METHODS FOR CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH UTILIZING A TELEMATICS SERVICE SYSTEM

• US 20120130769A1
• Filed: 11/19/2010
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: MADDULAPALLI, ANIL KUMAR, RAGHAVAN, N.R. SRINIVASA
• Application Number:
  US12/950,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20120130769A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]

Abstract

A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system that provides a telematics service to a plurality of vehicles is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system. The method also includes obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the communications system. The information relates to a usage of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system, the method comprising the steps of:

wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system;

obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system, the information relating to a an operator'"'"'s experience with each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles; and

utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelessly communicating step comprises initiating voice communication with an operator of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles while the operator is in the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

procuring consent from the operator to conduct the voice communication prior to initiating the voice communication;

scheduling the voice communication to occur on a predetermined date and at a predetermined time that is acceptable to the operator; and

initiating the voice communication with the operator at the predetermined date and the predetermined time.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining step comprises receiving information pertaining to a preference of the operator.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining a response from the operator to at least one question pertaining to an experience that the operator has had while driving the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining information from the operator that pertains to a maintenance concern that the operator has with respect to the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining from the operator an opinion pertaining to a vehicle feature.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of engaging in voice communications with a passenger in each vehicle and obtaining information from the passenger relating to an experience of the passenger in the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of downloading new product information to the vehicle and obtaining feedback from the operator pertaining to the new product information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the new product information comprises an image of a new product.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein an operator of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is offered an incentive to provide the information.

12. A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system, the method comprising the steps of:

wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system;

obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system, the information relating to a usage by an operator of each vehicle of a monitored vehicle feature mounted to each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles; and

utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wirelessly communicating step comprises receiving a wireless transmission initiated by each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the wirelessly communicating step comprises wirelessly transmitting an inquiry to each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and wirelessly receiving a response to the inquiry from each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the information relates to the usage by the operator of the monitored vehicle feature over a predetermined period of time.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of increasing marketing efforts with respect to the monitored vehicle feature if it is determined that the monitored vehicle feature is highly utilized.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of eliminating the monitored vehicle feature from future vehicles if it is determined that the monitored vehicle feature is rarely utilized.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of procuring consent from the operator of each vehicle to obtain information prior to the wirelessly communicating step.

19. A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system, the method comprising the steps of:

wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system;

obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system, the information relating to a location traveled to by each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles; and

utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of deducing an activity engaged in by operator of the vehicle based on the location traveled to by the vehicle.