Telematics systems and methods with multiple antennas

• US 8,583,199 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Schwinke, Steven P., Madhavan, Sethu K., Yi, Ki Hak, Yasan, Eray, Wisnewski, Mark A
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandt, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US13/082,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20120258705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 455/423, 455/562.1, 455/13.3, 455/67.11, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.7, 455/575.9, 370/334, 343/711, 343/712, 343/717, 343/876
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition

Abstract

Vehicle telematics systems and methods for vehicle telematics systems are provided. The telematics system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing device. The first antenna is disposed at a first location on the vehicle. The second antenna is disposed at a second location on the vehicle. The second location is remote from the first location. The processing device is coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna. The processing device is configured to monitor a parameter that is indicative as to whether the first antenna is operational, communicate using the first antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is operational, and communicate using the second antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is not operational.

Claims

1. A telematics system for a vehicle, the telematics system comprising:

a first antenna disposed at a first location on the vehicle;

a second antenna disposed at a second location on the vehicle, the second location being remote from the first location; and

a processing device coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna and configured to;

monitor a voltage or current of the first antenna;

communicate using the first antenna if the voltage or current is within a predetermined range; and

communicate using the second antenna if the voltage or current is not within the predetermined range.

2. The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cellular chipset, wherein the processing device is configured to;

communicate with a call center using the cellular chipset and the first antenna if the voltage or current is within the predetermined range; and

communicate with the call center using the cellular chipset and the second antenna if the voltage or current is not within the predetermined range.

3. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein:

the first location is on a first side of the vehicle; and

the second location is on a second side of the vehicle that is remote from the first side.

4. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein:

the first location is on a roof of the vehicle; and

the second location is on a bumper of the vehicle.

5. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein:

the first location is on a roof of the vehicle; and

the second location is underneath the vehicle.

6. The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor associated with the first antenna and configured to measure a strength of a signal associated with the first antenna, wherein the processing device is further configured to use the second antenna instead of the first antenna based at least in part on the strength of the signal.

7. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is coupled to an accident detection unit of the vehicle that is configured to provide an indication as to whether the vehicle has been in an accident, and the processing device is configured to use the second antenna instead of the first antenna based at least in part on whether the vehicle has been in the accident.

8. The telematics system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to:

monitor a parameter that is indicative as to whether the second antenna is operational; and

communicate with a telephone of an occupant of the vehicle if the voltage or current is not within the predetermined range and the parameter indicates that the second antenna is not operational.

9. A method for communicating via a telematics system of a vehicle, the telematics system having a first antenna disposed at a first location of the vehicle and a second antenna disposed at a second location of the vehicle that is remote from the first location, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring a current or voltage of the first antenna;

communicating using the first antenna if the voltage or current is within a predetermined range; and

communicating using the second antenna if the voltage or current is not within the predetermined range.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the step of monitoring the current or voltage comprises monitoring the voltage;

the step of communicating using the first antenna comprises communicating using the first antenna if the voltage is within a predetermined voltage range; and

the step of communicating using the second antenna comprises communicating using the second antenna if the voltage is not within the predetermined voltage range.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the step of monitoring the current or voltage comprises monitoring the current;

the step of communicating using the first antenna comprises communicating using the first antenna if the current is within a predetermined current range; and

the step of communicating using the second antenna comprises communicating using the second antenna if the current is not within the predetermined current range.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

measuring a strength of a signal associated with the first antenna, wherein the second antenna is used instead of the first antenna based at least in part on the strength of the signal.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

receiving an indication as to whether the vehicle has been in an accident, wherein the second antenna is used instead of the first antenna based at least in part on whether the vehicle has been in an accident.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring a parameter that is indicative as to whether the second antenna is operational; and

communicating with a telephone of an occupant of the vehicle if the voltage or current is not within the predetermined range and the parameter indicates that the second antenna is not operational.