System and control logic for dynamic digital radio selection based on vehicle location

Abstract

Systems and control logic for dynamic digital radio selection based on vehicle location. A control system for managing analog and digital radio services in a motorized vehicle, a method of making / using such a system and a vehicle equipped with such a system are presented. A method of controlling a vehicle includes a radio tuner in the vehicle receiving a selection of a broadcast radio station of an analog signal output and / or a streaming radio station of a digital signal output. The vehicle controller retrieves a broadcast station service (BSS) map stored in a memory having service contours including available broadcast radio stations with sufficient signal strength within a designated area. A controller receives geolocation data indicative of a primary vehicle location and accesses a remote database to retrieve an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle location. The controller then determines whether the stored BSS map corresponds to the updated BSS map; if not, the radio tuner responsively displays a list of updated available stations revised to reflect available stations included in the updated BSS map.

Description

[0001] introduction Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems for mobile vehicles. More specifically, aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for arbitrating between digital radio services and analog radio services in a mobile vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Current production motor vehicles (such as modern automobiles) are equipped with a network of onboard controllers and wireless communication devices that enable various vehicle services, such as navigation assistance, cellular connectivity, and multimedia entertainment. For example, in order to provide telecommunication and information functions to occupants, many vehicle passenger compartments are now provided with a center console telematics unit that operates as both a human-machine interface (HMI) and an in-vehicle computing device for vehicle occupants. The telematics unit can be wirelessly connected to cellular networks and satellite services for purposes such as real-time navigation, customer support, vehicle diagnostics, traffic data, and digital "streaming" radio. Typically, the telematics unit is used as a two-way radio transceiver that is capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving data in the form of network data packets. The data packets can be transmitted to a cellular-enabled vehicle via a downlink (or download) transmission from a cell tower via a UHF, SHF, and / or EHF radio signal, and conversely, can be transmitted from the vehicle to the cell tower via an uplink (or upload) transmission. In addition to cellular communications, many telematics units are also capable of exchanging data via radio frequency (RF) channels that provide analog "broadcast" radio stations. Summary of the invention

[0004] Presented herein are: smart vehicle systems with control logic for arbitrating between analog radio services and digital radio services in a mobile vehicle; methods of operating and manufacturing such systems; and wireless-enabled vehicles with resident telematics units that provide dynamic digital radio selection based on vehicle location. As a non-limiting example, systems and methods are presented for dynamically updating a memory-stored list of available broadcast radio station channels based on real-time geographic location coordinates of a subject "host" vehicle and a publicly disseminated broadcast service map (e.g., an FCC AM / FM radio station contour map) consistent with those coordinates. By retrieving a broadcast service map corresponding to the host vehicle's current location, for example from a publicly accessible Internet database, the telematics unit can overwrite the map currently resident in cache memory, update the telematics unit's available broadcast radio stations, and indicate to the vehicle driver, owner, or occupant (collectively, "user") those stations that are now available at the vehicle's current location. At the same time, the telematics unit's GPS / cellular-based digital radio connection can be adapted to replicate a conventional AM / FM tuner to output broadcast radio to the user. This allows the vehicle's infotainment system to use digital radio service to supplement or replace broadcast radio service when the AM / FM radio signal is weakened or unavailable.

[0005] Analog "broadcast" radio covers traditional radio formats that use radio wave frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) to encode audio signals within a carrier wave. In contrast, digital "streaming" radio is a relatively new technology that covers the wireless format of processing, digitizing and compressing audio signals into digital signals transmitted using digital modulation schemes using digital audio coding. In general, conventional analog radios cannot transmit or receive digital signals; however, the cellular-enabled telematics unit described herein is compatible with both streaming radio and broadcast radio. In order to provide both digital radio services and analog radio services, the vehicle's Internet radio station solution can use the assigned Internet Protocol (IP) address of the telematics unit and the geographic location data carried by the vehicle's GPS to optimize accurate and timely station identification in order to improve radio services. In order to provide accurate and up-to-date station solutions for mobile vehicles, the telematics unit dynamically compares the list of available broadcast radio channels stored in the telematics with the FCC AM / FM radio station contour map; if the vehicle's geographic location coordinates are within the perimeter of the map, the station associated with the contour map can be made available to the user. When the user is driving the host vehicle, dynamic station selection can also be achieved by comparing the vehicle's current position with the corresponding segment of the contour map.

[0006] Ancillary benefits of at least some of the disclosed concepts include intelligent vehicle systems and control logic that provide controller automated coordination between digital radio services and analog radio services in a mobile vehicle. These features can eliminate the need for separate analog radio hardware and software, such as AM / FM tuners, antennas, wiring, antenna amplifiers / filters, connectors, coaxial connections, brackets, etc. Doing so provides significant per-vehicle cost savings and reduces vehicle gross vehicle weight (GVW). The dynamic digital radio selection capability can also provide a higher level of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) emissions for the vehicle by eliminating dedicated AM / FM antennas from vehicle manufacturing. In addition, if the analog radio signal is insufficient or unavailable, the disclosed systems and methods can use digital radio services to provide a backup medium for the live AM / FM radio broadcast stream.

[0007] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to vehicle control protocols, system control logic, and memory storage instructions for managing analog radio services and digital radio services in a motor vehicle. In one example, a method for controlling the operation of a host vehicle having a resident or remote memory device, a wireless-enabled radio tuner (e.g., a telematics unit with a standalone or built-in analog AM / FM receiver), and a resident or remote controller or module or controller / module network (collectively, "controller") is presented. This representative method includes, in any order and in any combination with any of the options and features disclosed above and below: receiving one or more selections of broadcast radio stations output by analog signals and / or streaming radio stations output by digital signals, for example, via a tuner dial, button panel, piggyback link, or touch screen display of the radio tuner; before or after receiving the station selection, retrieving, for example, via the controller, a stored broadcast station service (BSS) map depicting one or more service contours from a memory device, each service contour containing one or more available broadcast radio stations with sufficient signal strength within a corresponding geographic area; receiving, for example, via the vehicle controller, from a cellular or satellite network indicating the location of the host vehicle. Geolocation data; retrieving, for example, via a vehicle controller, an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle location from a remote database (e.g., an Internet website, a cloud computing service, a vehicle backend (BO) service, etc.); determining, for example, via a vehicle controller, whether a BSS map stored in a memory device of the host vehicle corresponds to an updated BSS map retrieved from the remote database (e.g., the same service contours with the same available stations); and if not, responsively transmitting, for example, via a controller, a first "update" command to a radio tuner to display an updated list of available stations, the list being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations contained in the updated BSS map (i.e., adding new available stations and removing stations that are now unavailable).

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to a computer-readable medium (CRM) that provides dynamic radio service selection based on vehicle location. In one example, a non-transitory CRM stores instructions that can be executed by a controller and / or a radio tuner of a host vehicle. When executed, these instructions cause the vehicle controller / radio tuner to perform operations including: receiving a station selection of a broadcast radio station output via an analog signal and / or a streaming radio station output via a digital signal; retrieving a stored broadcast station service map having service contours from a memory device, the service contours containing available broadcast radio stations with sufficient signal strength within a specified area; receiving geolocation data indicating the vehicle location of the host vehicle; retrieving an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle location from a remote database; determining whether the stored BSS map corresponds to an updated BSS map; and in response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, displaying an updated list of available stations via the radio tuner, the list being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations contained in the updated BSS map.

[0009] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless-enabled vehicles with dynamic radio service selection capabilities. As used herein, the terms "vehicle" and "mobile vehicle" - including their arrangements - can be used interchangeably and synonymously refer to any relevant vehicle platform, such as passenger vehicles (ICE, HEV, FEV, fuel cell, fully and partially autonomous, etc.), commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles, tracked vehicles, off-road vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, agricultural equipment, boats, aircraft, etc. In one example, the mobile vehicle includes a vehicle body with a passenger cabin, a plurality of wheels mounted to the vehicle body (e.g., via a corner module operatively coupled to an integral or separate chassis), and other standard original equipment. A vehicle powertrain having a prime mover (e.g., an internal combustion engine (ICE) and / or an electric traction motor) is attached to the vehicle body and is operable to drive one or more wheels to propel the vehicle. Located within the vehicle's passenger compartment is a wireless-enabled radio tuner operable to receive a selection of an analog-based broadcast radio station and / or a digital-based streaming radio station and, once selected, audibly output the same.

[0010] Continuing with the previous discussion, the motor vehicle is also equipped with a vehicle controller (e.g., a telematics unit control module or a vehicle master control unit) that is programmed to access a resident or remote memory device to retrieve a stored BSS map having one or more service contours, each service contour containing one or more available broadcast radio stations with sufficient signal strength within a corresponding geographic area. The controller also receives geolocation data indicating the location of the subject vehicle and accesses a remote database to retrieve an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle location. Once received, the controller determines whether the stored BSS map corresponds to the updated BSS map (e.g., is substantially similar or identical); if not, the controller responsively commands the radio tuner to display an updated list of available stations, which is revised to reflect the available stations contained in the updated BSS map.

[0011] For any of the disclosed vehicles, methods, and CRMs, the vehicle controller may respond to a stored BSS map that does not correspond to an updated BSS map by transmitting a second "overwrite" command to a memory device to replace the stored BSS map with the updated BSS map. As another option, the vehicle controller - after determining that the stored BSS map does not correspond to the updated BSS map - may receive a confirmation input from a user of the host vehicle to approve overwriting the memory stored BSS map; in this instance, the overwrite command is transmitted to the memory device in further response to receiving the user's confirmation input. As an additional option, the controller may receive a user-inputted seek request to search for or select a new broadcast radio station; in this instance, the overwrite command is transmitted to the memory device in further response to receiving the user's seek request.

[0012] For any of the disclosed vehicles, methods, and CRMs, a vehicle controller may receive new geolocation data indicating a new location of the host vehicle. In this instance, the vehicle controller may determine whether the new vehicle location is outside of a geographic area defined by an updated service contour on an updated BSS map; if so, when the host vehicle is outside of the updated service contour (e.g., with user approval), the vehicle controller may responsively transmit a third "broadcast" command to a radio tuner to continue outputting a selected broadcast radio station. For at least some applications, each BSS map includes a corresponding Federal Communications Commission (FCC) AM / FM radio station contour map; in this instance, the radio station contour map may be retrieved from a publicly accessible page on the FCC website. As an additional option, the BSS map stored in the memory may correspond to the real-time location of the host vehicle, and the updated BSS map may be an updated version of the stored BSS map. Alternatively, the BSS map stored in the memory may correspond to a previous vehicle location of the host vehicle, and the updated BSS map may correspond to the real-time location of the host vehicle.

[0013] For any of the disclosed vehicles, methods, and CRMs, a wireless-enabled radio tuner includes two distinct hardware components: a telematics unit and an AM / FM receiver unit, both of which are mounted within the vehicle passenger compartment. In this example, the telematics unit receives digital signals for streaming radio, and the AM / FM receiver unit receives analog signals for broadcast radio. A vehicle controller can determine whether the AM / FM receiver unit is available, e.g., present in the vehicle, functioning properly, and / or currently powered on. If the AM / FM receiver is not available, the vehicle controller can responsively command the telematics unit to output a selected broadcast radio station using a digital channel. If the AM / FM receiver is available, the vehicle controller can responsively determine whether the analog radio signal of the selected broadcast radio station is at or above a predefined link quality threshold. If so, the vehicle controller can responsively command the AM / FM receiver to output the selected broadcast radio station.

[0014] For any of the disclosed vehicles, methods, and CRMs, the wireless-enabled radio tuner can be a single integrated device, such as a telematics unit located in the vehicle's passenger compartment, containing a vehicle controller and receiving station selections, analog signals, and digital signals. In this example, the vehicle controller can determine whether the analog radio signal of the selected station is at or above a predefined link quality threshold. If not, the telematics unit can responsively receive digital signal data of the broadcast radio station and output the selected broadcast radio station using the received digital signal. As another option, the vehicle controller can receive one or more user input selections of one or more broadcast radio stations; before, simultaneously with, or in response to receiving the user input selection of the broadcast radio station, the vehicle controller can establish a cellular or satellite connection for the host vehicle.

[0015] The present invention also includes the following scheme:

[0016] Solution 1. A method of controlling operation of a host vehicle having a vehicle controller, a memory device, and a wireless-enabled radio tuner, the method comprising:

[0017] receiving, via the radio tuner, a station selection of a broadcast radio station output via an analog radio signal and / or a streaming radio station output via a digital radio signal;

[0018] retrieving, via the vehicle controller, from the memory device a stored broadcast station service (BSS) map having service contours containing available broadcast radio stations having sufficient signal strength within a specified area;

[0019] receiving, via the vehicle controller, geo-positioning data indicative of a vehicle position of the host vehicle;

[0020] retrieving, via the vehicle controller, from a remote database an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle's location;

[0021] determining, via the vehicle controller, whether a BSS map stored in a memory device of the host vehicle corresponds to an updated BSS map retrieved from the remote database; and

[0022] In response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, an update command is transmitted via the vehicle controller to the radio tuner to display an available station list, the available station list being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations included in the updated BSS map.

[0023] Option 2. The method according to Option 1 further includes transmitting an overwrite command to the memory device via the vehicle controller to replace the stored BSS map with the updated BSS map in response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map.

[0024] Option 3. The method according to Option 2 also includes receiving a confirmation input from a user of the main vehicle via the vehicle controller after determining that the stored BSS map does not correspond to an updated BSS map, so as to overwrite the stored BSS map in a memory device of the main vehicle, wherein transmitting the overwrite command to the memory device is also in response to receiving a confirmation input from the user of the main vehicle.

[0025] Option 4. The method according to Option 2 also includes receiving a user-input search request from a user of the main vehicle to search for and / or select a new radio station, wherein transmitting the overwrite command to the memory device is also in response to receiving the search request from the user.

[0026] Scheme 5. The method according to Scheme 1 further comprises:

[0027] receiving, via the vehicle controller, new geo-positioning data indicative of a new vehicle position of the host vehicle;

[0028] determining, via the vehicle controller, whether the new vehicle position is outside of a geographic area defined by updated service contours of an updated BSS map; and

[0029] In response to the new vehicle position being outside of the geographic area, a broadcast command is transmitted via the vehicle controller to the radio tuner to continue outputting the broadcast radio station while the host vehicle is outside of the updated service contour.

[0030] Option 6. A method according to Option 1, wherein the stored BSS map and the updated BSS map each include a corresponding Federal Communications Commission (FCC) AM / FM radio station contour map, and wherein the remote database is in an FCC website.

[0031] Option 7. A method according to Option 1, wherein the vehicle position is a real-time vehicle position, and the stored BSS map either: (1) corresponds to the real-time vehicle position, and the updated BSS map is an updated version of the stored BSS map; or (2) corresponds to a previous vehicle position of the main vehicle, and the updated BSS map corresponds to the real-time vehicle position.

[0032] Option 8. A method according to Option 1, wherein the station selection received via the radio tuner includes a user input selection of a broadcast radio station, and the method further includes establishing a cellular or satellite connection for the host vehicle in response to receiving the user input selection of a broadcast radio station.

[0033] Option 9. A method according to Option 1, wherein the wireless-enabled radio tuner includes a telematics unit and an AM / FM receiver unit, both of which are mounted in the passenger compartment of the main vehicle, wherein the telematics unit is operable to receive digital radio signals, and wherein the AM / FM receiver unit is operable to receive analog radio signals.

[0034] Solution 10. The method according to Solution 9 further comprises:

[0035] determining, via the vehicle controller, whether the AM / FM receiver unit is available, the AM / FM receiver unit being available if present, operational, and / or powered; and

[0036] In response to the AM / FM receiver being unavailable, a first broadcast command is transmitted to the telematics unit via the vehicle controller to output the broadcast radio station.

[0037] Solution 11. The method according to Solution 10 further comprises:

[0038] responsive to the AM / FM receiver being available, determining, via the vehicle controller, whether the analog radio signal is at or above a predefined link quality threshold; and

[0039] In response to the analog radio signal being at or above a predefined link quality threshold, a second broadcast command is transmitted via the vehicle controller to the AM / FM receiver to output the broadcast radio station.

[0040] Option 12. A method according to Option 1, wherein the wireless-enabled radio tuner includes a telematics unit mounted in a passenger compartment of the host vehicle, containing the vehicle controller, and operable to receive station selections, analog radio signals, and digital radio signals.

[0041] Solution 13. The method according to solution 12 further comprises:

[0042] determining, via the vehicle controller, whether a simulated radio signal is at or above a predefined link quality threshold;

[0043] receiving, via the telematics unit, a digital signal from the broadcast radio station in response to the analog radio signal not being at or above a predefined link quality threshold; and

[0044] A broadcast radio station is output via the telematics unit using the received digital signal.

[0045] Embodiment 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a vehicle controller and / or a wireless-enabled radio tuner of a host vehicle, the instructions, when executed, causing the vehicle controller and / or the radio tuner to perform operations comprising:

[0046] receiving a station selection of a broadcast radio station via an analog signal output and / or a streaming radio station via a digital signal output;

[0047] retrieving a stored broadcast station service (BSS) map from a memory device, the broadcast station service (BSS) map having service contours containing available broadcast radio stations having sufficient signal strength within a specified area;

[0048] receiving geo-positioning data indicating a vehicle position of the host vehicle;

[0049] retrieving an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle's location from a remote database;

[0050] determining whether the stored BSS map corresponds to the updated BSS map; and

[0051] In response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, an updated list of available stations is displayed via the radio tuner, the updated list of available stations being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations contained in the updated BSS map.

[0052] Solution 15. A motor vehicle, comprising:

[0053] Vehicle body;

[0054] a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the vehicle body;

[0055] a prime mover attached to the vehicle body and operable to drive one or more wheels to propel the motor vehicle;

[0056] a wireless-enabled radio tuner attached to the vehicle body and operable to receive station selections of broadcast radio stations output via analog radio signals and / or streaming radio stations output via digital radio signals; and

[0057] A vehicle controller programmed to:

[0058] retrieving from a memory device a stored broadcast station service (BSS) map having service contours containing available broadcast radio stations having sufficient signal strength within a specified area,

[0059] receiving geolocation data indicative of a vehicle position of the motor vehicle,

[0060] retrieving an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle location from a remote database, determining whether the stored BSS map corresponds to the updated BSS map, and

[0061] In response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, the radio tuner is commanded to display an updated list of available stations, the updated list of available stations being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations contained in the updated BSS map.

[0062] Embodiment 16. The motor vehicle of Embodiment 15, wherein the vehicle controller is further programmed to, in response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, transmit an overwrite command to the memory device to replace the stored BSS map with the updated BSS map.

[0063] Embodiment 17. The motor vehicle of embodiment 15, wherein the vehicle controller is further programmed to:

[0064] receiving new geo-positioning data indicating a new vehicle position of the motor vehicle;

[0065] determining whether the new vehicle position is outside of a geographic area defined by updated service contours of an updated BSS map; and

[0066] In response to the new vehicle position being outside of the geographic area, a broadcast command is transmitted to the radio tuner to continue outputting the broadcast radio station while the motor vehicle is outside of the updated service contour.

[0067] Option 18. A motor vehicle according to Option 15, wherein the station selection received via the radio tuner includes a user input selection of a broadcast radio station, and the vehicle controller is also programmed to establish a cellular or satellite connection for the main vehicle in response to receiving the user input selection of a broadcast radio station.

[0068] Embodiment 19. A motor vehicle as described in Embodiment 15, wherein the wireless-enabled radio tuner includes a telematics unit, the telematics unit containing the vehicle controller and operable to receive station selections, analog radio signals, and digital radio signals.

[0069] Embodiment 20. The motor vehicle of embodiment 19, wherein the vehicle controller is further programmed to:

[0070] determining whether the simulated radio signal is at or above a predefined link quality threshold;

[0071] In response to the analog radio signal not being at or above the predefined link quality threshold, receiving a digital signal from the broadcast radio station; and

[0072] The telematics unit is commanded to output a broadcast radio station using the received digital signal.

[0073] The above summary of the invention does not represent every embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the above summary of the invention only provides an overview of some novel concepts and features set forth herein. When understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present disclosure and other features and attendant advantages will be readily apparent from the following specific embodiments of the illustrated examples and representative modes for practicing the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure expressly includes any and all combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Figure 1 is a partially schematic side view illustration of a representative motor vehicle having a network of in-vehicle controllers, sensing devices, and communication devices connected to a vehicle control system for arbitrating between digital-based and analog-based radio services in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A flowchart illustrating a representative vehicle control method for location-based dynamic radio service selection for a host vehicle is presented, which may correspond to instructions stored in a memory that may be executed by a resident or remote controller, control logic circuit, programmable control unit, or other integrated circuit (IC) device or device network in accordance with various aspects of the disclosed concepts.

[0076] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a diagram of an example of a radio service contour map based on a simulated radio station, which shows that the host vehicle leaves a first service contour corresponding to a first geographic area ( Figure 3A ) and enters a second service contour corresponding to a second geographic area ( Figure 3B ).

[0077] The present disclosure is applicable to various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings by way of example and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the novel aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific forms illustrated in the drawings listed above. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, combinations, arrangements, groupings and alternatives that fall within the scope of the present disclosure, such as those covered by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] The present disclosure allows for embodiments in many different forms. Representative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein with the following understanding: These embodiments are provided as illustrations of the disclosed principles, rather than limitations on the broad aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, elements and limitations that are described, for example, in the abstract, introduction, summary of the invention, illustrations, and detailed description of the embodiments, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims individually or collectively by implication, inference, or otherwise. In addition, the references to "first", "second", "third", etc. in the specification or claims are not used to establish serial or numerical limitations; unless otherwise specifically stated, these names may be used to facilitate reference to similar features in the specification and drawings, and to distinguish between similar elements in the claims.

[0079] For purposes of this Detailed Description, unless otherwise specifically stated: the singular includes the plural, and vice versa; the words "and" and "or" shall be both conjunctions and disjunctions; the words "any" and "all" shall both mean "any and all"; and the words "including," "containing," "comprising," "having," and the like shall each mean "including but not limited to." In addition, approximate words such as "approximately," "almost," "substantially," "generally," "approximately," and the like may each be used herein to indicate, for example, "at, approximately, or nearly at," or "within 0-5% of," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof. Finally, directional adjectives and adverbs such as head, tail, inboard, outboard, starboard, port, vertical, horizontal, up, down, front, rear, left, right, and the like may be relative to the motor vehicle, such as the forward driving direction of the motor vehicle when the vehicle is operatively oriented on a level driving surface.

[0080] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views, Figure 1Shown in the drawings is a representative motor vehicle, generally indicated at 10, and for purposes of discussion, depicted herein as a sedan-style electrically-driven motor vehicle. The illustrated motor vehicle 10 - also referred to herein simply as a "motor vehicle" or "vehicle" - is merely an exemplary application in which various aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced. Similarly, incorporating the present concepts into the illustrated wireless communication network for providing broadcast and streaming radio services to connected vehicles should also be understood as a non-limiting implementation of the disclosed features. As such, it will be understood that various aspects and features of the present disclosure may be applied to other wireless network architectures, implemented for various multimedia applications, and incorporated into any logically related type of vehicle. In addition, only selected components of the motor vehicle and vehicle control system are shown and described herein in additional detail. However, the vehicles and systems discussed below may include many additional and alternative features, as well as other available peripheral components, for implementing the various methods and functions of the present disclosure.

[0081] Figure 1 The representative vehicle 10 is initially equipped with a vehicle telecommunications and information ("telematics") unit 14, which communicates with a remotely located back office (BO), cloud computing hosting service 24 (e.g., or ) wireless communications. As a non-limiting example, Figure 1 Some of the other in-vehicle hardware components 16 generally shown in the figure include an electronic video display device 18, a microphone 28, an audio speaker 30, and various user input controls 32 (e.g., buttons, knobs, switches, touch pads, joysticks, touch screens, etc.). These hardware components 16 serve in part as a human-machine interface (HMI) that enables a user to communicate with the telematics unit 14 and other components resident in or remote from the vehicle 10. For example, the microphone 28 provides a means for the occupant to input verbal or other auditory commands; the vehicle 10 employs an embedded voice processing unit that converts the input into signals using audio filtering, editing, and analysis modules. In contrast, the speaker 30 provides auditory output to the vehicle occupant and can be a separate speaker dedicated for use with the telematics unit 14, or can be part of the audio system 22. The audio system 22 is operatively connected to the network connection interface 34 and the audio bus 20 to receive digital and / or analog information and present it as sound via one or more speaker components.

[0082] Communicably coupled to the telematics unit 14 is a network connection interface 34, suitable examples of which include twisted pair / fiber optic Ethernet switches, parallel / serial communication buses, local area network (LAN) interfaces, controller area network (CAN) interfaces, and the like. The network connection interface 34 enables the vehicle hardware 16 to send and receive signals with each other and with various systems both onboard and offboard of the vehicle body 12. This allows the vehicle 10 to automate various vehicle functions, such as modulating powertrain output, activating friction or regenerative braking, controlling vehicle steering, managing the operation of the traction battery pack, controlling vehicle windows, doors and locks, and other automated functions. For example, the telematics unit 14 can exchange signals with a powertrain control module (PCM) 52, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) module 54, an electronic battery control module (EBCM) 56, a steering control module (SCM) 58, a brake system control module (BSCM) 60, and various other vehicle ECUs (such as a transmission control module (TCM), an engine control module (ECM), a sensor system interface module (SSIM), etc.

[0083] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the telematics unit 14 is an onboard computing device that provides hybrid services both individually and through its communication with other networked devices. According to the example shown, the telematics unit 14 is generally composed of one or more processors 40, each of which may be embodied as a discrete microprocessor, a multi-core processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a dedicated control module, or other suitable IC device or device network. The vehicle 10 may provide centralized vehicle control via a central processing unit (CPU) 36, which may have the nature of a control module of an integrated telematics unit (as shown) or a discrete vehicle master control unit (MCU). The CPU 36 may be operatively coupled to a real-time clock (RTC) 42 and one or more electronic memory devices 38, each of which may take the form of a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, an IC memory device, a solid-state drive (SSD) memory, a hard disk drive (HDD) memory, flash memory, semiconductor memory (e.g., various types of RAM or ROM), etc.

[0084] The communication may be performed via a cellular chipset, a UHF radio transceiver, a satellite communication (SATCOM) component (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) transceiver), and / or a wireless modem (all of which are available in Figure 1 One or more or all of the above (collectively represented at 44 in the figure) provide long range communication (LRC) capability with remotely located off-board equipment. The short range communication (SRC) capability can be provided via a short range communication device 46 (e.g., The vehicle 10 may be provided with a UWB or LPWAN communication (comm) device, a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) component 48, and / or dual antennas 50. The above communication devices may provide data exchange as part of periodic broadcasts in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication network or a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication network (e.g., vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-device (V2D), etc.). It is contemplated that the vehicle 10 may be implemented without one or more of the components listed above, or alternatively, may include additional components and functionality as desired for a particular end use.

[0085] CPU 36 receives sensor data from one or more sensing devices using, for example, image detection, radar, laser, ultrasonic, optical, infrared, or other suitable technology (including short-range communication technology (e.g., DSRC, ad-hoc mesh LAN, or ) or ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology), for example, to perform automated vehicle operations or vehicle navigation services. According to the illustrated example, the motor vehicle 10 can be equipped with one or more digital cameras 62, one or more distance sensors 64, one or more vehicle speed sensors 66, one or more vehicle dynamic sensors 68, and any necessary filtering, classification, fusion and analysis hardware and software for processing the raw sensor data. The type, placement, number and interoperability of the distributed array of sensors within the vehicle can be adapted individually or collectively to a given vehicle platform to achieve the desired level of automation and accompanying autonomous vehicle operations.

[0086] To propel the motor vehicle 10, the electrified powertrain is operable to generate tractive torque and deliver it to one or more of the vehicle's drive wheels 26. Figure 1, generally represented by an electric traction motor 78, which is operatively connected to a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), which can be in the nature of a traction battery pack 70 mounted on the chassis. The traction battery pack 70 can generally be composed of one or more battery modules 72, each of which contains a group of electrochemical battery cells 74, such as lithium-ion, lithium polymer, or nickel metal hydride battery cells. The traction motor / generator (M) unit 78 draws electrical energy from the battery pack 70 and optionally delivers electrical energy to the battery pack 70. The power inverter module (PIM) 80 electrically connects the battery pack 70 to the (one or more) motor / generator units 78 and modulates the current transfer between them. The battery pack 70 can be configured so that module management, battery cell sensing, and module-to-module or module-to-host communication functions are directly integrated into each module 72 and performed wirelessly via a wireless-enabled battery cell monitoring unit (CMU) 76.

[0087] Figure 1 Also shown is a mobile vehicle communication (MVC) system 82 that enables wireless communication between a remotely located computing node and one or more motor vehicles 10. The MVC system 82 is represented herein by a constellation of GPS satellites 84, wireless service satellites 86, uplink transmitters 88, cellular (cell) transceiver towers 90, and a mobile switching center (MSC) 92. The host vehicle's GPS transceiver 44 can exchange radio signals with the GPS satellites 84 to derive real-time or near real-time geolocation and time data for the vehicle 10, which can be used to provide navigation and other related services to the vehicle occupants. The wireless service satellites 86, through cooperative operation with the uplink transmitters 88, provide one-way and two-way communications with the vehicle 10, such as streaming radio and Internet services (e.g., music, news, video, etc.) and satellite phone services (e.g., to contact a remote vehicle BO service provider). Although a single vehicle 10 is shown communicating with multiple GPS satellites 84, a single wireless service satellite 86, a single uplink radio 88, a single cell tower 90, and a single MSC 92, the MVC system 82 may incorporate any number and combination of the foregoing elements as well as other available and later developed communications hardware.

[0088] The MVC system 82 may operate within a cellular communication system 96 that is configured to communicate with one another in a manner similar to that described in the accompanying drawings. Figure 196, and any other networking components required to link the cellular communication system 96 with various types of terminal nodes (e.g., the BO host service 24). Each cell tower 90 can be equipped with a corresponding set of transmitting and receiving antennas for exchanging radio signals with the vehicle 10. The base stations of different cell towers can be connected to the MSC 92 directly or via intermediate equipment (such as a base station controller (not shown)). The cellular communication system 96 can implement any suitable communication technology, including early cellular protocols, such as Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) 2G technology, or contemporary cellular protocols, such as 4G-LTE of 5G Advanced technology. The vehicle telematics unit 14 can be used as a cellular-enabled mobile component that registers with a cellular operator to transmit network data packets to and from the cellular communication system 96. It should be appreciated that the system 96 may employ numerous tower / station / MSC arrangements, including co-location of base stations and cell towers at the same location, base stations and cell towers located remotely from each other, a single base station serving a single cell tower, a single cell serving multiple cell towers, and coupling multiple base stations to a single MSC, to name just a few possible arrangements.

[0089] In the main "main" vehicle (such as Figure 1During operation of a motor vehicle 10 in a vehicle, a vehicle driver, owner, or occupant (collectively, a "user") may wish to listen to: an analog-based "broadcast" radio station that may be broadcast from a privately owned radio pole; or a digital-based "streaming" radio station that may be broadcast from the Internet via a cellular or satellite connection. Before, while, or after the user selects a radio station, the vehicle controller may check whether the host vehicle has an existing cellular or WiFi connection; if not, the vehicle may continue to attempt to ensure a connection, and if no connection is available, wait for a connection to become enabled. At the same time, the vehicle controller may access the vehicle memory to confirm that a service contour map exists in the memory. If a service contour map is not yet stored in the memory, the vehicle controller may access a publicly accessible government database (e.g., an FCC website) to download the latest service contour map relevant to the vehicle (e.g., FCC AM / FM radio station contour map for the United States, AM / FM map by region, AM / FM map by frequency, etc.). Conversely, if a service contour map does exist, the vehicle controller may compare the currently stored contour map (text file (.txt_)) with the latest available service contour map (e.g., updated daily by the FCC); if the two maps differ from each other, the vehicle may prompt the user to approve downloading the latest radio station map into the vehicle memory. Upon receiving user approval (e.g., the driver selects "Download Latest Radio Station Map"), the vehicle may copy and save the latest service contour map into the vehicle memory. If the user does not actively approve the download, the dynamic radio selection protocol may continue with the current map.

[0090] After confirming that the service contour map is saved to the vehicle memory, the host vehicle can then retrieve live geolocation coordinate data from a GPS satellite provider or similar suitable navigation service to identify the real-time or near real-time location of the host vehicle. If a GPS signal is not available, the vehicle can use cellular trilateration, V2X-grid location services, piggyback GPS / cellular connections, etc.; if no service is available, the vehicle can wait or continue searching until a GPS signal becomes available. Once retrieved, the vehicle controller can compare the current GPS signal coordinates to the broadcast service contour map stored in the memory and update the radio station channel list in the vehicle infotainment system to include available broadcast radio stations within the service contour curve corresponding to the vehicle's current location.

[0091] Utilizing the updated list of radio station channels, the vehicle can determine whether the host vehicle has an available AM / FM radio tuner accessible to the user. Upon confirming that the AM / FM radio tuner is available, the vehicle controller can evaluate the broadcast signal level of the selected broadcast radio station to determine whether the signal is above a predefined minimum link quality (e.g., at least approximately 30-40 decibel microvolts per meter (dB(μV / m)) for mono reception and at least approximately 50-60 dB(μV / m) for stereo reception). If the AM / FM radio tuner is not available or the signal strength is insufficient, the vehicle's infotainment system can automatically play the selected broadcast radio station using a digital Internet radio service. Prior to playing the broadcast radio station through the vehicle's infotainment system, the vehicle may buffer and delay the audio output of the AM / FM tuner in order to synchronize the audio stream with the Internet radio stream. Once synchronized, the center console telematics unit can use the digital Internet radio stream to play the selected live radio channel through the vehicle's infotainment system.

[0092] In addition to providing dynamic radio selection capability, the vehicle's infotainment system may enable a user to select one or more system settings that will affect the functionality of the vehicle's audio control system. As some non-limiting examples, the user may select to: (1) keep the selected radio station active regardless of signal quality and / or vehicle location; (2) update the service contour map and / or radio station channel list in response to the user pressing a station scan / select button; and (3) notify the user when the currently selected radio station is out of range and / or expected to be out of range. If the user enables the "Keep current station active" option and the host vehicle moves out of the service contour associated with the radio station, the vehicle may retain the radio station in the list of available radio station channels. If the user enables the "Update only on seek / select button" option, the list of available radio stations is updated only when the vehicle ignition is on and in response to the user pressing the seek / scan button or selecting a particular radio station. If the user has enabled the "Notify when current station is out of range" option, then when there is a contour radius of a selected station, a notification can be presented to the user to inform them that the vehicle is out of range of the selected station and that they may wish to change to a new station.

[0093] 2, according to aspects of the present disclosure, a flowchart generally depicts a process for a primary vehicle (such as Figure 1 An improved method or control strategy for providing location-based dynamic radio service selection for a motor vehicle 10) is provided. Some or all of the operations illustrated in FIG. 2 and described in further detail below may represent an algorithm corresponding to non-transitory processor-executable instructions stored, for example, in a main memory or a secondary memory or a remote memory (e.g., Figure 18 and / or a host server database 98) and by, for example, an electronic controller, a processing unit, a dedicated control module, a logic circuit, or other module or device or a network of controllers / modules / devices (e.g., Figure 1 The carrier CPU 36 and / or BO host service 24 server) is executed to perform any or all of the above and below functions associated with the disclosed concept. It should be recognized that the execution order of the illustrated operation blocks can be changed, additional operation blocks can be added, and some of the operations described herein can be modified, combined or deleted.

[0094] Method 200 begins at the "start" terminal block 201 of FIG. 2, having processor executable instructions stored in memory for a programmable controller or control module or controller / module network to call an automated control program for arbitrating between digital-based and analog-based radio services. The routine can be executed in real time, near real time, continuously, systematically, occasionally, and / or at regular intervals (e.g., every 10 milliseconds or 100 milliseconds during normal operation of the motor vehicle 10). As another option, terminal block 201 can be initialized in response to a user command prompt (e.g., via a telematics input control 32), a resident vehicle controller prompt (e.g., from a CPU 36), or a broadcast prompt signal received from a centralized backend vehicle service system (e.g., from a BO host service 24). As a non-limiting example, method 200 can be automatically initialized when the driver of the vehicle 10 powers on the in-vehicle telematics unit 14. Upon completion of some or all of the control operations presented in FIG. 2 , method 200 may proceed to “END” terminal block 245 and terminate temporarily, or alternatively, may loop back to terminal block 201 and run in a continuous loop.

[0095] From terminal block 201 proceeding to "vehicle connection" process block 203, method 200 executes instructions stored in memory to establish a wireless connection with a distributed computing network. By way of example and not limitation, CPU 36 may cooperate with LRC device(s) 44 to access digital radio services on the World Wide Web (WWW) by securing a wireless connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) via a cellular link, a satellite link, a backpack personal computing device (e.g., a smartphone hotspot) link, a home WiFi link, etc. For at least some embodiments, it may be desirable to execute process block 203 in response to a wireless-enabled radio tuner (e.g., telematics unit 14 and / or audio system 22) receiving a station selection of a broadcast radio station and / or a streaming radio station.

[0096] Before, while, or after the host vehicle establishes a wireless connection, method 200 executes a "stored map" decision block 205 to determine whether a broadcast station service (BSS) map is currently stored to the vehicle memory. Unlike conventional analog radio tuners that typically only monitor the signal strength of available radio stations, the disclosed radio tuner dynamically accesses and evaluates contour maps stored to the vehicle memory to help ensure up-to-date and uninterrupted radio service. For at least some embodiments, the FCC AM / FM radio station contour maps are stored in the vehicle's resident non-volatile memory (NVM) (such as a flash EEPROM). If the BSS map is not currently stored in the vehicle memory (block 205 = No), method 200 can ignore process blocks 207 and 209 and proceed directly to process block 211, which will be described in further detail below.

[0097] After confirming that a BSS map is currently stored in the vehicle memory (box 205 = yes), method 200 proceeds to a "Map Compare" document process box 207 to compare the BSS map file currently stored in the vehicle memory with an updated BSS map file obtained from a remote database. According to a representative example, the CPU 36 can retrieve a stored BSS map by accessing the electronic memory device 38 in response to a station selection received from one of the input controls 32 as a user input. The BSS map can have the properties of a general cartographic map on which one or more service contours have been superimposed. Each of these service contours contains one or more available broadcast radio stations that have sufficient signal strength within a specified area defined by the contour. For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3B Screen shots 300A and 300B are presented, respectively, of an in-vehicle display unit (e.g., telematics display device 18) showing an example BSS map 302—depicted as a portion of an FCC AM / FM radio station contour map—having discrete radio service contours 304A-304G having a corresponding number of simulated-based radio stations 306A-306G. Figure 3A An example host vehicle 310 is shown departing from a first service contour 304B that depicts a first geographic area and corresponds to at least a first broadcast radio station 306B. Figure 3B The host vehicle 310 is shown entering a second service contour 304D, which depicts a second geographic area and corresponds to at least a second broadcast radio station 306D.

[0098] After retrieving the BSS map stored in the memory, the document process box 307 also includes processor executable instructions for the vehicle controller to access a remote database and retrieve therefrom an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle's current location (e.g., the United States, Europe, Canada, etc.). As noted above, the updated BSS map can have the nature of an FCC radio station contour map that is updated daily on and can be retrieved from the FCC's publicly accessible Internet website. For vehicles located in the United States (USA), the contour map can be formatted as a compressed text file that contains all FCC protected contours for all broadcast radio stations in North America. For at least some embodiments, the location of the host vehicle is not required or used to retrieve an updated BSS map because it can be assumed that a vehicle manufactured for sale in a particular country will necessarily retrieve a BSS map provided by that country.

[0099] Due to file size limitations, it may be desirable for a vehicle to upload and store only relevant portions of an FCC updated radio station contour map, such as the relevant portion of the state or city in which the host vehicle is currently located. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for a vehicle to download and evaluate multiple segments of an FCC contour map, for example, as selected by a vehicle driver in anticipation of a trip across state lines (e.g., driving from Detroit to Chicago). Thus, the stored BSS map may correspond to the real-time location of the host vehicle (e.g., a May 2023 Michigan BSS map), and the updated BSS map may be an updated version of the stored BSS map (e.g., a June 2023 Michigan BSS map). Alternatively, the stored BSS map may correspond to a previous location of the host vehicle or a starting location of the host vehicle (e.g., a June 2023 Michigan BSS map), and the updated BSS map may correspond to the current or destination location of the host vehicle (e.g., a June 2023 Illinois BSS map).

[0100] After downloading the updated BSS map, method 200 proceeds to compare the two service contour maps to determine whether the BSS map stored in the vehicle memory corresponds to the updated BSS map retrieved from the remote database. If the stored BSS map and the updated BSS map are substantially the same (e.g., the same service contours and the same available stations), method 200 can ignore process blocks 209 and 211 and proceed directly to decision block 213, which will be described in further detail below. If there are significant differences between the two maps, the vehicle controller can overwrite and thereby replace the stored BSS map with the updated BSS map. For example, the vehicle controller can determine that the stored and updated BSS maps are not substantially the same if: (1) the updated BSS map includes new broadcast radio stations in the vicinity of the host vehicle; (2) the updated BSS map omits previously available radio stations that are no longer in service; or (3) the service contours of the stations change (e.g., change by at least 5%). In response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, the vehicle controller can execute a "map overwrite" storage process block 211 and automatically overwrite the currently stored BSS map with the updated BSS map, for example, in an allocated cache memory segment within the resident memory of the telematics unit.

[0101] Continuing with reference to FIG. 2 , the method 200 may optionally prompt the vehicle user to approve the file overwrite procedure prior to replacing the BSS map stored in the vehicle memory, as indicated at an “update approved” decision box 209 . As an example, upon determining that the stored BSS map does not correspond to an updated BSS map, the telematics unit display device 18 may display a notification to the user, informing them of the vehicle's intent to replace the existing BSS map, and prompting to approve or deny the procedure. Using the vehicle input controls 32 , the user may enter their approval (e.g., “overwrite approved”) to overwrite the BSS map stored in the host vehicle's memory device; the CPU 36 responsively commands the memory device(s) 38 to overwrite the BSS map. In another option, the vehicle CPU 36 may issue an overwrite command to the memory device 38 in response to receiving a seek request input by the user to search for and / or select a new broadcast radio station. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to omit decision box 209 from the method 200 . To this end, updating of the memory stored BSS map may be fully automated, thus eliminating any required input or approval from the host vehicle user.

[0102] From process block 211, proceeding to "VEHICLE POSITION" decision block 213, method 200 determines whether geolocation data indicative of the location of the primary vehicle is available for retrieval by the primary vehicle. As noted above, the primary vehicle may use GPS navigation services, tower-to-tower cellular trilateration techniques, V2X grid location services, piggyback GPS / cellular connections, etc. to ascertain the real-time or near real-time location of the vehicle. If the vehicle's geolocation data cannot be retrieved, for example due to an unavailable GPS signal (block 213 = No), method 200 may continue to loop until the vehicle's geolocation data can be retrieved. After successfully retrieving the relevant primary location data, method 200 proceeds to "BSS MAP POSITION" predefined process block 215 to compare the vehicle's current location (e.g., geolocation coordinates) with a BSS map stored in memory to locate the vehicle on the map and thereby identify which service contours (if any) coincide with the location of the primary vehicle. At the "Station Update" data storage box 217, the method 200 can concomitantly update the available station list stored in the memory to reflect the available broadcast stations contained in the updated BSS map consistent with the current location of the host vehicle. At the same time, the radio tuner can also update and display the revised station list. For example, all radio stations within the service contour of the updated (and now stored) BSS map covering the host's geolocation coordinates - if not already present - are stored and displayed to the user as stations available for selection. The user of the host vehicle can now be provided with the option of selecting a broadcast or streaming radio station.

[0103] The method 200 continues to the "Live Tuner" decision box 219 to determine whether the host vehicle has an AM / FM tuner available to the user (e.g., present in the vehicle, functioning normally, and / or currently powered). As indicated above, the host vehicle's wireless-enabled radio tuner can be a fully integrated audio component that typically consists of a telematics unit that provides both broadcast and streaming radio services. Other form factors may include a multi-component audio system that employs a telematics unit to provide streaming radio services and an AM / FM receiver unit to provide broadcast radio services. In either case, if the host vehicle's broadcast radio service is unavailable due to a faulty, power-off, or missing AM / FM tuner (box 219 = No), the method 200 can automatically execute the "Digital Radio" data output box 221 (across-page to page link (A) movement) and play the user-selected broadcast radio station on the vehicle's infotainment system using the available digital radio service. This can be achieved by connecting to a compatible Internet audio service that streams digital radio signals for the desired broadcast station.

[0104] Upon confirming that the host vehicle's broadcast radio service is available, e.g., via a properly functioning and powered AM / FM tuner (block 219=Yes), the method 200 executes memory stored instructions associated with a "Link Quality" decision block 223 to ascertain whether the analog radio signal associated with the user-selected broadcast radio station is at or above a predefined link quality threshold (e.g., 60 dBμ). If the received signal strength (RSS) of the incoming RF signal from the broadcast tower meets or exceeds the minimum threshold (block 223=Yes), the vehicle controller may responsively command the vehicle's AM / FM receiver to output the broadcast radio station using the corresponding analog signal and the available broadcast radio service, as indicated at "Broadcast Radio" process block 225. Conversely, upon determining that the RSS is below the link quality threshold (block 223=No), the method 200 of FIG. 2 may responsively execute a "Buffer and Delay" process block 227 (moving across page to page link (B)), and concomitantly buffering and delaying the audio output of the live AM / FM tuner to synchronize it with the audio stream of the infotainment system. Once substantially synchronized, method 200 may proceed to process block 221 and play the selected broadcast radio station over the vehicle's infotainment system using available digital radio services.

[0105] Before or after receiving a radio station selection, method 200 may execute a "Radio Settings" manual input box 229; this allows a user of the host vehicle to selectively calibrate one or more control settings to help manage the operation of the vehicle's audio system. As noted above, the user may be prompted to activate or deactivate the following features: (1) keep broadcasting radio stations regardless of signal quality and / or vehicle location; (2) update a stored service contour map and a list of available radio station channels when the user presses a station scan button or a station select button; and (3) notify the user when the selected station is out of range or is expected to become out of range. In accordance with option (1), method 200 may execute an "Enable Station Activity" decision box 231 to determine whether the user has enabled the current station activity setting; if not (box 231 = No), method 200 may proceed to terminal box 245 and terminate temporarily. Conversely, if the current station activity setting has been enabled (box 231 = YES), the vehicle controller will monitor the user's selected station, the service contour associated with the selected station, and the vehicle location; if vehicle tracking indicates that the host vehicle is or may leave the service contour, the host vehicle will continue to play the user's selected radio station, as indicated at the "Current Station Activity" process box 233. For example, when the host vehicle is outside of the updated service contour, the vehicle CPU 36 can respond to the detected location of the vehicle 10 being outside of the corresponding geographic area defined by the service contour by commanding the telematics unit 14 to continue outputting the broadcast radio station.

[0106] Another available example of a user-selectable audio system control setting includes an option to select whether and when the vehicle updates a stored BSS map and updates a list of available broadcast radio stations. By way of example and not limitation, method 200 may execute a "Limit Map Update" decision block 235 to determine whether the user has enabled the option to update the BSS map only when the user presses the seek / scan button; if not (block 235 = No), method 200 may proceed to terminal block 245 and temporarily terminate. On the other hand, if the user chooses to limit BSS map updates (block 235 = Yes), method 200 may default to retaining the BSS map and available channel list stored in memory unless and until the user presses the seek / scan button. When the seek / scan button is pressed, method 200 will automatically execute a "Map and Channel Update" process block 237 and overwrite the BSS map stored in memory with an updated BSS map based on the current geo-location location of the host vehicle.

[0107] The method 200 may also execute a "loss of signal notification" decision box 239 to determine whether the user has enabled the option to receive notifications when the currently selected broadcast radio station is out of range (e.g., RSS is below a link quality threshold); if not (box 239 = No), the method 200 may proceed to terminal box 245 and temporarily terminate. If the user chooses to receive notifications when the current station is out of range (box 239 = Yes), the method 200 may responsively execute a "lost signal" data output box 241 to generate and output a notification to the user (e.g., via the telematics display device 18) that the broadcast radio station now playing is outside the service contour map corresponding to the current location of the host vehicle. The notification may be accompanied by a prompt for the user to select a new radio station. At a "new station" manual input box 243, the method 200 may receive a user input selection of a new broadcast radio station; the method 200 responsively commands the in-vehicle radio tuner to output the newly selected station.

[0108] In some embodiments, various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented by a computer executable instruction program, such as a program module, generally referring to a software application or application program executed by any controller or controller variant described herein. In a non-limiting example, the software may include routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform specific tasks or implement specific data types. The software may form an interface that allows a computer to react based on an input source. The software may also collaborate with other code segments to initiate various tasks in response to data received in conjunction with a receiving data source. The software may be stored on any of a variety of storage media, such as CD-ROMs, disks, and semiconductor memories (e.g., various types of RAM or ROM).

[0109] In addition, various aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented through various computer systems and computer network configurations, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, etc. In addition, various aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a distributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by resident processing devices and remote processing devices linked by a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a computer system or other processing system in combination with various hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0110] Any method described herein may include machine-readable instructions for execution by: (a) a processor, (b) a controller, and / or (c) any other suitable processing device. Any algorithm, software, control logic, protocol, or method disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a tangible medium, such as, for example, flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) memory, hard disk drive (HDD) memory, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), or other memory device. The entire algorithm, control logic, protocol, or method, and / or part thereof may be alternatively executed by a device other than a controller and / or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware in a usable manner (e.g., implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, etc.). In addition, although a specific algorithm may be described with reference to the flowchart and / or workflow diagram depicted herein, many other methods for implementing the example machine-readable instructions may be used alternatively.

[0111] Various aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the precise configuration and composition disclosed herein; any and all modifications, changes and variations apparent from the foregoing description are within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the present concept expressly includes any and all combinations and sub-combinations of the foregoing elements and features.

Claims

1. A method of controlling operation of a host vehicle having a vehicle controller, a memory device, and a wireless-enabled radio tuner, the method comprising: receiving, via the radio tuner, a station selection of a broadcast radio station output via an analog radio signal and / or a streaming radio station output via a digital radio signal; retrieving, via the vehicle controller, from the memory device a stored broadcast station service (BSS) map having service contours containing available broadcast radio stations having sufficient signal strength within a specified area; receiving, via the vehicle controller, geo-positioning data indicative of a vehicle position of the host vehicle; retrieving, via the vehicle controller, from a remote database an updated BSS map corresponding to the vehicle's location; determining, via the vehicle controller, whether a BSS map stored in a memory device of the host vehicle corresponds to an updated BSS map retrieved from the remote database; as well as In response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, an update command is transmitted via the vehicle controller to the radio tuner to display an available station list, the available station list being revised to reflect the available broadcast stations included in the updated BSS map.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises, in response to the stored BSS map not corresponding to the updated BSS map, transmitting an overwrite command to the memory device via the vehicle controller to replace the stored BSS map with the updated BSS map.

3. The method according to claim 2 also includes receiving a confirmation input from a user of the main vehicle via the vehicle controller to overwrite the stored BSS map in a memory device of the main vehicle after determining that the stored BSS map does not correspond to an updated BSS map, wherein transmitting the overwrite command to the memory device is also in response to receiving a confirmation input from the user of the main vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprises receiving a user-inputted search request from a user of the host vehicle to search for and / or select a new radio station, wherein transmitting the overwrite command to the memory device is also in response to receiving the search request from the user.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via the vehicle controller, new geo-positioning data indicative of a new vehicle position of the host vehicle; determining, via the vehicle controller, whether the new vehicle position is outside of a geographic area defined by updated service contours of an updated BSS map; and In response to the new vehicle position being outside of the geographic area, a broadcast command is transmitted via the vehicle controller to the radio tuner to continue outputting the broadcast radio station while the host vehicle is outside of the updated service contour.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored BSS map and the updated BSS map each include a corresponding Federal Communications Commission (FCC) AM / FM radio station contour map, and wherein the remote database is in an FCC website.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle position is a real-time vehicle position, and the stored BSS map either: (1) corresponds to the real-time vehicle position, and the updated BSS map is an updated version of the stored BSS map; or (2) corresponds to a previous vehicle position of the host vehicle, and the updated BSS map corresponds to the real-time vehicle position.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the station selection received via the radio tuner comprises a user input selection of a broadcast radio station, the method further comprising establishing a cellular or satellite connection for the host vehicle in response to receiving the user input selection of a broadcast radio station.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless-enabled radio tuner comprises a telematics unit and an AM / FM receiver unit, both mounted within a passenger compartment of the host vehicle, wherein the telematics unit is operable to receive digital radio signals, and wherein the AM / FM receiver unit is operable to receive analog radio signals.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: determining, via the vehicle controller, whether the AM / FM receiver unit is available, the AM / FM receiver unit being available if present, operational, and / or powered; and In response to the AM / FM receiver being unavailable, a first broadcast command is transmitted to the telematics unit via the vehicle controller to output the broadcast radio station.

Images