Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Macdonald
Andrew J. Macdonald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9179488Abstract: A method of re-establishing a cellular connection between a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system includes detecting a loss of cellular connection between a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system; accessing a technology order table (TOT) that orders a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) capable of use at the vehicle telematics unit according to desirability; attempting to re-establish the cellular connection by: determining the RAT used by the vehicle telematics unit when the loss of cellular connection was detected; searching the TOT to locate a less desirable RAT relative to the RAT used by the vehicle telematics unit when the loss of cellular connection was detected; attempting to connect with the wireless carrier system using the less desirable RAT and a group of PLMNs that is limited to home and home-equivalent PLMNs; and if that attempt fails, attempting to connect with the wireless carrier system by iterating through each of the RATs ordered in the TOT beginningType: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Yao Hui Lei, Andrew J. Macdonald, Ayman R. Daoud, Dipankar Pal, David George, James J. Piwowarski, Curtis L. Hay
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Publication number: 20150223151Abstract: A method and a system of controlling a PLMN scan rate (PCR) in a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) determining a power condition that includes a powered mode, an unpowered mode, and a DRx mode; (b) determining whether the telematics unit is scanning one or more home networks or one or more visitor networks; and (c) setting the PCR based on the determined power condition and the determined network, including: (c1) when in the powered mode and scanning a visitor network, the PCR is set to a first scan rate; (c2) when in the powered mode and scanning a home network, the PCR is set to a second scan rate that is slower than the first rate; and (c3) when in the DRx mode, the PCR is set to a third scan rate that is slower than the second rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: General Motors LLCInventors: Yao Hui Lei, Andrew J. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20150222553Abstract: A method and a system for providing vehicle data services to communication devices located at a remote vehicle. The method includes the steps of: establishing data communication between a telematics backend system and one of a plurality of communication devices located at the remote vehicle; determining at the telematics backend system an access point name (APN) for at least one of the plurality of communication devices, a type of vehicle services data for the at least one of the plurality of communication devices, or both; and based on the determined APN, the type of vehicle services data, or both, transmitting from or receiving at the telematics backend the vehicle services data according to a network traffic shaping scheme.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Andrew J. Macdonald, Jonathan L. Gerlach, Dipankar Pal, David George
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Publication number: 20150223273Abstract: A method and a system for providing vehicle services to at least one communication device located at a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: receiving a request at the vehicle telematics unit for first vehicle services from a first communication device located at a vehicle; associating a first identifier with the first communication device; and providing the first vehicle services to the first communication device, wherein the vehicle services are provided according to at least one services parameter associated with the first identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: General Motors LLCInventors: Andrew J. Macdonald, Jonathan L. Gerlach, Dipankar Pal, David George
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Publication number: 20150215986Abstract: A method of re-establishing a cellular connection between a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system includes detecting a loss of cellular connection between a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system; accessing a technology order table (TOT) that orders a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) capable of use at the vehicle telematics unit according to desirability; attempting to re-establish the cellular connection by: determining the RAT used by the vehicle telematics unit when the loss of cellular connection was detected; searching the TOT to locate a less desirable RAT relative to the RAT used by the vehicle telematics unit when the loss of cellular connection was detected; attempting to connect with the wireless carrier system using the less desirable RAT and a group of PLMNs that is limited to home and home-equivalent PLMNs; and if that attempt fails, attempting to connect with the wireless carrier system by iterating through each of the RATs ordered in the TOT beginningType: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: General Motors LLCInventors: Yao Hui Lei, Andrew J. Macdonald, Ayman R. Daoud, Dipankar Pal, David George, James J. Piwowarski, Curtis L. Hay
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Patent number: 9014678Abstract: A system and method for data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel connection using a vocoder that prevents the generation of spurious signals during transmission. The method utilizes a signaling waveform which varies in amplitude, frequency, phase, or combination thereof without exhibiting periodic nullities.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Andrew J. Macdonald, Sethu K. Madhavan, Claude Jinga
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Publication number: 20150072668Abstract: A method of controlling wireless voice and data communications includes identifying a radio access technology (RAT) in use at a vehicle telematics unit; establishing a wireless connection between the vehicle telematics unit and a central facility; wirelessly transmitting the identity of the RAT from the vehicle telematics unit to the central facility; receiving a message at the vehicle telematics unit from the central facility based on the identity of the RAT causing the vehicle telematics unit to: carry out simultaneous voice and data communications over a single wireless connection with the central facility when the identified RAT supports simultaneous voice and data communications; and establish a voice call with the central facility and receive data via short message service (SMS) messages when the identified RAT does not support simultaneous voice and data communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: General Motors LLCInventors: Andrew J. Macdonald, David George
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Patent number: 8948727Abstract: 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 authorized for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Jin Tang, Ki Hak Yi, Andrew J. MacDonald, Sethu K. Madhavan
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Patent number: 8938230Abstract: A method of communicating between a vehicle and a telematics subscription service includes wirelessly linking a vehicle telematics unit to a session initiation protocol (SIP) proxy server; placing a telephone call from the vehicle telematics unit that is received by the SIP proxy server via the wireless link; establishing a SIP connection between the vehicle telematics unit and a telematics subscription service using the SIP proxy server in response to the placed telephone call; and communicating packetized data between the vehicle telematics unit and the telematics subscription service via the SIP connection.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Ki Hak Yi, Kenneth L. Peirce, Sethu K. Madhavan, Andrew J. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20150017997Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle telematics unit includes placing the vehicle telematics unit in a data mode while camped on a base station that does not use a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) cellular standard; sensing an amount of time that has passed since the vehicle telematics unit last received a request for data while in the data mode; comparing the sensed amount of time with a predetermined threshold using the vehicle telematics unit; and commanding the vehicle telematics unit to maintain the data mode and also to enter a voice mode when the sensed amount of time exceeds the predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Dipankar Pal, Andrew J. Macdonald, John L. Dale
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Patent number: 8934917Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle telematics unit includes placing the vehicle telematics unit in a data mode while camped on a base station that does not use a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) cellular standard; sensing an amount of time that has passed since the vehicle telematics unit last received a request for data while in the data mode; comparing the sensed amount of time with a predetermined threshold using the vehicle telematics unit; and commanding the vehicle telematics unit to maintain the data mode and also to enter a voice mode when the sensed amount of time exceeds the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Dipankar Pal, Andrew J. Macdonald, John L. Dale
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Patent number: 8918232Abstract: A method and system for establishing short range wireless communication (SRWC) between a handheld communications device (HCD) and a vehicle telematics unit. In some instances, the communication may be established following a disconnection event between the telematics unit and a wireless carrier network. The SRWC may include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct as well as other suitable protocols or technologies. Once SRWC is established, the telematics unit may receive a vehicle command from the HCD and perform the command.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Nadav Lavi, Andrew J. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20140200740Abstract: A method and system for establishing short range wireless communication (SRWC) between a handheld communications device (HCD) and a vehicle telematics unit. In some instances, the communication may be established following a disconnection event between the telematics unit and a wireless carrier network. The SRWC may include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct as well as other suitable protocols or technologies. Once SRWC is established, the telematics unit may receive a vehicle command from the HCD and perform the command.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Nadav Lavi, Andrew J. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20140194149Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly communicating over two wireless networks having different communication protocols using a single transceiver of a vehicle telematics unit. The method includes monitoring a first network for an incoming page using a transceiver and a first network access device (NAD); the transceiver and the first NAD may be components of a cellular device, such as a vehicle telematics unit. The method includes monitoring a second network for another incoming page using the same transceiver and a second NAD. The second NAD also may be a component of the cellular device. When a page is received over the second network, a call may be connected using the second NAD, and the first network may be periodically monitored for an incoming page without disconnecting the call of the second network.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Nadav Lavi, Kobi Jacob Scheim, Andrew J. Macdonald, Ron Rotstein
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Patent number: 8761736Abstract: A system and method of communicating with a modem via a voice channel of a wireless communication system. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of (a) establishing a voice channel connection between a vehicle telematics unit and call center via a wireless cellular network, (b) generating a modem signaling carrier comprising a single frequency tone together with a speech component, (c) sending the modem signaling carrier over the voice channel connection using an EVRC-B vocoder, (d) establishing a data communication session over the voice channel connection in response to the modem signaling carrier, and thereafter (e) carrying out data communications between the vehicle telematics unit and call center during the data communication session.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew J. MacDonald, Cem U. Saraydar, Sethu K. Madhavan
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Publication number: 20140128072Abstract: A method of re-attempting to wirelessly connect a vehicle telematics unit with a wireless carrier system includes detecting that a primary retry method has failed; and carrying out a secondary retry method that: determines whether the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using a first radio access technology (RAT) or a second RAT; re-attempts a cellular connection with one or more base stations using a first RAT attachment procedure when it is determined that the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using the first RAT; and re-attempts a cellular connection with one or more base stations using a second RAT attachment procedure when it is determined that the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using the second RAT.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Ki Hak Yi, Curtis L. Hay, Andrew J. Macdonald, Yao Hui Lei, James J. Piwowarski
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Patent number: 8712379Abstract: A system and method for transmitting short message service (SMS) messages between a vehicle and a central facility includes determining an authentication tone having a unique characteristic, generating an SMS message that includes computer-readable data representing the authentication tone; sending the SMS message to a central facility, establishing a call between the central facility and the vehicle using a vehicle telematics unit and a wireless carrier system, generating the determined authentication tone at the vehicle, and transmitting the generated authentication tone over the established call to the central facility.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Ki Hak Yi, Kenneth L. Peirce, Andrew J. MacDonald, Sethu K. Madhavan
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Publication number: 20140066092Abstract: A method includes obtaining data indicative of at least a speed of a mobile communication device. A communication scheme for reporting a position of the mobile communication device is determined, based on at least the speed. The mobile communication device is caused to report its position in accordance with the determined communication scheme.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kobi Jacob SCHEIM, Ron ROTSTEIN, Nadav LAVI, Moshe LAIFENFELD, Andrew J. MACDONALD
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Patent number: 8630619Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Ki Hak Yi, Kenneth L. Peirce, Curtis L. Hay, Andrew J. Macdonald
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Publication number: 20130337801Abstract: A method of communicating between a vehicle and a telematics subscription service includes wirelessly linking a vehicle telematics unit to a session initiation protocol (SIP) proxy server; placing a telephone call from the vehicle telematics unit that is received by the SIP proxy server via the wireless link; establishing a SIP connection between the vehicle telematics unit and a telematics subscription service using the SIP proxy server in response to the placed telephone call; and communicating packetized data between the vehicle telematics unit and the telematics subscription service via the SIP connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLCInventors: Kenneth L. Peirce, Sethu K. Madhavan, Andrew J. Macdonald