Telematics System and Method Having Combined Cellular and Satellite Functionality
First Claim
1. A vehicle Telematics unit, comprising:
- a cellular transceiver for communicating cellular communications with a source of Telematics service via a cellular network;
a satellite receiver for receiving satellite communications from the source via a satellite network; and
at least one controller communicatively coupled to the cellular transceiver and the satellite receiver and controlling the cellular transceiver and the satellite receiver to establish communication with the source using either one or both of the cellular network and the satellite network, the at least one controller determining whether to use the cellular transceiver or the satellite receiver to communicate with the source,wherein if the cellular transceiver is determined to be used, the at least one controller operates in a cellular mode and is configured to receive a message in a first cellular communication communicated from the source to the cellular transceiver, andwherein if the satellite receiver is determined to be used, the at least one controller operates in a satellite mode and is configured to receive a message in a first satellite communication communicated from the source to the satellite receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle Telematics unit includes a cellular transceiver and a satellite receiver. At least one controller controls the transceiver and the receiver and determines which one to use to communicate with a source of Telematics service. If the transceiver is to be used, the controller receives messages in cellular communications from the source with a cellular network. If the receiver is to be used, the controller receives messages in satellite communications from the source with a satellite network. The controller can programmably control power from a battery to the transceiver and receiver when the vehicle is turned off using discontinuous reception parameters, designated on/off times, a controlled duration, and programmable timers. The transceiver is used to return acknowledgments of messages received. If a message is received with the receiver, the acknowledgment is stored so it can be sent at another time when the transceiver is to be used.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle Telematics unit, comprising:
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a cellular transceiver for communicating cellular communications with a source of Telematics service via a cellular network; a satellite receiver for receiving satellite communications from the source via a satellite network; and at least one controller communicatively coupled to the cellular transceiver and the satellite receiver and controlling the cellular transceiver and the satellite receiver to establish communication with the source using either one or both of the cellular network and the satellite network, the at least one controller determining whether to use the cellular transceiver or the satellite receiver to communicate with the source, wherein if the cellular transceiver is determined to be used, the at least one controller operates in a cellular mode and is configured to receive a message in a first cellular communication communicated from the source to the cellular transceiver, and wherein if the satellite receiver is determined to be used, the at least one controller operates in a satellite mode and is configured to receive a message in a first satellite communication communicated from the source to the satellite receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A Telematics service method, comprising:
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establishing communication of a Telematics unit with a source of Telematics service using either one or both of a cellular network and a satellite network; determining whether to use the cellular network or the satellite network to communicate between the Telematics unit and the source of Telematics service; if the cellular network is determined to be used, receiving a message in a first cellular communication communicated from the source to the Telematics unit with the cellular network; and if the satellite network is determined to be used, receiving the message in a first satellite communication communicated from the source to the Telematics unit with the satellite network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification