Method and apparatus to indicate communication is wanted or waiting

• US 8,874,088 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2010
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Doyle, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Agosta, Steve D
• Application Number:
  US12/912,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20110039525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/13.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 4554561-4566, 455/457, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/12 Inter-network notification

Abstract

An integrated communication system comprises a first communication device connected to a second communication device using a data link. When the first communication device is out of network, a dispatch center can indicate to the use a communication is waiting or wanted by sending a communication request signal to the second communication device. The second communication device transmits the communication request signal to the first communication device over the data link alerting the user of the first communication device to the requested communication.

Claims

1. A wireless communication apparatus configured to alert a user of a vehicle when out of network that a communication is desired, the wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a first wireless communication device located in a cab portion of a vehicle and available to a user of the vehicle, wherein the first wireless communication device comprises a display indicator and is configured to;

couple to a dispatch center via a first wireless communication network;

couple, via a wired data link, to a second wireless communication device located in a trailer portion of the vehicle, wherein the second wireless communication device has a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, comprises a satellite communication device, is coupled to a second wireless communication network, and is configured to facilitate two-way data communication with the dispatch center;

receive, over the wired data link, a display signal generated by the second wireless communication device in response to a receipt of a communication request signal comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over the first wireless communication network, wherein the display signal is configured to cause the display indicator to indicate an alert; and

supply a communication request confirmation signal to the dispatch center to confirm the communication request signal was received.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display indicator is selected from the group of indicators consisting of a light, a vibration, a text display, and a ring tone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication request signal comprises actual communication data originating from the dispatch center.

3. A method for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatch center wishes to communicate with the user, the method comprising:

receiving, by a first wireless communication device over a wired data link with a second wireless communication device, a display signal generated by the second wireless communication device in response to a receipt of a communication request signal comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to a user in the vehicle, the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and the dispatch center and the second wireless communication device are in two-way data communication over a second wireless communication network; and

causing a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert based on the display signal, wherein the alert is configured to alert the user that the dispatch center wishes to communicate.

5. A wireless communication apparatus configured to alert a user of a vehicle when out of network that a communication is desired, the wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a second wireless communication device located in a trailer portion of a vehicle and comprising a satellite communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is configured to;

couple to a second wireless communication network for facilitating two-way data communication with a dispatch center;

couple, via a wired data link, to a first wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and is available to a user of the vehicle, comprises a display indicator, and is configured to couple to the dispatch center via a first wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device has a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device;

generate and transmit a display signal to the first wireless communication device over the wired data link in response to a receipt of a communication request signal comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over the first wireless communication network, wherein the display signal is configured to cause the display indicator to indicate an alert; and

supply a communication request confirmation signal to the dispatch center to confirm the communication request signal was received.

6. A method for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, the method comprising:

receiving, at a second wireless communication device, a communication request comprising actual communication data sent by a dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device has a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and is in two-way data communication with the dispatch center over a second wireless communication network;

generating a display signal at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request, wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatcher wishes to communicate; and

transmitting the display signal from the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising supplying a communication request confirmation signal to the dispatch center to confirm the communication request signal was received by the second wireless communication device.

8. A wireless communication apparatus configured to alert a user of a vehicle when out of network that a communication is desired, the wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a dispatch center configured to;

couple to a first wireless communication device via a first wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and is available to the user of the vehicle, and comprises a display indicator;

couple to a second wireless communication device via a second wireless communication network to facilitate two-way data communication with the second wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle, comprises a satellite communication device, and is coupled via a wired data link to the first wireless communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device; and

transmit to the second wireless communication device a communication request signal comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over the first wireless communication network, wherein the communication request signal is configured to cause the second wireless communication device to generate and transmit a display signal to the first wireless communication device over the wired data link, wherein the display signal is configured to cause the display indicator to indicate an alert.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dispatch center is further configured to receive a communication request confirmation signal from the second wireless communication device to confirm the communication request signal was received.

10. A method for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, the method comprising:

entering into, by a dispatch center, a two-way data communication with a second wireless communication device over a second wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle, comprises a satellite communication device, and has a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device;

sending a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center to the second wireless communication device when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the communication request is configured to cause a display signal to be generated at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request and to be transmitted to the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle, and wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatch center wishes to communicate.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving a communication request confirmation signal by the dispatch center from the second wireless communication device to confirm the communication request signal was received.

12. An apparatus for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving, at the first wireless communication device over a wired data link with a second wireless communication device, a display signal generated by the second wireless communication device in response to a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from a dispatch center to the second wireless communication device when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle, the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and the dispatch center and the second wireless communication device are in two-way data communication over a second wireless communication network; and

means for causing a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert based on the display signal for alerting the user that the dispatcher wishes to communicate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for causing the display indicator to indicate includes means for causing the display indicator to at least one of illuminate, vibrate, ring, or display a text message.

14. A non-transitory storage medium comprising program instructions which are computer-executable to implement alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, and which when executed perform:

receiving, at the first wireless communication device over a wired data link with a second wireless communication device, a display signal generated by the second wireless communication device in response to a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from a dispatch center to the second wireless communication device when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle, the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and the dispatch center and the second wireless communication device are in two-way data communication over a second wireless communication network; and

causing a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert based on the display signal for alerting the user that the dispatcher wishes to communicate.

15. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 14, wherein causing the display indicator to indicate includes causing the display indicator to at least one of illuminate, vibrate, ring, or display a text message.

16. An apparatus for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, comprising:

means for receiving, at a second wireless communication device, a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from a dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and the dispatch center and the second wireless communication device are in two-way data communication over a second wireless communication network;

means for generating a display signal at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request, wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatcher wishes to communicate; and

means for transmitting the display signal from the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle.

17. A non-transitory storage medium comprising program instructions which are computer-executable to implement alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, and which when executed perform:

receiving, at a second wireless communication device, a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from a dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, and the dispatch center and the second wireless communication device are in two-way data communication over a second wireless communication network;

generating a display signal at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request, wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatcher wishes to communicate; and

transmitting the display signal from the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle.

18. An apparatus for alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, the apparatus comprising:

means for entering into, by a dispatch center, a two-way data communication with a second wireless communication device over a second wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device;

means for sending a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center to the second wireless communication device when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the communication request is configured to cause a display signal to be generated at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request and to be transmitted to the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle, and wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatch center wishes to communicate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving a communication request confirmation signal by the dispatch center from the second wireless communication device to confirm the communication request signal was received.

20. A non-transitory storage medium comprising program instructions which are computer-executable to implement alerting a user of a first wireless communication device located in a vehicle that a dispatcher wishes to communicate with the user, and which when executed perform:

entering into, by a dispatch center, a two-way data communication with a second wireless communication device over a second wireless communication network, wherein the second wireless communication device is located in a trailer portion of the vehicle and comprises a satellite communication device, the second wireless communication device having a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device;

sending a communication request comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center to the second wireless communication device when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over a first wireless communication network, wherein the communication request is configured to cause a display signal to be generated at the second wireless communication device in response to the communication request and to be transmitted to the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device over a wired data link coupling the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device is located in a cab portion of the vehicle and available to the user in the vehicle, and wherein the display signal is configured to cause a display indicator on the first wireless communication device to indicate an alert for alerting the user that the dispatch center wishes to communicate.

21. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 20, further comprising receiving a communication request confirmation signal by the dispatch center from the second wireless communication device to confirm the communication request signal was received.