Advanced wireless vehicle services

• US 8,565,734 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fleet Connect Solutions LLC (Empire IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Seong Sang Investments LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Himmelstein, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behnamian, Shahriar
• Application Number:
  US12/870,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/567, 455415-417, 455/456.1, 455/518, 342/357.31
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/46 for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 : Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A network connected vehicle computer unit is disclosed. Services are provided to a vehicle, having the vehicle computer unit, over a wireless network to control, manage, provide safety to, and maintain the vehicle.

Claims

1. A network connected vehicle computer unit configured in a vehicle, the network connected vehicle computer unit comprising:

circuitry configured to receive and update vehicle maintenance and operation information sent over a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP);

the circuitry further configured to receive an instruction sent over the cellular data network using IP to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle, wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle;

circuitry configured to contact a vehicle management system over the cellular data network using IP based on an unauthorized operator accessing the vehicle;

circuitry configured to detect an accident involving the vehicle; and

circuitry configured to send a message over the cellular data network using IP to notify the management system of the accident.

2. The network connected vehicle computer unit of claim 1, wherein the vehicle management system contacts law enforcement.

3. The network connected vehicle computer unit of claim 1, wherein the access of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen.

4. The network connected vehicle computer unit of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry configured to connect to the Internet over the cellular data network.

5. A method performed by a network connected vehicle computer unit, the method comprising:

receiving and updating, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, vehicle maintenance and operation information sent over a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP);

receiving, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, an instruction sent over the cellular data network using IP to remotely control locks or a horn of a vehicle, wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle;

contacting, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, a vehicle management system over the cellular data network using IP based on an unauthorized operator accessing the vehicle;

detecting, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, an accident involving the vehicle; and

sending, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, a message over the cellular data network using IP to notify the vehicle management system of the accident.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vehicle management system is law enforcement.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the access of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

connecting, by the network connected vehicle computer unit, to the Internet over the cellular data network.