Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100070107 | Method for generating a vehicle identifier - Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN to following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU. | 03-18-2010 |
20110063138 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING A GEOFENCE BOUNDARY FOR A TRACKED ASSET - An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, interne, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier. | 03-17-2011 |
20140062730 | Method and system for implementing a geofence boundary for a tracked asset - An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, internet, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier. | 03-06-2014 |
20140343751 | Method and system for generating a vehicle identifier - Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU. | 11-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080319665 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES FOR CONSUMER TELEMATICS - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for aftermarket telematics. In one aspect, provided is an apparatus comprising a telematics control unit configured for consumer installation, consumer use, and the like. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle. In another aspect, provided are systems and methods for operation of the apparatus. | 12-25-2008 |
20090125180 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORING - A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emmission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them. | 05-14-2009 |
20090284391 | Apparatus for mounting a telematics user interface - A user interface to an electronic unit, such as a telematics unit, couples with the unit. The interface can also provide access to audio, computer, communications, navigation, and other units besides telematics device units. A user can secure the interface to a rear view mirror of a vehicle using clips; a securing means that exerts force against the interface and a roof, or other surface, of the vehicle that the user wishes to fix the interface in; or other methods of attaching devices to one another. A housing of the interface may locate the biasing means so that the biasing means forces the housing against the rearview mirror. The interface may couple to a telematics, or other electronics, unit located, or installed, in the vehicle via a cable link, including wire and optical, or via a wireless link. | 11-19-2009 |
20100070107 | Method for generating a vehicle identifier - Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN to following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU. | 03-18-2010 |
20100105241 | Cable positioner - A cable positioner is formed integrally with a connector and/or a plug, or is shaped and sized to matingly engage a connector and/or a plug. The connector cable positioner can define at least one groove. The groove is sized to secure the cable in a desired position and direct it in a desired direction. The positioner may define at least one retaining tab, or lip, at the extent of at least one groove wall to produce an interference fit with the cable when pushed through the retaining tab, while surrounding the groove enough to effectively create a groove wall more than 180 degrees around the grove to retain the cable in the groove. The at least one tab can pinch, or otherwise secure, at least a portion of the cable to hold the cable in desired position and direction. | 04-29-2010 |
20110063138 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING A GEOFENCE BOUNDARY FOR A TRACKED ASSET - An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, interne, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier. | 03-17-2011 |
20110082621 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING BATTERY LIFE BASED ON VEHICLE BATTERY, USAGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA - A telematics device or a mobile wireless device, or a computer server remote from a vehicle, receives data related to the vehicle battery's open circuit and cranking voltages, temperature, and usage. The device compares the received data to predetermined corresponding criteria and also computes a battery health value based on the received data according to an algorithm. If the received data falls outside the corresponding criteria, the device can generate and send an alert to a user device. The battery health value can be sent to the user device to indicate remaining battery life, and to correlate temperature and vehicle usage with impact on battery life. The received data can also be used to generate a customized charging current profile that a charging device can use to regulate charging current from the vehicle's alternator to the battery. The vehicle can use an internal combustion engine, or be all-electric. | 04-07-2011 |
20140032130 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORING - A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them. | 01-30-2014 |
20140343751 | Method and system for generating a vehicle identifier - Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU. | 11-20-2014 |
20150051787 | PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN A VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND A USER DEVICE VIA A HEAD UNIT - A vehicle head unit may receive a request, from a user device and by the head unit, to establish communication with a control device of a vehicle. The control device may be in communication with the head unit via a vehicle communication network associated with the vehicle. The head unit may establish communication between the user device and the control device based on the received request. The head unit may forward a message between the user device and the control device based on the established communication. The message may be forwarded between the user device and the control device via the head unit. | 02-19-2015 |
20150127570 | AUTOMATIC ACCIDENT REPORTING DEVICE - A device is configured to receive vehicle information associated with a vehicle, and determine that the vehicle has been in an accident based on the vehicle information. The device is configured to generate an accident report based on determining that the vehicle has been in the accident and based on the vehicle information. The device is configured to provide the accident report for display, and to receive a confirmation that the accident report is accurate based on providing the accident report for display. The device is configured to output the accident report based on receiving the confirmation. | 05-07-2015 |
20150269788 | SELF-SERVICE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING - Vehicle diagnostic tests may be performed by an owner of a vehicle on a self-serve basis. In one implementation, a method may include communicating, by a vehicle diagnostic device, with a vehicle through an OBD connector of the vehicle, to obtain diagnostic information relating to operation of the vehicle. The method may further include receiving instructions relating to the obtaining of the diagnostic information and playing, via a speaker associated with the vehicle diagnostic device, the instructions as audible instructions. | 09-24-2015 |
20150371459 | PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN A VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND A USER DEVICE VIA A HEAD UNIT - A vehicle head unit may receive a request, from a user device and by the head unit, to establish communication with a control device of a vehicle. The control device may be in communication with the head unit via a vehicle communication network associated with the vehicle. The head unit may establish communication between the user device and the control device based on the received request. The head unit may forward a message between the user device and the control device based on the established communication. The message may be forwarded between the user device and the control device via the head unit. | 12-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080255888 | Methods, Systems, and Apparatuses for Determining Driver Behavior - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses. | 10-16-2008 |
20090024525 | Vehicle Wallet - Disclosed are methods and systems related to electronic purchase transactions. | 01-22-2009 |
20090319341 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OBTAINING VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT STATISTICS - A telematics control unit in a vehicle couples to a vehicle communication network bus and monitors signals on the bus that correspond to various parameters related to entertainment devices in the vehicle, such as, for examples, a radio, a telephone, and a video player. During a predetermined period, the TCU monitors the entertainment device signals and stores information represented by the signals to a memory. The TCU transmits the entertainment device signal information from the memory to a telematics operations center server operated by a telematics services provider. The TOC is configured to analyze the status of the entertainment signal information to determine various entertainment device settings in the vehicle and how they correlate with given entertainment programming, based on programs being broadcast when the TCU monitors the signal, or programs an occupant of the vehicle plays from storage media. Advertisers may obtain the information analysis and tailor advertising accordingly. | 12-24-2009 |
20110118934 | PERIPHERAL ACCESS DEVICES AND SENSORS FOR USE WITH VEHICLE TELEMATICS DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - A telematics method and system includes, and uses, a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface link. The telematics device may be embodied in an access device, which may include the position-locating system. The access device may be a smartphone, or similar device, that retrieves/transmits diagnostic data/information, and other data/information to/from the vehicle via the short range wireless link. The access device performs various telematics device functions; it uses a long range wireless interface to communicate diagnostic and related information to a central host computer, and to receive related information from same. | 05-19-2011 |
20110125363 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A CHARGE RELATED TO USE OF A VEHICLE DURING A PERIOD BASED ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE DATA - A software method controlling a computer device compares operational performance data collected and stored from a vehicle to a predetermined criterion and determines, based on the comparison, whether to adjust a baseline charge for usage of a vehicle during the period. The software may compare data corresponding to one, or more, different parameters to determine the charge adjustment, the parameters including average MPG, engine revolutions, revolution-minutes, or fuel used during the period. The software method may use average values for MPG for the particular vehicle obtained prepared by a governmental agency. The method may also use criterion derived from governmental information. Or, the criterion may be a predetermined value based on a business consideration, such as number of engine revolutions corresponding to a given number of miles traveled. If the vehicle's engine turns more than the predetermined number during a period, the charge corresponding to use during period is increased. | 05-26-2011 |
20120109417 | Methods, systems, and apparatuses for using a vehicle identification profile to determine whether a vehicle has been stolen - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses. | 05-03-2012 |
20140062730 | Method and system for implementing a geofence boundary for a tracked asset - An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, internet, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier. | 03-06-2014 |
20140278837 | Method and system for adjusting a charge related to use of a vehicle based on operational data - A software method controlling a computer device compares operational performance data collected and stored from a vehicle to a predetermined criterion and determines, based on the comparison, whether to adjust a baseline charge for usage of a vehicle during the period. The software may compare data corresponding to one, or more, different parameters to determine the charge adjustment, the parameters including average MPG, engine revolutions, revolution-minutes, or fuel used during the period. The software method may use average values for MPG for the particular vehicle obtained prepared by a governmental agency. The method may also use criterion derived from governmental information. Or, the criterion may be a predetermined value based on a business consideration, such as number of engine revolutions corresponding to a given number of miles traveled. If the vehicle's engine turns more than the predetermined number during a period, the charge corresponding to use during period is increased. | 09-18-2014 |
20150032291 | Peripheral access devices and sensors for use with vehicle telematics devices and systems - A telematics method and system includes, and uses, a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface link. The telematics device may be embodied in an access device, which may include the position-locating system. The access device may be a smartphone, or similar device, that retrieves/transmits diagnostic data/information, and other data/information to/from the vehicle via the short range wireless link. The access device performs various telematics device functions; it uses a long range wireless interface to communicate diagnostic and related information to a central host computer, and to receive related information from same. | 01-29-2015 |