Method and system for managing vehicle control modules through telematics

• US 20030120395A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Kacel, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,687,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/00 Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09 Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions railroad crossing signals B61L; reflectors E01F, G08B; indicating arrangements for variable information by selection or combination of individual elements G09F9/00

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a vehicle using a communication node. A telematics module, which is operatively adapted to communicate with the communication node, is connected to the vehicle. At least one control module, for controlling at least one vehicle function, is connected to the vehicle and is also in communication with the telematics module. A command is issued for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module. Programs and systems of using the method are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a vehicle using a communication node, comprising:

connecting a telematics module to the vehicle, the telematics module operatively adapted to communicate with the communication node;

connecting at least one control module to the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

forwarding the command from the telematics module to the control module.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting an additional control module to the vehicle, the additional control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one other vehicle function; and

forwarding a command for the at least one other vehicle function, from the communication node to the additional control module via the telematics module.

4. A method of servicing a vehicle using a communication node, comprising:

communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

connecting the telematics module to a control module, the control module operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function;

issuing a command for the vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

forwarding the command from the telematics module to the control module.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the control module is an added control module operatively adapted to control an added vehicle function.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the control module is a replacement control module operatively adapted to control an existing vehicle function.

7. The method of 6 further comprising:

removing an existing control module, the existing control module operatively adapted to control the existing vehicle function.

8. A method of remotely servicing a vehicle function using a communication node, comprising:

communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

providing at least one control module in the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

remotely issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the command is a software bulletin command.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the command updates existing software for controlling the vehicle function.

11. Computer program product in a computer usable medium for assembling a vehicle, comprising:

means for connecting a telematics module to the vehicle, the telematics module operatively adapted to communicate with the communication node;

means for connecting at least one control module to the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

means for issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

12. The product of claim 11, further comprising:

means for issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

means for forwarding the command from the telematics module to the control module.

13. The product of claim 11, further comprising:

means for connecting an additional control module to the vehicle, the additional control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one other vehicle function; and

means for forwarding a command for the at least one other vehicle function, from the communication node to the additional control module via the telematics module.

14. Computer program product in a computer usable medium for servicing a vehicle using a communication node, comprising:

means for communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

means for connecting the telematics module to an added control module, the added control module operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function;

means for issuing a command for the vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

means for forwarding the command from the telematics module to the added control module.

15. The product of claim 14 further comprising:

means for removing an existing control module, the existing control module operatively adapted to control an existing vehicle function.

16. Computer program product in a computer usable medium for remotely servicing a vehicle function using a communication node, comprising:

means for communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

means for providing at least one control module in the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

means for remotely issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

17. The product of claim 16, further comprising:

means for updating existing software for controlling the vehicle function.

18. A vehicle assembly system, comprising:

means for connecting a telematics module to the vehicle, the telematics module operatively adapted to communicate with a communication node;

means for connecting at least one control module to the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

means for issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

means for forwarding the command from the telematics module to the control module.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for connecting an additional control module to the vehicle, the additional control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one other vehicle function; and

means for forwarding a command for the at least one other vehicle function, from the communication node to the additional control module via the telematics module.

21. A vehicle service system, comprising:

means for communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

means for connecting the telematics module to an added control module, the added control module operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function;

means for issuing a command for the vehicle function, from the communication node to the telematics module; and

means for forwarding the command from the telematics module to the added control module.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising:

means for removing an existing control module, the existing control module operatively adapted to control an existing vehicle function.

23. A remote vehicle service system, comprising:

means for communicating with the communication node from a telematics module in the vehicle;

means for providing at least one control module in the vehicle, the control module in communication with the telematics module and operatively adapted to control at least one vehicle function; and

means for remotely issuing a command for the at least one vehicle function, from the communication node to the control module.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

means for updating existing software for controlling the vehicle function.