Method for authorisation in a telematic centre using two databases containing data characterising the motor vehicle or a mobile radio connection

• US 7,450,030 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Schilke, Martin, Schluesener, Tim, Ringel, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US10/538,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.6, 340/438, 340/445, 340/539.24, 340/457, 701/29, 701/30, 701/31, 455/418, 455/419, 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 455/41.2
• US Class Current: 340/999
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A telematics service in a motor vehicle is provided by a mobile radio link between a telematics controller in the motor vehicle and an external telematics center. The telematics center is provided with data which identifies the motor vehicle from a first database and with data which identifies the mobile radio link from a second database. The the telematics center uses the data that has been provided to produce the authorization automatically.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing, in a motor vehicle, provision of a telematics service to said vehicle via a mobile radio link between a telematics controller in the motor vehicle and an external telematics center, said telematics controller being provided to said vehicle by a first source, and said mobile radio link being provided to said telematics controller by a second source that is different from said first source, wherein said method comprises:

said first source providing the telematics center with first data from a first database maintained by said first source, which first data includes an identification of the motor vehicle;

said second source providing the telematics center with second data from a second database maintained by said second source, which second data identifies the mobile radio link; and

the telematics center associating the data that identifies the motor vehicle with the data that identifies the mobile radio link, and automatically authorizing the provision of telematics service to said vehicle via said mobile radio link.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

said first database is maintained by a vehicle manufacturer; and

said second database is maintained, separate from said first database, by a supplier of a subscriber card that is installed in the telematics controller.

3. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one telephone number of the telematics center is stored in the telematics controller.

4. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 3, wherein the telematics controller has a subscriber card for transmitting data via the mobile radio link.

5. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 4, wherein the subscriber card is in the form of a SIM card for a GSM network.

6. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first database is in the form of a vehicle documentation database.

7. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first data includes a chassis number which identifies the motor vehicle and a subscriber card identification number for the subscriber card which is held by the telematics controller.

8. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the second data includes at least the subscriber card identification number and a telephone number of the subscriber card which is held by the telematics controller; and

the telematics center associates the motor vehicle with the communications link based on the subscriber card identification number.

9. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 8, wherein an access code, which is required for use of the subscriber card, is permanently stored in the telematics controller.

10. The method for authorization as claimed in claim 9, wherein the telematics service is personalized by subscriber data that is provided in the telematics center.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

said telematics center associates the mobile radio link with the vehicle based on said subscriber identification number that is included in both said first and second data; and

said telematics center uses said mobile radio link to enable the provision of said telematics service to the vehicle via the mobile radio link.

11. A method for authorizing the provision, via a mobile communications link, of telematic services from an external telematics center to a vehicle having a telematics controller that is provided to said vehicle by a first source and is accessible via said mobile communications link, which mobile communications link is provided to the telematics controller by a second source, said method comprising:

said first source providing said telematics center with first data that includes an identification of the vehicle in which the telematics controller is installed, as well as a subscriber identification number for said telematics controller;

said second source providing said telematics center with second data which identifies, and enables access to, said mobile communications link, and which includes the subscriber identification number; and

said telematics center using the first and second data to enable, automatically and without need of action by a user of the vehicle, the provision of telematic services to the vehicle via the mobile communications link.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of using the first and second data to automatically enable the provision of telematic services to the vehicle comprises:

said telematics center associating the mobile communications link with the vehicle, based on the subscriber identification number provided by the first and second sources; and

said telematics center using said data that identifies the mobile communications link to enable the provision of telematic services to the vehicle via the mobile communications link.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said data that identifies said mobile communications link comprises a telephone number.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said data that identifies said mobile radio link comprises a telephone number.