Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Shpetim S Veliu

Hitan S Kamdar

Anthony J Sumcad

Russell A Patenaude

Brad T Reeser

Esteban Camacho

Dexter C Lowe

Christopher L Oesterling

Scott W Otterson

Jeffrey J Olsen

David Lohmeier

Joseph K Medley

James Doherty

Ronald W Fraser

Mingheng Wang

A system and method are described herein for managing personalization information used to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. In particular, the method performed by the system includes establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Centrally managing personalization information for configuring settings for a registered vehicle user

The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing an EHPE (estimated horizontal positioning error) timer for reducing route calculation failures. By utilizing an EHPE timer, a GPS unit may continue to check for GPS signal until the EHPE timer expires before reporting route calculation failure to the user. Thus, in situations where GPS signal is only temporarily lost and current location information is only temporarily degraded, user route requests will not necessarily result in route calculation failure. In preferred implementations, the system and method are implemented within the context of a telematics unit in a vehicle or in the context of a call center.

Method and decreasing position error during turn-by-turn sessions

A system and method are described herein for acquiring and maintaining, in a centralized repository, driver and vehicle information for the purpose of rendering a rating for individual drivers and vehicles in accordance with established criteria and standards. A driver rating indicates the relative desirability of the particular driver given the expected wear and tear upon a vehicle arising from driver's use of the vehicle. A vehicle rating indicates the relative desirability of the particular vehicle given the use and maintenance history. Additional information is also maintained in the centralized repository that could be used to indicate an event for which a surcharge or discount is applicable. Thereafter, specified filtering criteria are applied bi-laterally to determine a set of rated vehicles that can be used by a particular rated driver.

Centrally managed driver and vehicle ratings system updated via over-the-air communications with telematics units

A system and method are described herein that enable a vehicle user to establish, store (in a limited access storage location), and restore personalization information for the vehicle user on a vehicle. In particular the system manages personalization information to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. The system is configured to carry out the method including establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Access control for personalized user information maintained by a telematics unit

A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location. The logic is also configured to identify the measurement system from which the first system identification is mapped, and display indicators of the measurement system within an instrument panel.

Measurement system service for a vehicle instrument panel

A demonstration method and module for demonstrating various features of a vehicle navigation system without activating the system at a back-end facility, such as a remote call center. The demonstration module comes with a variety of pre-established navigation demonstrations, each of which is designed for a particular geographic area. The demonstration module obtains a vehicle position reading from the vehicle navigation system, and then utilizes this reading to select the most appropriate demonstration experience for that area. The selected navigation demonstration is then played through one or more output devices in the vehicle, such as speakers and a graphical display. This enables a prospective customer to experience a local or familiar navigation demonstration, without taking the steps and incurring the expenses associated with activating the vehicle navigation system at the call center.

Method and device for demonstrating features of a vehicle navigation system

A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Method of activating a device

The present invention provides a method for providing automated vehicle diagnostic function within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes configuring a primary diagnostic script for a telematics equipped mobile vehicle, providing the primary diagnostic script to the mobile vehicle, executing the primary diagnostic script, and collecting diagnostic data based on the executed primary diagnostic script. The primary diagnostic script may recreate known problem sequences when executed or may trigger data capture when specific conditions exist. The step of configuring the primary diagnostic script may include determining at least one diagnostic script based on diagnostic options and retrieving the at least one determined diagnostic script. One or more diagnostic scripts may be combined into the primary diagnostic script.

Method and system for providing automated vehicle diagnostic function utilizing a telematics unit

A method for accessing email attachments from a mobile vehicle is disclosed. The method enables the user to contact a call center, and receive email attachments in a mobile vehicle telematics control unit. The telematics control unit determines whether the email attachment is audio-only, or whether it includes video elements. The telematics control unit then routes audio-only attachments to an audio device, and attachments having video elements to a display screen.

Method for accessing email attachments from a mobile vehicle

A method of navigating a plurality of vehicles includes receiving vehicle identifications from the plurality of vehicles at a central location. A travel group is formed based on the received vehicle identifications. Global positioning information is received from at least one vehicle associated with the travel group at the central location. The received global positioning information is transmitted from the central location to at least one vehicle associated with the travel group.

Method and system for linked vehicle navigation

A method of demonstrating navigation in a vehicle includes receiving a navigation demonstration mode request and global positioning information at a call center. A destination prompt is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle. A point-of-interest category is received at a call center. A point-of-interest destination is determined based on the point-of-interest category. A route is determined based on the received global positioning information and the point-of-interest destination. The route is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle.

Method and system for provisioning turn-by-turn navigation demonstrations

A pre-connection readiness system employs a telematics unit and a telematics call center. The telematics unit receives and stores pre-connection user information prior to a connection between the telematics unit and the telematics call center. The telematics unit and the telematics call center exchange the pre-connection user information subsequent to the connection between the telematics unit and the telematics call center.

Pre-connection system readiness for receiving voice and data commands

A method for remotely operating vehicle functions including receiving at least one wireless key fob signal at a kiosk system, receiving a vehicle function request at the kiosk system, and sending the wireless key fob signal from the kiosk system to a vehicle based on the vehicle function request.

System for remotely operating vehicle functions

The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for providing language translation in a vehicle telematics device. The method includes providing data in a first language format to the vehicle telematics device. The data in the first language format is transmitted from the vehicle telematics device to a call center. The data is translated at the call center from the first language format to a second language format. The data in the second language format is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle telematics device.

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

Shpetim S Veliu