Telecommunications modem deactivation control method and apparatus
First Claim
1. In a system comprising a service provider, a telematics control unit (TCU), and a telecommunications network for enabling communications between the service provider and the TCU, the TCU including a modem capable of being activated for processing a maintenance call, a method for controlling a deactivation of the modem after a start of the processing of the maintenance call, the method comprising:
- determining a call type identifier from the maintenance call for identifying a call type of the maintenance call;
waiting an allowed execution time specific to the identified call type after the start of the processing of the maintenance call; and
deactivating the modem after the allowed execution time has elapsed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for controlling the deactivation of a telecommunications modem based on the call type, independent of the connection quality, to minimize power consumption. The present invention is particularly useful in mobile applications when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition is off and power resources are limited. Telematics control units (TCUs), installed in mobile vehicles, communicate with a service provider through a cellular communication network to provide telematics functionality for the vehicles. In one embodiment, the service provider sends a message which triggers the TCU to place a maintenance call to the service provider. During the maintenance call messaging, the TCU identifies a particular call type of the maintenance call. For any of the possible maintenance call types, the TCU will have stored in advance an allowed execution time for that call type. The TCU will set a call timer to the allowed execution time for that call type. When the allowed execution time has elapsed, the connection will be dropped and the modem will be turned off, regardless of whether the maintenance call was completed.
42 Citations
57 Claims
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1. In a system comprising a service provider, a telematics control unit (TCU), and a telecommunications network for enabling communications between the service provider and the TCU, the TCU including a modem capable of being activated for processing a maintenance call, a method for controlling a deactivation of the modem after a start of the processing of the maintenance call, the method comprising:
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determining a call type identifier from the maintenance call for identifying a call type of the maintenance call;
waiting an allowed execution time specific to the identified call type after the start of the processing of the maintenance call; and
deactivating the modem after the allowed execution time has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A telematics control unit (TCU) for communicating with a service provider through a telecommunications network, comprising:
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a modem capable of being activated for processing a maintenance call; and
a TCU processor programmed for determining a call type identifier from the maintenance call for identifying a call type of the maintenance call, waiting an allowed execution time specific to the identified call type after a start of the processing of the maintenance call, and deactivating the modem after the allowed execution time has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A telematics service system for processing maintenance calls in cooperation with a telematics control unit (TCU) through a telecommunications network, the TCU comprising a modem capable of being activated for receiving a maintenance call including a call type identifier for determining an allowed execution time specific to a call type of the maintenance call and controlling a deactivation of the modem after receiving the maintenance call, the telematics service system for assisting in controlling the deactivation of the modem, the telematics service system comprising:
a telematics service system processor programmed for transmitting a maintenance call including a call type identifier for identifying the call type of the maintenance call. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
Specification