Shared-revenue billing system for transmission of wireless data from a vehicle

• US 6,751,475 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Holmes, David William, Shah, Hitesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US09/691,798
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/405, 455/406-408, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/415, 455/420, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/556.1, 455/568.1, 455/568.7, 455/569, 455/569.1, 455/99, 455/557, 379/115.01, 379/115.03, 379/121.03, 379/127-1-1
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/54 for revenue sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/92 Autonomous calculations of charges in terminal, i.e. meter not controlled from exchange

Abstract

Methods and systems monitor a period of time associated with using a wireless device when the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle. The methods and systems can include a wireless network that communicates with the wireless device. The methods and systems can further include a computer server communicating with the wireless network that monitors a period of time associated with the wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle. Revenue associated with the time period may be used to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least one other party.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring communication time for a wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle, the system comprising:

a wireless network that communicates with the wireless device and receives vehicle identification information; and

a computer server communicating with the wireless network that monitors a period of time associated with the wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least another party associated with providing hands-free wireless capability.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle wireless device mounting unit that receives the wireless device and communicates the vehicle identification information to the wireless device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the period of time is associated with whether the wireless device is communicating with the wireless network while in the vehicle wireless device mounting unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the computer server calculates a percentage of revenue for the period of time the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle wireless device mounting unit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the percentage of revenue is associated with a vehicle service provider of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an electronic control unit that communicates the vehicle velocity to the wireless device through the vehicle wireless device mounting unit.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a positioning system communicating with the wireless device to transmit a vehicle location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer server calculates a percentage of revenue for the time the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle wireless device mounting unit, the percentage of revenue being associated with the vehicle velocity and location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the percentage of revenue is shared with a wireless service provider and a vehicle service provider.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the percentage of revenue calculated provides incentives to a driver of the vehicle according to vehicle velocity and location.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the percentage of revenue is further calculated according to whether the vehicle ignition is on.

12. A system for monitoring communication time for a wireless device mounted in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a wireless device mounting unit within the vehicle; and

a wireless device that receives a vehicle identification when integrated with the wireless device mounting unit, wherein the vehicle identification is used to monitor a period of time associated with the wireless device while it is integral with the wireless device mounting unit to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least another party associated with providing hands-free wireless capability.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a wireless network that communicates with the wireless device and receives the vehicle identification from the integrated wireless device; and

a server communicating with the wireless network that monitors a period of time associated with the wireless device while integrated with the wireless device mounting unit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the server further calculates a percentage of revenue for wireless communication via the wireless device while the wireless device is integral with the wireless device mounting unit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless device mounting unit is manufactured and installed with the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mounted wireless device is prevented from being used until the wireless network verifies and acknowledges the vehicle identification.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless network prevents use of the integral wireless device until the wireless network acknowledges the vehicle identification.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the vehicle prevents use of the integral wireless device until the wireless network acknowledges the vehicle identification.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the percentage of revenue calculated is paid to a manufacturer of the vehicle.

20. A wireless device for communicating data to a wireless network while the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle, the wireless device comprising:

a processor operating software that receives a vehicle identification from the vehicle, the processor receiving a signal indicating whether the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle; and

a transmission unit that communicates with the processor and transmits the vehicle identification to the wireless network, the wireless network monitoring the amount of time that communication occurs while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least another party associated with providing hands-free wireless capability.

21. The wireless device of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification is received from the vehicle via data pins.

22. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the vehicle identification is received from the vehicle via wireless means.

23. A system that monitors a period of time associated with a wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle, the system comprising:

a vehicle wireless device mounting unit that receives and attaches the wireless device to the vehicle;

an electronic control unit communicating with the vehicle wireless device mounting unit for transmitting at least a vehicle identification number to the wireless device; and

a transceiver communicating with the electronic control unit and with a wireless network, the transceiver communicating information to the wireless network associated with whether the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least another party associated with providing hands-free wireless capability.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the transceiver communicates a vehicle identification number to the wireless network.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the transceiver communicates with a billing center to calculate revenue associated with whether the wireless device is mounted in the vehicle wireless device mounting unit.

26. A method for monitoring a period of time associated with using a wireless device when the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining a vehicle identification for the vehicle via the wireless device;

transmitting the vehicle identification to a wireless network; and

monitoring by a computer server a period of time associated with the wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle to determine a revenue split between a wireless service provider and at least another party associated with providing hands-free wireless capability.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein monitoring the period of time associated with the wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle further comprises recording the amount of time the wireless device communicates with the wireless network.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein monitoring the period of time associated with the wireless device while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle further comprises recording the amount of time the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle.

29. The method according to one of claims 27, further comprising:

transmitting an attachment signal to the wireless network when the wireless device becomes integral with the vehicle.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting a detachment signal to the wireless network when the wireless device is no longer integrated with the vehicle.

31. A method for monitoring the communication time for a wireless device when the wireless device is integrated with a wireless device mounting unit within a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining a vehicle identification for the vehicle via the wireless device;

transmitting the vehicle identification to a wireless network;

sending an attachment signal to the wireless network at the beginning of a data communication session from the integrated wireless device;

sending a detachment signal at the end of the data communication session from the integrated wireless device; and

monitoring by a computer server of a period of time associated with data communication while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle, and associated with the attachment and detachment signals.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising:

calculating a percentage of revenue received for the data communication while the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein obtaining a vehicle identification for the vehicle further comprises the vehicle communicating the vehicle identification to the integrated wireless device.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

preventing the use of the wireless device until acknowledgement of the vehicle identification.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the vehicle prevents the use of the wireless device until acknowledgement of the vehicle identification.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the network prevents the use of the wireless device until acknowledgement of the vehicle identification.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein transmitting the vehicle identification to a wireless network further comprises:

after transmitting the vehicle identification to the network, waiting for an acknowledgement;

transmitting an acknowledgement of the vehicle identification to the wireless device; and

transmitting the vehicle identification acknowledgement from the wireless device to the vehicle.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

enabling the use of the wireless device after the vehicle receives the vehicle identification acknowledgement.

39. A method of sharing revenue for services provided in a wireless communication network when a wireless device is integrated with a vehicle using a mounting platform, the method comprising:

obtaining a vehicle identification;

transmitting the vehicle identification to the wireless communication network; and

sharing revenue generated by the use of the wireless device between a wireless service provider and a manufacturer of the mounting platform.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein sharing revenue further comprises:

calculating a percentage of revenue associated with the use of the wireless device when the wireless device is integrated with the vehicle; and

paying the percentage of revenue to a service provider of the mounting platform.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein calculating a percentage of revenue further comprises calculating the percentage of revenue associated with the use of the wireless device while integrated with the vehicle and the location of the vehicle.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein calculating a percentage of revenue further comprises calculating the percentage of revenue in connection with the speed of the vehicle while the wireless device is used.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein calculating a percentage of revenue further comprises calculating the percentage of revenue in connection with the weather conditions during use of the integrated wireless device.

44. A method of providing incentives to a user of a wireless device in a vehicle when the wireless device is integrated with a vehicle using a mounting platform, the method comprising:

obtaining a vehicle identification via the mounting platform;

transmitting the vehicle identification to the wireless communication network; and

calculating an amount of revenue sharing for the use of the integrated wireless device to provide financial incentives to the user regarding use of the wireless device in the vehicle.

45. The method of providing incentives to a user of a wireless device of claim 44, wherein calculating an amount of reduced billing is further associated with a speed of the vehicle while using the integrated wireless device.

46. The method of providing incentives to a user of a wireless device of claim 44, wherein calculating an amount of reduced billing is further associated with a location of the vehicle while using the integrated wireless device.

47. The method of providing incentives to a user of a wireless device of claim 46, wherein calculating an amount of reduced billing is further associated with weather conditions In the location of the vehicle while the user is using the integrated wireless device.