Processing electronic messages wirelessly sent to a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for processing electronic messages sent to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying at least one communication device authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle;
(b) providing a messaging application to the communication device;
(c) sending an electronic message from the communication device to a call center, wherein the electronic message is intended for the vehicle but is diverted to the call center by the messaging application; and
(d) if the communication device is properly authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle, then forwarding the electronic message from the call center to the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processing system and method for controlling the distribution of certain types of electronic messages, such as SMS messages, instant messages, emails, etc., that are wirelessly sent to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a messaging application installed on a communication device diverts to a call center outgoing messages destined for the vehicle. Once the electronic message is properly checked and authenticated at the call center, it is wirelessly forwarded on to the vehicle where its contents can be displayed to the passengers. By controlling the distribution of these types of electronic messages to the vehicle, the processing method can reduce or mitigate the effects of unauthorized third party communications.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for processing electronic messages sent to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying at least one communication device authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle; (b) providing a messaging application to the communication device; (c) sending an electronic message from the communication device to a call center, wherein the electronic message is intended for the vehicle but is diverted to the call center by the messaging application; and (d) if the communication device is properly authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle, then forwarding the electronic message from the call center to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for processing electronic messages sent to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending an electronic message from a communication device to a call center, wherein the electronic message is intended for the vehicle but is routed to the call center by a messaging application installed on the communication device; (b) analyzing the electronic message sent from the communication device to determine if the communication device is properly authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle; (c) if the communication device is properly authorized to send electronic messages to the vehicle, then forwarding the electronic message from the call center to the vehicle; and (d) displaying contents of the electronic message to passengers in the vehicle via a visual display. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for processing electronic messages sent to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining an authorized messaging group that includes one or more communication devices authorized to send SMS messages to the vehicle; (b) providing a messaging application to a communication device in the authorized messaging group; (c) updating records maintained at a call center with information regarding the authorized messaging group; (d) diverting a first SMS message from the communication device to the call center, wherein the SMS message is intended for the vehicle and is diverted by the messaging application; (e) analyzing the first SMS message at the call center to determine if the communication device is part of the authorized messaging group; (f) if the communication device is part of the authorized messaging group, then wirelessly sending a second SMS message from the call center to the vehicle; (g) analyzing the second SMS message at the vehicle to determine if it is authentic; and (h) if the second SMS message is authentic, then displaying contents of the second SMS message to passengers in the vehicle.
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21. A system for processing electronic messages sent to a vehicle, comprising:
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a communication device having text messaging capability such that the communication device receives user inputted text messages and sends the text messages to an addressee selected by the user; a plurality of vehicles each having a telematics unit that wireless receives text messages; and a call center that communicates wirelessly with the plurality of vehicles via their telematics units; wherein said communication device includes a messaging application that detects the addressee selected by the user and, if the addressee corresponds to one of the plurality of vehicles, the messaging application redirects the text message to the call center; and wherein the call center receives the redirected text message, attempts to authenticate the redirected text message and, if authenticated, sends the redirected text message to the corresponding vehicle via its telematics unit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification