Satellite radio file broadcast method
First Claim
1. A method of distributing files to remote receiving units, comprising the steps of:
- creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted;
sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission;
analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, wherein the identifying step further comprises identifying the specific file based on at least one unique identifier that is contained in the broadcast schedule and that is associated with the specific file;
monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file; and
upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit;
wherein the analyzing, monitoring, and storing steps are carried out at the remote receiving unit without user interaction; and
wherein the at least one unique identifier comprises one or more station identifiers that identify one or more corresponding remote receiving units, and wherein the file broadcast schedule includes, for each file, a file identifier and at least one of the one or more station identifiers, and wherein said analyzing step further comprises identifying the one or more specific files at least in part by comparing the at least one station identifier to a station ID assigned to that remote receiving unit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
17 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of distributing files to remote receiving units, comprising the steps of:
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creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted; sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission; analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, wherein the identifying step further comprises identifying the specific file based on at least one unique identifier that is contained in the broadcast schedule and that is associated with the specific file; monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file; and upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit; wherein the analyzing, monitoring, and storing steps are carried out at the remote receiving unit without user interaction; and wherein the at least one unique identifier comprises one or more station identifiers that identify one or more corresponding remote receiving units, and wherein the file broadcast schedule includes, for each file, a file identifier and at least one of the one or more station identifiers, and wherein said analyzing step further comprises identifying the one or more specific files at least in part by comparing the at least one station identifier to a station ID assigned to that remote receiving unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
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11. A method of distributing files to mobile vehicles that are configured for wireless communication with a central facility, comprising the steps of:
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sending to one or more vehicles a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, wherein at least some of the files contain software, and wherein the file broadcast schedule includes at least one unique identifier comprising one or more station identifiers that identify one or more corresponding vehicles and includes, for each file, a file identifier and at least one of the one or more station identifiers; analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the vehicles by identifying at least one specific file that contains software and that is intended for receipt and storage at that vehicle and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, wherein said analyzing step further comprises identifying at least one specific file at least in part by comparing the at least one station identifier to a station ID assigned to that vehicle; monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file; and upon receiving the specific file, storing it in the vehicle such that it is available for installation in the vehicle.
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15. A remote receiving unit for use in a vehicle, comprising:
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a telematics unit configured for wireless cellular communication; and a satellite radio receiver that receives satellite transmissions via at least one satellite transmission channel and that is coupled to the telematics unit to provide at least some of the received satellite transmissions to the telematics unit; wherein the telematics unit operates to receive a file broadcast schedule wirelessly sent to the remote receiving unit via the satellite transmission or via the wireless cellular communication, wherein the telematics unit further operates to identify from the file broadcast schedule at least one specific file based on at least one unique identifier that is contained in the broadcast schedule and that is associated with the specific file, and to determine from the file broadcast schedule a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, wherein the at least one unique identifier comprises one or more station identifiers that identify one or more corresponding remote receiving units, wherein the file broadcast schedule includes, for each file, a file identifier and at least one of the one or more station identifiers, and wherein the telematics unit operates to identify the one or more specific files at least in part by comparing the at least one station identifier to a station ID assigned to that remote receiving unit; and wherein the telematics unit operates to automatically monitor the satellite transmissions received from the satellite radio receiver at the scheduled time for the specific file and then storing the specific file when it is received.
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Specification