Hands Free Calling System for Telematics Users Using A Network-Based Pre-Pay System
First Claim
1. A method for providing pre-pay hands-free calling (HFC) services to a subscriber of a telematics service provider (TSP) through a telematics unit over a network, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a service provider, from the telematics unit over the network, at least one of an outgoing call request and an incoming call request;
determining, at the service provider, an account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account; and
sending, to the telematics unit over the network, authorization to connect a call between a user of the telematics unit and another party, if the account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account is greater than a predetermined threshold amount.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The described invention provides a method and system for allowing subscribers of a telematics service provider (TSP) to make hands-free phone calls within their vehicles through a telematics unit over a network or hardware-based pre-pay system, wherein the telematics unit or a wireless network provider associated with the TSP controls the ingoing and outgoing hands-free calling (HFC) processes. The wireless network provider, through its system at a remote call center or through the telematics unit, may determine whether the subscriber has subscribed to the TSP'"'"'s HFC service, whether the subscriber has a sufficient remaining balance to initiate, receive or continue a call, and whether a user of the telematics unit is “roaming.” When a user attempts to make or receive a call through the telematics unit, the wireless network provider or the telematics unit may handle the incoming or outgoing call processing, and may further provide subscriber account balance notifications to the user.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing pre-pay hands-free calling (HFC) services to a subscriber of a telematics service provider (TSP) through a telematics unit over a network, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a service provider, from the telematics unit over the network, at least one of an outgoing call request and an incoming call request; determining, at the service provider, an account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account; and sending, to the telematics unit over the network, authorization to connect a call between a user of the telematics unit and another party, if the account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account is greater than a predetermined threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing pre-pay hands-free calling (HFC) services to a subscriber of a telematics service provider (TSP) through a telematics unit over a network, the method comprising:
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sending, from the telematics unit, over the network, an inquiry regarding an account balance of a subscriber'"'"'s account; receiving, at the telematics unit, over the network, a response to the inquiry which includes information regarding the account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account; and connecting, at the telematics unit, one of an incoming call and an outgoing call between a user and another party over the network if the account balance of the subscriber'"'"'s account is greater than a predetermined threshold amount. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for providing pre-pay hands-free calling (HFC) services to a subscriber of a telematics service provider (TSP) through a telematics unit over a network, the system comprising:
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a vehicle equipped with a telematics unit, wherein the telematics unit is adapted to send and receive data to and from a service provider and connect calls between a user of the telematics unit and another party over a network; and a service provider adapted to send and receive data to and from the telematics unit and to store and access information regarding a subscriber'"'"'s account. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification