United States Patent
`
`(12)
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`Nix
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`US009871671B2
`
`(54) METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR
`RETROFITTING A VEHICLE
`
`(71) Applicant: Sucxess LLC, Birmingham, MI (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Axel Nix, Birmingham, MI (US)
`
`(73) A551gnee: Sucxess LLC, Birmmgham, MI (US)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`( * ) Not1ce:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/482,781
`
`Filed:
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Apr. 9, 2017
`_
`_
`_
`Prlor Publlcatlon Data
`
`JUL 27, 2017
`US 2017/0214543 A1
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/846,811, filed on
`Sep. 6, 2015, how Pat. No. 9,661,664, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/742,574, filed on
`Apr. 30’ 2007’ now Pat. NO' 951615195
`
`(51)
`
`Int- Cl-
`H04W 4/22
`H04L 12/40
`B60R 21/01
`B60T 7/12
`G06F 13/42
`
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`2006 01
`‘
`(
`)
`(200601)
`
`B60R 21/00
`(52) U-S- Cl-
`CPC -------------- H04L 12/40 (201301); B60R 21/01
`(201301); B60T 7/12 (201301); G06F
`13/4282 (201301); B60R 2 021/002 7
`(2013.01); H04L 2012/40215 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ..... H04W 76/007; H04W 4/22; H04B 1/3822
`
`212
`
`499
`
`30,
`m
`m
`
`1
`2
`2
`AIRBAG CONTROL
`
`
`
`
`
`56:51:13“
`218
`
`USPC .. 455/404.172, 435.2, 435.3, 521, 445, 466,
`455/527, 552.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`G08G 1/096883
`340/988
`
`5,572,204 A
`6,028,537 A *
`
`6,330,499 131
`6,493,629 B1
`6,535,743 B1 *
`
`*
`
`6,617,979 B2
`6,665,601 Bl
`6,690,302 B1
`6,748,211 B1
`6,812,832 B2
`7,016,656 B2
`353232 E;
`7,398,082 B2
`
`11/1996 Timm et a1.
`2/2000 S
`................... B60K 35/00
`uman
`340/42614
`12/2001 chou et al,
`12/2002 Van Bosch
`3/2003 Kennedy, 111
`_
`9/2003 Yoshioka
`.
`12/2003 Nlelsen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ H04L7éifigg
`2/2004 Inomata
`6/2004 Isaac et al.
`11/2004 Lobaza et al.
`3/2006 Odashima et al.
`lggggg lit/1111121121211.
`7/2008 .SChWinke et 31'
`(Confirmed)
`Primary Examiner i Cong Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Smartpat PLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`.
`.
`A system, apparatus, and method for retrofitting a veh1cle
`.
`.
`are presented. The method relates to a veh1cle w1th a
`1“
`.
`.
`.
`.
`actory-mstalled first apparatus wh1ch commun1cates w1th a
`.
`.
`factory-mstalled second apparatus through a veh1cle data
`bus using a first message. The method includes electrically
`disconnecting the vehicle data bus between the first appa-
`ratus and the second apparatus and electrically connecting a
`retrofit apparatus to the vehicle data bus. The method further
`includes transmitting a second message from the retrofit
`apparatus to the first apparatus which is indistinguishable
`1101111116 first message.
`
`19 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`_
`
`,506
`
`
`610
`512
`‘
`BATT
`500 -
`,
`POWER SUPPLY
`
`‘t—.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`£3333,
`331:3
`”—223,
`VEHICLE DATA
`SWITCH
`BUS1
`BUS INTERFACE
`
`v
`500
`NETWORK
`216
`TERMINATION
`
`
`13032
`504
`604
`505
`608
`602
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 1 of 15
`
`
`
`304
`PREAIMPACT
`3mm _"
`
`
`
`
`VEHICLE DATA BUS
`
`NAVIGATION SVSTEM
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 1 of 15
`
`

`

`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2002/0022489 A1 *
`
`2/2002 Odashima ............. H04W 88/02
`455/456.1
`
`4/2002 Yasushi et al.
`2002/0046285 A1
`8/2002 Burge
`2002/0103622 A1
`8/2002 Hatae et al.
`2002/0115423 A1
`5/2004 Suganuma et al.
`2004/0091085 A1
`10/2004 Walby et al.
`2004/0198466 A1
`2004/0233045 A1* 11/2004 Mays ..................... B60K 35/00
`340/425.5
`2004/0260458 A1* 12/2004 Park ....................... G01C 21/36
`701/428
`1/2006 Nagatani ............... G01S 5/0027
`342/357.64
`6/2006 Morita ................... G06Q 30/02
`705/13
`
`2006/0017612 A1*
`
`2006/0136291 A1*
`
`2006/0220806 A1
`2007/0075919 A1
`2007/0086579 A1
`2007/0112476 A1 *
`
`2007/0174467 A1 *
`
`2007/0207772 A1
`2007/0298765 A1
`2008/0093150 A1*
`
`2008/0143497 A1
`2008/0162042 A1
`2013/0159586 A1*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`10/2006 Nguyen
`4/2007 Breed
`4/2007 Lorello et al.
`5/2007 Obradovich ........ B60R 16/0231
`701/1
`.......... H04L 63/0838
`709/227
`
`7/2007 Ballou, Jr.
`
`9/2007 Huber et al.
`12/2007 Dickinson et al.
`4/2008 Schramm ............ B60R 21/0134
`180/274
`
`6/2008 Wasson et al.
`7/2008 Huber et al.
`6/2013 Kessler ................... G06F 13/38
`710/305
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 2 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 2 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`
`
`208
`,/
`\\\>
`
`BUTTONS
`
`210
`l
`(/
`STATUS
`INDICATORS
`
`
`
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`
`kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`
`'
`ANTENNA
`
`/,
`
`VEHICLE
`
`\ DATA BUS
`\
`212
`
`
`
`NAVI ATI N
`218x
`“STE“?
`EMERGENCY CALL
`
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`
`
`i1
`11
`
`21m
`
`\\ BUTTONS
`
`FlG. 2A
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 3 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 3 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`BEFORE RETROFIT
`
`298
`
`
`APPARATUS
`
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`
`
`
`
`212
`
`VEHICLE
`DATA BUS
`
`SERVICE
`CENTER
`
`FIG. 23 (PRIOR ART)
`
`AFTER RETROFIT
`
`298
`
`BUTTONS
`
`200
`
` EMERGENCY
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`
`APPARATUS
`
`
`CALL
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`
`
`////
`/VEHICLE
`DATA BUS
`
`106
`2\x
`‘1'-
`
`212
`/
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 4 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 4 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`212
`
`AlRBAG CONTROL
`APPARATUS
`TELECOMMUNICATTON
`
`
`AP PARATUS
`PRE—E M PACT
`SYSTE M
`
`304
`
`214
`
`
`
`
`
`EMERGENCY CALL
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`
`
`NAVIGATION SYSTEM
`
`VEHECLE DATA BUS
`
`1316.3
`
`212
`
`AIRBAG CONTROL
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`TELECOMMUNTCATION
` EMERGENCY CALL
`
`APPARATUS
`AP PARATUS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRE-TMPACT
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`NAVIGATéON SYSTEM
`
`VEHTCLE DATA BUS
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 5 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 5 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
` ,~“”
`
`CONTROL
`PROCESSOR
`
`POWER SUPPLY
`
`VEHICLE DATA
`BUS INTERFACE
`
`PUSH
`BUTTON
`SWITCH
`
`,4.,512
`BATT
`
`GND
`ER
`
`BUS
`
`\\ 510
`
`\ \
`508
`
`504
`
`FIG. 5
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`PUSH
`
`
`
` BUTTON
`CONTROL
`
`
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`VEHICLE DATA
`BUS INTERFACE
`
`504
`
`I
`604
`FIG. 6
`
`NETWORK
`TERMINATION
`
`\606
`
`‘
`608
`
`/
`600
`
`/
`602
`
`710»
`\\
`
`
`
`PUSH
`-- END -
`
`BUTTON
`CONTROL
`
`
`SWITCH
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`,
`
`
`//506
`
`”'
`
`VEHICLE DATA
`BUS INTERFACE
`
`VEHICLE DATA
`BUS INTERFACE
`
`\
`700
`
`\
`‘\504
`
`BAT /
`
`/512
`
`o
`
`«M51
`
`BUSI «\500
`
`BUSZ kfl602
`
`FK3.7
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 6 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 6 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`
`
`TRIGGER
`CONDITION
`DETECTED?
`
`SEND DIAL COMMAND TO
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 7 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 7 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`Q‘Q -START
`
`
`TRIGGER
`
`
`CONDITION
`
`
`DETECTED?
`
`
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`EMERGENCY
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`EMERGENCY
`
`CALL
`
`
`REQUESTED?
`
`
`
`YES
`
`SEND DIAL COMMAND TO
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`
`APPARATUS
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 8 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 8 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2018
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`1002
`
`CRASH DETECTED
`
`CALL 911
`
`CALL
`ONSTAR
`
`FIG. 10
`
`1000
`
`1004
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 9 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 9 of 15
`
`

`

`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`1
`METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR
`RETROFITTING A VEHICLE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and
`system for retrofitting a vehicle and, more specifically, to a
`system for and a method of retrofitting a vehicle having a
`data bus.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Being able to easily alert emergency responders in case of
`an automobile accident is highly desirable. Mobile applica-
`tion service providers (such as OnStar®) address this need
`for their subscribers by offering an emergency call button
`located within reach of the driver of an automobile. Upon
`pressing the emergency call button an emergency telephone
`call is placed from a cellular telephone which is embedded
`in the vehicle through a wireless telecommunication net-
`work and a public switched telephone network to a service
`center operated by the mobile application service provider.
`An emergency call to the service provider may also be
`initiated automatically, e.g. upon airbag deployment.
`In case of an incoming emergency call the mobile appli-
`cation service center silently obtains vehicle position infor-
`mation, e.g. information from a GPS receiver that is also
`embedded in the vehicle. The mobile application service
`center as part of an emergency assistance service informs
`public safety authorities of the emergency and conveys the
`vehicle’s position. The emergency assistance service is
`typically available only to those who register (for a fee) with
`the mobile application service provider. Registration with
`the mobile application service providers includes an under-
`lying registration with the wireless telecommunication net-
`work. Several elements of one such system are described in
`US. Pat. No. 6,812,832 (Lobaza), which is hereby incor-
`porated by reference.
`The embedded cellular telephone may also be used to
`place hands free telephone calls. Dialing the embedded
`cellular telephone may utilize a speech recognition engine
`that is capable of recognizing spoken telephone numbers or
`voice tags associated with telephone numbers. To facilitate
`dialing the embedded cellular telephone may also be con-
`nected to an external keypad, e.g. a telephone-style keypad
`located in the vehicle’s dashboard or a virtual keypad
`displayed on a touch screen display. The external keypad
`may communicate with the embedded cellular telephone by
`sending a telephone dial command message through the
`vehicle communication network. The embedded cellular
`
`telephone is accordingly configured to receive telephone dial
`command messages on the vehicle communication network
`and establish a telephone call to the requested telephone
`number.
`
`US law obligates commercial mobile radio service pro-
`viders to transmit all wireless 911 emergency calls without
`respect to their call validation process to a Public Safety
`Answering Point
`(PSAP), or, where no Public Safety
`Answering Point has been designated, to a designated state-
`wide default answering point or appropriate local emergency
`authority. The law extends to voice capable cellular tele-
`phones embedded in vehicles. An embedded cellular tele-
`phone can hence be used in an emergency to directly alert
`public safety authorities by dialing 911 regardless of regis-
`tration status with the mobile application service provider or
`the underlying wireless telecommunication network. How-
`ever, the user interface provided to dial 911 is inferior to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`single button activation and may e. g. require use of the voice
`recognition interface. Changes in an operator’s voice during
`an emergency frequently cause the voice recognition engine
`to fail detecting a spoken “dial 9-1-1” command and thereby
`preclude the operator from receiving the help he is seeking.
`What is therefore needed is a method for combining the
`benefits of legally mandated free wireless 911 access to a
`Public Safety Answering Point with the advantageous single
`button user interface for placing emergency calls to a mobile
`application service center.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention an integrated
`In one aspect of the present
`vehicle communication system includes a telecommunica-
`tion apparatus in communication with a vehicle data bus. An
`emergency call apparatus is also in communication with the
`vehicle data bus, the emergency call apparatus further pro-
`viding an emergency call push button switch to initiate an
`emergency telephone call
`to a Public Safety Answering
`Point. When the emergency call push button switch is
`pressed the emergency call apparatus transmits a telephone
`dial command message including a telephone number to be
`dialed on the vehicle data bus. The telecommunication
`
`apparatus is configured to receive the telephone dial com-
`mand and establish communication with the requested tele-
`phone number. To initiate an emergency call to a Public
`Safety Answering Point in the United States the emergency
`call apparatus may e.g. transmit a telephone dial command
`message requesting the telecommunication apparatus to dial
`“91 1”.
`
`In a further aspect the emergency call apparatus may
`include an input for an external switch. In this aspect the
`emergency call push button switch may be remote from the
`emergency call apparatus and may e.g. be located within
`reach of the driver of the vehicle whereas the emergency call
`apparatus may be located somewhere else hidden in the
`vehicle.
`
`In another aspect the emergency call apparatus may be
`added to the vehicle during a retrofit. In this aspect the
`vehicle may be originally equipped with an embedded
`telecommunication apparatus and an emergency call push
`button switch connected thereto. Before the retrofit pressing
`the emergency call button is detected by the telecommuni-
`cation apparatus which responsive to the button press initi-
`ates an emergency call
`to a mobile application service
`center.
`
`During the retrofit an emergency call apparatus is added
`to the vehicle. The electrical connection between the emer-
`
`gency call push button switch and the telecommunication
`apparatus is separated and the emergency call push button
`switch is rewired and connected to the emergency call
`apparatus.
`After the retrofit pressing the emergency call push button
`is detected by the emergency call apparatus which respon-
`sive to the button press transmits a telephone dial command
`message on the vehicle data bus. The telephone dial com-
`mand message may request the telecommunication appara-
`tus to dial the telephone number 911. The telecommunica-
`tion apparatus responsive to receiving the telephone dial
`command message establishes a voice call to a Public Safety
`Answering Point.
`In yet another aspect the emergency call apparatus may be
`configured to detect a trigger condition and responsive
`thereto request the telecommunication apparatus to establish
`communication with a Public Safety Answering Point. The
`trigger condition may be a manual emergency call push
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 10 of 15
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
`Page 10 of 15
`
`

`

`US 9,871,671 B2
`
`3
`button press. As part of an automatic emergency calling
`system the trigger condition may also be the receipt of one
`or more messages on the vehicle data bus which are reflec-
`tive of a vehicle accident, e.g. a message signaling airbag
`deployment. Upon detecting a trigger condition the emer-
`gency call apparatus may transmit a telephone dial com-
`mand message on the vehicle data bus requesting the tele-
`communication
`apparatus
`to
`dial
`91 1.
`The
`telecommunication apparatus responsive to receiving the
`telephone dial command message establishes a voice call to
`a Public Safety Answering Point.
`In still another aspect the emergency call apparatus may
`provide an electrically controlled switch to separate the
`vehicle communication network into two subnets. One sub-
`
`net may be used to communicate between the emergency
`call apparatus and the telecommunication device and the
`other subnet may be used to communicate between the
`emergency call apparatus and the rest of the vehicle. This
`aspect can compensate for possible loss of communication
`on the vehicle data bus after a vehicle crash, e.g. because a
`wire within the communication network is shorted to ground
`or battery as a result of the crash. The emergency call
`apparatus may be configured to detect loss of communica-
`tion and responsive thereto open the electrically controlled
`switch, thereby dividing the communication network into
`the two electrically insulated subnets. In result the emer-
`gency call apparatus separates the damaged portion of the
`vehicle communication network from its connection to the
`
`telecommunication apparatus and thereby regains its ability
`to communicate with the telecommunication apparatus and
`initiate an emergency call even though communication with
`the rest of the vehicle is no longer possible.
`In yet another aspect the emergency call apparatus may
`provide two vehicle data bus interfaces wherein the first
`interface is used to communicate with the telecommunica-
`
`tion apparatus and the second interface is used to commu-
`nicate with the rest of the vehicle.
`In this aspect
`the
`emergency call apparatus acts as a bi-directional gateway
`between the two vehicle data bus interfaces. Messages
`which the emergency call apparatus receives through the
`first vehicle data bus interface are retransmitted through the
`second vehicle data bus interface. Vice versa messages
`received through the second vehicle data bus interface are
`retransmitted through the first vehicle data bus interface. The
`two vehicle data bus interfaces are electrically insulated
`from each other such that the emergency call apparatus
`maintains its ability to communicate with the telecommu-
`nication apparatus even if communication with the rest of
`the vehicle can not be established, e.g. because a commu-
`nication bus wire is shorted to ground or battery as may
`happen during an accident.
`The following detailed description of the invention is
`merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the
`invention or the application and uses of the invention.
`Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory
`presented in the preceding background of the invention or
`the following detailed description of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless
`and a public switched telecommunication network through
`which emergency calls can be placed from a vehicle to a
`service center or Public Safety Answering Point.
`FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the vehicle portion
`of a wireless communication system for placing emergency
`calls used in the vehicle of FIG. 1.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing aspects of a prior art
`vehicle communication system for communicating with a
`mobile application service center before retrofit with an
`emergency call apparatus.
`FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing aspects of a vehicle
`communication system for communicating with a Public
`Safety Answering Point after retrofit with an emergency call
`apparatus.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle commu-
`nication system showing an airbag control apparatus, a
`pre-impact system, a telecommunication apparatus, an emer-
`gency call apparatus and a navigation system communicat-
`ing through a common vehicle data bus.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative
`embodiment of a vehicle communication system in which
`the telecommunication apparatus is connected to the vehicle
`data bus through the emergency call apparatus.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`embodiment of an emergency call apparatus for a vehicle
`communication system configuration as shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`embodiment of an emergency call apparatus for a vehicle
`communication system configuration as shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
`the emergency call apparatus show in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
`for initiating an emergency call.
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative
`embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 8.
`
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary touch
`screen display.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle 100 featuring
`a mobile telecommunication apparatus, suitable for use with
`an embodiment of the invention, and which may be installed
`in the vehicle or carried into the vehicle by the subscriber.
`The mobile telecommunication apparatus communicates
`through a wireless network 102, symbolized by a local
`telecommunication antenna tower, with a public switched
`telephone network (PSTN) 104, to which are also connected
`telephones 110 and 112. Wireless network 102 may also
`communicate with other wireless
`telecommunication
`
`devices, here symbolized by a wireless telephone 114. The
`mobile telecommunication apparatus in vehicle 100, which
`will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2A,
`may include a cellular telephone or any other wireless
`device that may be registered with a cellular service provider
`providing general dialing capability in connection with, and
`operation through, PSTN 104. It may also include a cellular
`telephone or other wireless device that is not or that is no
`longer registered with a cellular service provider so long as
`it provides connection with and operation through PSTN
`104 with a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) 106.
`The telecommunication apparatus carried in vehicle 100
`may have been designed to provide access to mobile appli-
`cation services of a service provider such as, for example,
`OnStar®. Mobile application services are typically provided
`within a subscription business model, which requires pay-
`ment of a subscription fee per period, e.g. $19.95 per month
`or $199 per year. The telecommunication apparatus may
`have been permanently installed in the vehicle at the time of
`vehicle assembly and the cost of the telecommunication
`apparatus may have been subsidized by the service provider
`in anticipation of future subscription revenue if the owner or
`lessor of vehicle 100 registers for mobile application ser-
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
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`Page 11 of 15
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`US 9,871,671 B2
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`5
`Vices. The service provider generally maintains at least one
`service center 108, which is connected to PSTN 104 and
`which the subscriber and other subscribers in other vehicles
`
`call for the mobile application services. The mobile appli-
`cation services may include, for example,
`requests for
`vehicle location, selection of specific points of interest and
`directions thereto, and emergency assistance (both requested
`and automatic), as well as others not named.
`If the owner or lessor of vehicle 100 does not register with
`the service provider, e.g.
`to avoid the financial burden
`associated with a subscription, the service provider may
`refuse to provide mobile application services including
`emergency assistance. The mobile application service pro-
`vider may also deactivate the telecommunication apparatus
`located within vehicle 100. Deactivating the telecommuni-
`cation apparatus may include deregistering the cellular tele-
`phone therein from wireless network 102 so that the tele-
`communication apparatus can no longer gain access to
`wireless network 102 for general dialing and can thus no
`longer connect to service center 108.
`Even if the telecommunication apparatus within vehicle
`100 has been deactivated and the cellular telephone therein
`been deregistered from wireless network 102 both can still
`be used to establish a connection to a Public Safety Answer-
`ing Point (PSAP). Connecting to a PSAP is independent of
`a subscription with the service provider or the underlying
`wireless network 102. This is, especially in the United
`States, to comply with federal law mandating free access to
`a PSAP for all devices used to access a commercial mobile
`
`radio service (CMRS).
`Referring now to FIG. 2A there is shown wireless tele-
`communication apparatus 200 in vehicle 100. The telecom-
`munication apparatus 200 communicates voice and data
`through an antenna 206 with wireless network 102 and
`through wireless network 102 with public switched tele-
`phone network 104. The telecommunication apparatus 200
`may provide “hands-free” voice communication through a
`microphone 202 and speaker 204. The telecommunication
`apparatus may include a GPS or similar navigation appara-
`tus (not shown) which receives signals through a GPS
`antenna (not shown) from global positioning satellites and
`derives therefrom position data (e.g.,
`the longitude and
`latitude and/or the speed and heading) of the apparatus. The
`telecommunication apparatus 200 may convert
`the GPS
`position information into a transmissible form for subse-
`quent transmission from vehicle 100 to service center 108 or
`Public Safety Answering Point 106. Communication
`between the telecommunication apparatus 200 and service
`center 108 or PSAP 106 may be voice communication
`utilizing microphone 202 and speaker 204 and/or data
`communication the data comprising e.g. GPS location infor-
`mation.
`
`Connected to the telecommunication apparatus 200 are
`one or more buttons 208 and status indicator 210. Buttons
`
`208 provide a simple user interface for an operator, e.g. the
`driver or passenger in vehicle 100,
`to interact with the
`telecommunication apparatus 200. The buttons 208 may e.g.
`include a dedicated emergency call button. If the emergency
`call button is pressed telecommunication apparatus 200
`establishes voice and/or data communication with service
`
`center 108. Status indicator 210, which may e.g. be one or
`more light emitting diodes or any other form of display,
`provides feedback to the vehicle operator as to the status of
`the telecommunication apparatus 200. Telecommunication
`apparatus 200 is also connected to vehicle data bus 212 to
`exchange messages with other electronic modules within
`vehicle 100 as required.
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`Telecommunication apparatus 200 may provide general
`dialing capability, e.g. to a telephone 110, 112 within the
`public switched telephone network 104 or to a wireless
`telephone 114 through wireless network 102 or any other
`wireless network. To facilitate dialing telecommunication
`apparatus 200 may include a voice recognition and activa-
`tion apparatus, which responds to predetermined spoken
`data via microphone 202 to perform predetermined func-
`tions. It accesses a plurality of voice models stored within
`telecommunication apparatus 200. Each voice model
`includes data permitting recognition of a spoken word or
`phrase. The voice recognition apparatus compares received
`spoken data with the voice models in order to recognize
`those words and phrases which are defined and for perform-
`ing predetermined actions in response thereto. Some voice
`models represent commands, such as “menu,” “store,”
`“dial,” “call,” etc. Other voice models represent the digits
`required for telephone dialing: “one,” “two,” etc. For
`example, the apparatus may be programmed to recognize the
`phrase “Dial 9-1-1 Dial” and respond by placing a call to a
`Public Safety Answering Point. General dialing capability
`may be initiated by the word “Dial” followed by the number,
`digit by digit.
`Telecommunication apparatus 200 may also be config-
`ured to allow dialing utilizing a keypad which may be
`connected directly to communication apparatus 200 or indi-
`rectly connected to another module which communicates
`with telecommunication apparatus 200 through the vehicle
`data bus 212.
`In an exemplary embodiment navigation
`system 218 comprises a touch screen display 220 which
`displays a virtual telephone keypad 222. An operator may
`enter a telephone number he wishes to dial on the virtual
`keypad 222. After the telephone number has been entered
`navigation system 218 transmits a telephone dial command
`message on the vehicle data bus 212 including the telephone
`number to be dialed. Telecommunication apparatus 200
`responsive to receiving the telephone dial command mes-
`sage establishes voice and/or data communication with the
`desired telephone number.
`Quicker and easier access to dialing 911 and establishing
`voice and/or data communication with a Public Safety
`Answering Point is provided by emergency call apparatus
`214, which is connected to vehicle data bus 212 and to one
`or more buttons 216. Buttons 216 may include an emergency
`call push button switch which when pressed causes emer-
`gency call apparatus 214 to transmit a telephone dial com-
`mand message including a telephone number to be dialed on
`vehicle data bus 212. Telecommunication apparatus 200
`responsive to receiving the telephone dial command mes-
`sage establishes voice communication with the requested
`telephone number, e.g. 911. Emergency call apparatus 214
`and its operation are described in more detail with reference
`to FIGS. 5 through 9 below.
`As is shown in FIG. 2B vehicles equipped with an
`embedded telecommunication apparatus 200 are typically
`also equipped with buttons 208, one of which may be an
`emergency call button to initiate an emergency call
`to
`service center 108. Buttons 208 and telecommunication
`
`apparatus 200 do not serve any useful purpose if the owner
`or lessor of vehicle 100 does not register with the mobile
`application service provider. The existing buttons 208 and
`the telecommunication apparatus 200 may however be used
`when retrofitting vehicle 100 with an emergency call appa-
`ratus 214 at some time after vehicle built.
`
`An exemplary method of retrofitting vehicle 100 is show
`in FIG. 2C. Vehicle 100 is retrofitted by adding emergency
`call apparatus 214. The electrical connection between but-
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1001
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`US 9,871,671 B2
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`7
`tons 208 and telecommunication apparatus 200 is removed
`and instead buttons 208 are rewired and connected to
`
`emergency call apparatus 214. Optionally the vehicle data
`bus connection between telecommunication apparatus 200
`and vehicle data bus 212 may be disconnected and instead
`re-routed into the emergency call apparatus 214. A new
`connection is made between the emergency call apparatus
`214 and vehicle data bus 212. Further, emergency call
`apparatus 214 is connected to vehicle battery and vehicle
`ground to power emergency call apparatus 214.
`To enable the rewiring of buttons 208 the electrical
`interface between buttons 216 and emergency call apparatus
`214 may be identical to the electrical
`interface between
`buttons 208 and telecommunication apparatus 200. Using an
`identical interface, e.g. the same resistor values in case of
`resistor coded switches, provides that an emergency call
`button 208 which is connected to and used in combination
`
`with telecommunication apparatus 200 before the retrofit
`can be rewired and used in combination with emergency call
`apparatus 214 after the retrofit. This simplifies the process of
`retrofitting vehicle 100 which may have originally been
`equipped with telecommunication apparatus 200 and but-
`tons 208 but not emergency call apparatus 214 and buttons
`216.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram
`illustrating an exemplary vehicle communication system
`300 including the telecommunication apparatus 200, an
`airbag control apparatus 302, a pre-impact sytem 304, the
`emergency call apparatus 214 and the navigation system
`218. As is shown, each system is in communication with the
`vehicle’s data bus 212, which may be a Class 2 or CAN
`vehicle data bus or any other suitable bus known in the art
`for electronic data communication.
`
`Furthermore, the impact warning system 304 may also be
`chosen from existing object detection systems,
`forward
`collision warning (FCW) systems, etc., known to those
`skilled in the art. The impact warning system 304 may be
`shared by other subsystems in the vehicle such as stop-and-
`go, cut-in detection, automatic braking, parking aid, and the
`like, known to those skilled in the art. Particularly,
`the
`vehicle is configured with a sensor (or sensors) capable of
`detecting objects in the frontal area of the vehicle. The
`sensor not only detects the presence of an object, but also
`provides some quantitative information about the object
`such as range, range rate, and azimuth position of the object.
`Additional information related to the object (e.g., a lead
`vehicle in many instances) may include relative accelera-
`tion, the size of the object, the dimensions of the object, the
`direction of movement of the object, position of potential
`impact, etc. The object information may be obtained by
`means of laser technology and/or radar technology, for
`example. In addition to the gathered object data, the pre-
`impact system 304 also incorporates a threat assessment
`algorithm, generally known in the art, which evaluates the
`incoming data both from the sensor and the vehicle, analyzes
`the particular situation, and then determines if there is any
`imminent threat of impacting an object in the frontal area of
`the vehicle.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the vehicle
`
`communication system 400. In this embodiment telecom-
`munication apparatus 200 is in communication with vehicle
`data bus 212 using an indirect connection made trough
`emergency call apparatus 214, as will be explained in more
`detail with respect to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`emergency call apparatus 214. Control processor 500, which
`may take the form of a programmed digital computer or a
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`custom digital processor, is operatively connected to push
`button swit