Architecture for delivering data to mobile telematics units

• US 7,801,540 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2006
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Yi, Ki Hak, Madhavan, Sethu, Jamali, Hamadi, Chesnutt, Elizabeth, Fecher, Dana B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cho; Un C
• Application Number:
  US11/556,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/414.1, 455/414.2
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing

Abstract

An improved mobile connectivity system and method allow for data transfers, such as related to service delivery, to and from mobile wireless units in an economical and secure manner. The system utilizes existing IP connectivity when available and otherwise determines an appropriate data exchange mechanism based on the length and security requirements of the intended exchange. Data exchange mechanisms include SMS, IP and other suitable protocols, and wireless carriers include cellular and non-cellular wireless carriers. In an example, each subscriber unit periodically, or when triggered, sends its location to a call center to allow the delivery of location-based services.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data from a first telecommunications unit to a second telecommunications unit, wherein at least the second telecommunications unit is a mobile unit, the method comprising:

identifying data for transfer to be provided to the second unit, the data for transfer having associated therewith a data length value and one or more security constraints;

determining whether a PPP session is open between the first telecommunications unit and the second telecommunications unit; and

transmitting the data for transfer from the first telecommunications unit to the second telecommunications unit via IP over the existing PPP session if a PPP session is open between the first unit and the second unit, and otherwise determining, based on at least one of the data length value and security constraints, whether to transmit the data for transfer via PPP or instead via an SMS message, wherein the step of determining further comprises determining whether the one or more security constraints specify a level of security unavailable within the SMS protocol, and if so, causing a new PPP session to be initiated by the second unit to the first unit, and transmitting the data for transfer via the new PPP session, and otherwise determining whether the data length value exceeds a predetermined SMS size limit and if so, causing a new PPP session to be initiated and transmitting the data for transfer via the new PPP session and otherwise transmitting the data for transfer via an SMS message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the data for transfer via an SMS message further comprises encrypting at least a portion of the data for transfer prior to transmission.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data for transfer is associated with a service such that successful transmission of the data for transfer constitutes delivery of the service.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the service is a location-based service.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the location-based service comprises information selected from the group consisting of information related to local entertainment facilities, local vehicle service facilities, local radio station facilities, local weather, local navigation, and local emergency services.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of identifying the data for transfer to be provided to the second unit is initiated by receipt of a location update from the second unit indicating that the position of the second unit has changed from a first location to a second location.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first location is selected from the group consisting of a county, a zip code, an area code, and a predefined geographic region.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein causing a new PPP session to be initiated by the second telecommunications unit comprises causing a new PPP session to be opened over a cellular link.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein causing a new PPP session to be initiated by the second telecommunications unit comprises causing a new PPP session to be opened over a non-cellular wireless link.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the data for transfer via an SMS message further comprises a subsequent step of causing a new PPP session to be initiated by the second telecommunications unit to the first telecommunications unit.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of causing a new PPP session to be initiated by the second telecommunications unit to the first telecommunications unit comprises sending an SMS message from the first telecommunications unit to the second telecommunications unit requesting the second telecommunications unit to open the PPP session.