Automobile recall notification system and method for using the same

• US 20050275515A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Morris, Steven E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A method is provided for distributing a recall notification to an automobile equipped with an in-vehicle communications system. The method comprises the steps of providing a telematics service center with identification information corresponding to the automobile, matching the identification information with the corresponding in-vehicle communications system, and wirelessly transmitting the recall notification to the in-vehicle communications system. A system for distributing a recall notification to a vehicle, and a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle communications system are also provided to carry out the method.

Claims

1. A method of distributing a recall notification to a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle communications system, comprising the steps of:

distributing identification information corresponding to the vehicle to a telematics service center;

matching the identification information with the corresponding in-vehicle communications system; and

wirelessly transmitting the recall notification to the in-vehicle communications system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information corresponding to the vehicle is provided by a vehicle service group.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recall notification is transmitted as a telephone call.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the telephone call includes a pre-recorded audio message.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recall notification is transmitted together with a signal that provides a visual notification to the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a computer with a vehicle control module, and the recall notification is transmitted together with a code that is stored in the vehicle control module and describes a necessary repair associated with the recall notification.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a computer with a vehicle control module, and the recall notification is transmitted together with a code that recalibrates the vehicle control module.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle control module is recalibrated to prevent a recalled vehicle component failure.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle communications system includes a global positioning system.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the recall notification includes directions to a nearby service center.

11. A system for distributing a recall notification, comprising:

a telematics service center; and

a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control module, and an in-vehicle communications system comprising a communications module that is in wireless communication with the telematics service center and is electrically coupled to the vehicle control module.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle control module controls operation of a plurality of vehicle components unassociated with the in-vehicle communications system.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle control module is configured to receive electronic codes for recalibrating the vehicle control module.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle further comprises a visual display that is electrically coupled to the communications module, and the communications module is configured to actuate the visual display.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the in-vehicle communications system includes a global positioning system.

16. A vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle communications system that is in wireless communication with a telematics service center, the vehicle comprising:

a communications module configured to receive signals from the telematics service center; and

a vehicle control module that is electrically coupled to the vehicle control module.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle control module controls operation of a plurality of vehicle components unassociated with the in-vehicle communications system.

18. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle control module is configured to receive electronic codes for recalibrating the vehicle control module.

19. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle further comprises a visual display that is electrically coupled to the communications module, and the communications module is configured to actuate the visual display.

20. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the in-vehicle communications system includes a global positioning system.