Active wireless data channel select mechanism

• US 20050090275A1
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Mingheng
• Application Number:
  US10/691,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090275A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/512
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/08 Indicating faults in circuits or apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42289 with carrierprovider selection by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

The invention provides a method for providing a selected wireless connection between a telematics unit and a call center. The method provides a list of wireless networks with an associated ranking to the telematics unit and determines which wireless networks from the list of wireless networks are available for connection. The method also selects a first channel for a wireless network based on the determination and the associated ranking. The method also monitors the list for available networks and switches to a second channel based on a higher ranked available network.

Claims

1. A method of providing a selected wireless connection between a telematics unit and a call center comprising;

providing a list of wireless networks with an associated ranking to the telematics unit;

determining which wireless networks from the list of wireless networks are available for connection;

selecting a first channel for a wireless network based on the determination and the associated ranking;

monitoring the list for available networks; and

switching to a second channel based on a higher ranked available network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the associated ranking is determined by a preference table.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the associated ranking can be determined by a user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein availability is determined by a signal threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring of available data channels further comprises:

scanning for available data channels within a predetermined time period.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein scanning within a predetermined time period comprises scanning in substantially real time.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

switching to a channel while data transmission is in progress on a different channel.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the telematics unit is in communication with a mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the telematics unit further comprises:

a mobile communication device.

10. A computer usable medium including a program for providing a selected wireless connection between a telematics unit and a call center comprising:

computer readable program code for providing a list of wireless networks with an associated ranking to the telematics unit;

computer readable program code for determining which wireless networks from the list of wireless networks are available for connection;

computer readable program code for selecting a first channel for a wireless network based on the determination and the associated ranking;

computer readable program code for monitoring the list for available networks; and

computer readable program code for switching to a second channel based on a higher ranked available network.

11. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein the associated ranking is determined by a preference table.

12. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein the associated ranking is determined by a user.

13. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein availability is determined by a signal threshold.

14. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein monitoring of available data channels further comprises:

scanning for available data channels within a predetermined time period.

15. The computer usable medium of claim 14 wherein scanning within a predetermined time period comprises scanning in real time.

16. The computer usable medium of claim 10 further comprising:

switching to a channel while data transmission is in progress on a different channel.

17. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein the telematics unit is in communication with a mobile device.

18. The computer usable medium of claim 10 wherein the telematics unit further comprises:

a mobile communication device

19. A system for providing a selected wireless connection between a telematics unit and a call center comprising:

means for providing a list of wireless networks with an associated ranking to the telematics unit;

means for determining which wireless networks from the list of wireless networks are available for connection;

means for selecting a first channel for a wireless network based on the determination and the associated ranking;

means for monitoring the list for available networks; and

means for switching to a second channel on a higher ranked available network.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for the telematics unit to be in communication with a mobile device.