US20100185524A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100185524A1
Application number: US12/506,524
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary A. Watkins; Christopher L. Oesterling; Wylie R. Burt
Original assignee: General Motors Corp
Current assignee: General Motors LLC
Priority date: 2003-10-03
Filing date: 2009-07-21
Publication date: 2010-07-22
Also published as: US7599843B2; US20050075892A1

Abstract

A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/678,393 filed Oct. 3, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a telematics unit and method for operating a telematics unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telematics units embedded within mobile vehicles provide subscribers with connectivity to a telematics service provider (TSP). The TSP provides the subscriber with an array of services ranging from emergency call handling, stolen vehicle recovery and diagnostic code uploading to making restaurant reservations. In a known example, telematics units are provisioned and activated at a point of sale when a subscriber purchases a telematics equipped vehicle. Upon activating, the telematics unit can be utilized to provide a subscriber with telematics services.

As vehicles leave a manufacturing facility, vehicle logistics, including vehicle tracking and inventory management, is largely implicit. Vehicle delivery tracking typically utilizes logistical support infrastructure tied to vehicle manufacturer shipping systems. Many times exact vehicle position is inferred based upon shipping schedules, manifests, etc. In another example, special logistical support devices, such as radio frequency identification tags may be utilized to track vehicles entering, exiting, or passing through specific locations. Sensors interact with the radio frequency identification tags and network computers to update database entries relating to the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Advantageously, this invention provides a method and system for operating a telematics unit.

Advantageously, according to an example implementation, a method of operating a telematics unit comprises the steps of: operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting remote tracking of at least one of (a) a telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and shipment; and operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting services to the customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for implementing this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example method steps and example functions of the system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example memory arrangement;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example timing arrangement; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an example vehicle shipment path from a source to a destination through transfer points.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system at100 including atelematics unit102 associated with avehicle104. As atelematics unit102 equippedvehicle104 is being prepared to exit an assembly line, thetelematics unit102 is connected to aphysical programming station118. Thephysical programming station118 contains multiple computer programs, referred to astelematics application programs121. Telematics application programs are selected for download to and installation within thetelematics unit102 either automatically or by anoperator119.

Thetelematics application programs121 within the physical programming station contain specific functionality to be executed when the programs are active within thetelematics unit102. In this example, twotelematics application programs121 are provided, alogistical support program122 and asubscriber support program124. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the

programs

122 and124 may be object code programs flashed in to memory in thetelematics unit102, or applets for running on a virtual machine intelematics unit102, or any other form for controlling the function oftelematics unit102 in the modes described herein.

In an alternative embodiment, thetelematics unit102 is manufactured with the

programs

122 and124 included at the component level, eliminating the need to download programs at the vehicle assembly plant.

In yet another example, thetelematics unit102 receives its

programs

122 and124 through connection to avirtual programming station120. Thevirtual programming station120 contains or has access to thetelematics application programs121, which it downloads and installs withintelematics unit102 in lieu of aphysical programming station118 andoperator119.

In an example use ofvirtual programming station120, when thetelematics unit102 is energized at a manufacturing facility and ready to accept atelematics application program121, thevirtual programming station120 establishes a connection with thetelematics unit120. The connection from thevirtual programming station120 to thetelematics unit120 may be a physical, wired connection or a short range wireless connection, utilizing Bluetooth, 802.11, or other short range wireless technology.

Thevirtual programming station120 also establishes a connection with thetelematics service provider132 via awireless unit126, awireless network128, and the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)130. Thetelematics service provider132 provides access to thetelematics application programs121, including thelogistical support program122 andsubscriber support program124. Thetelematics service provider132 determines which of thetelematics application programs121 to download and install within thetelematics unit102. After atelematics application program121 is downloaded and installed within thetelematics unit102, the connection between thevirtual programming station120, thetelematics unit102, and thetelematics service provider132 is terminated.

For a first mode of operation, thelogistical support program122 contains instructions for thetelematics unit102 to operate in a logistical support context. Logistical support context comprises collecting and reporting data. The date includes typically vehicle position, identification, time and date, and may also include additional information, such as warranty related data and any other data available through the specific implementation and desired for the logistical support mode. Example warranty related data comprises vehicle module diagnostic codes, battery voltage, security system status, and analog and digital signals from vehicle discrete input and output devices.

Warranty data is collected via messages received from a plurality ofvehicle control modules107 by way of the vehicle bus106. For example, one such vehicle control module may be a powertrain control module that controls and monitors a vehicle powertrain system. A powertrain system is comprised of a motor, transmission, and interconnecting electrical and mechanical components.

Collected data may be stored within thetelematics unit102 memory for off-line extraction or for periodic or event driven reporting to atelematics service provider132 or third party (or logistics support)facility134. Alternatively, the data may be collected and transmitted in the same operation, eliminating storage in the memory oftelematics unit102.

Associated with thetelematics unit102 is areal time clock109. Thereal time clock109 maintains and produces a signal that provides accurate time and date information. The time and date information provided by thereal time clock109 is used to record in thetelematics unit102 memory the time and date associated with a periodic or asynchronous event. The time and date information provided by thereal time clock109 is synchronized in a known manner with the time information available from the GPS (Global Positioning System)116 via theGPS receiver114, when GPS information is available.

Vehicle position is determined by activating a GPS (Global Positioning System)receiver114 connected to thetelematics unit102. Upon activation, theGPS receiver114 acquires signals from theGPS constellation116 then calculates theGPS receiver114 velocity and current position, which is consequently the velocity and position of the vehicle that thetelematics unit102 is physically attached to. Vehicle position may also be determined from a vehicleposition sensor suite108 if the vehicle is so equipped. The vehicleposition sensor suite108 is comprised of sensors well known to skilled practitioners in the art. The vehicleposition sensor suite108 associated with avehicle104 may communicate directly with thetelematics unit102 or communicate via a vehicle bus106.

Associated with thevehicle104 andtelematics unit102 are discrete input andoutput devices110. Discrete input andoutput devices110 provide digital and analog information to thetelematics unit102 and is comprised of sensors well known to skilled practitioners in the art.

Thetelematics unit102 communicates with a telematicsunit service provider132 via awireless unit112 associated with thetelematics unit102, awireless network128, and the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)130. The telematics unit may also communicate withthird party facility134. Examplethird party facilities134 are vehicle tracking and monitoring facilities, manufacturing facilities, data collection centers, or vehicle dealers.

For example, in a first mode of operation with logistical support functionality, thetelematics unit102 may contact the telematics service provider, which receives time, position and other data from the vehicle as part of the logistics support activity supporting the vehicle manufacturer to vehicle dealer delivery system. The logistical support may continue while the vehicle is at the dealer, providing information supporting management of the dealer vehicle stock. These contacts with the telematics service provider are triggered by functionality included inlogistical support program122, examples of which are described further below.

In another example of in the first mode, the telematics unit invokinglogistical support program122 contacts anotherservice center134 that focuses on logistical support for the vehicle manufacturer and its distribution network. In this example, theunit102 is then enabled to connect to the telematics service provider only after the second mode of operation to support customer telematics services is invoked when the vehicle is delivered to a customer.

As discussed herein, thetelematics unit102 is also programmed with asubscriber support program124 from the set oftelematics application programs121. Thesubscriber support program124 contains instructions for thetelematics unit102 to operate in a subscriber support context or mode. Subscriber support context is comprised of responding to telematics unit button presses or utterances that support features such as emergency aid, personal calling, navigation instructions, and concierge services. Typical examples of these features are well known to those skilled in the art, and need not be set forth in detail herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates example method steps and functions at200. A telematics equipped vehicle (FIG. 1,104) is programmed to operate in alogistical support context202. After programming is complete, the vehicle exits the factory floor ormanufacturing facility204. The telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) associated with the vehicle (FIG. 1,104) is now enabled to collect and report data as it travels from a manufacturing facility to a dealer facility.

While operating in a logistical support context, the telematics unit is activated upon internal orexternal events206. The method in which the telematics unit is activated is determined by a configurable parameter. An example internal event is a timer interrupt, where the timer interrupt sends an activation signal to the telematics unit causing the telematics unit to execute the routines within the logistical support program. The executing routines cause the GPS receiver to activate and attempt to acquire signals from the GPS constellation to determine current position. Alternatively, the logistical support program may access the vehicle position sensor suite in order to determine current position. If the current position is acquired, then the position is logged intelematics unit memory208. The time and date associated with the acquired position is then recorded208. When the time and date are successfully recorded, the logistical support program may also acquire other desired data by examining and recording vehicle module messages via thevehicle bus208.

In one example, the GPS data acquired during the wake-up periods is used to determine movement of the vehicle, allowing logging of locations and travel during vehicle delivery. This information triggers calls to the service center supporting logistics on a predetermined basis. For example, when the first and second most recent positions indicate different geographical positions, and the second and third most recent positions were the same, new movement of the vehicle is determined and may be reported as an indication that the vehicle began movement through the logistical delivery system. And when the first and second most recent positions are the same, while the second and third were different, a cessation of travel may be inferred, and reported through to the service center supporting logistics.

While there are common features to both modes of operation, some of the functions, such as the time or location based reporting to support logistics, are not repeated in the second mode supporting telematics customer service.

If the position, time and date, and/or other data cannot be accessed due to GPS blockage or lack of electrical power to vehicle modules, the logistical support program may activate a software timer to attempt to acquire data every M minutes. The value of M is variable, with the value of M contained in and downloaded with the logistical support program. In this example the value of M is set to a default of 10 minutes. The telematics unit, activating every 10 minutes, will attempt to acquire data every N retry cycles. The value of N is variable, with the value of N contained in and downloaded with the logistical support program. In this example, the value of N is set to a default of 3 retries. If the data is not acquired within 3 retry cycles, the data acquisition algorithm reverts back to the original periodic interval supplied by the logistical support program.

Additionally, if the position, time and date, and/or other data cannot be accessed due to GPS blockage or lack of electrical power to vehicle modules, the logistical support program instructs the telematics unit to acquire data upon the next vehicle ignition cycle. Vehicle subsystems, such as vehicle modules, are fully energized and active during the period of an ignition cycle when the vehicle is running During this time, vehicle position is determined and recorded if no GPS blockage or outage occurs. Time and date are read from the real time clock (FIG. 1,109) and recorded, and messages issued from vehicle modules are read from the vehicle bus and recorded208. This sequence of steps cancels the software timer data acquisition cycle and associated retries.

In an example implementation, the logistical support program contains several configuration parameters, one such parameter being a report flag. The report flag is binary, where the one state is interpreted as being set or true, and the zero state as reset or false. If the report flag is set210, then the logistical support program examines another configuration parameter to determine when to telematically report the storeddata212. If the configuration parameter indicates that the data is to be sent to thetelematics service provider214, then the stored data is packetized and transmitted to the telematics service provider where the data is further managed for the logistical support function, for example, by updating shipment databases with new vehicle locations, etc. If the configuration parameter indicates that the data is to be sent to another location then the data is packetized and transmitted to thatlocation216 to support logistics.

It is noted that the telematics unit may be activated via an event, such as ignition cycle, door handle access, security system stimulus, or other event specified by the configuration parameter. Any such event can be used to trigger a logistics report function in which thetelematics unit102 contacts the service center and uploads data as described herein.

When a vehicle is prepared forcustomer delivery218, usually at a dealership, the telematics unit logistical support program mode is disabled and the subscriber support program mode is enabled220. The switch in modes may be an internal software flag or may be a physical downloading of the subscriber support mode software into the telematics unit. Now in the second mode, the telematics unit behaves in a subscriber support context and is ready to be provisioned for a specific subscriber. Alternatively thetelematics unit102 may be configured to disable logistic support mode and enable subscriber support by activating a subscriber account associated with the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example memory arrangement of the present invention at300. During initialization, the logistical support program places parameters within arecord list304 residing intelematics unit memory302. The parameters within therecord list304 instruct the logistical support program to record data oninternal events310 orexternal events308.Internal events310 are comprised of timer interrupts or interrupts generated internally by the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102).Vehicle events308 are comprised of ignition state change detection or other signals issued by vehicle modules (FIG. 1,107) or discrete inputs and outputs (FIG. 1,110).

When an internal or vehicle event occurs, the event is retained in atemporary storage buffer312, where the event is compared to the parameters resident in therecord list304. The parameters in therecord list304 instruct the logistical support program to acquire and record position, time, date, and any other data desired by the system designer in theevent memory306 data structure within thetelematics unit memory302.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example timing arrangement during logistical mode at400. When an internal or vehicle event is detected, the logistical support program accesses the GPS receiver (FIG. 1,114) in order to acquire current vehicle position. If the vehicle position is acquired402, the position is stored in the position field of the event memory (FIG. 3,306) data structure within the telematics unit memory (FIG. 3,302). If the position data is not acquired, a null, defined as a binary zero, is stored in the position field.

When the current vehicle position is stored inmemory404, the real time clock (FIG. 1,109) associated with the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) is accessed. The logistical support program retrieves the current data andtime406 and updates the time and date fields within the event memory (FIG. 3,306) data structure. Upon acquiring and storing time anddate data408, warranty data is acquired410. Warranty data is accessed directly from discrete inputs or outputs connected to the vehicle (FIG. 1,110) and telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) or from vehicle modules (FIG. 1,107) via the vehicle bus (FIG. 1,106).

Depending on the configuration parameters, a number of acquisition cycles occur before the data is reported to a telematics service provider (FIG. 1,132) or third party facility (FIG. 1,134). Upon acquisition ofwarranty data410, and depending on the state of the report flag (FIG. 2,210), a trigger is issued412 to a routine within the logistical support program to format and report the collecteddata414 to the telematics service provider or third party facility.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example vehicle shipment path from a source to a destination through transfer points in accordance with the present invention at500. As a shipment of vehicles leave amanufacturing facility502, the shipment traverses apath504 to atransfer point506. Associated with a shipment of vehicles is an itinerary that states the date and time of the arrival of the shipment at the transfer point.

In one example, when a telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) is operating in a logistical support context, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) is programmed to activate at a predetermined date and time coinciding with the arrival date at atransfer point506 indicated by the itinerary. Once activated, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) acquires position via the GPS receiver, establishes a call to a TSP (Telematics Service Provider) (FIG. 1,132), and sends the date, time, position, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to the TSP (FIG. 1,132). The date, time, position, and VIN are stored at the TSP (FIG. 1,132) and then compared to the transfer points indicated on the itinerary. Alternatively, the date, time, position, and VIN may be sent to a third party facility (FIG. 1,134) for itinerary comparison. Server based reports on position and itinerary deviations are easily made by comparing the received logistic information from the telematics units and the shipment schedules.

The telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) is programmed to activate on the date and times along the complete path from themanufacturing facility502 along thepath504 to transferpoint506, proceeding along thepath508 to aterminal transfer point510. Alternatively, if an ignition cycle occurs at transfer points502,506, and510, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) activates. Once activated, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) acquires position via the GPS receiver, establishes a call to a TSP (Telematics Service Provider) (FIG. 1,132), and sends the date, time, position, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to the TSP (FIG. 1,132).

Alternatively, if complete transfer point information is not available, an itinerary may indicate aterminal transfer point510 where vehicles are unloaded and distributed to retail or rental facilities. The telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) will activate on the date and time coinciding with the expected arrival time of the vehicle shipment at theterminal transfer point510. Once activated, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) acquires position via the GPS receiver, establishes a call to a TSP (Telematics Service Provider) (FIG. 1,132), and sends the date, time, position, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to the TSP (FIG. 1,132).

Alternatively, if an ignition cycle occurs attransfer point510, the telematics unit (FIG. 1,102) activates. Once activated, the telematics (FIG. 1,102) unit acquires position via the GPS receiver, establishes a call to a TSP (Telematics Service Provider) (FIG. 1,132), and sends the date, time, position, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to the TSP (FIG. 1,132).

In yet another alternative, thetelematics unit102 during a wake-up event in logistical support mode may receive commands from the service center and report data or perform other functions in response to the commands received. In this example, commands received from the service center are received as specific data requests or function requests.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telematics unit within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode that utilizes a first set of operations that assists in remote tracking of the vehicle containing the telematics unit and that tracks the vehicle prior to a sale of the vehicle to a customer;

second operating the telematics unit in a separate customer service mode that utilizes a second set of operations that supports a customer associated with the vehicle and that provides support after the sale of the vehicle to the customer; and

activating a customer account and triggering a change from operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode to a customer service mode.

2. A method of operating a telematics unit within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the logistical support mode tracks the position of the vehicle as the vehicle moves from a manufacturing facility to a sales destination;

(b) disabling the logistical support mode; and

(c) operating the telematics unit in a subscriber support mode after the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the subscriber support mode supports the customer by providing the customer with one or more telematics services.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode takes a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading includes a vehicle position, a vehicle identification, and a time and/or date.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein each of the plurality of readings further includes at least one piece of warranty-related data that is provided by a vehicle control module and is selected from the group consisting of: a diagnostic code, a battery voltage, and a security system status.

5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein each of the plurality of readings is taken in response to at least one internal or external event that is selected from the group consisting of: a timer interrupt, an ignition cycle, a door handle access, and a security system stimulus.

6. The method ofclaim 3, wherein a first vehicle position from a first reading is compared to a second vehicle position from a second reading, and the comparison of the first and second vehicle positions is used to determine the status of the vehicle as it moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination.

7. The method ofclaim 3, wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time a software timer expires.

8. The method ofclaim 3, wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time an ignition cycle occurs.

9. The method ofclaim 2, wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode reports a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to a remotely located entity.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein each of the plurality of readings is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to at least one remotely located entity that is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics service provider, a vehicle tracking and monitoring facility, a manufacturing facility, a vehicle dealership, and a data collection center.

11. The method ofclaim 2, wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode continues to track the position of the vehicle after the vehicle arrives at a vehicle dealership.

12. The method ofclaim 2, wherein step (b) further comprises disabling the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.

13. The method ofclaim 2, wherein step (b) further comprises activating a customer account, and activation of the customer account causes the telematics unit to stop operating in the logistical support mode and begin operating in the subscriber support mode.

14. A method of operating a telematics unit associated with a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the logistical support mode collects data as the vehicle moves from a manufacturing facility to a sales destination and wirelessly reports the collected data to a remotely located entity; and

(b) operating the telematics unit in a subscriber support mode after the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the subscriber support mode is enabled following activation of a customer account and provides the customer with one or more telematics services.

15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode takes a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading includes a vehicle position, a vehicle identification, and a time and/or date.

16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein each of the plurality of readings further includes at least one piece of warranty-related data that is provided by a vehicle control module and is selected from the group consisting of: a diagnostic code, a battery voltage, and a security system status.

17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein each of the plurality of readings is taken in response to at least one internal or external event that is selected from the group consisting of: a timer interrupt, an ignition cycle, a door handle access, and a security system stimulus.

18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein a first vehicle position from a first reading is compared to a second vehicle position from a second reading, and the comparison of the first and second vehicle positions is used to determine the status of the vehicle as it moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination.

19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time a software timer expires.

20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time an ignition cycle occurs.

21. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the collected data is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to at least one remotely located entity that is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics service provider, a vehicle tracking and monitoring facility, a manufacturing facility, a vehicle dealer, and a data collection center.

22. The method ofclaim 14, wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode continues to collect and report data after the vehicle arrives at a vehicle dealership.

23. The method ofclaim 14, wherein activation of the customer account disables the logistical support mode and enables the subscriber support mode.