Abstract: The described method and system provide for over-the-air configuration of a telematics-equipped vehicle by wireless carriers and telematics service providers (TSPs). Regardless of whether a telematics-equipped vehicle has been provisioned for cellular service or not, the TSP and wireless carrier may control undesirable location updating from the vehicle, for example, by setting certain triggers or conditions upon the telematics unit before processing location updates provided by the telematics unit. These triggers or conditions may also be programmed into the telematics unit, whether through an OTA configuration session, or pre-loaded during manufacture. The TSP or wireless carrier may conduct OTA configuration sessions with the telematics unit to provision the telematics unit for cellular service, or provide the telematics unit with software or firmware updates.

Abstract: Vehicle telematics systems and methods for vehicle telematics systems are provided. The telematics system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing device. The first antenna is disposed at a first location on the vehicle. The second antenna is disposed at a second location on the vehicle. The second location is remote from the first location. The processing device is coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna. The processing device is configured to monitor a parameter that is indicative as to whether the first antenna is operational, communicate using the first antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is operational, and communicate using the second antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is not operational.

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: 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 communicating the second periodic data signal over the voice channel of the wireless communication system. The method of modulating the first periodic data signal may include receiving a control signal that includes parameters for a length of the predetermined silence period and timing of the intervals, modulating the first periodic data signal responsive to the received control signal, and producing the second periodic data signal.

Abstract: 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 signal certain periodicity and energy characteristics that allow it to be transmitted by the vocoder at full rate. The modulation schemes include DPSK using either a single or multiple frequency carriers, combined FSK-DPSK modulation, combined ASK-DPSK, PSK with a phase tracker in the demodulator, as well as continuous signal modulation (ASK or FSK) with inserted discontinuities that can be independent of the digital 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 each of which utilize at least one of a number of different voice and data call origination processes. 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 each of which utilize at least one of a number of different voice and data call origination processes. 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: The described invention provides a method and system for allowing subscribers of a telematics service provider (TSP) to make hands-free phone calls within their vehicles through a telematics unit over a network or hardware-based pre-pay system, wherein the telematics unit or a wireless network provider associated with the TSP controls the ingoing and outgoing hands-free calling (HFC) processes. The wireless network provider, through its system at a remote call center or through the telematics unit, may determine whether the subscriber has subscribed to the TSP's HFC service, whether the subscriber has a sufficient remaining balance to initiate, receive or continue a call, and whether a user of the telematics unit is “roaming.” When a user attempts to make or receive a call through the telematics unit, the wireless network provider or the telematics unit may handle the incoming or outgoing call processing, and may further provide subscriber account balance notifications to the user.

Abstract: A method for establishing a wireless, mobile-terminated data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle so that data can be sent to and received from the vehicle. Generally, the method involves receiving network address update information from a wireless carrier system, using the network address update information to determine if a network address currently exists for a particular telematics-equipped vehicle, and using the current network address (if one exists) to establish a wireless, mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle. This method addresses some of the challenges involved in creating a mobile-terminated data connection with a device that has a temporary or dynamic network address.

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 each of which utilize at least one of a number of different voice and data call origination processes. 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 data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel of the communications network. Digital data is encoded into DBPSK data using differential binary phase shift keying encoding. The DBPSK data is then sent across the cellular network using a vocoder having a linear predictive or other speech compression codec. At the receiving end, the DBPSK data is demodulated back into the original digital data. This approach permits data communication via a CDMA, GSM, or other type of voice traffic channel at a low bit error rate.

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 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 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 method and system for modem signaling over a voice channel of a cellular or other wireless communication system. A plurality of sequential tones are transmitted, each of which corresponds to at least one network type and contains at least one primary frequency selected so as to successfully be passed through its associated network type. This permits the use of modem signaling to establish a data connection regardless of the type of network equipment utilized, so that the method will work with both newer and older generation vocoders and other network equipment.

Abstract: A method of identifying telematics calls includes the steps of receiving at a vehicle telematics unit a paging message used to connect a call over a wireless carrier system; determining at the vehicle telematics unit if the paging message used to connect the call includes a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) or a Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID); and establishing the call and, if the vehicle telematics unit determines that the paging message includes the MEID, entering into a mode in which the vehicle telematics unit uses a modem for receipt and transmission of data

Abstract: A system and method for data logging of telematics events by a vehicle telematics unit. Upon detection of a telematics event, checks are made to determine if location data logging is enabled and if the telematics event is an incoming personal call. If the location data logging is enabled and the telematics event is not an incoming personal call, then a data log entry is created that includes the current vehicle location; otherwise, a data log entry without any location information is created. Thereafter, the data log entries can be uploaded to a call center for analysis. Procedures for handling data logging during a standby mode of the telematics unit are also provided.

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 authorize for the vehicle.