Providing vehicle system module updates
First Claim
1. A method of remotely providing system module updates for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- generating at a backend server of a vehicle backend system an electronic message (e-mail) that includes an update for a first vehicle system module (VSM) in the vehicle;
determining whether the vehicle is presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system;
when it is determined that the vehicle is not presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is not presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system due to the backend services agreement being inactive or non-existent, then;
sending the e-mail from the backend server to a mail cache server, wherein the mail cache server is separate from the backend server;
storing the e-mail at the mail cache server, the mail cache server being associated with the backend system; and
when the vehicle becomes associated with a backend services agreement that is active, then sending a notification from the backend server to the mail cache server that causes the mail cache server to deliver the e-mail stored at the cache server to the vehicle via a cellular link so that the update may be applied to the first VSM; and
when it is determined that the vehicle is presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system, delivering the e-mail from the backend server to the vehicle without having to send the e-mail to the mail cache server.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system that includes a backend system and a vehicle. A method of using the communication system to remotely provide system module updates for the vehicle. The method includes: generating at a vehicle backend system an electronic message (e-mail) that includes an update for a vehicle system module (VSM) in the vehicle; storing the e-mail at a mail cache server, the cache server being associated with the backend system; and when the vehicle becomes associated with a backend services agreement, then delivering the e-mail stored at the cache server to the vehicle via a cellular link so that the update may be applied to the VSM.
16 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of remotely providing system module updates for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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generating at a backend server of a vehicle backend system an electronic message (e-mail) that includes an update for a first vehicle system module (VSM) in the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system; when it is determined that the vehicle is not presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is not presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system due to the backend services agreement being inactive or non-existent, then; sending the e-mail from the backend server to a mail cache server, wherein the mail cache server is separate from the backend server; storing the e-mail at the mail cache server, the mail cache server being associated with the backend system; and when the vehicle becomes associated with a backend services agreement that is active, then sending a notification from the backend server to the mail cache server that causes the mail cache server to deliver the e-mail stored at the cache server to the vehicle via a cellular link so that the update may be applied to the first VSM; and when it is determined that the vehicle is presently associated with a backend services agreement that is active such that the e-mail is presently deliverable to the vehicle from the vehicle backend system, delivering the e-mail from the backend server to the vehicle without having to send the e-mail to the mail cache server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of receiving system module updates for a vehicle from a remotely located backend system, comprising the steps of:
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ceasing to receive e-mail from the backend system as a result a termination of a backend services agreement between a user of the vehicle and the backend system, wherein the backend services agreement provides for the carrying out of cellular communications between the vehicle and the backend services facility using a wireless service provider; after ceasing to receive e-mail from the backend system, receiving an e-mail at the vehicle via a cellular link from a cache server which stored the e-mail during a subscription lapse period, wherein the cellular link is at least partly provided by the wireless service provider in response to a renewal of the backend services agreement or in response to a new backend services agreement, wherein the subscription lapse period is defined by the termination of the backend services agreement and either the renewal of the backend services agreement or in response to a new backend services agreement, wherein the backend system includes a backend server that is configured to send the e-mail to the cache server so that the e-mail is stored in the cache server during the subscription lapse period, and wherein the cache server is separate from the backend server; extracting a software update or a firmware update from the e-mail; and installing the software or firmware update at a vehicle system module (VSM) in the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of remotely providing system module updates for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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generating one or more electronic messages, at a remote server, that each include at least part of a software or firmware update for a first vehicle system module (VSM) of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is presently associated with an active first backend services agreement such that communications between the remote facility and the vehicle can be carried out; when it is determined that the vehicle is presently associated with an active first backend services agreement, then sending the one or more electronic messages to the vehicle; and when it is determined that the vehicle is not presently associated with an active first backend services agreement, then; storing the one or more electronic messages at a cache server that is separate from the remote server; after storing the one or more electronic messages at the cache server, receiving an indication that the vehicle is presently associated with an active second backend services agreement, wherein the active second backend services agreement is the active first backend services agreement or a new active backend services agreement; and in response to receiving the indication that the vehicle is presently associated with an active second backend services agreement, notifying the cache server thereby causing the one or more electronic messages to be delivered to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification