Geo-Based Hands-Free Calling Minute Awards
First Claim
1. A method for awarding calling minutes based on a telematics subscriber purchasing products or services from participating businesses using vehicle sensor information and telematics location information, the method comprising:
- enrolling a subscriber in a calling minutes awards program;
storing subscriber information in a calling minutes awards program database;
configuring a subscriber telematics unit to detect when a potential product or service associated with the awards program is purchased by the subscriber;
detecting a purchase by the subscriber at a business location in a vehicle associated with the telematics unit;
verifying a calling minutes award request; and
determining whether to honor or reject the request based on the purchase and the identity of the business.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for customer incentives awards calling minutes for wireless telephone service based on the geographic location and the products and services provided to a vehicle. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, a user requesting calling minute awards based on a purchased service and a vehicle location at the time of purchase, a telematics service center automatically awarding minutes based on triggers generated by sensors within the telematics unit, and a telematics unit autonomously awarding hands-free minutes based on triggers generated by sensors and vehicle location.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for awarding calling minutes based on a telematics subscriber purchasing products or services from participating businesses using vehicle sensor information and telematics location information, the method comprising:
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enrolling a subscriber in a calling minutes awards program; storing subscriber information in a calling minutes awards program database; configuring a subscriber telematics unit to detect when a potential product or service associated with the awards program is purchased by the subscriber; detecting a purchase by the subscriber at a business location in a vehicle associated with the telematics unit; verifying a calling minutes award request; and determining whether to honor or reject the request based on the purchase and the identity of the business. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for rewarding customers pursuant to an award program for the purchase of products or services from a participating business using vehicle sensor information and telematics location information provided by a vehicle telematics unit, the method comprising:
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detecting via a telematics unit a purchase by a telematics subscriber at a business location in a vehicle associated with the telematics unit; receiving an award request; and determining whether to honor or reject the request based on the product or service purchased and the identity of the business. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-readable medium having thereon computer-executable instructions for facilitating a method of rewarding a telematics subscriber pursuant to an award program for the purchase of products or services from a participating business using vehicle sensor information and telematics location information provided by a vehicle telematics unit, the computer-readable medium comprising:
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instructions for automatically notifying a call center of a purchase by the telematics subscriber at a business location in a vehicle associated with the telematics unit; instructions for requesting an award based on the purchase; and instructions for receiving a notification of the status of the request. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification