U.S. patent application number 10/243481 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for method of configuring an in-vehicle telematics unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to Italia, William E., Mazzara, William E. JR., Schwinke, Steven P..
Application Number | 20040203692 10/243481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33130075 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040203692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwinke, Steven P. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Method of configuring an in-vehicle telematics unit
Abstract
The present invention present invention provides a method and
system for configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle. An
assigned system identifier is stored in the telematics unit, and a
determination is made as to whether the assigned system identifier
corresponds to a broadcast system identifier. A wireless carrier is
called based on the determination, and a mobile identification
number is received from the wireless carrier.
Inventors: |
Schwinke, Steven P.;
(Plymouth, MI) ; Mazzara, William E. JR.; (Drayton
Plains, MI) ; Italia, William E.; (Howell,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
General Motors Corporation
Legal Staff, Mail Code 482-C23-B21
300 Renaissance Center
P.O. Box 300
Detroit
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Assignee: |
General Motors Corporation
|
Family ID: |
33130075 |
Appl. No.: |
10/243481 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/419 ;
455/435.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 3/42144 20130101;
G07C 5/008 20130101; H04W 8/265 20130101; H04W 8/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/419 ;
455/435.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 003/00; H04Q
007/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle,
comprising: storing an assigned system identifier in the telematics
unit; determining whether the assigned system identifier
corresponds to a broadcast system identifier; calling a wireless
carrier based on the determination; and receiving a mobile
identification number from the wireless carrier.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the assigned system identifier is
based on a destination zip code.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless carrier is called
when the broadcast system identifier matches the assigned system
identifier.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile identification number
is received using over-the-air service provisioning.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile identification number
is received using a wireless carrier system protocol.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing an assigned
preferred roaming list for the telematics unit; and storing the
assigned preferred roaming list in the telematics unit.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing the wireless
carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding to the
telematics unit and a destination zip code; and assigning the
mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number
and the destination zip code.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting an
electronic serial number from the telematics unit to the wireless
carrier.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: setting an update
parameter flag in the telematics unit; and updating a telematics
unit parameter based on the update parameter flag.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the telematics unit parameter is
selected from the group consisting of a mobile identification
number, a mobile directory number, a home system identifier, a
preferred roaming list, a cell phone system parameter, and a
telematics unit system parameter.
11. A computer usable medium including a program to configure a
telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, comprising: computer program
code to store an assigned system identifier in the telematics unit;
computer program code to determine whether the assigned system
identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier; computer
program code to call a wireless carrier based on the determination;
and computer program code to receive a mobile identification number
from the wireless carrier.
12. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:
computer program code to provide an assigned preferred roaming list
for the telematics unit; and computer program code to store the
assigned preferred roaming list in the telematics unit.
13. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:
computer program code to provide the wireless carrier with an
electronic serial number corresponding to the telematics unit and a
destination zip code; and computer program code to assign the
mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number
and the destination zip code.
14. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:
computer program code to transmit an electronic serial number from
the telematics unit to the wireless carrier.
15. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:
computer program code to set an update parameter flag in the
telematics unit; and computer program code to update a telematics
unit parameter based on the update parameter flag.
16. A system for configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle,
comprising: means for storing an assigned system identifier in the
telematics unit; means for determining whether the assigned system
identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier; means for
calling a wireless carrier based on the determination; and means
for receiving a mobile identification number from the wireless
carrier.
17. The system of claim 16 further comprising: means for providing
the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding
to the telematics unit and a destination zip code; and means for
assigning the mobile identification number based on the electronic
serial number and the destination zip code.
18. The system of claim 16 further comprising: means for providing
the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding
to the telematics unit; and means for assigning the mobile
identification number based on the electronic serial number and a
destination zip code.
19. The system of claim 16 further comprising: means for
transmitting an electronic serial number from the telematics unit
to the wireless carrier.
20. The system of claim 16 further comprising: means for setting an
update parameter flag in the telematics unit; and means for
updating a telematics unit parameter based on the update parameter
flag.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to a method of operating a
wireless communication system. In particular, the invention relates
to a method and system for activating and configuring a telematics
unit in a mobile vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One of the fastest growing areas of communications
technology is related to automobile network solutions for voice
communications, data transfers, and telematics services. An
increasing number of mobile vehicles are being equipped with
wireless communication devices, requiring unique, geographically
specific mobile-phone identification numbers (MINs), i.e. telephone
numbers, to be loaded and stored into a telematics unit in the
vehicle. Because the final destination and owner of a vehicle are
not always known, vehicle manufacturers and dealerships need more
efficient ways for preparing a wireless communication device in a
vehicle before delivery to the new owner. The process of loading
location-dependent telephone numbers into the unit should be as
efficient and uncomplicated as possible.
[0003] A digital wireless telephony mobile phone, whether separate
from or embedded in the telematics unit, is typically shipped
without a mobile identification number (MIN) or a
geographic-specific mobile identification number (geo-MIN)
programmed into the unit. The MIN is a phone number that identifies
the embedded phone of the telematics unit within a wireless phone
network. The MIN is required for a local wireless telephony service
provider to properly address the cellular phone and for the mobile
unit to register on the system in the home region or while roaming.
Cellular phones may be configured and activated using over-the-air
service provisioning (OTASP), a standard specified in
TIA/EIA/IS-683-A (1998), "Over-the-Air Service Provisioning of
Mobile Stations in Spread Spectrum Systems." The wireless telephony
service provider may configure the cellular phone and the cellular
network using OTASP. If an embedded phone in a telematics unit is
to be programmed without OTASP, it may be done manually, with
voice-recognition software, or with over-the-air functions. Manual
programming requires knowledge on the part of the consumer or
vendor representative to be able to manipulate the device and
knowledge of the proper parameter values to program, and to
converse with the wireless service provider for assigning an
appropriate MIN and MDN (mobile directory number).
[0004] Because of the complexities in setting up network
communications and instrument settings for any in-vehicle wireless
communication unit, the business and information delivery methods
among the vehicle and network device manufacturers, wireless
carriers, telematics services call centers and vehicle dealerships
would benefit from streamlining the process and making it nearly
automatic.
[0005] The dealership has often been required to initialize the
telematics unit, and sometimes this process of initializing is
cumbersome, requiring more than a little time and effort for the
dealership and owner to activate the unit, and resulting in time
delays for configuring a telematics unit with a geographic-specific
mobile identification number, preferred roaming lists, and other
phone parameters. It may take upwards to 72 hours for a wireless
carrier to be able to assign a phone number for the embedded phone
of the telematics unit.
[0006] The vehicle assembly plant usually knows to which dealership
a vehicle will be delivered and sometimes even the buyer, although
it may not know or be able to obtain a geo-MIN or a suitable MDN
for a specific unit. Furthermore, excessive charges may be incurred
when loading a prescribed MIN into the telematics unit before the
vehicle is sold and delivered. It would be advantageous for the
telematics unit to be preprogrammed with configuration settings and
information specific to the location of the dealership or future
owner at the vehicle assembly plant, thereby speeding up the
process of activating and configuring the telematics unit when it
is delivered.
[0007] It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a
system and method to configure an in-vehicle telematics unit in a
more efficient and timely way that employs new configuration
strategies and leverages newer networking capabilities among
telematics service providers, vehicle dealerships and wireless
service providers, and to overcome the challenges and obstacles
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a method and system of
configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle. An assigned
system identifier (SID) in the telematics unit is stored. A
determination is made as to whether the assigned system identifier
corresponds to a broadcast system identifier, a wireless carrier is
called based on the determination, and a mobile identification
number is received from the wireless carrier. An assigned preferred
roaming list for the telematics unit may be provided and may be
stored in the telematics unit.
[0009] The wireless carrier may be provided with an electronic
serial number corresponding to the telematics unit and a
destination zip code, and the mobile identification number may be
assigned based on the electronic serial number and destination zip
code.
[0010] An electronic serial number may be transmitted from the
telematics unit to the wireless carrier, after which a mobile
identification number may be received from the wireless carrier. An
update parameter flag in the telematics unit may be set, and a
telematics unit parameter may be updated based on the update
parameter flag. Another aspect of the invention includes a computer
usable medium with a program to configure an in-vehicle telematics
unit.
[0011] The aforementioned, and other features and advantages of the
invention will become further apparent from the following detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed
description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention
rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention is illustrated by the accompanying
drawings of various embodiments and the detailed description given
below. The drawings should not be taken to limit the invention to
the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and
understanding. The foregoing aspects and other attendant advantages
of the present invention will become more readily appreciated by
the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system
for configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, in
accordance with the current invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of
configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, in accordance
with the current invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method
of configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, in accordance
with the current invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention enables a vehicle manufacturing and
assembly plant to assign and load a predetermined system identifier
(SID) and a preferred roaming list (PRL) into a telematics unit
installed in a mobile vehicle. The SID and PRL may be determined
based on the location of the vehicle dealership scheduled to
receive the vehicle, the home address of the new owner, or other
suitable destination information. The destination location may be
indicated by, for example, by a zip code of the dealership or the
new owner. The manufacturers of the telematics unit or the vehicle
itself may load the assigned SID, the assigned PRL, and other
destination-specific information into the telematics unit or into a
cell phone embedded in the telematics unit. The loaded information
allows the embedded cell phone to be activated and configured
automatically when the vehicle reaches the intended destination, by
checking to see if a locally broadcasted SID matches the assigned
home SID stored in the unit. When the broadcast SID matches the
stored SID, the telematics unit may initiate a procedure that
allows wireless transfer of a MIN, MDN, updated PRL or other
configuration parameters, which are stored in the telematics unit.
OTASP or other suitable wireless carrier system protocols for
transferring data to the embedded cell phone may be used to perform
the desired transfers. In cases when the vehicle is not in an
OTASP-enabled region during the setup, configuration of the system
may need to be completed after the vehicle enters an OTASP-enabled
region. Benefits of the invention allow a telematics unit to be
fully functional for inbound and outbound calls upon arriving at
the cellular service area of the local dealership, without
requiring intervention by the dealership or the new owner.
[0017] FIG.1 illustrates one embodiment of system for configuring
and activating an in-vehicle telematics unit, in accordance with
the present invention at 100. Configuration system 100 of an
in-vehicle telematics unit includes a mobile vehicle 110, a
telematics unit 120, one or more wireless carrier systems 140, one
or more communication networks 142, one or more land networks 144,
one or more vehicle manufacturing plants 150, one or more vehicle
dealerships 160, and one or more call centers 170.
[0018] Mobile vehicle 110 may be a mobile vehicle equipped with
suitable hardware and software for transmitting and receiving voice
and data communications. In the exemplary embodiment of this
present invention, mobile vehicle 110 is equipped with a
CDMA-enabled telematics unit. Code division multiple access, or
CDMA, is a digital wireless technology that uses a spread-spectrum
technique to scatter a radio signal across a wide range of
frequencies. One of the preferred processes of initiating and
enrolling a CDMA-enabled telematics unit utilizes over-the-air
service provisioning (OTASP) specified in TIA/EIA/IS-683-A (1998),
"Over-the-Air Service Provisioning" standard. Alternative
embodiments may use a wireless carrier system protocol of other
digital technologies such as time division multiple access (TDMA)
or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), the latter used
primarily in Europe.
[0019] Telematics unit 120 may include a digital signal processor
(DSP) 122 connected to a wireless modem 124, a global positioning
system (GPS) unit 126, an in-vehicle memory 128, a microphone 130,
one or more speakers 132, and an embedded or in-vehicle mobile
phone 134. DSP 122 may also be referred to as a microcontroller,
controller, host processor, or vehicle communications processor.
GPS unit 126 may provide longitude and latitude coordinates of the
vehicle. In-vehicle mobile phone 134 may be an analog, digital,
dual-mode, dual-band, multi-mode or multi-band cellular phone.
[0020] DSP 122 executes various computer programs that control
programming and operational modes of electronic and mechanical
systems within mobile vehicle 110. In this exemplary embodiment,
DSP 122 controls communications between telematics unit 120,
wireless carrier system 140, and call center 170. A
voice-recognition application that is installed in DSP 122 can
translate human voice input through microphone 130 to digital
signals. DSP 122 may generate and accept digital signals
transmitted between telematics unit 120 and various electronic
modules in the vehicle. These digital signals may activate the
programming mode and operation modes, as well as provide for data
transfers. Signals from DSP 122 may be translated into voice
messages and sent out through speaker 132. DSP 122 controls and
manages the configuration of telematics unit 120, and more
specifically, mobile phone 134. DSP 122 may read and execute
computer program code to configure and activate telematics unit 120
from one or more computer programs that are stored on any suitable
computer usable medium such as programmable read-only memory
(PROM), electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD), digital video disk
(DVD), or magnetic disks.
[0021] Mobile vehicle 110 via telematics unit 120 sends and
receives radio transmissions from wireless carrier system 140.
Wireless carrier system 140 is any suitable system for transmitting
a signal from mobile vehicle 110 to communication network 142. The
equipment of the wireless carrier system 140 transmits the system
identifier and communicates with mobile vehicle 110. Wireless
carrier system 140 may receive location and personal information
about new subscribers including mobile phone 134 of telematics unit
120 and may have any suitable hardware and software capable of
providing services to change and manage the configuration of mobile
phones in the network of the wireless carrier. Computer servers of
wireless carrier system 140 may store other information including a
preferred roaming list, calling plan preferences, calling time
allocations and configuration settings for telematics unit 120.
[0022] Communication network 142, which comprises services from one
or more mobile switching centers and wireless networks, connects
wireless carrier system 140 to land network 144. Communication
network 142 is any suitable system or collection of systems for
connecting wireless carrier system 140 to mobile vehicle 110 and
land network 144.
[0023] Land network 144 is a public-switched telephone network.
Land network 144 may be an Internet protocol (IP) network. Land
network 144 is comprised of a wired network, an optical network, a
fiber network, another wireless network, or any combination
thereof. Land network 144 is connected to one or more landline
telephones. Land network 144 may connect communication network 142
to vehicle manufacturing plant 150, vehicle dealership 160, and
call center 170. Communication network 142 and land network 144 may
connect wireless carrier system 140 to vehicle manufacturing plant
150, vehicle dealership 160 and call center 170.
[0024] Vehicle manufacturing plant 150 is the location, facilities
and equipment required for assembling a new vehicle. Its equipment
may include a computer usable medium to execute computer programs
for sending and receiving data over land network 144 and
optionally, wired or wireless communication networks 142. Vehicle
manufacturing plant 150 configures certain programming and
operational modes of electronic and mechanical systems within
mobile vehicle 110 and telematics unit 120.
[0025] Vehicle manufacturing plant 150 sends new vehicles to
vehicle transfer agents or to vehicle dealerships 160. Because the
plant knows where mobile vehicle 110 is being shipped, it can load
geographic-specific information into telematics unit 120. It may
keep records of all information related to a specific mobile
vehicle, such as its unique vehicle identification number (VIN),
the location and address of the dealership destination, the name
and address of the purchase, the electronic serial number (ESN) of
the telematics unit, and other default telematics unit
configurations appropriate to the area of vehicle dealership 160.
Vehicle manufacturing plant 150 may assign and load an initial home
system identifier of a wireless carrier that is servicing the local
area of vehicle dealership 160 or of the new owner. The system
identifier is digital data that a wireless carrier broadcasts to
identify itself within its home area.
[0026] Vehicle dealership 160 sells or leases new vehicles from a
specific location. Vehicle dealership 160 may receive personal
information from a new owner or leaser that is necessary for
enrolling a person in a telematics service program offered by a
telematics service call center and for having a wireless carrier
system 140 fully activate and configure mobile phone 134. The
information includes, but is not limited to an owner or leasee's
name, home address, and preferred features or calling plan details
with the wireless telephony service provider. In one embodiment of
the present invention, vehicle manufacturing plant 150 sends the
dealer or personal information and vehicle information including a
VID and ESN to a telematics services call center 170, which manages
telematics and personal calling services to mobile vehicle 110. In
another embodiment of the present invention, vehicle manufacturing
plant 150 sends a portion of the dealer or personal information
such as a recipient's zip code and certain vehicle information
including an ESN to a wireless service provider.
[0027] Call center 170 is a location where many calls may be
received and serviced at the same time, or where many calls may be
sent at the same time. The call center may be a telematics call
center, prescribing communications to and from telematics unit 120
in mobile vehicle 110. The call center may be a voice call center,
providing verbal communications between an advisor in the call
center and a subscriber in a mobile vehicle. The call center may
manage the activation of new in-vehicle telematics units with
vehicle and dealership information received from vehicle
manufacturing plant 150, as well as from vehicle dealership 160.
Call center 170 may contain each of these functions.
[0028] Call center 170 contains one or more voice and data switches
172, one or more communication services managers 174, one or more
communication services databases 176, one or more communication
services advisors 178, and one or more bus systems 180.
[0029] Switch 172 of call center 170 connects to land network 144.
Switch 172 transmits voice or data transmissions from call center
170, and receives voice or data transmissions from telematics unit
120 in mobile vehicle 110 through wireless carrier system 140,
communication network 142, and land network 144. Switch 172
receives data transmissions from or sends data transmissions to one
or more communication services managers 174 via one or more bus
systems 180.
[0030] Communication services manager 174 is any suitable hardware
and software capable of providing requested communication services
to telematics unit 120 in mobile vehicle 110. Communication
services manager 174 sends to or receives from one or more
communication services databases 176 data transmissions via bus
system 180. Communication services manager 174 sends to or receive
from one or more communication services advisors 178 data
transmissions via bus system 180. Communication services database
176 sends to or receives from communication services advisor 178
data transmissions via bus system 180. Communication services
advisor 178 receives from or sends to switch 172 voice or data
transmissions.
[0031] Communication services manager 174 may provide one or more
of a variety of services, including enrollment services, navigation
assistance, directory assistance, roadside assistance, business or
residential assistance, information services assistance, emergency
assistance, and communications assistance. Communication services
manager 174 transmits user-preference and other data to telematics
unit 120 in mobile vehicle 110 through wireless carrier system 140,
communication network 142, land network 144, voice and data switch
172, and bus system 180. Communication services manager 174 stores
or retrieves data and information from communication services
database 176. Communication services manager 174 may provide
requested information to communication services advisor 178.
[0032] Communication services advisor 178 may be a real advisor or
a virtual advisor. A real advisor is a human being in verbal
communication with a user or subscriber in mobile vehicle 110 via
telematics unit 120. A virtual advisor may be a synthesized voice
interface responding to requests from telematics unit 120 in mobile
vehicle 110.
[0033] Communication services advisor 178 provides services to
telematics unit 120 in mobile vehicle 110. Services provided by
communication services advisor 178 may include enrollment services,
navigation assistance, real-time traffic advisories, directory
assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential
assistance, information services assistance, emergency assistance,
and communications assistance. Communication services advisor 178
may communicate with telematics unit 120 in mobile vehicle 110
through wireless carrier system 140, communication network 142, and
land network 144 using voice transmissions, or through
communication services manager 174 and switch 172 using data
transmissions. Switch 172 selects between voice transmissions and
data transmissions.
[0034] Mobile vehicle 110 may initiate service request to call
center 170 by sending a voice or digital-signal command to
telematics unit 120 which in turn, sends an instructional signal or
a voice call through wireless modem 124, wireless carrier system
140, communication network 142, and land network 144 to call center
170.
[0035] In initiating personal calling services with embedded mobile
phone 134, call center 170 may negotiate and manage calling
services offered to mobile vehicle 110. Call center 170 may be
networked with vehicle manufacturing plant 150 to receive
information on a new mobile vehicle 110 that allows telematics unit
120 to be activated. The information may include the zip code of
the dealership address to determine which wireless service provider
is the primary service provider for mobile vehicle 110. Vehicle
manufacturing plant 150 or call center 170 may request wireless
carrier system 140 to assign a MIN to telematics unit 120 of mobile
vehicle 110 when the vehicle reaches the home area of the
dealership or owner. The home area includes the area within the
broadcast range of a system identifier that has been assigned and
loaded at vehicle manufacturing plant 150. The personal information
and zip code sent from vehicle manufacturing plant 150 or call
center 170 may optionally include a non-geographic phone number
supplied by the driver as an alternative to the MIN that wireless
carrier system 140 would usually assign.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for
configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, in accordance
with the present invention at 200. Configuration method 200 of the
telematics unit begins by storing an assigned system identifier in
the telematics unit, as seen at block 205. The assigned SID can be
based on location information such as a zip code of a destination
dealership or the home address of the new owner. The assigned SID
corresponds to a broadcast SID at the intended destination.
[0037] An assigned preferred roaming list for the telematics unit
may also be provided, as seen at block 210. A preferred roaming
list is a list of bands and channels in order of preference that
the phone uses when it attempts to locate and connect to a cell
system outside its home region. The factory may receive
periodically updated PRLs from wireless carriers along with
information on the region or zip codes that each carrier serves.
The assigned preferred roaming list may then be loaded and stored
in the telematics unit at the vehicle manufacturing plant.
[0038] In addition to loading the assigned SID and assigned PRL, an
update parameter flag may be set in the telematics unit. The update
parameter flag may be used to indicate that telematics unit
parameters such as the SID, PRL or MDN need to be updated or
received when the vehicle is in the vicinity of the home wireless
carrier. The update parameter flag may be, for example, a bit in an
electronic word that may be set or cleared.
[0039] The wireless carrier is provided with an electronic serial
number corresponding to the telematics unit, as seen at block 215.
The wireless carrier may determine and assign a geographical MIN to
the telematics unit based on its ESN and on a destination zip code
of the vehicle. The destination is the zip code of the dealership
or new owner that will receive delivery of the vehicle from the
vehicle manufacturing plant. The vehicle manufacturing plant or a
telematics service call center collects and sends to the wireless
carrier any data required for configuring and enabling the
telematics unit.
[0040] The wireless carrier continually broadcasts its system
identifier in its home area. As it is being transported, the mobile
vehicle awakens from its sleep mode periodically and monitors local
wireless carrier broadcasts to determine whether the assigned
system identifier of the telematics unit corresponds to a broadcast
system identifier broadcast from the wireless carrier, as seen at
block 220. Normally when the ignition of a mobile vehicle has been
turned off, its telematics unit is placed into a
discontinuous-receive (DRx) mode, a feature used to put network
access devices and other electrical components into a quiescent or
sleep mode to minimize current drain on the battery. The time
period between wake-up operations may vary from ten minutes to
several days or more when a vehicle has not been moved or
driven.
[0041] An in-vehicle mobile phone attempts to register each time
the telematics unit powers up and powers down. For example, a CDMA
cellular phone may normally register one to three times per hour,
but when it is incorporated into an in-vehicle wireless
communication device with a discontinuous-receive mode, the
registration interval may change to correspond with the DRx
mode.
[0042] A determination is made on whether the assigned system
identifier stored in the telematics unit corresponds to a broadcast
system identifier broadcast from the wireless carrier. When the
assigned system identifier does not correspond to the system
identifier broadcast from a wireless carrier, the telematics unit
returns to its sleep mode. After a predetermined time or when the
ignition is turned on, the telematics unit will awaken and again
monitor wireless carrier broadcasts for a SID that matches its
assigned system identifier.
[0043] Once the telematics unit determines that its assigned system
identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier from a
wireless carrier, the telematics unit calls the wireless carrier,
as seen at block 225. The wireless carrier is called when the
broadcast system identifier matches the assigned system
identifier.
[0044] Once it is determined that the assigned system identifier
matches a broadcast system identifier, the telematics unit begins
an OTASP activation process by transmitting its electronic serial
number (ESN) to the wireless carrier over the air, as seen at block
230. The wireless carrier receives the ESN, which is matched with
vehicle information and the MIN that the wireless carrier selected
for that particular ESN. A call center, or alternatively, the
vehicle assembly plant sends the vehicle information to the
wireless carrier before the vehicle arrives at the market of the
wireless carrier. The wireless carrier system may process the
geographical MIN/MDN request.
[0045] A mobile identification number is received from the wireless
carrier, as seen at block 235. The telematics unit may receive the
MIN using over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP), which is
employed with code division multiple access (CDMA) digital
technology. Alternatively, it may be received using a wireless
carrier system protocol of other digital technologies such as time
division multiple access (TDMA) or Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM). The MIN is stored in the telematics unit as
part of the phone activation process. Other cell phone system
parameters such as an MDN or PRL may be received or updated using
the wireless carrier system protocol.
[0046] An update parameter flag may have been set in the telematics
unit. A corresponding telematics unit parameter may be updated
based on the update parameter flag, as seen at block 240. The
telematics unit parameter may be a mobile identification number, a
mobile directory number, a home system identifier, a cell phone
system parameter, or a telematics unit system parameter.
Additionally, an updated preferred roaming list (PRL) may be
downloaded. The telematics unit parameters may be transmitted and
stored in the telematics unit, and the update parameter flag
cleared.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method
of configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, in accordance
with the present invention at 300. Telematics-unit configuration
method 300 begins at the vehicle manufacturing plant where a
vehicle dealership destination is assigned to a mobile vehicle, as
seen at block 305. The plant records information such as the
vehicle identification number (VIN), the electronic serial number
(ESN) of the in-vehicle telematics unit, the destination dealership
name, and the address of the dealership including a zip code.
[0048] Vehicle data, including zip code of the dealership location
and the ESN of the telematics unit, are sent to a wireless carrier
that provides cellular phone service in the geographical area of
the dealership, as seen at block 310.
[0049] Before the vehicle leaves the vehicle manufacturing plant,
the telematics unit is loaded with a home system identifier based
on the location of the dealer, as seen at block 315. The telematics
unit of a new mobile vehicle may have software defaults set and
certain features enabled so that a new user may be enrolled for
services from a wireless carrier system as well as a telematics
services call center. The manufacturer may record and send to an
appropriate wireless service provider or call center the vehicle
identification number (VIN), an electronic identification number of
the vehicle communication processor or unit, the electronic serial
number (ESN) of network access device (NAD) or embedded phone in
the telematics unit, and an authentication key for the vendor,
which all may be used to identify the vehicle and telematics unit
during the enrollment process with the wireless service
provider.
[0050] The manufacturer or vendor may load, for example, an
enrollment hotline phone number into an international dialing
table, which may contain the enrollment number, an emergency number
and other phone numbers of up to fifteen digits. The manufacturer
or vendor may load into a particular telematics unit, for example,
an enrollment preferred roaming list (PRL) containing records of
SIDs for all available markets enabled by OTASP. The manufacturer
or vender may set, for example, all records in the PRL to
non-preferred and an acquisition-type preference of the enrollment
PRL to factory-default first channel preference. The manufacturer
or vendor may load, for example, a default OTASP initiation feature
code and an automatic initiation system selection code that are
provided by a selected wireless carrier system. That computer code
may direct the telematics unit to monitor for a specific broadcast
system identifier based on the location of the destination
dealership and to begin the initiation process with the local
wireless carrier when its SID is received.
[0051] The manufacturer or vendor may set initial parameters to a
predefined state. The manufacturer or vendor may disable, for
example, outgoing call capability. The manufacturer or vendor may
set to a predefined state, for example, the number of registration
attempts, a cellular registration control, a discontinuous receive
(DRx) time-cycled wake-up function, an update parameter flag, and a
calling center call function.
[0052] The mobile vehicle is shipped to the dealership. During
transport, the telematics unit wakens up periodically from its
powered-down or quiescent mode to monitor the local system
identifiers being broadcast to check whether the assigned SID
stored in its memory matches the SID of one of the broadcasts. The
vehicle continues to wake up and get local SID information until it
reaches the dealership area, as seen at block 320.
[0053] When the vehicle reaches the dealership area and the
telematics unit awakens during its scheduled wake-up mode, the
telematics unit determines that the assigned SID matches the SID of
the wireless carrier in the area of the dealership, as seen at
block 325. At that time, the telematics unit initiates an
autonomous OTASP call to the wireless carrier.
[0054] The local wireless carrier receives the call in which the
telematics unit transmits its ESN. The local wireless carrier
assigns a MIN to the telematics unit based on the ESN, as seen at
block 330. The carrier-assigned MIN and billing information is
based on the factory data feed, as illustrated back at block 310.
The MIN may be downloaded from the local carrier and stored in the
telematics unit, as seen at block 335. Additional parameters and
configuration settings may also be transmitted to the telematics
unit based on information that a vehicle assembly plant or call
center have sent to the wireless carrier. Geo-specific parameters
and settings may be transmitted to the telematics unit. All
communications among the manufacturing plant, call center, wireless
carrier, dealership and telematics unit may be automated and data
may be sent through intranet or Internet connections.
[0055] While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are
presently considered to be preferred, various changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in
the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning
and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.
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