US 7,113,127 B1Granted

Wireless vehicle-monitoring system operating on both terrestrial and satellite networks

AssigneeReynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.

InventorsMatthew Banet, Larkin Lowrey, Paul Washicko, Michael O'Brien

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.

Claims53

Dependent claims

A wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol used within a host vehicle and communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol, wherein the vehicle-communication protocol is selected based on a vehicle type of the host vehicle;
(b) a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, configured to collect diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol;
(c) a GPS module, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, configured to generate location-based data;
(d) a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and configured to receive and transmit data generated by the GPS module and collected by the vehicle-communication circuit;
(e) a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network and configured to receive and transmit data generated by the GPS module and collected by the vehicle-communication circuit;
and
(f) a single chipset that comprises the GPS module and the first and second wireless transmitters,
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine at least one of coverage associated with the terrestrial network and coverage associated with the satellite network, and
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to select the first or second wireless transmitter to transmit the diagnostic and location-based data.

6 more elements

A wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol used within a host vehicle and communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol, wherein the vehicle-communication protocol is selected based on a vehicle type of the host vehicle;
(b) a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, configured to collect diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol;
(c) a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and configured to receive and transmit data collected by the vehicle-communication circuit;
(d) a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network and configured to receive and transmit data collected by the vehicle-communication circuit,
wherein the microprocessor is further configured to select the first or second wireless transmitter to transmit the diagnostic data;
and
(e) a single chipset that comprises the first and second wireless transmitters.

4 more elements

A wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a microprocessor including firmware configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol used within a host vehicle and communicate with the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol, wherein the vehicle-communication protocol is selected based on a vehicle type of the host vehicle;
(b) a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, configured to collect diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol, wherein the vehicle-communication circuit is configured to support multiple different vehicle-communication protocols;
(c) a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and configured to receive and transmit data collected by the vehicle-communication circuit;
(d) a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network and configured to receive and transmit data collected by the vehicle-communication circuit,
wherein the firmware is further configured to select the first or second wireless transmitter to transmit the diagnostic data, and
wherein the firmware is further configured to at least attempt communication using the first wireless transmitter before the second wireless transmitter;
and
(e) a single chipset that comprises the first and second wireless transmitters.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/625,942Filed 24 Jul 2003
Granted: 26 Sep 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G07C 5/008
Registering or indicating the working of vehicles: communicating information to a remotely located station
B60R 25/102
Actuating a signalling device: a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security…
B60R 2325/101
Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices: bluetooth®
G07B 15/02
Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points: taking into account a variable factor such…