U.S. patent application number 14/022016 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for technique for effective communications with, and provision of global positioning system (gps) based advertising information to, automobiles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael L. Obradovich, Philip E. White.
Application Number | 20140229286 14/022016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32475312 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140229286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Obradovich; Michael L. ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH, AND PROVISION OF
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) BASED ADVERTISING INFORMATION TO,
AUTOMOBILES
Abstract
Communications with an automobile are in the form of messages.
The messages may be delivered to the automobile from a remote
server through a communications network, e.g., the Internet.
Messages may contain a recall notice to the automobile, map
information or advertising information concerning selected entities
depending on the current location of the automobile. Messages
transmitted from the automobile to the remote server may contain
location of the automobile or dynamic data furnished by sensors in
the automobile.
Inventors: |
Obradovich; Michael L.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; White; Philip E.; (Laguna Niguel,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Silver State Intellectual
Technologies, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
32475312 |
Appl. No.: |
14/022016 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11445685 |
Jun 1, 2006 |
8538498 |
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14022016 |
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11274239 |
Nov 14, 2005 |
7142844 |
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11445685 |
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10840170 |
May 5, 2004 |
6987964 |
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11274239 |
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09622869 |
Aug 23, 2000 |
6754485 |
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PCT/US99/28848 |
Dec 6, 1999 |
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10840170 |
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60117958 |
Jan 28, 1999 |
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60113397 |
Dec 23, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/20 20130101;
H04L 67/025 20130101; G01C 21/3697 20130101; H04L 12/1845 20130101;
H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 4/12 20130101; G07C 5/008 20130101; G08G
1/137 20130101; G08G 1/205 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L
51/20 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101; H04L
51/38 20130101; H04L 67/42 20130101; H04L 51/28 20130101; H04W
4/027 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201; H04W 4/44 20180201; H04L
12/1895 20130101; G06Q 30/0261 20130101; G01C 21/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.58 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1.-60. (canceled)
61. A method, comprising: a server receiving data via a wireless
communication system from a processor within a vehicle, the data
relating to the location and speed of the vehicle, the vehicle
being associated with a first party identity; the server saving the
location and speed data associated with the first party identity;
the server providing map data via the wireless communication system
to the processor within the vehicle so that the map data is shown
on a display within the vehicle, the server selecting the map data
based on the received location data so that a location of the
vehicle can be depicted on the map shown on the display, the map
data also including an indicator of a warning related to traffic,
the indicator also configured to be shown on the display; and the
server providing location and speed data and the associated first
party identity to a plurality of third parties.
62. A method as in claim 61 additionally comprising the server
receiving additional data through the wireless communication
system, saving the additional data associated with the first party
identity, and providing at least a portion of the additional data
to a plurality of third parties.
63. A method as in claim 62, wherein the additional data comprises
at least one of text, graphics, pictures, audio clips and video
clips.
64. A method as in claim 62 additionally comprising one or more
sensors of the vehicle communicating vehicle system information to
the processor, and wherein the additional data comprises vehicle
system information.
65. A method as in claim 62 additionally comprising the server
receiving an outside party input from an outside party, the outside
party input being information about the vehicle associated with the
first party identity, and the server includes the outside party
input with the additional data and saves the outside party input
associated with the first party identity.
66. A method as in claim 65, wherein the outside party input
comprises information about vehicle maintenance.
67. A method as in claim 61 additionally comprising the server
receiving and storing an image and associated image data, the image
data including the location and time the image was obtained.
68. A method as in claim 67 additionally comprising the server
sending, over the wireless communication network, the image and
image data to the processor so that the image and image data can be
shown on the display in the vehicle.
69. A method as in claim 68, wherein the server sends the image and
image data to the processor in response to a request received from
the processor.
70. A method as in claim 69, wherein a touch screen user interface
in the vehicle receives an input from a user and communicates the
input to the processor, the input being a request for the image and
image data.
71. A method as in claim 68, wherein the image is obtained by a
camera located at a business establishment and the image is
configured to show conditions at the business establishment, and
wherein the server receives a plurality of images obtained by the
camera at spaced apart time intervals.
72. A method, comprising: a server receiving data via a wireless
communication system from a processor within a vehicle, the data
relating to the location and speed of the vehicle; the server
saving the location and speed data; the server receiving and
storing an image and associated image data, the image data
including a location and time at which the image was obtained; the
server providing map data via the wireless communication system to
the processor within the vehicle, the map data processed to be
shown on a display within the vehicle, the server selecting the map
data based on the received location data so that a location of the
vehicle and an icon representing the location at which the image
was obtained can be depicted on the map shown on the display; and
the server sending, over the wireless communication network, the
image and image data to the processor so that the image and image
data can be shown on the display in the vehicle.
73. A method as in claim 72, wherein the server sends the image to
the processor in response to a request received from the
processor.
74. A method as in claim 73, wherein a touch screen user interface
in the vehicle receives an input from a user and communicates the
input to the processor, the input being a request for the image and
image data.
75. A method as in claim 74, wherein the map is displayed on the
touch screen user interface, and wherein the input from the user
comprises the user touching the icon that is shown on the touch
screen user interface.
76. A method as in claim 75, wherein the image is obtained by a
camera located at a business establishment and the image is
configured to show conditions at the business establishment, and
wherein the server receives a plurality of images obtained by the
camera at spaced apart time intervals.
77. A method as in claim 73, wherein the vehicle is associated with
a first party identity and the server saves the location and speed
data so that it is associated with the first party identity, and
additionally comprising the server providing location and speed
data and the associated first party identity to a plurality of
third parties.
78. A method as in claim 77 additionally comprising the server
receiving additional data through the wireless communication
system, saving the additional data associated with the first party
identity, and providing at least a portion of the additional data
to a plurality of third parties.
79. A method as in claim 78, wherein the additional data comprises
at least one of text, graphics, pictures, audio clips and video
clips.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a communications technique, and
more particularly to a technique for communicating information,
including advertising information, with automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In this information age, virtually everyone is "connected"
with one another via telephone, cellular phone, facsimile, pager,
etc. In particular, because of recent major advancements in
Internet technology, many people also utilize a personal computer
(PC), notebook computer, handheld computer, etc., with a modem to
communicate electronic mail (E-mail) with one another over the
Internet. In addition, with common web browser software of the type
of the NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER browser
installed in one such computer, a user is able to browse, on the
computer, web pages from the world wide web (WWW), which is a
graphical subnetwork of the Internet.
[0003] Many web pages, especially those providing free services
such as search engines and other portal services, contain paid
advertisements. Some web pages contain displayed options for
providing directory assistance. One such option may be a "Yellow
Page" option whereby a user may specify the desired product or
service, and the area in which the user wants to obtain same. In
return, the user is presented with information concerning each
location of the provider of the desired product or service in the
specified area.
[0004] To keep automobile users "wired" even while on the road, a
PC specifically designed for them, namely, the "AutoPC," has been
introduced. The AutoPC, which may be installed in the standard car
stereo slot, comprises well known communications and navigation
technologies. For example, the automobile users can utilize the
AutoPC to communicate E-mail and pager messages. The users can also
rely on the AutoPC to navigate with the aid of the U.S.
government's constellation of global positioning system (GPS)
satellites. In response to signals from such satellites, in a
conventional manner, the AutoPC pinpoints the vehicle's location
(in latitude and longitude). It also detects the vehicle's speed
and direction. With geographic information stored therein, the
AutoPC is capable of verbally and visually communicating to the
user instructions for reaching the destination.
[0005] The marriage of communications and GPS technologies
benefitting automobiles has been observed. The resulting service is
known as the "OnStar service." This service requires that an OnStar
system including a GPS receiver, and a cellular phone be installed
in an automobile subscribing to the service. When an automobile
user calls an OnStar service representative via the cellular phone,
the system automatically communicates the vehicle's location
tracked by the GPS receiver. The service representative may then
provide the user with directions, restaurant recommendations,
and/or roadside assistance depending on the vehicle's location.
[0006] In addition, to obtain diagnostic information from, and
upgrade certain software in, an automobile, a system whereby an
automobile communicates, with a remote station, data concerning the
automobile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,553 issued Aug. 15,
1995 to Parrillo. In the disclosed system, the remote station
communicates the data via a cellular phone network to the
automobile having a cellular phone connection, using the cellular
phone number to locate the automobile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] We have recognized that the prior art system described above
which uses the cellular phone number assigned to a cellular phone
connection in a vehicle to locate the vehicle is disadvantageous.
This stems from the fact that the cellular phone number appertains
to, and is specifically associated with, the subscriber to the
cellular phone service, who is most likely the current owner of the
vehicle. As the cellular phone number is used for personal
communications, when the ownership of the vehicle changes, the new
owner would most likely replace the current cellular phone number
with a new number for his/her own personal communications. As a
result, the remote station in the prior art system can no longer
locate and communicate with the vehicle using the old cellular
phone number. Thus, the practicability of the prior art system
turns on whether the system has a record of the latest phone
numbers for locating vehicles. Even if procedures for registration
of new phone numbers are in place, the workability of the system is
undesirably subject to compliance by the new owners with the
registration procedures.
[0008] In addition, utilizing the cellular phone network, the
remote station in the prior art system when communicating data with
multiple automobiles needs to call one automobile at a time. Thus,
such a communication scheme is also ineffective especially when the
remote station needs to transmit the same data, e.g., information
concerning a recall of a certain type of automobile, to many
automobiles. In that case, the remote station needs to make
multiple calls to the respective vehicles to repeat the same data.
Conversely, utilizing the cellular phone network, a vehicle can
communicate with one remote station at a time. In the event that
the same data from the vehicle needs to be communicated to various
stations for different analyses, multiple calls need to be made to
the respective stations one at a time, which is undesirable.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the
communications between a vehicle and remote stations or servers are
realized using electronic car-mail, referred to as "C-mail." Like a
conventional E-mail message, a C-mail message is formatted in
accordance with well known protocols, and it may be delivered by
conventional mail servers on a communications network such as the
Internet. However, unlike E-mail whose address identifies a person
for personal communications and is analogous to the aforementioned
cellular phone number, the C-mail has an address identifying the
vehicle itself. For example, the C-mail address may be made up of
the vehicle identification number (VIN) identifying the vehicle.
Such a C-mail address remains unchanged at least over the lifetime
of the vehicle. As the C-mail address appertains to, or
specifically associated with, the vehicle, rather than a person,
e.g., the owner of the vehicle, communications with the vehicle
using C-mail is intact throughout the lifetime of the vehicle,
surviving all changes in the ownership of the vehicle. In addition,
by taking advantage of the well known E-mail features, the vehicle
may multicast via C-mail the same information, e.g., diagnostic
information, simultaneously to various servers on the Internet for
different analyses. Conversely, a server may multicast via C-mail
the same information, e.g., recall information, simultaneously to
selected vehicles using the corresponding VINs as parts of their
C-mail addresses.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user
may utilize a car browser to browse advertising information from a
communications network, e.g., the Internet. The advertising
information is provided in a just-in-time (JIT) fashion, whose
content is dependent upon the current location of the vehicle
indicated by GPS coordinates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawing showing an
illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information and control
system for use in a vehicle in accordance with the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement in which a communications
subsystem in the system of FIG. 1 communicates with a remote server
through a communications network;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates data fields in an electronic car-mail
message in accordance with the invention communicated by the
communications subsystem;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a screen containing displayed options
concerning navigation capabilities provided by a navigation
subsystem in the system of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a screen displaying an electronic
car-mail message;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen containing displayed options for
accessing GPS based advertising information in accordance with the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a screen displaying an advertising
page;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a displayed window including inquiries as
to confidentiality of accessing certain advertising
information;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a screen displaying information
concerning a restaurant-advertiser;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a screen containing restaurant menu
information; and
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a screen containing information
concerning favorite product/service providers for business
purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates information and control system 100
embodying the principles of the invention for use in a vehicle,
e.g., an automobile. In accordance with the invention, system 100
is capable of communicating information with remote servers through
a communications network, e.g., the Internet in this instance. As
to be described hereinbelow, system 100 may transmit information
concerning the vehicle including, e.g., diagnostic information, GPS
information, etc., to one or more servers, and receive therefrom
information including, e.g., map information, weather information,
traffic information, directory information, etc.
[0024] In a prior art system, a remote station communicates, with a
vehicle having a cellular phone connection, data concerning the
vehicle through a cellular phone network, using the cellular phone
number assigned to the connection to locate the vehicle. However,
such a communications scheme based on the knowledge of the cellular
phone number is deficient in that the cellular phone number
appertains to, and is specifically associated with, the subscriber
to the cellular phone service, who is most likely the current owner
of the vehicle. As the cellular phone number is used for personal
communications, when the ownership of the vehicle changes, the new
owner would most likely replace the current cellular phone number
with a new number for his/her own personal communications. As a
result, the remote station can no longer locate and communicate
with the vehicle using the old cellular phone number. Thus, the
practicability of the prior art system turns on whether the system
has a record of the latest phone numbers for locating vehicles.
Even if procedures for registration of new phone numbers are in
place, the workability of the system is undesirably subject to
compliance by the new owners with the registration procedures.
[0025] In addition, utilizing the cellular phone network, the
remote station in the prior art system when communicating data with
multiple automobiles needs to call one automobile at a time. Thus,
such a communication scheme is also ineffective especially when the
remote station needs to transmit the same data, e.g., information
concerning a recall of a certain type of automobile, to many
automobiles. In that case, the remote station needs to make
multiple calls to the respective vehicles to repeat the same data.
Conversely, utilizing the cellular phone network, a vehicle can
communicate with one remote station at a time. In the event that
the same data from the vehicle needs to be communicated to various
stations for different analyses, multiple calls need to be made to
the respective stations one at a time, which is undesirable.
[0026] In accordance with the invention, the communications between
a vehicle and remote stations or servers are realized using
electronic car-mail, hereinafter referred to as "C-mail." Like a
conventional E-mail message, a C-mail message is formatted in
accordance with well known protocols such as the well known mail
transfer protocol and transmission control protocol/Internet
protocol (TCP/IP), and it may be delivered by conventional mail
servers on the Internet. However, unlike E-mail whose address
identifies a person for personal communications and is analogous to
the aforementioned cellular phone number, the C-mail has an address
identifying the vehicle itself.
[0027] A typical E-mail address is in the format of
<user-id>@<domain>, e.g., "jsmith@aol.com". As is well
known, the <user-id> part before the "@" sign, e.g.,
"jsmith", identifies the E-mail user, e.g., Joe Smith. The
<domain> part after the "@" sign, e.g., "aol.com", identifies
the access mail server, e.g., an American Online server connected
to the Internet, providing the E-mail service for Joe Smith in this
instance. However, in accordance with the invention, a C-mail
address is in the format of <vehicle-id>@<domain>. In
this instance, the <vehicle-id> part consists of a vehicle
identification number (VIN) which identifies the vehicle to which
the C-mail address is assigned. In a conventional manner, the VIN
uniquely identifies the vehicle by its make, model, year, etc. The
<domain> part may represent a predetermined access mail
server connected to the Internet for serving the C-mail needs of
vehicles. For illustrative purposes, the <domain> part may be
"vehicle.com" in this example.
[0028] Thus, the C-mail address of the vehicle in question here may
be "JN1CA23D4TT567890@vehicle.com", where "JN1CA23D4TT567890" is
the VIN of the vehicle. This C-mail address is stored in memory 107
in system 100, and remains unchanged at least over the lifetime of
the vehicle. It should be noted that memory 107 here generically
represents a combination of volatile, non-volatile and cache
memories. As the C-mail address appertains to, or specifically
associated with, the vehicle, rather than a person, e.g., the owner
of the vehicle, communications with the vehicle using C-mail is
intact throughout the lifetime of the vehicle, surviving all
changes in the ownership of the vehicle. In addition, as described
hereinbelow, by taking advantage of the well known E-mail features,
the vehicle may multicast via C-mail the same information, e.g.,
diagnostic information, simultaneously to various servers on the
Internet for different analyses. Conversely, a server may multicast
via C-mail the same information, e.g., recall information,
simultaneously to selected vehicles using the corresponding VINs as
parts of their C-mail addresses.
[0029] System 100 includes communications subsystem 109 for
communicating information, including C-mail, in the vehicle. FIG. 2
is a block diagram of subsystem 109 which comprises transceiver
205, which includes, e.g., a cellular phone, for transmitting and
receiving information via wireless communications network 213,
e.g., the well known advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) network,
digital AMPS network, personal communications service (PCS)
network, global system for mobile communications (GSM) network,
paging network, hybrid personal communications network (HPCN),
satellite network, microwave network, milliwave network, etc.
Subsystem 109 also comprises modem 209 for modulating and
demodulating carriers carrying C-mail data to and from data
channels, e.g., cellular digital packet data (CDPD) channels, in
wireless communications network 213.
[0030] Referring back to FIG. 1, subsystem 109 is connected via
common bus 113 to other subsystems in system 100 including, e.g.,
detection subsystem 111, electronic transmission/throttle system
113, brake subsystem 116, traction control subsystem 121, engine
subsystem 126, wheel subsystem 129, climate control subsystem 131,
auxiliary subsystem 134, clock subsystem 136, user interface 139
and navigation subsystem 141. Subsystem interface 151 includes,
e.g., an ensemble of standard inputs/outputs (I/O's) connecting
processor 103 to all of the subsystems. Under control of processor
103, combinations of the subsystems synergistically carry out
various vehicle functions.
[0031] For example, system 100 affords an adaptive cruise control
function using detection subsystem 111, electronic
transmission/throttle subsystem 113 and brake subsystem 116.
Specifically, detection subsystem ill, which includes sonar,
infrared transceiver, laser transceiver and/or Doppler radar,
measures the distance to the vehicle just ahead. With electronic
transmission/throttle subsystem 113 and brake subsystem 116,
processor 103 adjusts the vehicle's speed to keep it moving with
the traffic flow. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or slows down,
subsystem 111 signals processor 103 to accordingly adjust the
throttle or brakes to maintain a safe distance. Other automatic
driving methodologies involving the above subsystems may be found
in copending commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/904,855 ("the '855 application"), entitled "Centralized Control
and Management System for Automobiles," which however are deemed to
be out of the scope of the present invention, and their description
are thus omitted here.
[0032] Traction control subsystem 121, which may be of the type of
the TRAXXAR stability control system, includes sensors for
measuring the steering wheel position, yaw rate and lateral
acceleration of the vehicle. These sensors work with processor 103
to controllably apply brakes at selected wheels to avoid potential
skids.
[0033] Similarly, under the control of processor 103, engine
subsystem 126 runs the engine of the vehicle at a selected R.P.M.
using a selected fuel/air mixture to provide appropriate power for
the vehicle.
[0034] Wheel subsystem 129 includes sensors for reading tire
pressures, detection of loss of tire traction or tread, etc.
[0035] Climate control subsystem 131, which includes thermostats
and an airflow controller, controllably cools or heats the vehicle
compartment for the comfort of passengers, and the trunk/storage to
properly preserve cargo; selects an air flow mode; sets fan speeds;
enables or disables seat heaters; selects fresh or recirculated
air; and enables or disables front and rear defrosters, mirror
defrosters and steering wheel heaters.
[0036] Through auxiliary subsystem 134, processor 103 controls the
functions of the doors, windows, hood, trunk, mirrors, air-bags,
restraint devices, lights, etc., of the vehicle.
[0037] The above-described subsystems each include sensors (not
shown) to provide a variety of dynamic data concerning the
components associated therewith to processor 103. Specifically,
sensors in communications subsystem 109 provides dynamic data
concerning whether transceiver 205 and modem 209 are in proper
order, which includes information concerning the level of battery
power therefor.
[0038] Sensors in detection subsystem 111 provide dynamic data
concerning whether the radars and transceivers associated therewith
are functioning properly, which also includes information
concerning the level of battery power for such radars and
transceivers.
[0039] Sensors in electronic transmission/throttle subsystem 113
provide dynamic data concerning transmission or the status of the
transmission, as well as the status of variables in the
transmission including fluid levels, etc.
[0040] Sensors in brake subsystem 116 provide dynamic data
concerning the wear of the brakes, status of the emergency brake
and whether all of the brakes are in proper order.
[0041] The aforementioned sensors in traction control subsystem 121
provide dynamic data concerning measurements of the steering wheel
position, yaw rate and lateral acceleration of the vehicle.
[0042] Sensors in engine subsystem 126 provide dynamic data
concerning the engine R.P.M., fuel/air mixture, emissions,
pollution content, remaining life of engine oil before the next
requisite oil change, etc.
[0043] The aforementioned sensors in wheel subsystem 129 provide
dynamic data concerning tire pressures, loss of tire traction or
tread, etc.
[0044] Sensors in climate control subsystem 131 provide dynamic
data concerning the temperatures of the compartment and
trunk/storage, air flow mode, fan speeds, air quality inside the
compartment, and statuses of the front and rear defrosters, mirror
defrosters and steering wheel heater.
[0045] Sensors in auxiliary subsystem 134 which include, among
others, the odometer and speedometer which provide dynamic data
concerning the current mileage and speed of the vehicle,
respectively. Other sensors in system 134 provide dynamic data
concerning statuses of the doors, windows, hood, trunk, mirrors,
air-bags, restraint devices, lights, etc., of the vehicle. In
particular, some of the data concerns the integrity of the doors,
windows, hood, trunk and mirrors, detection of any physical impact
on any of them as happens in a collision, and whether or not the
air-bags are ready to function or have been deployed, etc.
[0046] In addition, clock subsystem 136 provides processor 103 with
data concerning the current time and date. Relying on such data,
processor 103 duly synchronizes activities of system 100 and keeps
track of events. Moreover, utilizing the temporal data, processor
103 realizes planner functions such as scheduling vehicle
maintenance, etc.
[0047] It will be appreciated that the dynamic data provided by the
above-described subsystems is only for illustrative purposes and,
depending on the vehicle and the actual components incorporated
therein, additional and/or other dynamic data may be desired. In
any event, processor 103 polls each subsystem from time to time for
the dynamic data and, based on the dynamic data, it may issue
warnings, and messages describing irregularities through user
interface 141 described below. Some irregularities may cause
processor 103 to restrict certain vehicle operations until a
corrective action therefor is taken. As described below, processor
103 causes selected ones of the dynamic data to be transmitted via
C-mail to one or more remote servers for analyses and records.
[0048] Presently, in the United States, about 200 million vehicles
operate on public roads. However, the operations of the vehicles
are subject to federal and state laws. For instance, each operating
vehicle needs to meet certain legal requirements concerning safety,
emission, licensing, insurance, operational capabilities, etc.
Thus, the law enforcement is interested in obtaining certain
information about each vehicle to determine whether the operating
vehicle meets such requirements.
[0049] In addition, many of the vehicles in the United States are
leased or financed through financial institutions. The latter
typically place liens on the vehicles with the right to repossess
them in the event of non-payment of the underlying loans. Thus,
such financial institutions are interested in knowing the
whereabouts of the leased or financed vehicles in case of
repossession thereof.
[0050] Further, auto repair services are interested in knowing the
working history of each vehicle to be serviced for diagnostic
purposes, and the maintenance history as to what and when previous
services have been performed on, and parts have been replaced in,
the vehicle. Similarly, potential buyers of a used vehicle may want
to have independent records of the working and maintenance
histories of the vehicle. In addition, they may want to know
whether the vehicle was involved in a collision, whether its
odometer reading is accurate, etc.
[0051] Still further, auto manufacturers and original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) are interested in obtaining data concerning
components in each vehicle manufactured thereby to determine the
durability of, and thus the appropriate warranties for, the
components after the original sale of the vehicle. Independent
watch groups are interested in such data as well for generating
reports on vehicle quality for various vehicle brands.
[0052] In fact, all of the above data of interest may be provided
via C-mail in accordance with the invention. Such data may be
multicast by individual vehicles via C-mail to different servers on
the Internet using the well known E-mail "carbon copy (cc:)"
feature, whereby the destination addresses of the servers can be
specified. Each server may be associated with a different entity
and compile databases for use by that entity.
[0053] Alternatively, in this instance, the data is collected by
central server 230 in FIG. 2 serving as a data warehouse, which can
be queried to extract useful information. To that end, processor
103 composes a C-mail message concerning the vehicle in question,
and is programmed to cause the C-mail message to be transmitted by
communications subsystem 109 to a specified mailbox in central
server 230 on Internet 250 from time to time, e.g., periodically.
Accordingly, subsystem 109 establishes a dial-up connection through
wireless communications network 213 to predetermined access server
222 which, among others, serve C-mail on Internet 250. It should be
noted at this point that server 222 may not be the only one access
server on the Internet serving C-mail. It will be appreciated that
more access servers similar to server 222 are geographically
distributed for effective communications of C-mail.
[0054] The C-mail message composed by processor 103 is transmitted
through the established connection to server 222 where it is
forwarded through Internet 250 to the central server mailbox,
according to its address, e.g., mail@carcentral.com, where
"carcentral.com" represents the domain associated with central
server 230.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates different data fields in the C-mail
message as composed by processor 103. Specifically, data field 303
contains the address of the central server mailbox, i.e.,
mail@carcentral.com, to which the C-mail message is delivered. Such
an address is stored in memory 107. Data field 307 contains the
C-mail origination address associated with the vehicle in question,
which is JN1CA23D4TT567890@vehicle.com in this instance as
described before. Data field 311 contains selected ones of the
dynamic data provided by the aforementioned subsystems in a
predetermined format. Data field 315 contains the date and time
stamp of the C-mail message which is provided by clock subsystem
136. Data field 319 contains the current odometer reading of the
vehicle provided by auxiliary subsystem 134. Data field 323
contains GPS data provided by navigation subsystem 141 described
below, indicating the current location of the vehicle. Data field
327 contains direction data from subsystem 141 concerning the
current direction toward which the vehicle is heading. Data field
331 contains data concerning the current speed of the vehicle
provided by the speedometer in subsystem 134.
[0056] Upon receipt of the C-mail message, central server 230
processes the data contained in the message, and distributes the
data into appropriate databases to facilitate queries by different
entities. Each new data entry to the databases is identified by the
VIN of the vehicle which, as mentioned before, forms part of the
C-mail origination address.
[0057] A first database in central server 230, which may be queried
by law enforcement using queries in accordance with the standard
relational database programming language SQL, may contain C-mail
data from the respective vehicles concerning, e.g., their emission,
pollution content, and integrity of lights, restraint devices, etc.
For example, after querying the first database, the law enforcement
may issue warnings or summonses to the owners of violating
vehicles, or even prohibit use of such vehicles when the emission
of the vehicles does not meet a certain standard, or when the
safety of the vehicles calls into question because of a lack of
integrity of their lights, restraint devices, etc. The law
enforcement may issue such warnings or summonses via C-mail to the
violating vehicles using the VINs, forming part of the C-mail
addresses, in the responses to the queries.
[0058] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
subject vehicle includes a security mechanism whereby the vehicle
may be remotely disabled via C-mail in case of emergency, car
theft, prohibition by law of use of the vehicle, etc. In accordance
with such a mechanism, processor 103 checks each incoming C-mail
message for a secret code for effecting disablement of the vehicle.
If such a secret code is detected, processor 103 accordingly shuts
the engine off, preferably when the speed of the vehicle is low to
avoid an accident. The rest of the C-mail message may indicate the
cause of disablement through user interface 139 described below. In
a preferred embodiment, multiple secret codes are used to disable
the vehicle, and a particular secret code is assigned to the law
enforcement. In the event that the vehicle is disabled because of a
violation of law, having so informed by the C-mail message, the
vehicle owner needs to resolve the violation with the appropriate
law enforcement authority before the vehicle engine is reactivated
based on the particular secret code.
[0059] A second database in central server 230, which may be
queried by financial institutions to track the leased and financed
vehicles in case of repossession, may contain C-mail data from the
respective vehicles concerning their GPS locations coupled with the
dates, times, and heading directions and speeds corresponding to
such locations. The knowledge of the whereabouts of each vehicle is
also important when the vehicle needs to be located in case of an
emergency or accident, especially when the user is incapacitated
and unable to communicate the current vehicle location.
[0060] A third database in central server 230, which may be queried
by auto repair services, OEMs and independent watch groups, may
contain C-mail data from the respective vehicles concerning
diagnostics of the working components in the vehicles provided by
the above-described subsystems. An auto insurance company may also
query the third database for data concerning, e.g., the speeds, and
statuses of the brakes of a vehicle to assess the driving habit of
the user. Based on the data which indicates the frequency of the
vehicle's exceeding the highway speed limit, the rate at which its
brakes wear out, etc., the insurance company determines certain
risk factors associated with the user, and the insurance premium
for his/her vehicle accordingly.
[0061] The auto repair services can also contribute to the third
database after they furnish repair, maintenance and/or part
replacements to each vehicle, thereby supplementing the database.
To that end, each auto repair service sends an E-mail message to
the central server mailbox describing the services rendered thereby
to the vehicle. The data fields of such an E-mail message may
include (a) the destination address field containing the address of
the central server mailbox, i.e., mail@carcentral.com in this
instance, (b) the subject matter or "re:" field containing the VIN
of the vehicle just serviced, (c) the origination address field
containing the E-mail address identifying the auto repair service,
which in this instance has been registered with the central server,
and (d) the message body field contains data concerning the
services performed on the vehicle, any replacement of vehicle parts
and descriptions thereof, and the date and time of the services,
with an indication of whether any service or part replacement is in
response to a recall notice by an auto manufacturer. The message
body field may contain the data in a predetermined format, which
may be in code to facilitate the data processing by central, server
230 after receiving the E-mail message. Central server 230
distinguishes such an E-mail message from a C-mail message by the
origination address identifying the repair service, which is
registered and in a different format than a C-mail address. Upon
receipt of the E-mail message from the repair service, central
server 230 extracts the data from its message body field and
incorporates the data into the third database under the VIN
provided in the subject matter field.
[0062] Thus, among other things, by querying the supplemented third
database, an auto manufacturer can obtain the VINs of those
vehicles which responded to a recall notice issued thereby, which
may have been sent via snail mail, e.g., the United States Postal
Service, to the last known addresses of the vehicle owners of
record as in prior art. The auto manufacturer typically maintains,
on its own computer, a database of the VINs of the vehicles sold to
which the recall notice applies. Thus, by entering the
aforementioned VINs obtained from the supplemented third database,
and by elimination, the auto manufacturer computer identifies the
VINs of those vehicles which have not responded to the recall
notice. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
auto manufacturer computer may multicast a second recall notice via
C-mail to those vehicles using the identified VINs as parts of the
C-mail "cc:" addresses. Compared with the prior art snail mail
approach whose practicability precariously depends on the validity
of the record address of each vehicle owner who may have moved or
changed, the inventive C-mail approach is much more effective where
the recall notice in the form of C-mail is transmitted via the
Internet to the vehicle itself, and the user in the vehicle is
prompted by a user interface in a manner described below to read
the C-mail recall notice as soon as it arrives. In fact, it is more
economical and advantageous for the auto manufacturer to multicast
the recall notice via C-mail to all of the vehicles concerned in
the first instance.
[0063] As mentioned before, the third database supplemented by the
auto repair services also catalogues the parts of each vehicle,
which were replaced by such services, by their replacement dates
and times, and descriptions. In the eventual scrappage of the
vehicle, by querying the supplemented third database, the history
of each replacement part therein is known. Depending on its
history, the replacement part can be recycled, refurbished, or
properly disposed to better protect the environment.
[0064] For used vehicle buyers, the supplemented third database may
also provide C-mail data concerning any detection of a physical
impact on the body of a vehicle, and any deployment of air-bags
therein, indicative of a prior collision. In addition, it may
include the odometer readings of the vehicle, coupled with the
dates and times corresponding thereto. The odometer readings are
assumed accurate if they increase with time.
[0065] It should be noted that to prevent fraud or tampering with
the databases in central server 230, the data in the E-mail or
C-mail to server 230 may be encrypted, or signed with a digital
signature for authentication purposes, in accordance with a well
known cryptographic algorithm, e.g., the RSA algorithm, digital
signature algorithm (DSA), pretty good privacy (POP) algorithm,
etc.
[0066] It should also be noted that by using a conventional
relational database manager (not shown) in server 230, each query
against the databases therein results in a concise report
satisfying the criteria specified in the query. In the event that
any text, graphics, pictures, audio clips and/or video clips are
attached to the C-mail or E-mail messages sent to server 230, such
attachments are titled and tagged in the databases. The report
generated in response to a query includes any relevant
attachments.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, user interface 139 includes
display 405, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), located on the
dashboard of the vehicle, and a display driver (not shown), e.g.,
LCD driver, for processor 103 to control the display graphics on
display 405. In this illustrative embodiment, interface 139 also
incorporates well-known touch-screen circuitry (not shown). With
this circuitry, the user can interact with processor 103 by, say,
touching a displayed option on display 405. Through interface 139,
processor 103 receives from the touch screen circuitry a signal
identifying the location on display 405 where it has been touched.
If such a location matches the predetermined location of one of the
displayed options, processor 103 determines that the option has
been selected. With such touch-screen and displayed option
selection capabilities, the user is able to obtain information on
and control selectable functions of the vehicle.
[0068] In this instance, interface 139 also includes (1) a
conventional speech recognizer and audio input for the user to
utter commands and responses to processor 103, and (2) a
conventional speech synthesizer and audio output for processor 103
to communicate to the user in audio.
[0069] Of course, in addition to, or in lieu of, the
above-described touch-screen capability incorporated in user
interface 139, other well known user interface hardware/software
may be incorporated therein for selecting displayed options on
display 405. Such hardware/software includes, e.g., dedicated or
programmable keys on the periphery of display 405; an indicator
device such as a mouse, joystick, light pen, trackballs, touchpad,
or a combination thereof; etc.
[0070] As disclosed in the aforementioned '855 application,
processor 103 may cause different screens or pages to be displayed
on display 405. Each page contains displayed options for
controlling different aspects of the vehicle functions. For
example, an audio page provides a choice of radio stations, a
climate control page provides for temperature and vent adjustments,
etc.
[0071] As mentioned before, a C-mail message containing data
concerning current statuses of the subject vehicle is transmitted
from subsystem 109 to server 222 on the Internet through an
established connection from time to time. The frequency of such
C-mail transmission may vary with the speed of the vehicle. For
example, such transmission may be infrequent when the vehicle is
stationary, i.e., at a zero speed, as not many vehicular activities
are going on. After each transmission of the C-mail message from
subsystem 109 to server 222, the latter in return transmits to
subsystem 109 any C-mail messages from the Internet addressed to
the vehicle through the same established connection before it is
disconnected. As soon as any such C-mail message is received by
subsystem 109, processor 103 reads the header of the C-mail
message, which indicates whether the message contains display data
for browsing and/or non-display data to be processed by processor
103. If processor 103 determines that the C-mail message contains
display data, it causes a pop-up C-mail indicator to be displayed
on the page that the user is currently on, indicating that a C-mail
message has arrived. For example, one such C-mail indicator,
denoted 409, appears on the SMART NAVIGATOR page of FIG. 4, which
the user is currently on.
[0072] By touching in this instance the area of screen 405 where
indicator 409 is displayed, exclusive of box 411, the user may open
the C-mail message containing display data. FIG. 5 illustrates one
such C-mail message which contains a recall notice. As shown in
FIG. 5, the notice in this instance is from ABC Auto Manufacturer
to the subject vehicle regarding a faulty air-bag deployment
mechanism therein. Under another circumstance, such a C-mail
message may contain a warning or summons from the law enforcement,
an auto insurance expiration notice from an insurance company, etc.
After reading the C-mail message, the user has a choice to save the
message in memory 107 using SAVE option 509, or delete same using
DELETE option 511.
[0073] If upon seeing pop-up indicator 409, the user decides to
read the C-mail message indicated thereby later, the user may touch
the area of screen 405 corresponding to box 411 to minimize
indicator 409 for postponing the opening of the C-mail message.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, the SMART NAVIGATOR page includes
displayed options, e.g., NAVIGATION option 419, WEATHER option 421,
TRAFFIC option 425 and DIRECTORY option 430. By selecting option
419 by touching same on display 405, followed by selecting ENTER
key 435, the user is able to obtain navigation instructions to a
given destination. Specifically, the user is elicited for
information concerning the destination, any intermediate stops,
etc. Such elicitation is realized by posing questions on display
405 and/or by uttering those questions using a synthesized voice
through the aforementioned audio output. The user then provides
verbal responses thereto through the aforementioned audio input.
The speech recognizer in interface 139 then recognizes and
registers the responses.
[0075] Navigation subsystem 141 in FIG. 1 receives signals from a
constellation of satellites which is part of the U.S. government's
GPS. In response to these signals, subsystem 141 pinpoints the
vehicle's location in latitude and longitude. Using map information
from sources described below, subsystem 141 provides on display 405
a suggested route leading to the destination specified by the user.
Furthermore, based on the knowledge of the vehicle's instantaneous
speeds and directions, subsystem 141 is capable of verbally and
visually directing the user to such a destination.
[0076] For local navigation, the above map information may be
provided from storage in the form of a compact disk (CD). However,
because of the limited capacity of the storage, for navigation in
remote areas outside the local coverage, subsystem 141 may obtain
the necessary map information in real time via C-mail described
above, or in the form of a web page in a manner described below.
For example, as central server 230 receives C-mail messages from
the vehicle from time to time, based on the GPS data in each
message, indicating the current location of the vehicle, server 230
determines whether map information concerning remote areas is
needed. This determination is based on a prediction as to where the
vehicle may be during the interval between the receipt of the
present C-mail message and that of the next C-mail message. Such a
prediction is realized based on the length of such an interval, the
data concerning the current speed and direction of the vehicle in
the present C-mail message, etc. If it is determined that any
remote area map information is needed, server 230 returns via
C-mail to system 100 map information in a just-in-time (JIT)
fashion which may be good for a predetermined radius from the
current location of the vehicle. Alternatively, server 230 provides
the map information affording a coverage based on the
above-described prediction.
[0077] The user may select WEATHER option 421, TRAFFIC option 425,
and/or DIRECTORY option 430 in addition to NAVIGATION option 419 on
the SMART NAVIGATOR page. For example, when option 421 is selected
in addition to option 419, followed by a selection of ENTER key
435, subsystem 141 provides on display 405 a suggested route to a
given destination with indications indicating weather conditions,
hazards, etc., along the route, as disclosed in the aforementioned
'855 application. Similarly, when option 425 is selected in
addition to option 419, followed by a selection of ENTER key 435,
subsystem 141 provides on display 405 a suggested route to a given
destination with indicators indicating traffic congestions, highway
warnings, etc., along the route. When option 430 is selected in
addition to option 419, followed by a selection of ENTER key 435,
processor 103 causes a MAIN DIRECTORY page described below to be
displayed on display 405. It suffices to know for now that after
further selections by the user of additional options on such a
page, a suggested route to a given destination with directory
information concerning selected products and/or services, e.g.,
restaurants, gas stations, etc., along the route would be provided
on display 405. It should be noted that the above weather
information, traffic information and directory information may be
aggregated along the same route.
[0078] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
software for a car browser similar to the well known NETSCAPE
NAVIGATOR or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER web browser is stored in
memory 107 in system 100 for browsing information provided by
servers connected to Internet 250. In particular, the car browser
works compatibly with the standard hypertext transfer protocol
(HTTP), hypertext markup language (HTML), virtual reality markup
language (VRML), graphics interchange format (GIF), JAVA applets,
etc.
[0079] For example, after selection of DIRECTORY option 430 alone
or in combination with NAVIGATION option 419, followed by that of
ENTER key 435 on the SMART NAVIGATOR page of FIG. 4, processor 103
causes communication subsystem 109 to establish a communication
connection with access server 222. Processor 103 then causes the
car browser, which is assigned an Internet protocol (IP) address in
a conventional manner, to request directory information from a
server identifiable by a predetermined uniform resource locator
(URL). For example, the URL is "www.carcentral.com/directory" in
this instance, which identifies the aforementioned MAIN DIRECTORY
page provided by central server 230. Such a request by the car
browser including the URL and an identity of the request
originator, i.e., the car browser IP address, is sent via the
established communication connection to access server 222, where
the request in this instance is routed via Internet 250 to central
server 230 based on the given URL.
[0080] In response, server 230 returns a web page, namely, the MAIN
DIRECTORY page, to the car browser according to its IP address
provided in the request. Upon receipt of the MAIN DIRECTORY page,
the car browser opens same on display 405. FIG. 6 illustrates one
such MAIN DIRECTORY page on display 405.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 6, the MAIN DIRECTORY page includes
NATIONAL option 605, REGIONAL option 607 and INDIVIDUAL option 609.
For example, a selection of option 605 enables the user to access
directory information concerning products and/or services of
national recognition or brand obtainable within a selected distance
of the current vehicle location. Specifically, upon detecting the
selection of option 605, the car browser causes drop down menu 615,
including RESTAURANT option 615-1, GAS STATION option 615-2, . . .
and DEPARTMENT STORE option 615-N, to appear on display 405, where
N represents an integer.
[0082] Without loss of generality, the user in this instance
selects RESTAURANT option 615-1. Upon detecting such a selection,
the car browser obtains the GPS coordinates of the current vehicle
location from navigation subsystem 141, and then transmits a
request for identities of nationally known restaurants within a
selected distance, say, five miles, of the current vehicle location
indicated by the GPS coordinates just obtained. In response, server
230 provides a RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page based on the received
GPS coordinates. FIG. 7 illustrates one such RESTAURANT ADVERTISING
page on display 405, with the assumption that DIRECTORY option 430
was selected alone, not in combination with NAVIGATION option 419
on the SMART NAVIGATOR page. Otherwise if the NAVIGATION option 419
was also selected, any navigation instructions for reaching a given
destination would appear on the RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page as
well.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 7, icon 703 indicates the vehicle location
identified by the aforementioned GPS coordinates on a five-mile
radius map. Tags 713, 715 and 719 respectively represent the
nationally known restaurants on the map. For example, tag 713
indicates the location of McDonald's Restaurant; tag 715 indicates
the location of a Taco Bell Restaurant; and tag 719 indicates the
location of an Olive Garden Restaurant. Tags 713, 715 and 719 may
incorporate the respective restaurants' famous logos for easy
recognition. In any event, a selection of any of such tags,
analogous to conventional hyperlinks, causes the car browser to
access central server 230 for the identity of the corresponding
restaurant in audio and in text. For example, after a selection of
tag 713, based on the identity information from server 230, the car
browser causes user interface 139 to announce, "Welcome to
McDonald's," and/or play a jingle identifying McDonald's
Restaurant, along with a display of textual words identifying
McDonald's Restaurant next to tag 713.
[0084] It should be noted at this point that server 230 furnishes
the directory information concerning product/service providers
based on their paid advertising subscription. For example, for
nationally known restaurants, server 230 only provides directory
information about those restaurants which subscribe to its
directory service. Server 230 stores in a memory therein the GPS
coordinates of each subscriber restaurant. In providing the
RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page of FIG. 7, server 230 identifies those
subscriber restaurants (e.g., the restaurants represented by tags
713, 715 and 719 in this instance), which are within the selected
distance of the vehicle location. Such a determination is based on
a comparison between the GPS coordinates of the vehicle and those
of each subscriber restaurant stored in the server memory.
[0085] OPTIONS key 721, BACK key 725 and FORWARD key 727 are also
provided on the RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page of FIG. 7. For example,
by selecting key 721, the user may re-define the coverage of the
displayed map. Such re-definition may be achieved by selecting a
further option for a new radius from the vehicle location, or by
pointing and dragging cross mark 733 using an indicator device or
using a finger if the user interface supports the touch-screen
capability, which is the case here. When the user points at cross
mark 733 and drags same away from the center of display 405, the
coverage is enlarged and the displayed map is scaled up (i.e., with
the number of miles per inch going up) accordingly. Conversely,
when the user points at cross mark 733 and drags same towards the
center of display 405, the coverage is reduced and the displayed
map is scaled down (i.e., with the number of miles per inch going
down) accordingly. By enlarging (or reducing) the coverage, the
number of restaurant tags within the coverage most likely increases
(or decreases).
[0086] By selecting key 721, the user may also specify the
frequency of updating the RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page so that the
user is informed of other restaurants on a continual basis as the
vehicle is moving. Such a frequency may be defined in terms of
time. However, in this preferred embodiment, the frequency is
defined in terms of mileage, e.g., once every five miles from the
current vehicle location. As soon as the frequency is specified,
the car browser continually polls navigation subsystem 141 for the
current GPS coordinates of the vehicle, and compares such
coordinates with those in the previous request to central server
230. Once it is determined that the two sets of GPS coordinates are
more than the specified distance (e.g., five miles) apart, the car
browser issues a new request for identities of nationally known
restaurants to server 230, which includes the current set of GPS
coordinates of the vehicle. In response to the new request, server
230 provides a fresh RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page including any new
restaurant tags on display 405.
[0087] In a conventional manner, the car browser records the
sequence of pages that the user visited or browsed. Selection of
BACK key 725 enables the user to revisit the page (e.g., the MAIN
DIRECTORY page) immediately before the current page (e.g., the
RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page). Similarly, selection of FORWARD key
727 enables the user revisit the page immediately following the
current page. In this instance, FORWARD key 727 is non-selectable
as the page following the RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page has not been
established.
[0088] Continuing the above example, having learnt that tag 713
represents McDonald's Restaurant, the user may be interested in
dining therein, and again selects tag 713 to obtain further
information about the restaurant. Upon such a selection, the car
browser opens an inquiry window on display 405. As illustrated in
FIG. 8, the inquiry window includes three inquiries regarding the
confidentiality of the user's selection. Specifically, if the user
regards his/her selection confidential, the user may select box 805
to dispose of the inquiry window. On the other hand, if the user
regards his/her selection non-confidential, the user may select box
807, instead. Furthermore, if the user regards his/her selection
always non-confidential, and does not want to be bothered by the
inquiry window in the future, the user may select box 809,
instead.
[0089] After receiving, from the car browser, a request for further
information about McDonald's Restaurant, and the user response to
the confidentiality inquiry, server 230 first increments a hit
count of tag 713, representing McDonald's Restaurant in question,
by one. In general, server 230 keeps track of a cumulative number
of hits of each tag representing a product/service
provider-advertiser, the time and day of each hit, etc. The
resulting statistics may be used by the provider-advertiser to
measure the effectiveness of its directory subscription, and help
formulate its promotional plans.
[0090] In addition, if the user response indicates that his/her
selection of information about a product/service provider is
non-confidential, server 230 stores such a selection, the time and
day of the selection, etc., in a record identified by the IP
address of the car browser representing the user. Any other
selection by the user associated with such an IP address is stored
in the same record. The resulting database, containing records from
different users, may be utilized by the product/service providers
to develop profiles of the consumers of their products/services.
Taking advantage of the knowledge of the consumer profiles, the
providers are able to design advertisements, commercials and
promotional campaigns more targeted to their respective groups of
consumers.
[0091] Finally, server 230 returns a RESTAURANT page onto display
405. FIG. 9 illustrates the RESTAURANT page containing directions
to McDonald's Restaurant represented by selected tag 703, and
information concerning the restaurant service hours, phone number,
facility, any promotion, etc. In an alternative embodiment, this
page is preceded by a commercial about the restaurant based on a
video and sound clip also provided by server 230.
[0092] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention,
server 230 collects digital images of subscribers' business
operations and establishments. In this instance, one or more
digital cameras are installed in each subscriber restaurant which
periodically take pictures of the restaurant facility. The
resulting images are formatted in conventional image files, e.g.,
GIF files, by an Internet processor in the restaurant.
Illustratively, each image file includes in its header the GPS
coordinates of the restaurant, and the time that the image was
taken. The image time may also be embedded in the image itself. In
a conventional manner, the image file is transmitted by the
Internet processor via Internet 250 to server 230, where the image
file is stored according to the GPS coordinates in the file header
which identify the subscriber restaurant.
[0093] VIEW key 903, NAVIGATE key 905, FAVORITE key 907, BACK key
909, FORWARD key 911, RESTAURANT WEBSITE key 913 and RESTAURANT
MENU key 915 are also provided on the RESTAURANT page of FIG. 9. A
selection of key 903 causes server 230 to furnish, on display 405,
one or more of the most recent digital images of McDonald's
Restaurant in question which are identified by its GPS coordinates.
Advantageously, by viewing the images, the user can determine
whether the facility is desirable, and whether the restaurant would
be crowded by the time the user arrives at the restaurant, taking
into consideration a time stamp associated with each image.
[0094] A selection of NAVIGATE key 905 causes navigation subsystem
141 to provide the user with directions to the restaurant in a
manner described before. A selection of FAVORITE key 907 enables
the user to "bookmark" or register, in an individual registry
described below, the GPS coordinates identifying the restaurant in
question. It suffices to know for now that the individual registry
includes a personal registry and a business registry. The user may
bookmark the restaurant's GPS coordinates in a personal (business)
registry if the restaurant is his/her favorite choice for personal
(business) purposes.
[0095] BACK key 909 and FORWARD key 911 function similarly to
above-described keys 725 and 727, respectively. Key 913 represents
a hyperlink to the website of the restaurant. Thus, a selection of
key 913 causes the car browser to open the restaurant website on
display 405. In addition, a selection of key 915 enables the user
to access the RESTAURANT MENU page, which is illustrated in FIG.
10.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 10, the RESTAURANT MENU page enumerates
types of food and beverage served in the restaurant. Each food and
beverage entry may be highlighted by selecting same. The user may
order ahead the highlighted food and beverages by selecting ORDER
key 1005. Upon selection of key 1005, the car browser causes the
order information to be transmitted to server 230 which in turn
transmits the information to the Internet processor in the
restaurant for processing the order.
[0097] It should be noted at this point that the information
concerning the selection of tag 713 representing McDonald's
Restaurant, and any food and beverage ordered therefrom is stored
in a specified memory space in memory 107 according to the GPS
coordinates corresponding to tag 713. In the event that the car
browser in the future receives, from server 230, tag 713
corresponding to the same GPS coordinates, the car browser
retrieves from the specified memory space any stored information
corresponding to such GPS coordinates. In the instant example, if
the user returns via the same route or a route close thereto, tag
713 would most likely re-appear in the return trip. In that case,
based on the stored information corresponding to the same GPS
coordinates as tag 713, the car browser highlights tag 713 with a
distinguishable color, indicating that the restaurant associated
with tag 713 may have been visited. That is, tag 713 would be
colored differently from other tags which were not selected. Such a
distinguishable color highlight on tag 713 advantageously triggers
the user's memory about the associated restaurant, and thereby
helps him/her to decide whether or not to revisit the restaurant.
In the event that the user decides to revisit a restaurant, and
thus re-select the associated tag, when the user comes upon
selectable items on the associated web pages which were previously
selected, for example, those food and beverages on the RESTAURANT
MENU page of FIG. 10 which were previously ordered, such items are
also highlighted in a distinguishable color. Again, such a color
highlight advantageously triggers the user's memory about the
selected items, and thereby helps him/her to decide whether or not
to re-select the same items.
[0098] Returning to the MAIN DIRECTORY page of FIG. 6, in this
example, the user selects REGIONAL option 607, instead. In
accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the REGIONAL
option enables the user to access directory information concerning
regional attractions, and products and/or services of regional
recognition, i.e., which are particularly known in the region which
the vehicle is currently in. Upon detecting such a selection, the
car browser obtains the GPS coordinates of the current vehicle
location from navigation subsystem 141, and transmits a request to
server 230 for an appropriate drop down menu which is a function of
the current vehicle location indicated by the GPS coordinates just
obtained. Upon receipt of such a request, server 230 determines
what region the vehicle is currently in based on the received GPS
coordinates, and prescribes the appropriate menu containing options
of products and/or services pertaining to the region as
determined.
[0099] Continuing the example, assuming that it is determined that
the vehicle is currently within a predetermined distance of
Orlando, Fla., which is known for various theme parks and other
tourist attractions. Accordingly, server 230 provides drop down
menu 617 which includes, e.g., THEME PARK option 617-1, SOUVENIR
option 617-2, . . . and REGIONAL RESTAURANT option 617-K, where K
represents an integer. Similar to a selection of RESTAURANT option
615-1 described before, a selection of THEME PARK option 617-1 in
this instance causes server 230 to provide a THEME PARK ADVERTISING
page (not shown) on display 405. Based on the disclosure
heretofore, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that
similar to the above-described RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page of FIG.
7, the THEME PARK ADVERTISING page would include a map having
selected coverage, indicating thereon the current location of the
vehicle and the locations of those theme parks which subscribe to
the directory service by server 230. In addition, similar to the
above-described RESTAURANT page of FIG. 9, any THEME PARK page (not
shown) would include, e.g., directions to the theme park,
information concerning visiting hours and promotions, an option for
viewing digital images of the park facility, etc. Further, similar
to the above-described RESTAURANT MENU page of FIG. 10, any
ADMISSION TICKET page (not shown) would include, e.g., information
concerning admission ticket prices and discounts, an option for
ordering admission tickets ahead, etc.
[0100] A selection of INDIVIDUAL option 609 enables the user to
access directory information concerning the user's favorite
product/service providers according to the aforementioned
individual registry. As mentioned before, the individual registry
includes a business registry and a personal registry. Both the
business registry and the personal registry are stored in an
allotted memory space in memory 107. The business (personal)
registry contains information concerning the user's favorite
product/service providers for business (personal) purposes, and the
corresponding sets of GPS coordinates identifying the location of
such providers.
[0101] Specifically, upon selection of option 609, drop down menu
619, including BUSINESS option 619-1 and PERSONAL option 619-2, is
provided on display 405. Without loss of generality, in this
instance BUSINESS option 619-1 is further selected, the car browser
then retrieves from the allotted memory space the stored business
registry information and, based on the retrieved information,
presents on display 405 a BUSINESS REGISTRY page, which is
illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 11, the user's favorite product/service
provider pertaining to business are arranged under different
category options such as COMPUTER EQUIPMENT option 1103, OFFICE
SUPPLY option 1105, . . . and RESTAURANT option 1109. The user may
add new favorite product/service providers to the registry by using
the FAVORITE key, e.g., FAVORITE key 907, on a web page as
described before. Alternatively, the user may utilize an ADD key on
a registry page to achieve such addition. For example, upon
selection of ADD key 1113 on the BUSINESS REGISTRY page, the car
browser issues a request to server 230 for a directory menu
containing the identity and GPS coordinates of each product/service
provider subscribing to the directory service by server 230. After
receiving such a menu, the user may select therefrom additional
favorite product/service providers in any category. Accordingly,
the BUSINESS REGISTRY page is revised, and the GPS coordinates of
those selected providers are stored in the aforementioned allotted
memory space, along with the identities of the additional
providers.
[0103] DELETE key 1115 provides the inverse function to ADD key
1113 and allows the user to delete out-of-favor product/service
providers from the registry page.
[0104] To access directory information concerning, say, office
supplies according to the user's business registry, the user may
select OFFICE SUPPLY option 1105 and then ENTER key 1117. In
response, the car browser issues a request to server 230 for an
OFFICE SUPPLY ADVERTISING page. Server 230 then returns onto
display 405 the OFFICE SUPPLY ADVERTISING page (not shown). Similar
to the RESTAURANT ADVERTISING page of FIG. 7, the OFFICE SUPPLY
ADVERTISING page includes a map having selected coverage,
indicating thereon the current location of the vehicle, and the
locations of any of those favorite office supply providers. In the
event that no favorite providers can be located within the coverage
area, server 230 searches the aforementioned directory menu for
substitute providers in that area which may be of the same chain or
franchise, or which supply products/services of similar quality and
price range to the favorite providers. However, the tags on the
advertising page which represent the favorite providers are
highlighted in a first predetermined color, and those representing
the substitute providers are highlighted in a second predetermined
color, thereby enabling the user to readily differentiate the
favorite providers from the substitute providers.
[0105] In the event that the user's trip is multi-purpose, which
involves obtaining different products/services in the same trip,
the user may select multiple product/service provider options
before selecting ENTER key 1117 to aggregate the directory
information concerning providers of the different products/services
on the same ADVERTISING page. For example, the user may select
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT option 1103, in addition to OFFICE SUPPLY option
1105, before selecting ENTER key 1117. In that case, first and
second sets of tags associated respectively with any computer
equipment providers and office supply providers, as located, would
be indicated on the ensuing ADVERTISING page. The tags in the first
set differ from those in the second set by their shape, color or
other feature to facilitate the user's selection of the
corresponding providers.
[0106] Returning briefly to FIG. 6, a selection of PERSONAL key
619-2 instead of BUSINESS key 619-1 as in the above example
occasions a process similar to that described above, which however
involves product/service providers of the user's personal choice.
In addition, an ENTER key may also be used on the MAIN DIRECTORY
page to enable the user to aggregate, on the same ADVERTISING page,
directory information concerning providers of different
products/services under NATIONAL option 605 and/or REGIONAL option
607.
[0107] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the
invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the
art will be able to devise numerous other arrangements which embody
the principles of the invention and are thus within its spirit and
scope.
[0108] For example, system 100 is disclosed herein in a form in
which various transmitter and receiver functions are performed by
discrete functional blocks. However, any one or more of these
functions could equally well be embodied in an arrangement in which
the functions of any one or more of those blocks or indeed, all of
the functions thereof, are realized, for example, by one or more
appropriately programmed processors.
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