Outgoing binary SMS messaging for vehicle communication with a call center

An outgoing SMS messaging method for sending an SMS message from a vehicle telematics unit to a call center, comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining that wireless coverage is available prior to an expiration of a time;
• (b) if an active voice call is in progress using the telematics unit, then carrying out an SMS origination process without performing a connection management procedure;
• and
• (c) if no active voice call is in progress using the telematics unit, then based on an identifier associated with a payload of the SMS message, either discarding the SMS message without it being sent or sending the SMS message using an SMS origination process that includes carrying out a connection management procedure for the telematics unit;
• wherein step (c) further comprises the step of carrying out an outer loop iterative process in which the telematics unit attempts to establish a successful SMS connection to the wireless system network equipment.

An outgoing SMS messaging method for sending an SMS message from a vehicle telematics unit to a call center, comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining that wireless coverage is available prior to an expiration of a time;
• (b) if an active voice call is in progress using the telematics unit, then carrying out an SMS origination process without performing a connection management procedure;
• and
• (c) if no active voice call is in progress using the telematics unit, then based on an identifier associated with a payload of the SMS message, either discarding the SMS message without it being sent or sending the SMS message using an SMS origination process that includes carrying out a connection management procedure for the telematics unit;
• wherein step (c) further comprises using an outer loop iterative process has a first counter that counts the number of failed attempts at a successful connection to the network equipment and an inner loop iterative process using a second counter that counts the number of times that the inner loop iterative process is carried out unsuccessfully.