further comprising the NAD, the NAD being configured to communicate with a network entity to perform a periodic updating procedure; the network entity, configured to communicate with the NAD for performance of the periodic updating procedure. The NAD and the network entity are further configured to reduce a frequency at which the periodic updating procedure is performed for the NAD in a DRx state relative to the frequency at which the periodic updating procedure is performed for the NAD in a vehicle ignition-on state.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Scott T Droste, Vishnu Chikondla
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Patent number: 9716927Abstract: A method of sending data from a central facility to a vehicle includes transmitting a vehicle identifier to a status server from a central facility located apart from the status server; obtaining at the central facility one or more vehicle status variables corresponding to the transmitted identity of the vehicle from the status server; and initiating a direct transmission of packet data from the central facility to the vehicle based on the content of the obtained vehicle status variables.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Scott Droste, Khaled Rabbah
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Patent number: 9705992Abstract: A system and method of remotely changing use of a cellular protocol at a vehicle includes: storing, in a network access device (NAD) at the vehicle, identities of one or more cellular bands that provide cellular service according to an up-to-date cellular protocol; wirelessly receiving at the vehicle a computer-readable instruction that deactivates the up-to-date cellular protocol; and in response to the computer-readable instruction, the vehicle: obtains the identities of the cellular bands stored in the NAD; stores the obtained identities in a non-volatile memory device located apart from the NAD; and erases in the NAD the identities of the cellular bands that provide cellular service according to an up-to-date cellular protocol.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Scott T. Droste, David George, Sitaram Emani
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Patent number: 9706372Abstract: A mobile vehicle communications system and a method of sending one or more secure short message service (SMS) messages using that system. The method includes the steps of: (a) determining at a sender a data quantity associated with zero or more proprietary data parcels (PDPs) to send within one or more SMS messages; (b) configuring an encrypted payload of each of the one or more configured SMS messages to carry the total number of PDPs, wherein when the size of the payload would result in an SMS message exceeding 140 bytes, the configuring step includes configuring a plurality of SMS messages to carry the payload; and (c) transmitting from the mobile originated device one or more configured SMS messages.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Yao Hui Lei, Richard Heines, Kenneth L. Peirce, Dipankar Pal
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Patent number: 9704477Abstract: A method is disclosed that provides text-to-speech (TTS) functionality to a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes: receiving text content to be played back by an audio system of the telematics-equipped vehicle; determining, by a processor, a TTS rendering process to be used for the text content from a plurality of TTS rendering processes, wherein the plurality of TTS rendering processes include local TTS rendering using a local TTS engine at the telematics-equipped vehicle and remote TTS rendering using a remote TTS engine at a communications center; and causing, by the processor, the text content to be rendered as an audio signal for playback by the telematics-equipped vehicle using the determined TTS rendering process.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Xufang Zhao, Omer Tsimhoni, Gaurav Talwar