Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tone detector and associated method for use with EVRC-B and GSM vocoders to enable reliable detection of system connect tones over a wireless communication system. The tone detection method examines a number of sequential data frames of the signal received from the vocoder and determines that the tone is present if the spectral energy at frequencies around the tone is much higher than that at neighboring frequencies and if the calculated center frequency of the data frames is at or near the frequency of the tone.

Abstract: A method of processing global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data includes identifying one or more GNSS satellites servicing a predefined area, receiving at least one of GNSS almanac data or space-based augmentation system (SBAS) data for the satellites servicing the predefined area, determining the performance of the GNSS satellites servicing the predefined area using the almanac data or SBAS data, and applying a performance rating to the predefined area based on the performance of the GNSS satellites.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of selecting a wireless carrier system using a vehicle telematics unit includes identifying the system identity of a first base station with which a vehicle telematics unit is presently registered; detecting the presence of a second base station having a different system identity using the vehicle telematics unit; determining that the system identity of the first base station is preferred by the vehicle telematics unit with respect to the system identity of the second base station; and registering the vehicle telematics unit with the second base station when the signal strength of the second base station is greater than the signal strength of the first base station.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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. In one particular example, a vehicle having an installed telematics unit uses the key generating process to self-generate keys using entropy data available to the vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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; attempting an emergency call via the identified cellular base station using the vehicle telematics unit; determining that a forward link portion of a cellular signal between the vehicle telematics unit and the identified cellular base station lacks sufficient strength to place the attempted emergency call; and transmitting emergency communications via the identified cellular base station using a reverse link portion of the cellular signal based on the determination.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for sending binary data via a short message service (SMS) over a wireless communication system. The method provides the capability to send and receive binary data to a vehicle telematics unit using a text SMS message. The binary data is converted to encoded text according to an encoding scheme supported by a wireless communication system. Then, the encoded text is sent as an SMS message over the wireless communication system. Once, the SMS message containing the encoded text is received at its destination, it is converted back to binary data.

Abstract: 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.