Method for remotely controlling vehicle features
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for remotely controlling features of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (a) sending a first command message from a trigger device to a call center, wherein the first command message includes a feature command and is created by a command application installed on the trigger device;
(b) analyzing the first command message that includes the feature command at the call center and determining if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle;
(c) if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle, then wirelessly sending a second command message from the call center to the vehicle, wherein the second command message includes the feature command; and
(d) executing the feature command at the vehicle in response to receiving the second command message.
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Abstract
A method and system that enables users to remotely control or manage certain vehicle features, such as emergency flashers or a remote engine start, through the use of a trigger device other than a conventional vehicle key fob. For example, a trigger device like a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a computer can be used to remotely control or activate select vehicle features. In one embodiment, short message service (SMS) messages are used to send feature commands either directly from the trigger device to the vehicle or via a call center or other message processing entity.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for remotely controlling features of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending a first command message from a trigger device to a call center, wherein the first command message includes a feature command and is created by a command application installed on the trigger device; (b) analyzing the first command message that includes the feature command at the call center and determining if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle; (c) if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle, then wirelessly sending a second command message from the call center to the vehicle, wherein the second command message includes the feature command; and (d) executing the feature command at the vehicle in response to receiving the second command message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for remotely controlling features of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) constructing a command message at a trigger device, wherein the command message is a short message service (SMS) message that includes a payload section including a feature command corresponding to a selected feature command for activating one or more features of the vehicle; (b) wirelessly sending the SMS command message from the trigger device (c) wirelessly receiving the SMS command message at the vehicle and analyzing the SMS command message for authenticity by determining if the SMS command message is received from a properly authorized sender; and (d) if the SMS command message is received from a properly authorized sender, then extracting the feature command from the payload section of the SMS command message. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for remotely controlling features of a vehicle, comprising:
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a wireless carrier system; a trigger device having a command application installed thereon, wherein the command application constructs a command message in response to a feature command selection made by a user, and further wherein the command message includes a feature command corresponding to the selected feature command; a call center in communication with the trigger device and having records stored thereat, the records including information regarding the trigger device and the vehicle; and a vehicle in wireless communication with the call center and having a telematics unit and at least one vehicle feature, wherein the feature command selection made by the user causes;
i) the trigger device to send the command message to the call center, ii) the call center to authenticate the command message with the records to determine if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle, iii) the call center to forward the authenticated command message to the vehicle over the wireless carrier system if the trigger device is properly authorized to send command messages to the vehicle, iv) the vehicle to authenticate the forwarded command message, and v) the vehicle to execute the feature command selected by the user.
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Specification