In-vehicle device for wirelessly connecting a vehicle to the internet and for transacting e-commerce and e-business

• US 6,856,820 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2000
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Torres, Marcos L
• Application Number:
  US09/556,543
• Time in Patent Office: 1,758 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.9, 455/403, 455/73, 455/426, 455/422, 455/557, 455/66, 701/27, 701/115, 701/101, 701/114, 701/117, 701/33, 340/853.1, 340/854.3, 340/870.1, 705/80, 705 26- 27, 705/34, 705/400, 705/412, 705/416, 705/448
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

An in-vehicle device data communicates with Internet based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the Internet based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other types of data. Furthermore, e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting other remote data communications.

The in-vehicle device can also include functionality for remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote Internet based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation. Remote monitoring and control of vehicle operation can be by way of an Internet based data processing resource and can include engine control system programming and setting adjustment, vehicle monitoring, and transmission of vehicle telemetry and metric data. Vehicle telemetry and metric data can include global positioning system (GPS) data, vehicle operational data, engine performance data, and other vehicle data.

The in-vehicle device can also wirelessly data communicate with a communication interface device (COM device) or an Internet appliance. Such COM devices or Internet appliances can data communicate wirelessly with an in-vehicle device and simultaneously data communicate in a wired or wireless mode of operation to Internet based data processing resources, and to other data processing resources.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle having a vehicle radio and a vehicle battery for wirelessly data communicating between said vehicle and a plurality of global network based data processing resources, said in-vehicle device comprising:

a controller;

a wireless transceiver interconnected with said controller for wirelessly data communicating between said in-vehicle device and a communications interface device, wherein said communications interface device data communicates with a plurality of data communicating resources, said in-vehicle device by way of said communication interface device data communicates with said plurality of global network based data processing resources;

a vehicle monitor and metering interface interconnected with said controller for measuring or monitoring said vehicle telemetry data and or said vehicle metric data, wherein said in-vehicle device by way of said wireless transceiver data communicates said vehicle data to said plurality of global network based data processing resources; and

a vehicle radio interface for interconnecting said in-vehicle device to said vehicle radio, wherein said vehicle radio interface communicates analog and or digital signals between said in-vehicle device and said vehicle radio;

wherein said in-vehicle device is part of said vehicle battery.

2. An in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle having a vehicle radio and a vehicle battery case for wirelessly data communicating between said vehicle and a plurality of global network based data processing resources, said in-vehicle device comprising:

a controller;

a wireless transceiver interconnected with said controller for wirelessly data communicating between said in-vehicle device and a communications interface device, wherein said communications interface device data communicates with a plurality of data communicating resources, said in-vehicle device by way of said communication interface device data communicates with said plurality of global network based data processing resources;

a vehicle monitor and metering interface interconnected with said controller for measuring or monitoring said vehicle telemetry data and or said vehicle metric data, wherein said in-vehicle device by way of said wireless transceiver data communicates said vehicle data to said plurality of global network based data processing resources; and

a vehicle radio interface for interconnecting said in-vehicle device to said vehicle radio, wherein said vehicle radio interface communicates analog and or digital signals between said in-vehicle device and said vehicle radio;

wherein said in-vehicle device is part of said vehicle battery case.