VEHICLE FLEET EMAIL NOTIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of providing fleet drivers with vehicle information and messages from a fleet manager, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a message from a fleet manager;
(b) accessing vehicle data from each of a plurality of fleet vehicles using a telematics unit on each of the vehicles;
(c) transmitting the vehicle data from the telematics units to a central data system;
(d) constructing, for each of the fleet vehicles, a notification message containing the fleet manager'"'"'s message and at least some of the vehicle data obtained from that fleet vehicle; and
(e) sending the notification message for each fleet vehicle to that fleet vehicle'"'"'s driver via an electronic messaging system.
13 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle fleet email notification system and method which assists in management of vehicle fleets by allowing fleet managers to send messages to fleet drivers as well as receive email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information about the fleet vehicles. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. The notification system builds and sends to the fleet manager and/or drivers an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed. Messages from the fleet manager can be included in the emails that are sent to the drivers. GPS information from the fleet vehicles can be included in the emails to inform the fleet manager of the vehicles'"'"' locations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing fleet drivers with vehicle information and messages from a fleet manager, comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a message from a fleet manager;
(b) accessing vehicle data from each of a plurality of fleet vehicles using a telematics unit on each of the vehicles;
(c) transmitting the vehicle data from the telematics units to a central data system;
(d) constructing, for each of the fleet vehicles, a notification message containing the fleet manager'"'"'s message and at least some of the vehicle data obtained from that fleet vehicle; and
(e) sending the notification message for each fleet vehicle to that fleet vehicle'"'"'s driver via an electronic messaging system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing fleet vehicle information to a fleet manager, comprising the steps of:
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(a) obtaining location data at each of a plurality of fleet vehicles using a GPS unit on the vehicle;
(b) transmitting the location data from the vehicle to a central data system;
(c) constructing a notification message using the location data; and
(d) sending the notification message to a fleet manager via an electronic messaging system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing vehicle information to a fleet manager, comprising the steps of:
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establishing at a fleet vehicle a trigger that is based on location;
monitoring at the vehicle for the occurrence of the trigger using location information obtained from a GPS unit on the vehicle and, in response to determining that the trigger has occurred;
contacting an electronic message generating system from the vehicle via a wireless communication system; and
sending a notification message to the fleet manager from the electronic message generating system via an electronic messaging system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification