Communicating interactive digital content between vehicles and internet based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce or conducting e-business

• US 6,615,186 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JAKETIC, BRYAN J
• Application Number:
  US09/579,263
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 340/988, 340/989, 701/211, 701/213, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/14.51
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

An in-vehicle device data communicates with data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-commerce and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other databases. In addition, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other data. Furthermore, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and other remote data communications. The in-vehicle device can also include functionality for remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote Internet based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation. Remote monitoring and control of vehicle operation can include engine control system programming and setting adjustment, vehicle monitoring, and transmission of vehicle telemetry and metric data.

Claims

1. A method of serving a plurality of interactive digital content from a plurality of global network based data processing resources to an in-vehicle device, said in-vehicle device being installed in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

a) initiating data communication between said in-vehicle device and at least one of said plurality of global network based data processing resources;

b) communicating a plurality of data to be used as part of an interactive digital content selection criteria, said plurality of data being communicated from said in-vehicle device to at least one of said plurality of global network based data processing resources, said plurality of data includes global positioning system data, and data related to at least one of the following;

said vehicle, or said vehicle radio usage;

c) selecting at said plurality of global network based data processing resources said plurality of interactive digital content based on said interactive digital content selection criteria;

d) communicating selected said plurality of interactive digital content to said in-vehicle device; and

e) allowing a user to interact with said plurality of interactive digital content.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interactive digital content selection criteria includes at least one of the following:

said vehicle radio usage patterns, said user preferences, said in-vehicle device data, digital coolies, said user buying habits, said user listening habits, demographics, or database queries.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein selecting in step ‘

c’

includes querying at least one of the following to create a record set of users matching a promotional criteria;

said vehicle telemetry data, said vehicle metric data, said vehicle data, said in-vehicle device data, or databases.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein selecting in step ‘

c’

includes authorizing the broadcast release of said plurality of interactive digital content prior to communicating said plurality of interactive digital content to said in-vehicle device.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of data relates to at least one of the following:

radio station selection, listening history, duration of listening, listening time of day, listening day of week, or measurement of user tendencies to change the radio station when commercials are broadcast.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of:

a) accounting for at least one of the following;

type of said plurality of interactive digital content distributed, kind of said plurality of interactive digital content distributed, quantity of said plurality of interactive digital content distributed, said plurality of interactive digital content received by said in-vehicle device, said user responses, said user interaction with said plurality of interactive digital content, or e-commerce or e-business transactions.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of interactive digital content is a plurality of advertisements.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of interactive digital content is a plurality of promotional content.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of:

a) charging a plurality of fees for distributing said plurality of interactive digital content, or for facilitating an e-commerce or e-business transaction.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following steps:

a) allowing said user to interact with said plurality of interactive digital content to perform at least one of the following;

program travel metrics, program travel plans, program travel routes, program other travel parameters, listen to said plurality of interactive digital content, view said plurality of interactive digital content, interact with a promotion, interact with a commercial, view a map, view traffic information, receive road hazards or warning alerts, request service, obtain or review hotel information, obtain or review shopping information, obtain or review entertainment information, obtain or review service center information, obtain or review restaurant information, or transact e-commerce or conduct e-business;

or

b) communicating in step ‘

c’

further comprises communicating at least one of the following based on said vehicle geographic location, or travel plans;

map data, trip data, interactive advertisements, road hazard or warning alerts, traffic updates, hotel information, shopping information, entertainment information, service center information, or restaurant information.

11. A method of streaming a plurality of digital content between a global network based data processing resource and an in-vehicle device, said in-vehicle device being installed in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

a) communicating a plurality of data from said in-vehicle device to said global network based data processing resource to be used as part of an interactive digital content selection criterion, said plurality of data includes global positioning system data, and data related to at least one of the following;

said vehicle, or said vehicle radio usage;

b) querying to select said plurality of digital content based on said interactive digital content selection criterion from said global network based data processing resource; and

c) communicating as required said plurality of digital content from said plurality of global network based data processing resource to said in-vehicle device.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein querying in step ‘

b’

includes querying at least one of the following;

play list, audiovisual conference setting list, profiles, settings, databases, or digital content.

13. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein communicating in step ‘

c’

includes data communicating at least one of the following;

digitized audio, digitized video, said user profile, a facsimile, an e-mail, PDA data, said vehicle data, or data collected by said in-vehicle device.

14. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said plurality of global network based data processing resource is a data router to a second plurality of global network based data processing resource.

15. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the step of:

a) charging a plurality of fees for said plurality of digital content and services.

16. The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein charging in step ‘

a’

includes charging for at least one of the following;

distributing said plurality of digital content, for royalty payments, for service fees, for download charge, for network time, time utilized charge, or for facilitating an e-commerce or e-business transaction.

17. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising at least one of the following steps;

a) saving as required streamed said plurality of digital content within said in-vehicle device;

or

b) prompting as required a user to select a playback destination, playback destinations include at least one of the following;

said in-vehicle device playback system, a playback system interconnected with said in-vehicle device, a playback system accessible by said in-vehicle device, or said vehicle playback system.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein playback of said digital content includes at least one of the following:

printing, saving, forwarding, audio playback, or visual playback.

19. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising at least one of the following steps:

a) allowing said user to interact with said plurality of digital content to perform at least one of the following;

program travel metrics, program travel plans, program travel routes, program other travel parameters, listen to said plurality of digital content, view said plurality of digital content, interact with a promotion, interact with a commercial, view a map, view traffic information, receive road hazards or warning alerts, request service, obtain or review hotel information, obtain or review shopping information, obtain or review entertainment information, obtain or review service center information, obtain or review restaurant information, or transact c-commerce or conduct e-business, or

b) communicating in step ‘

c’

further comprises communicating at least one of the following based on said vehicle geographic location, or travel plans;

map data, trip data, interactive advertisements, road hazard or warning alerts, traffic updates, hotel information, shopping information, entertainment information, service center information, or restaurant information.

20. A method of tracking at a plurality of global network based data processing resources the geographic location of a vehicle, and serving a plurality of interactive digital content based on geographic location of said vehicle, said plurality of global network based data processing resources data communicate with an in-vehicle device installed in said vehicle, said method of tracking comprising the steps of:

from said in-vehicle device client side;

a) initiating a data communication between said in-vehicle device and at least one of said plurality of global network based data processing resources;

b) communicating a plurality of data to be used as part of an interactive digital content selection criteria, said plurality of data being communicated from said in-vehicle device to at least one of said plurality of global network based data processing resources, said plurality of data includes global positioning system data, and data related to at least one of the following;

said vehicle, or said vehicle radio usage;

c) receiving said plurality of interactive digital content from said plurality of global network based data processing resources;

d) allowing a user to interact with said plurality of interactive digital content;

from said plurality of global network based data processing resources server side;

e) receiving said plurality of data from said in-vehicle device;

f) querying databases with said interactive digital content selection criteria to select said plurality of interactive digital content; and

g) communicating selected said plurality of interactive digital content to said in-vehicle device.

21. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein allowing in step ‘

d’

includes allowing said user to interact to perform at least one of the following;

program travel metrics, program travel plans, program travel routes, program other travel parameters, listen to said plurality of interactive digital content, view said plurality of interactive digital content, interact with a promotion, interact with a commercial view a map, view traffic information, receive road hazards or warning alerts, request service, obtain or review hotel information, obtain or review shopping information, obtain or review entertainment information, obtain or review service center information, obtain or review restaurant information, or transact e-commerce or conduct e-business.

22. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein receiving in step ‘

c’

includes receiving at least one of the following based on said vehicle geographic location, or travel plans;

map data, trip data, interactive advertisements, road hazard or warning alerts, traffic updates, hotel information, shopping information, entertainment information, service center information, or restaurant information.