Multiple event-based vehicle communication systems and methods, and vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "multiple event-based vehicle communications". Systems and methods for generating multiple vehicle communications in response to events include a vehicle having a first embedded modem, a second embedded modem, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify the occurrence of a predetermined event. In response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for remote monitoring services via a voice call established by the first embedded modem and via a data call established by the second embedded modem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to transmitting multiple communications from a vehicle in response to vehicle-related events. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are often equipped with wireless communication technologies to enable remote services. There is a need to increase the likelihood that information transmitted outside the vehicle is received by the intended recipient, especially in safety-related situations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a vehicle having an embedded first modem and an embedded second modem. The vehicle further includes a processor configured to identify the occurrence of a predetermined event. In response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for remote monitoring services via a voice call established by the first modem and via a data call established by the second modem.

[0004] In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes a first embedded modem configured to receive remote control commands for the vehicle and a second embedded modem configured to receive software updates for the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a processor configured to identify the occurrence of a predetermined event. In response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for remote monitoring services via the first modem and via the second modem.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a method includes, in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, wirelessly transmitting, by a vehicle, the vehicle location outside the vehicle to a remote monitoring service via a first text message and wirelessly transmitting the vehicle location outside the vehicle to a server geographically remote from the remote monitoring service via a second text message. In response to receiving the vehicle location, the server is configured to transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for transmitting multiple communications from a vehicle.

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication path between a vehicle and a network.

[0008] Figure 3 is included in Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing platform in the system.

[0009] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process executable by a Figure 1 system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention, and the present invention can be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in different ways.

[0011] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for automatically transmitting multiple communications from a vehicle in response to a predetermined event. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, system 100 may include several components, such as vehicle 102, user device 104, one or more vehicle data servers 106, and one or more remote monitoring servers 110. Each of these system 100 components may be geographically remote from each other, and each system 100 component may communicate with one or more of the other system 100 components via network 150. Network 150 may include one or more interconnected communication networks. For example, network 150 may include one or more of the Internet, a cable television distribution network, a satellite link network, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a telephone network.

[0012] Vehicle 102 may include various types of automobiles, crossover utility vehicles (CUVs), sport utility vehicles (SUVs), trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, airplanes, or other mobile machines for transporting people or goods. In many cases, vehicle 102 may be powered by an internal combustion engine. As another possibility, vehicle 102 may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powered by both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, such as a series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV), a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a parallel / series hybrid electric vehicle (PSHEV). Vehicle 102 may also be an autonomous vehicle (AV). Since the type and configuration of vehicle 102 may vary, the capabilities of vehicle 102 may vary correspondingly. For title, inventory, and other purposes, vehicle 102 may be associated with a unique identifier (such as a vehicle identification number (“VIN”)) and include the unique identifier thereon.

[0013] The vehicle 102 may include a number of components configured to perform functions in support of the processes described herein, such as the automatic call system 112. For example, the automatic call system 112 may be configured to automatically cause the vehicle 102 to wirelessly transmit multiple communications outside the vehicle for one of the remote monitoring servers 110 in response to the occurrence of a predefined event (e.g., an accident, a vehicle 102 malfunction, a user selecting an emergency button, a security breach).

[0014] The automatic call system 112 may be configured to communicate with other vehicle 102 components via one or more in-vehicle networks 128. The in-vehicle network 128 may include one or more of a vehicle controller area network (“CAN”), an Ethernet network, and a media-oriented system transport (“MOST”). Other vehicle 102 components may include an embedded modem 116, a global positioning system (“GPS”) module 118, a human-machine interface (“HMI”) 120, various electronic control units (“ECUs”) 122, an event sensor 136, and / or an input / output (“I / O”) interface 130.

[0015] The vehicle ECU 122 may be configured to monitor and manage various functions of the vehicle 102 powered by the vehicle 102 battery and / or the powertrain. The vehicle ECU 122 may include, but is not limited to, a powertrain controller configured to manage engine operating components; a body controller configured to manage various power control functions (such as exterior lighting, interior lighting, keyless entry, remote start, and access point status verification); a radio transceiver controller configured to communicate with a key fob, a mobile device, or other local vehicle 102 devices; an entertainment controller configured to support voice commands and Bluetooth interfaces with the driver and the driver-carried devices; and a climate management controller configured to monitor and manage heating and cooling system components (e.g., a compressor clutch, a blower fan, a temperature sensor, etc.).

[0016] The GPS module 118 may be configured to identify vehicle location information, such as by communicating with satellites. The vehicle location information may include the current latitude and longitude of the vehicle 102. The GPS module 118 may be configured to provide this information to another vehicle 102 component (such as the automatic call system 112).

[0017] The HMI 120 can facilitate occupant interaction with the vehicle 102, or more particularly, interaction with the aforementioned vehicle 102 components. The HMI 120 can receive input from the user and output information to the user. The HMI 120 can include input devices and controls capable of receiving commands or input from the user to invoke the functions of the vehicle 102 components, such as the touch screen display 120A, alphanumeric keypad, pointing device, keypad, buttons, control knobs, and microphone 120C. For example, the HMI 120 can include steering wheel audio buttons, push-to-talk buttons, dashboard controls, etc. The HMI 120 can also include a video or alphanumeric display 120A, one or more speakers 120B, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing data to the user. For example, the HMI 120 can include a head unit display 120A, which is included in the center console area of the vehicle 102 cabin; and / or a screen 120A of the instrument cluster of the vehicle 102.

[0018] The embedded modem 116 can facilitate communication between the vehicle 102 and other system 100 components via the network 150. Each embedded modem 116 can be a cellular modem configured to connect to the network 150 via a cellular network and can thus facilitate the exchange of data between the vehicle 102 and other system 100 components. Because the embedded modem 116 is integrated with the vehicle 102 and because the embedded modem 116 can be directly connected to one or more in-vehicle networks 128, the embedded modem 116 is capable of making a faster and more reliable connection to the network 150 for the vehicle 102 relative to a non-embedded modem (such as the non-embedded modem of a user's mobile phone, which can only be periodically connected to the vehicle 102 when the vehicle 102 is operating via a less reliable, slower, and / or wireless connection). In other words, vehicle 102 components (such as the automatic call system 112) can interact with the embedded modem 116 to communicate with the network 150 when the vehicle 102 is turned off, and can interact with the embedded modem 116 to communicate with the network 150 without having to go through a less reliable, slower, and / or wireless connection between the vehicle 102 components and the non-embedded modem.

[0019] Different embedded modems 116 may support different remote services for vehicle 102. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the embedded modem 116 may include a telematics control unit (“TCU”) modem 124 and an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) modem 126. The TCU modem 124 may support receiving and processing remote control commands for vehicle 102. For example, a user may wirelessly transmit a remote lock command, a remote unlock command, or a remote start command for vehicle 102 from his or her user device 104 via network 150. The user device 104 may be configured to transmit such commands to the TCU modem 124 directly via network 150 or via the vehicle data server 106. In response to receiving the command, the TCU modem 124 may be configured to facilitate processing of the command, such as by interpreting the command and forwarding the command to the appropriate vehicle ECU 122. For example, in response to receiving a remote start command, the TCU modem 124 may be configured to forward a corresponding signal to the vehicle ECU 122, or more particularly, to the powertrain controller, to start the vehicle 102 engine.

[0020] The AV modem 126 may support receiving software updates and navigation system updates (e.g., map updates) for vehicle 102 (or more particularly, the vehicle 102 ECU) from the vehicle data server 106 via network 150, and / or may support uploading images and videos captured by the vehicle 102 cameras to the vehicle data server 106 via network 150. When vehicle 102 is an autonomous vehicle, such data may facilitate the driving operation of vehicle 102. Since the AV modem 126 may be configured to receive and transmit large data files relative to the data received at the TCU modem 124, the AV modem 126 may be configured to communicate at a higher speed and with a higher bandwidth than the TCU modem 124, such as by subscribing to only high-speed data cellular plans.

[0021] In some embodiments, different embedded modems 116 may be configured for different communication services based on, for example, the functionality of the embedded modem 116. For example, each of the embedded modems 116 may be configured for one or more of wireless data services, wireless voice services, and wireless text messaging services. A wireless voice service may enable a subscribed modem 116 to establish a voice call with another device over a cellular voice network of a cellular provider, a wireless text service may enable a subscribed modem 116 to transmit a text message to another device over a control or traffic channel of a cellular provider, and a wireless data service may enable a subscribed modem 116 to establish a data call that provides access to the Internet and communicate with other devices over the Internet and establish a voice call over the Internet, such as via a voice data protocol (e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol, Voice over LTE), over a cellular data network of a cellular provider. In the case of a wireless voice service, establishing a voice call may require the subscribed embedded modem 116 to dial the telephone number of another device to establish a circuit-switched connection with the other device over the cellular voice network. In the case of a wireless data service, establishing a voice call or a data call may require the subscribed embedded modem 116 to connect to the cellular data network (if the connection has not already been established), establish a session with the cellular data network, and / or establish a TCP / IP session with the destination device to form a packet-switched connection with the other device over the cellular data network. Any of the modems 116 configured to establish a voice call may further be configured to transmit audio received via a microphone 120C, such as from a driver or a passenger, over the voice call and transmit audio received over the voice call to a speaker 120B to facilitate a real-time telephone call by the driver or passenger, such as with a person at a remote monitoring service that operates the remote monitoring server 110.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the AV modem 126, which may transmit and receive large data files, may be configured for high-speed wireless data services and not for wireless voice services or wireless text services. The TCU modem 124 may be configured for wireless voice services, wireless text services, and wireless data services, and the TCU modem 124 may transmit and receive remote control commands that have a small data size relative to the files transmitted and received by the AV modem 126. For example, the remote control commands may be transmitted to the TCU modem 124 in packets sent over a data call established via a wireless data service, in text messages sent via a wireless text service, or embedded in dual-tone multi-frequency (“DTMF”) tones sent over a voice call established via a wireless voice service or a wireless data service of the TCU modem 124.

[0023] In some embodiments, different embedded modems 116 may be configured to communicate via cellular networks of different cellular network providers. For example, referring to Figure 2 , the TCU modem 124 may be configured to communicate with the network 150 via a cellular tower 138 of one cellular network provider, and the AV modem 126 may be configured to communicate with the network 150 via a cellular tower 140 of another cellular network provider. Different cellular network providers may provide different levels of coverage at a given location. Thus, when the vehicle 102 is in a location with poor or no cellular coverage for one of the embedded modems 116, the vehicle 102 may still communicate with the network 150 via another of the embedded modems 116 having better cellular coverage.

[0024] Referring again to Figure 1 , the I / O interface 130 may provide one or more machine interfaces that operably couple the vehicle 102 to other systems and devices, such as the user device 104. In some embodiments, the I / O interface 130 may be dedicated to connecting the vehicle 102 to systems and devices local to the vehicle 102 (e.g., near or around the vehicle 102). The I / O interface 130 may include one or more wireless transceivers 132 (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver, Wi-Fi transceiver, ZIGBEE transceiver) for connecting and communicating with wireless transceivers of other devices and systems, such as those local to the vehicle 102. The I / O interface 130 may also include one or more wired interfaces 134 (e.g., Ethernet interface, universal serial bus (“USB”) interface) for connecting and communicating with wired interfaces of other devices and systems, such as those local to the vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the vehicle 102 may communicate with the network 150 via the I / O interface 130 and another system 100 component. For example, the user device 104 may be a mobile phone, and the vehicle 102 may be connected to the mobile phone via a Bluetooth transceiver or USB interface for hands-free phone service, music sharing, and / or accessing the network 150 via the cellular connection of the mobile phone.

[0025] The event sensor 136 can be configured to generate a signal indicating an event when a predetermined event occurs, and the signal can be received by the automatic call system 112. In some embodiments, the event sensor 114 can be configured to generate an event signal when the vehicle 102 is involved in an accident. For example, the event sensor 114 can include impact sensors arranged around the vehicle 102 and can be configured to generate a signal indicating an accident when the vehicle 102 experiences an impact with a force exceeding a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the event sensor 136 can include the same sensors that determine whether an airbag should be deployed in the vehicle 102. As another example, the event sensor 136 can include an airbag deployment sensor configured to generate an event signal when the airbag is deployed.

[0026] The event sensor 136 can also include a user-selectable button that, when selected by the user, causes the automatic call system 112 to receive an event signal indicating a user-initiated emergency. As another example, the event sensor 136 can include one or more glass break sensors that cause the automatic call system 112 to receive a corresponding signal when a window is broken. The event sensor 136 can also include a fault sensor that causes the automatic call system 112 to receive an event signal when a fault occurs in the vehicle 102 (e.g., an engine fault).

[0027] During operation of the vehicle 102, in response to a predetermined event such as an accident, the automatic call system 112 can receive a signal indicating the event from the event sensor 136. In response, the automatic call system 112 can cause the embedded modem 116 to transmit multiple communications (such as voice communications via a wireless voice service and data communications via a wireless data service) outside the vehicle 102 to the remote monitoring server 110. Each of the remote monitoring servers 110 can be operated by a different remote monitoring service that charges for serving different geographical regions, and the communications transmitted outside the vehicle 102 can be delivered to the remote monitoring service covering the current location of the vehicle 102 through the remote monitoring server 110 of the remote monitoring service. In response to receiving one of the communications, the remote monitoring service can provide assistance accordingly.

[0028] By sending multiple communications, the likelihood that the remote monitoring server 110 receives notification of an event of the vehicle 102 is increased relative to transmitting a single communication outside the vehicle 102. In addition, when the embedded modem 116 is configured to communicate through different cellular network providers and / or different communication services (e.g., voice service and data service), the likelihood that the remote monitoring server 110 receives notification of an event of the vehicle 102 is further increased.

[0029] AlthoughFigure 1 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100, but the examples are not intended to be limiting. In fact, system 100 may have more or fewer components and may use alternative components and / or implementations. For example, one or more of the components of vehicle 102 may be combined into a single component of vehicle 102 that is connected to in-vehicle network 128. As another example, instead of communicating through in-vehicle network 128 or in addition to communicating through in-vehicle network 128, one or more of the components of vehicle 102 may be directly connected. For example, one or more of the components of vehicle 102 may be directly connected to HMI 120 to allow a user to interact with it.

[0030] Reference Figure 3 Vehicle 102 may include one or more computing platforms (such as computing platform 152) for implementing the components of vehicle 102. For example, each component of vehicle 102 may be implemented by a different computing platform 152 connected to in-vehicle network 128. Alternatively, multiple components of vehicle 102 may be implemented by the same computing platform 152 connected to in-vehicle network 128. Each of user device 104, vehicle data server 106, and remote monitoring server 110 may similarly include one or more computing platforms (such as computing platform 152) for implementing its functions.

[0031] A given computing platform 152 in system 100 may include a processor 154, a memory 156, a non-volatile storage device 158, an input / output ("I / O") interface 160, and / or an HMI 162 that communicate via one or more computer buses 163. Processor 154 may include one or more devices selected from a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device, a state machine, a logic circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, or any other device that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on computer-executable instructions residing in memory 156. Memory 156 may include a single memory device or multiple memory devices, including but not limited to random access memory ("RAM"), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory ("SRAM"), dynamic random access memory ("DRAM"), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing information. Non-volatile storage device 158 may include a persistent data storage device, such as a hard disk drive, an optical drive, a tape drive, a non-volatile solid state device, or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0032] The processor 154 may operate under the control of computer-executable instructions embodied as an operating system 164 residing in the non-volatile storage device 158 and read into the memory 156. The operating system 164 may manage computer resources such that computer-executable instructions embodied as one or more software applications 166 residing in the non-volatile storage device 158 may be read into the memory 156 and executed by the processor 154. Alternatively, the processor 154 may directly execute the application 166, in which case the O / S 164 may be omitted. The computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of programming languages and / or technologies, including but not limited to and individually or in combination Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, Java Script, Python, Perl, and PL / SQL.

[0033] The HMI 162 may be operatively coupled to the processor 154 of the computing platform 152 in a known manner to allow a user to directly interact with the computing platform 152. The HMI 162 may include any one or more of the components of the HMI 120( Figure 1 )). For example, the HMI 162 may include a video or alphanumeric display, a touch screen, speakers, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing data to the user. The HMI 162 may also include input devices and controls capable of receiving commands or input from the user and transmitting the inputted input to the processor 154, such as an alphanumeric keypad, a pointing device, a keypad, buttons, control knobs, a microphone, etc.

[0034] One or more databases 168 may reside on the non-volatile storage device 158 and may be used to collect and organize data used by the various systems and modules described herein. The database 168 may include data and supporting data structures for storing and organizing the data. The database 168 may be arranged in any database organization or structure, including but not limited to a relational database, a hierarchical database, a network database, or a combination thereof. A database management system in the form of a computer software application executed on the processor 154 may be used to access information or data stored in the records of the database 168 in response to a query, where the query may be dynamically determined and executed by the operating system 164, the application 166, or one or more modules.

[0035] Like the I / O interface 130( Figure 1 ), the I / O interface 160 may provide one or more machine interfaces that operatively couple the processor 154 to other devices and systems, such as the network 178 or one or more external resources 170. The network 178 may include an in-vehicle network 128 and / or the network 150(Figure 1 )。The external resource 170 may include, but is not limited to, a server, a database, a mass storage device, a peripheral device, a cloud-based network service, or any other suitable computer resource that can be used by the computing platform 152. For example, the external resource 170 may include vehicle 102 components implemented by different computing platforms 152 or another system 100 component. Thus, the application 166 may work in cooperation with the network 178 or the external resource 170 by communicating via the I / O interface 160 to provide various components, features, functions, applications, processes, or modules including embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] The I / O interface 160 may include one or more embedded modems 172 (e.g., the embedded modem 116) that facilitate communication with other devices and systems via a cellular network; one or more wireless transceivers 174 (e.g., the wireless transceiver 132) for connecting and communicating with a wireless transceiver of other devices and systems; and one or more wired interfaces 176 (e.g., the wired interface 134, the CAN interface) for connecting and communicating with a wired interface of other devices and systems.

[0037] Figure 4 Shows a process 400 that can be executed by Figure 1 the system 100. In block 402, the occurrence of a predetermined event may be identified, such as by the automatic call system 112. For example, the automatic call system 112 may receive a signal indicating the event from the event sensor 136. In response to receiving the indication signal, the automatic call system 112 may be configured to determine that the event has occurred (the "yes" branch of block 402).

[0038] In block 404, in response to determining the occurrence of a predetermined event, vehicle 102 data may be collected, such as by the automatic call system 112. The collected data may include the current vehicle 102 location. For example, the automatic call system 112 may determine the location of the vehicle 102 by querying the GPS module 118.

[0039] The collected vehicle 102 data may also include an identifier of a predefined event type. The automatic call system 112 may identify a predefined event type (such as an accident, a vehicle 102 malfunction, a security breach, or a user-initiated emergency) based on signals received from the event sensors 136. For example, the signal indicating an event may include an identification of the event. Alternatively, the automatic call system 112 may identify the event based on the event sensor 136 from which it receives a signal indicating the event. For example, if the signal is received from an impact sensor, the automatic call system 112 may identify the event as an accident. If the signal is received from an impact sensor located at the front of the vehicle, the automatic call system 112 may identify the event as a front-end collision. If the signal is received from an impact sensor located on top of the vehicle 102, the automatic call system 112 may identify the event as a rollover accident. If the signal is received from an impact sensor located at the rear of the vehicle 102, the automatic call system 112 may identify the event as a rear-end collision. If the signal is from an event sensor 136 associated with a component of the vehicle 102 (such as an engine, the vehicle ECU 122), the automatic call system 112 may identify the event as a component failure.

[0040] The collected vehicle 102 data may also include an identifier of the vehicle 102. The automatic call system 112 may be configured to retrieve an identifier of the vehicle 102 (such as the vehicle 102 VIN) from the non-volatile storage device 158 for the automatic call system 112.

[0041] In block 406, the collected vehicle 102 data may be transmitted outside the vehicle 102 to the remote monitoring server 110. The automatic call system 112 may cause the embedded modem 116 to transmit the collected vehicle 102 data outside the vehicle 102 via multiple communications from the embedded modem 116. For example, the automatic call system 112 may cause the embedded modem 116 to establish one or more voice calls and one or more data calls for transmitting the vehicle 102 data, and may cause the embedded modem 116 to transmit one or more text messages including the vehicle 102 data. In this way, the opportunity for the remote monitoring server 110 to receive data is improved relative to a single communication.

[0042] One or more of the communications may be in the form of a voice call. In particular, the automatic call system 112 may cause one or more of the embedded modems 116 (such as the TCU modem 124) to establish a voice call, in which the collected vehicle 102 data is transmitted outside the vehicle 102. The voice call may be established via a wireless voice service or alternatively via a wireless data service by means of a voice data protocol (e.g., Internet Protocol Voice, Voice over LTE). Each voice call may be made between one of the embedded modems 116 and the remote monitoring server 110. For example, the automatic call system 112 may cause one of the embedded modems 116 to establish a voice call by causing the embedded modem 116 to dial a predetermined number (such as "911"). Then, the cellular network provider for the embedded modem 116 and / or the network 150 may automatically route the voice call to the remote monitoring server 110 of the remote monitoring service that covers the location of the vehicle 102. Then, the automatic call system 112 may cause the embedded modem 116 to transmit the collected vehicle 102 data as a series of tones (such as dual-tone multi-frequency ("DTMF") tones) via the voice call. Then, the remote monitoring server 110 may decode the tones into the collected vehicle 102 data so that the remote monitoring service can issue assistance accordingly.

[0043] In addition or alternatively, one or more of the communications may be in the form of a data call. In particular, the automatic call system 112 may cause one or more of the embedded modems 116 (such as the AV modem 126) to establish a data call, in which the collected vehicle 102 data is transmitted outside the vehicle 102. The embedded modem 116 may establish the data call via a wireless data service subscribed to by the embedded modem 116. Each data call may be made between one of the embedded modems 116 and the remote monitoring server 110, or alternatively, between one of the embedded modems 116 and the vehicle data server 106. The automatic call system 112 may cause the embedded modem 116 to establish a data call by causing the embedded modem 116 to open a connection to its wireless data service, establish a TCP / IP session, and transmit a packet including the collected vehicle 102 data via the wireless data service. The packet may be addressed to the remote monitoring server 110, or alternatively, to the vehicle data server 106. In the latter case, the vehicle data server 106 may be configured to, in response to receiving the packet, identify the collected vehicle 102 data and transmit the collected vehicle 102 data to the remote monitoring server 110 of the remote monitoring service that covers the location of the vehicle 102 included in the data. Then, the remote monitoring service may issue assistance accordingly.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the communications may be in the form of a text message. In particular, the automated calling system 112 may cause one or more of the embedded modems 116 (such as the TCU modem 124) to transmit a text message including the collected vehicle 102 data. Since less signal strength is required to send a text message as compared to establishing a voice call and a data call, sending a text message as well as at least one of a voice call or a data call may further increase the likelihood that the collected vehicle 102 will be received by the remote monitoring server 110.

[0045] In some embodiments, the automated calling system 112 may cause one or more of the embedded modems 116 to send a text message to an emergency number (such as "911"), in which case the cellular network provider for the embedded modem 116 and / or the network 150 may automatically route the voice call to the remote monitoring server 110 of the remote monitoring service that covers the location of the vehicle 102. Additionally or alternatively, the automated calling system 112 may cause one or more of the embedded modems 116 to transmit a text message to the vehicle data server 106 via the network 150, which may be configured to, in response to receiving the text message, identify the collected vehicle 102 data and transmit the collected vehicle 102 data to the remote monitoring server 110 of the remote monitoring service that covers the location of the vehicle 102 included in the data.

[0046] In some embodiments, the automated calling system 112 may be configured to cause one embedded modem 116 to send out two or more communications. For example, one of the embedded modems 116 (such as the TCU modem 124) may be configured for both wireless voice service and wireless data service, and the automated calling system 112 may be configured to cause this embedded modem 116 to establish two voice calls (e.g., one via the wireless voice service and one via the wireless data service) or a data call and a voice call in response to a predetermined event. As another example, one of the embedded modems 116 (such as the TCU modem 124) may be configured to transmit multiple text messages including the collected vehicle 102 data, transmitting one text to the remote monitoring server 110 and another text to the vehicle data server 106. This action may be supplementary to causing other embedded modems 116 to establish data calls and / or voice calls and / or send text messages in response to an event. The automated calling system 112 may also be configured to cause the embedded modems 116 to transmit the collected vehicle 102 data via the same type of communication (e.g., voice call, data call, text message) such as when two of the embedded modems 116 subscribe to different cellular networks.

[0047] Utilizing different communication types and / or each embedded modem 116 being configured with a different network provider increases the chance that data will be successfully communicated from the vehicle 102 to the remote monitoring server 110.

[0048] While the foregoing describes exemplary embodiments, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in this specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is to be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of the various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

[0049] According to the present invention, there is provided a system having: a vehicle including an embedded first modem and a second modem; and a processor configured to wirelessly transmit vehicle location outside the vehicle for remote monitoring services via a voice call established by the first modem and a data call established by the second modem in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured for a first cellular network and the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the predetermined event is airbag deployment.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the voice call is between the vehicle and the remote monitoring service.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the data call is between the vehicle and a server geographically remote from the remote monitoring service, and the server is configured to transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service in response to receiving the vehicle location.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to transmit a vehicle identifier and an event identifier via the voice call and the data call in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured to wirelessly receive and process remote control commands for the vehicle, and the second modem is configured to wirelessly receive and process software updates for the vehicle.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured for wireless voice service and the second modem is configured for wireless data service rather than wireless voice service.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured for wireless data services.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location over the voice call by wirelessly transmitting a plurality of dual-tone multi-frequency tones by means of the voice call.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for the remote monitoring service via a text message sent by the first modem in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0060] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having: a first embedded modem configured to receive remote control commands for the vehicle; a second embedded modem configured to receive software updates for the vehicle; and a processor configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for remote monitoring services via the first modem and via the second modem in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured for a first cellular network, and the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to cause the first embedded modem to establish a voice call with the remote monitoring service for transmitting the vehicle location in response to a predetermined event.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to cause the second embedded modem to establish a data call with a server geographically remote from the remote monitoring service for transmitting the vehicle location in response to the predetermined event, and the server is configured to identify the remote monitoring service from a plurality of remote monitoring services based on the vehicle location in response to receiving the vehicle location, and transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the processor is further configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location outside the vehicle for the remote monitoring service via a text message sent by the first modem in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0065] According to the present invention, a method includes: in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, wirelessly transmitting, by a vehicle, the vehicle location outside the vehicle to a remote monitoring service via a first text message, and wirelessly transmitting the vehicle location outside the vehicle to a server geographically remote from the remote monitoring service via a second text message, wherein in response to receiving the vehicle location, the server is configured to transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the first text message and the second text message are sent by a first embedded modem of the vehicle and further include wirelessly transmitting the vehicle location outside the vehicle via a voice call established by the first modem in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

[0067] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is that in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, the vehicle location is wirelessly transmitted outside the vehicle via a data call established by a second modem of the vehicle.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the first modem is configured for a first cellular network, and the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network.

Claims

1. A system for event-based vehicle communication, comprising: A vehicle, including an embedded first modem and an embedded second modem, and A processor configured to wirelessly transmit a vehicle location to a remote monitoring service outside the vehicle via a voice call established by the first modem and to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to a server outside the vehicle that is geographically remote from the remote monitoring service via a data call established by the second modem in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, Wherein the first modem is configured for a first cellular network, the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network, and the establishment of the voice call and the establishment of the data call are independent of each other.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein The predetermined event is an airbag deployment.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The voice call is between the vehicle and the remote monitoring service.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The data call is between the vehicle and a server that is geographically remote from the remote monitoring service, and the server is configured to: transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service in response to receiving the vehicle location.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is further configured to: transmit a vehicle identifier and an event identifier via the voice call and the data call in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first modem is configured to wirelessly receive and process remote control commands for the vehicle, and the second modem is configured to wirelessly receive and process software updates for the vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein The first modem is configured for wireless voice service, and the second modem is configured for wireless data service rather than wireless voice service.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein The first modem is configured for wireless data service.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to: wirelessly transmit the vehicle location via the voice call by wirelessly transmitting a plurality of dual-tone multi-frequency tones via the voice call.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is further configured to: wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service via a text message sent by the first modem in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

11. A vehicle, comprising: A first embedded modem configured to receive remote control commands for the vehicle, A second embedded modem configured to receive software updates for the vehicle, and A processor configured to wirelessly transmit a vehicle location to a remote monitoring service outside the vehicle via a voice call established by the first embedded modem and to wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to a server outside the vehicle that is geographically remote from the remote monitoring service via a data call established by the second embedded modem in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, Wherein, the first modem is configured for a first cellular network, the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network, and the establishment of the voice call and the establishment of the data call are independent of each other.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein, The processor is configured to: in response to the predetermined event, cause the first embedded modem to establish a voice call with the remote monitoring service for transmitting the vehicle location, and cause the second embedded modem to establish a data call with a server geographically remote from the remote monitoring service for transmitting the vehicle location, and the server is configured to, in response to receiving the vehicle location, identify the remote monitoring service from a plurality of remote monitoring services based on the vehicle location, and transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein, The processor is further configured to: in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service via a text message sent by the first modem.

14. A method for event-based vehicle communication, comprising: in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to a remote monitoring service outside the vehicle via a first text message sent by a first modem of the vehicle, and wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to a server outside the vehicle that is geographically remote from the remote monitoring service via a second text message sent by the second modem of the vehicle, wherein, in response to receiving the vehicle location, the server is configured to transmit the vehicle location to the remote monitoring service, wherein the first modem is configured for a first cellular network, the second modem is configured for a second cellular network different from the first cellular network, and the sending of the first text message and the sending of the second text message are independent of each other.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to outside the vehicle via a voice call established by the first modem, and wirelessly transmit the vehicle location to outside the vehicle via a data call established by the second modem.

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