METHOD OF PROVIDING DIRECTIONS TO A VEHICLE SERVICE FACILITY

• US 20120123629A1
• Filed: 11/11/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Edwards, Ryan M., Kelly, James J. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,886,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application

Abstract

A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility includes generating a vehicle service alert that includes vehicle operating data, sending the vehicle service alert to a vehicle telematics service subscriber, offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle service facilities for responding to the vehicle service alert, and if the vehicle owner chooses a vehicle service facility, providing turn-by-turn directions to the chosen vehicle service facility.

Claims

1. A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a vehicle service alert that includes vehicle operating data;

(b) sending the vehicle service alert to a vehicle telematics service subscriber;

(c) offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle service facilities for responding to the vehicle service alert; and

(d) if the vehicle telematics service subscriber chooses a vehicle service facility, providing turn-by-turn directions to the chosen vehicle service facility.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of offering the one or more vehicle service facilities based on the type of vehicle service alert generated.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying one or more services provided by the vehicle service facility and associating the vehicle service facility in a database with the one or more identified services.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the database is maintained at a call center.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if a vehicle operated by the vehicle telematics service subscriber is covered by a warranty and, if so, offering a vehicle service facility to the vehicle telematics service subscriber that honors the warranty.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of limiting the number of offered vehicle service facilities based on the complexity of two or more generated vehicle service alerts by applying a minimum capability threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein turn-by-turn directions are provided to the vehicle telematics service subscriber in an email message that includes vehicle diagnostic results.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein turn-by-turn directions are provided to the vehicle telematics service subscriber as a hyperlink in an email message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein turn-by-turn directions are provided to the vehicle telematics service subscriber as text-based commands shown on a display in a vehicle or audibly recited in the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the turn-by-turn directions are included in an email as a geographical map.

11. A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a vehicle service alert that includes vehicle operating data for a vehicle;

(b) sending the vehicle service alert to a vehicle telematics service subscriber;

(c) obtaining the location of the vehicle;

(d) determining whether the vehicle is covered by a vehicle warranty;

(e) if so, then offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle dealerships for responding to the vehicle service alert;

(f) otherwise, offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more aftermarket vehicle service providers in addition to one or more dealerships; and

(g) after the vehicle telematics service subscriber chooses a vehicle dealership or aftermarket vehicle service provider, providing turn-by-turn directions from the location of the vehicle to the chosen vehicle dealership or aftermarket vehicle service provider.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more vehicle dealerships or aftermarket vehicle service providers are offered based on the type of vehicle service alert generated.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of identifying one or more services provided by the vehicle dealership or aftermarket vehicle service provider and associating the dealership or aftermarket vehicle service provider in a database with the one or more identified services.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the database is maintained at a call center.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein turn-by-turn directions are provided to the vehicle telematics service subscriber as a hyperlink in an email message.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein turn-by-turn directions are provided to the vehicle telematics service subscriber as text-based commands shown on a display in a vehicle or audibly recited in the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the turn-by-turn directions are included in an email as a geographical map.

18. A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility, comprising the steps of:

(a) sending a vehicle telematics service subscriber an email message that includes service alerts for a vehicle operated by the vehicle telematics service subscriber;

(b) offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle service facilities capable of responding to each service alert included in the email based on the type of service alert;

(c) receiving from the vehicle telematics service subscriber a chosen selection from among the offered vehicle service facilities;

(d) determining the location of the vehicle operated by the vehicle telematics service subscriber;

(e) generating turn-by-turn directions between the location of the vehicle and the chosen selection; and

(f) presenting the turn-by-turn directions to the vehicle telematics service subscriber.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of determining if the vehicle is covered by a warranty and, if so, offering a vehicle service facility to the vehicle telematics service subscriber that honors the warranty.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of limiting the number of offered vehicle service facilities based on the complexity of two or more generated vehicle service alerts by applying a minimum capability threshold.