| Enrollment method for a vehicle email notification system -> Monitor Keywords |
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Enrollment method for a vehicle email notification systemRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or IndicationEnrollment method for a vehicle email notification system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070191995, Enrollment method for a vehicle email notification system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/755,329, filed Dec. 31, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to techniques for wirelessly collecting vehicle information and providing that information to the vehicle owner or other authorized person. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Telematics units are now widely in use on vehicles to provide drivers with various types of wireless assistance services (WAS). For example, "roadside assistance" which historically involved a disabled vehicle and a physical visit to the vehicle by a serviceman, can now in many instances be provided remotely via wireless telecommunication with the vehicle through existing cellular network facilities. Thus, a telephone call to a call center (WAS center) can be used to electronically unlock doors where the keys have inadvertently been locked inside. Also, navigation and emergency assistance services can be obtained by voice communication with an advisor at the call center. Monitoring of vehicle operating conditions by the call center is also possible via the telematics device. For example, an air bag deployment event can be automatically reported to the call center where it triggers a return call to the vehicle from a live advisor to determine if emergency services are needed. Other vehicle data such as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) can similarly be reported to the call center. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided enrolling a subscriber into a vehicle notification message system, comprising the steps of: [0005] (a) receiving a request from a subscriber to enroll into a vehicle notification message system; [0006] (b) creating a customer account; [0007] (c) accessing vehicle data using a telematics unit of the vehicle; [0008] (d) transmitting the vehicle data from the telematics unit to a central data system; [0009] (e) constructing an initial notification message at the central data system using at least some of the vehicle data; and [0010] (f) sending the notification message to a recipient via an electronic messaging system. [0011] This initial notification message can, but need not be, a welcome email that has the effect of confirming enrollment and providing the subscriber with a complete initial diagnostic report of the vehicle. Preferably, the initial notification is sent within 24 hours of the subscriber requesting enrollment. [0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a subscriber can be automatically enrolled using a customer data record to automatically set up a customer account for the subscriber using the information obtained from the customer data record. This can be carried out in response to an initial mileage trigger set on the vehicle (such as by the manufacturer before delivery to the dealer), or by a software robot that is downloaded at the vehicle, or automatically in response to receiving the customer data record. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein: [0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an email notification system constructed in accordance with the invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the email notification system of FIG. 1 showing additional details of the vehicle electronics system, VDU, and WAS center depicted in FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is an exemplary email notification message produced by the system of FIG. 1; [0017] FIG. 4 provides an overview of the process for enrollment in the email notification system of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 5 is an overview of the steps carried out by the subscriber and WAS center advisor in the enrollment and email generation process; [0019] FIG. 6 provides greater detail concerning the enrollment process; [0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process for VDU handling of triggers within the email notification system of FIG. 1; and [0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of notification processing following the trigger processing of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0022] The following terms used herein have the ascribed meanings. "Vehicle data" means information concerning a particular vehicle's condition or operation; for example, mileage, remaining oil life, GPS coordinates, door lock state, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), diagnostic results, air bag activation. "Vehicle information" is information related to a particular vehicle; for example, vehicle data, maintenance information, recall information, wireless assistance services (WAS) account information, satellite radio account information. A "subscriber" is a person or entity who either has legal title to the vehicle (e.g., a purchaser, corporation, parent) or has possession of the vehicle for regular use (e.g., a lessee, employee driving a company car, licensed minor), or both (e.g., a purchaser-driver), and who has opted to receive electronic messages from the email notification system. "Owner" is used interchangeably with "subscriber" and has the same meaning, except that an owner need not necessarily be one that receives electronic messages from the email notification system. A "trigger" is a defined event or vehicle condition that, when met, initiates notification processing (e.g., every 30 days, remaining oil life<20%, mileage passes over 25,000 miles, ABS DTC received). "Notification processing" is the process of determining whether an electronic message should be sent to a subscriber and, if so, the content of the message. "Language characters" are the individual components of a written language (e.g., alphanumeric characters), whether represented graphically using a graphics file format or represented textually or as characters using, for example, ASCII or some other type of numerical encoding. A "diagnostic result" is specific or general information concerning a monitored vehicle component, system, or operating condition. A specific diagnostic result could be, for example, the amount of oil life remaining (e.g., on a percentage basis 0-100%), whereas a general diagnostic result could be, for example, a graphical indicator such as a green, yellow, or red graphic that indicates whether some action is required to address one or more of the vehicle conditions and possibly the importance or severity of the vehicle condition. An "electronic message generating system" (EMGS) is an electronic system that builds and sends electronic messages such as Internet email messages. An "electronic messaging system" is a public or private email system, or any other system suitable for transmitting electronic messages to specific recipients, including text messaging using SMS (short messaging services) and including MMS (multimedia messaging services). [0023] The illustrated embodiment is directed to a vehicle email notification system and method in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a 30 day trigger to provide the subscriber with a monthly vehicle status report), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. Upon occurrence of a trigger, the notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is required or desired. The vehicle information generally falls into four categories: (1) diagnostic information; (2) maintenance information; (3) recall information, and (4) ancillary services information, such as account information for such things as wireless assistance services or satellite radio services. The email notification messages also provide supplemental information such as dealer contact information, regional specific information (such as a particular state's child car seat laws or front passenger seat belt laws), maintenance service pricing quotes and/or coupons, state licensing renewal date and/or notification, and lease financing information (e.g., next monthly payment due date and amount). These and other features will be discussed below in greater detail. [0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the disclosed email notification system 100 contains a number of different system components interconnected by one or more communication links. The vehicle 110 communicates with the remainder of the notification system via a wireless communication network 140, such as a cellular communication system that uses CDMA or other suitable communication technology. For this purpose, the vehicle 110 is equipped with a wireless communication module having a suitable modem to enable voice and data transmission over the wireless communication network 140. Also onboard the vehicle are various vehicle systems modules (VSMs) that access different types of vehicle information which can then be transmitted via the wireless communication module. These vehicle systems include such things as a diagnostics module that accesses different vehicle systems to determine whether any fault conditions exist. For example, the diagnostic module can access the engine and powertrain systems, the air bag system, antilock braking system, and the wireless communication module itself to obtain diagnostic information and even initiate a diagnostic check of these systems. Apart from diagnostics, the vehicle can include vehicle body and engine computers that can provide other dynamic vehicle information such as mileage and remaining oil life information. The construction and operation of each of these onboard vehicle systems is well known in the art and need not be discussed here in greater detail. Continue reading about Enrollment method for a vehicle email notification system... 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