Communication interface device for managing wireless data transmission between a vehicle and the internet

• US 7,003,289 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cantaloupe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US09/593,881
• Time in Patent Office: 2,078 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/403, 455/495, 455/517, 455/466, 455/422.1, 455/423, 455/438, 370/313, 370/328, 701/29, 701/115, 701/117, 340/348, 340/825
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

An in-vehicle device data communicates with Internet based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the Internet based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-mail, 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 types of data. Furthermore, e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting 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 be by way of an Internet based data processing resource and can include engine control system programming and setting adjustment, vehicle monitoring, and transmission of vehicle telemetry and metric data. Vehicle telemetry and metric data can include global positioning system (GPS) data, vehicle operational data, engine performance data, and other vehicle data.

The in-vehicle device can also wirelessly data communicate with a communication interface device (COM device) or an Internet appliance. Such COM devices or Internet appliances can data communicate wirelessly with an in-vehicle device and simultaneously data communicate in a wired or wireless mode of operation to Internet based data processing resources, and to other data processing resources.

Claims

1. A method for managing communications between an in-vehicle device within a vehicle and at least one global network based data processing resource remote to said vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing communication with said in-vehicle device;

establishing communication with one of said at least one global network based data processing resources;

storing a data set from said one of at least one global network based data processing resource for delivery to said in-vehicle device; and

communicating said stored data set to said in-vehicle device when communication with said in-vehicle device is established;

wherein said step of establishing communication with said in-vehicle device comprises the step of physically transporting data from the in-vehicle device for delivery to the global network based data processing resource.

2. A method for managing communications between an in-vehicle device within a vehicle and at least one global network based data processing resource remote to said vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing communication with said in-vehicle device;

establishing communication with one of said at least one global network based data processing resources;

storing a data set from said one of at least one global network based data processing resource for delivery to said in-vehicle device; and

communicating said stored data set to said in-vehicle device when communication with said in-vehicle device is established;

wherein the data set includes a command and control data instruction; and

wherein said command and control data instruction includes an instruction to enable or disable operation of said vehicle.

3. A method for managing communications between an in-vehicle device within a vehicle and at least one global network based data processing resource remote to said vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing communication with said in-vehicle device;

establishing communication with one of said at least one global network based data processing resource;

storing a data set from said in-vehicle device for delivery to said one of at least one global network based data processing resource; and

communicating said stored data set to said one of at least one global network based data processing resource when communication with said one of at least one global network based data processing resource is established;

wherein said step of establishing communication with said in-vehicle device comprises the step of physically transporting data from said in-vehicle device for delivery to said one of at least one global network based data processing resource.

4. A method for managing communications between an in-vehicle device within a vehicle and at least one global network based data processing resource remote to said vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing communication with said in-vehicle device;

establishing communication with one of said at least one global network based data processing resource;

storing a data set from said in-vehicle device for delivery to said one of at least one global network based data processing resource; and

communication said stored data set to said one of at least one global network base data processing resource when communication with said one of at least one global network based data processing resource is established;

storing a data set from said one of at least one global network based data processing resource for delivery to said in-vehicle device; and

communicating said stored data set to said in-vehicle device when communication with said in-vehicle device is established;

wherein said data set from said one of at least one global network based data processing resource includes a command and control data instruction; and

wherein said command and control data instruction includes an instruction to enable or disable operation of said vehicle.