(12) United States Patent
`LObaza et al.
`
`USOO68 12832B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,812,832 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 2, 2004
`
`(54) VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`WITH INTEGRATED PRE-MPACT SENSING
`
`(75) Inventors: Anthony Gerard Lobaza, Bloomfield
`Hills, MI (US); Allan J. Hoffman,
`Berkley, MI (US); Osman D. Altan,
`Northville, MI (US)
`(73) Assignee: General Motors Corporation, Detroit,
`MI (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 150 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/305,382
`(22) Filed
`Nov. 26, 2002
`CC
`OW. Zo,
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(65)
`
`US 2004/0100368 A1 May 27, 2004
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. B06Q 1/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................... 340,436, 340/539.18
`(58) Field of Search ............................ 340/436,539.18,
`340/425.5, 435, 825.36, 825.49, 701/45
`s
`72. --
`s
`30, 29; 280/735, 734; 455/404.1, 567
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,574,427 A 11/1996 Cavallaro ................... 340/436
`5,969,598 A * 10/1999 Kimura ...................... 340/436
`
`(56)
`
`6,128,482. A 10/2000 Nixon et al. ................ 455/414
`6.211,777 B1
`4/2001 Greenwood et al. ........ 340/436
`6,405,132 B1
`6/2002 Breed et al. ................ 701/301
`6,741,168 B2 * 5/2004 Webb et al. ................ 340/436
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`U.S. patent application Publication, 2002/0103622, pub
`lished Aug. 1, 2002.
`U.S. patent application Publication, 2002/0137489, pub
`lished Sep. 26, 2002.
`SM OnStar to Detect More Wrecks,” David Kiley, USA
`y.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Anh V. La
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Kathryn A. Marra
`57
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An integrated vehicle communication System for a vehicle
`includes a telecommunication apparatus in communication
`with a vehicle data bus. A pre-impact System in also com
`munication with the vehicle data bus, the pre-impact System
`further providing the telecommunication apparatus with a
`Signal reflective of a determined imminent impact detected
`therebv. Upon receiving the signal reflective of the deter
`y. Up
`9.
`9.
`mined imminent impact, the telecommunication apparatus
`initiates a notification to a service provider if the telecom
`munication apparatus is not in communication with an
`impact detection System controller in the vehicle.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`2OO
`
`
`
`
`
`MMINENT
`IMPACT
`DETECTED
`
`
`
`
`
`Affirmotive Sianal
`Sent to WCS
`
`VCS Query to Impact
`Detection Controller
`
`
`
`RESPONSE RECEIVED
`FROM IMPACT DETECTION
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IMPACT DETECTION
`ENGAGED
`
`Notify
`Service Provider
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 1 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`72
`
`71
`
`1O
`|
`
`62
`
`82
`
`65
`64
`
`7O
`
`6O
`
`O
`8
`
`AUDIO
`
`TRANSCEIVER/
`
`a
`
`75
`
`CONTROL
`PROCESSOR
`
`DISPLAY
`
`84
`
`78
`
`VEHICLE
`INTERFACE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`76
`
`MEMORY
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 2 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`108
`
`IMPACT DETECTION
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRE-IMPACT
`SYSTEM
`
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`APPARATUS
`
`VEHICLE DATA BUS
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 3 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`200
`
`
`
`2O2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MMNENT
`IMPACT
`DETECTED?
`
`Y
`
`Affirmative Signal
`Sent to WCS
`
`2
`
`VCS Query to Impact
`Detection Controller
`
`2O6
`
`
`
`
`
`RESPONSE RECEIVED
`FROM IMPACT DETECTION
`CONTROLLERT
`
`
`
`
`
`IMPACT DETECTION
`ENGAGEDP
`
`
`
`False
`
`Notify
`Service Provider
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 4 of 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`500
`
`302
`
`
`
`
`
`MMINENT
`IMPACT
`DETECTED?
`
`N-O Exit D
`
`Y
`
`Affirmative Signal
`Sent to WCS
`
`JO
`
`Notify Service Provider with
`"Potential Impact imminent" SMS Message
`
`305
`
`VCS Query to Impact
`Detection Controller
`
`306
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESPONSE RECEIVED
`FROM IMPACT DETECTION
`CONTROLLERT
`
`
`
`IMPACT DETECTION
`ENGAGED?
`
`
`
`Folse
`
`Notify Service Provider with
`"Call imminent" SMS Message
`
`Notify Service Provider with
`"False Alarm" SMS Message
`
`Notify
`
`FIC. 5
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 5 of 10
`
`

`

`1
`VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`WITH INTEGRATED PRE-IMPACT SENSING
`
`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`2
`In another aspect, a vehicle communication network
`includes a wireleSS telecommunication network and a public
`Switched telephone network accessible by the wireless tele
`communication network. An integrated vehicle communi
`cation System configured within a vehicle further includes a
`telecommunication apparatus in communication with a
`vehicle data bus, and a pre-impact System in communication
`with the vehicle data bus. The pre-impact system further
`provides the telecommunication apparatus with a signal
`reflective of a determined imminent impact detected thereby.
`Upon receiving the Signal reflective of the determined
`imminent impact, the telecommunication apparatus initiates
`a notification to a Service provider connected to the public
`Switched telephone network if the telecommunication appa
`ratus is not in communication with an impact detection
`System controller in the vehicle.
`In Still another aspect, a method for communicating an
`impact event of vehicle includes receiving an indication of
`an imminent impact from a vehicle pre-impact detection
`System, and determining a communication Status with an
`impact detection system controller within the vehicle. If it is
`determined that communication with the impact detection
`System controller is interrupted, then further initiating a
`communication to a Service provider that an actual impact
`has occurred.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like ele
`ments are numbered alike in the Several Figures:
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile
`application services network through which vehicle com
`munication Services are provided to a vehicle, the vehicle
`communication Service Suitable for use in accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the vehicle portion
`of a wireleSS vehicle communication apparatus used in the
`vehicle communication service of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the integration of
`vehicle communication System, an impact warning System,
`and the controller of a vehicle impact detection System, Over
`a common data bus, in accordance with an embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
`for implementing a messaging protocol between the Sub
`systems shown in FIG. 3; and
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative
`embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 4.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`Disclosed herein is a vehicle communication System
`having pre-impact Sensing integrated there with. Briefly
`Stated, a telecommunication apparatus within the vehicle
`communication System is configured So as to receive a
`“pre-impact” signal from an impact warning System (also
`included within the vehicle) whenever an imminent impact
`is detected. The pre-impact signal is then used, in the event
`of a Subsequent impact and/or interruption of data bus
`communications, to contact the Service provider of the
`vehicle communication System. By using information from
`the impact warning System, the telecommunication appara
`tus is put on notice, prior to any actual impact, of a possible
`collision. Thus, this message will go through Since the
`integrity of the data bus has not been compromised due to a
`possible collision. Subsequently, if there is a loSS of com
`munications between the telecommunication apparatus and
`
`BACKGROUND
`The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle com
`munication Systems and, more particularly, to a vehicle
`communication System having integrated pre-impact Sens
`ing.
`A mobile application service provider (such as OnStar(R)
`by General Motors, for example) provides information and
`Services to the vehicles of Subscribers from a Service center
`through a vehicle-installed wireleSS telecommunication
`apparatus. One type of Service provided, in response to a
`request from a Subscriber, is the Selection of a Specific point
`of interest from a stored database and the communication to
`the vehicle of data associated with the Specific point of
`interest in the database. This associated data typically
`includes identification (name), location data (address) and
`dialable telephone number. For example, a traveling Sub
`Scriber may call from an equipped vehicle and request a
`location for one or more nearby restaurants/hotels based
`upon the individual taste of the Subscriber.
`If the call is from the equipped vehicle, the mobile
`application service center silently obtains GPS or other
`vehicle position data from the vehicle via the telecommu
`nication apparatus. An advisor receives the Subscriber's
`request, consults a Stored database for the nearest points of
`interest meeting the Subscriber's criteria, and Suggests poS
`sible points of interest to the subscriber. If a choice is
`received from the subscriber choice, the advisor verbally
`provides identification and location information to the Sub
`Scriber and, if authorized, places a call to the Selected point
`of interest with the dialable telephone number. The advisor
`may also provide the telephone number verbally to the
`subscriber, so that the subscriber may call the point of
`interest directly via the vehicle wireleSS telecommunication
`apparatus at a later time.
`Still another feature of Some mobile application Service
`providers (such as OnStar(R) is automatic collision notifi
`cation (ACN), wherein, if an engagement of the vehicle's
`impact detection System (e.g., an airbag System) has
`occurred, the vehicle's impact detection System controller
`transmits a message to the mobile application System in the
`vehicle. In turn, the mobile application System automatically
`places a call to the Service center So that the advisor may take
`an appropriate action. However, during certain types of
`vehicle impacts, it is possible that the vehicle's communi
`cation data bus could be Severed, thereby interrupting com
`munication between the impact detection's engagement con
`troller and the mobile application System. As a result, the
`Service center would be unaware that an impact had
`occurred and would therefore not initiate any appropriate
`action in response thereto.
`SUMMARY
`55
`In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated vehicle com
`munication System for a vehicle includes a telecommunica
`tion apparatus in communication with a vehicle data bus. A
`pre-impact System is also communication with the vehicle
`data bus, the pre-impact System further providing the tele
`communication apparatus with a signal reflective of a deter
`mined imminent impact detected thereby. Upon receiving
`the Signal reflective of the determined imminent impact, the
`telecommunication apparatus initiates a notification to a
`Service provider if the telecommunication apparatus is not in
`communication with an impact detection System controller
`in the vehicle.
`
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`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 6 of 10
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`

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`US 6,812,832 B2
`
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`the vehicle's impact detection engagement System, the tele
`communication apparatus will assume that there has been an
`impact and initiate notification to the Service provider.
`Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle 10
`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 com
`municates through a wireleSS network 12, Symbolized by a
`local telecommunication antenna tower, with a public
`switched telephone network (PSTN) 15, to which are also
`connected telephones 17 and 18. The mobile telecommuni
`cation apparatus in vehicle 10, which will be described in
`more detail with reference to FIG. 2, may include a cellular
`telephone registered with a cellular Service provider or any
`other wireleSS apparatus, So long as it provides connection
`with, and operation through, PSTN 15 with general dialing
`capability.
`The telecommunication apparatus carried in vehicle 10 is
`also preferably registered with a Service provider Such as, for
`example, OnStar(R), which provides mobile application Ser
`vices to a subscriberthrough the apparatus in vehicle 10. The
`subscriber may be the owner or lessor of vehicle 10,
`particularly if at least part of the telecommunication appa
`ratus is permanently installed in the vehicle. However, the
`term "Subscriber' as used herein may also include a renter,
`operator or passenger in the vehicle using the Services. The
`Service provider generally maintains at least one Service
`center 20, which is also connected to PSTN 15 and which the
`Subscriber and other Subscribers in other vehicles call for the
`mobile application Services. The mobile application 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.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the wireless telecommuni
`cation apparatus in vehicle 10. A transceiver 60 communi
`cates voice and data through wireleSS network 12 with
`public Switched telephone network 15 through an antenna
`62. In this embodiment, the transceiver 60 is provided with
`Voice communication links to a handset 64 and, through an
`audio processor 70, to a microphone 71 and speaker 72 for
`“hands-free” operation. The transceiver 60 also includes a
`modem apparatus for data communication to and from the
`vehicle 10. A control processor 75, which may take the form
`of a programmed digital computer or a custom digital
`processor, has a data link to transceiver 60, both for control
`thereof and for communicating data there with.
`The control processor 75 is connected by a data link to a
`memory 76 and also controls and communicates with a GPS
`or similar navigation apparatus 80, which receives signals
`through a GPS antenna 82 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
`GPS position data may, under control of control processor
`75, be stored in memory 76 and provided therefrom to
`transceiver 60 for conversion into a transmissible form by
`the modem apparatus therein and Subsequent transmission
`from vehicle 10 to service center 20.
`In exemplary embodiment, the handset 64 contains an
`operator interface apparatus for transceiver 60, while a
`keypad 65 provides dialing capability and may include extra
`keys for Special functions. It will be appreciated, however,
`that other key configurations (Such as the current blue/red/
`white key set-up currently found in OnStar(R) may be
`utilized. A display 66 allows information to be conveyed
`
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`4
`Visually. The handset 64 also contains a memory for holding
`data to be displayed in display 66 and for Storing one or more
`dialable telephone numbers for automated dialing. The
`memory is organized with a data Structure associating par
`ticular data for display with a particular dialable telephone
`number. The handset 64 also includes apparatus for auto
`mated dialing of the held or stored dialable telephone
`numbers in response to a “send' key on keypad 65. In
`addition to the voice link to transceiver 60 (which is also
`capable of data transmission) a Serial data link is provided
`with control processor 75, by which the latter may control
`certain functions of handset 64. A vehicle interface 78 may
`be provided to connect control processor 75 to other vehicle
`Systems as required.
`In addition, an audio processor 70 includes voice recog
`nition and activation apparatus, which responds to predeter
`mined spoken data via microphone 71 to perform predeter
`mined functions. It accesses a plurality of Voice models,
`which may be stored internally or in memory 76. Each voice
`model includes data permitting recognition of a spoken word
`or phrase. The audio processor 70 further includes apparatus
`both for comparing received spoken data with the Voice
`models in order to recognize those words and phrases which
`are defined and for performing 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. Still other voice models represent prede
`termined locations or entities, Such as OnStar(B). AS an
`example, the apparatus may be programmed to recognize the
`phrase “Call OnStar(R)' and respond by placing a call to the
`OnStar(R) Service center. General dialing capability may be
`initiated by the word “Dial” followed by the number, digit
`by digit.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram
`illustrating a vehicle communication System 100 illustrating
`the integration of a telecommunication apparatuS 102, a
`pre-impact warning system 104 and the controller 106 of a
`vehicle impact detection System. AS is shown, each System
`is in communication with the vehicle's data bus 108, which
`may be a Class 2 or CAN vehicle data bus or any other
`Suitable bus known in the art for electronic data communi
`cation. Furthermore, the impact warning System 104 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 104 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 acceleration, 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 104 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 deter
`mines if there is any imminent threat of impacting an object
`in the frontal area of the vehicle.
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 7 of 10
`
`

`

`S
`With existing vehicle communication Systems, and in the
`case of an impact that results in impact detection
`engagement, the impact detection System controller 106
`transmits a message to the telecommunication apparatus 102
`only after the air bag has actually been engaged. As a result
`of this communication, the vehicle communication System
`automatically makes a call to the Service provider center to
`notify the center that there has been an impact, and the
`operator then takes appropriate action. AS Stated previously,
`during certain impacts, the data bus 108 could be severed,
`thereby interrupting communication between the impact
`detection system controller 106 and the telecommunication
`apparatus 102 prior to the telecommunication apparatuS 102
`receiving any information on the impact. This is due to the
`fact that the impact detection system controller 106, by
`itself, can only determine the incident after the impact itself,
`and because the impact detection engagement is Sent after
`the impact. In addition, there are also a number of prioritized
`functions that the impact detection system controller 106
`performs before the engagement message is actually distrib
`uted on the vehicle data bus 108.
`Accordingly, by providing communication integration
`with the impact warning System 104, an appropriate Signal
`generated therefrom (prior to any actual impact) may be
`used by the telecommunication apparatus 102 in the event of
`a loss of communication of the data bus 108.
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
`200 for implementing a messaging protocol between the
`Subsystems of the vehicle communication system 100
`shown in FIG. 3. Beginning at block 202, it is determined
`whether the impact warning System 104 has detected an
`imminent impact during a given Sample period (e.g., 2 ms).
`If not, then method 200 exits or otherwise loops back until
`the next Sample period. However, if an imminent impact is
`detected, then an affirmative signal (block 204) is sent to the
`telecommunication apparatus 102 through data bus 108.
`Upon receiving the affirmative Signal 204, the telecommu
`nication apparatus 102 sends a Status query to the impact
`detection system controller 106 to determine whether the
`data bus 108 is operational and communication is main
`tained therebetween. In order to allow for the possibility of
`a "false alarm” (i.e., an incorrect indication of an imminent
`impact, Sometimes common with impact warning Systems),
`the vehicle communication system will first wait for a
`predetermined period of time before Sending the query at
`block 206.
`Once the query is sent, the telecommunication apparatus
`102 waits for a response from the impact detection System
`controller 106, wherein there are three possible outcomes.
`First, if at decision block 208, a response is received, the
`response will convey information as to whether the impact
`detection System was engaged in reaction to an actual
`impact. This is further reflected by decision block 210. In the
`case where the impact detection System did not engage,
`method 200 proceeds to block 212 at which point the
`affirmative signal is deemed to be a “false alarm” from the
`perspective of the telecommunication apparatuS 102, and no
`further action is taken to contact the Service provider for
`notification purposes.
`It should be pointed out that a “false alarm’, as used in the
`present context, could mean just that (i.e., an incorrect
`determination by the impact warning System 104 that an
`impact is imminent). On the other hand, it could also be the
`case that the affirmative signal 204 was, in fact, reflective of
`an imminent impact, but the driver performed an evasive
`maneuver to avoid an impact in response to a warning
`provided by the impact warning System 104. In either case,
`there was no impact detection engagement and thus no
`impact.
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`US 6,812,832 B2
`
`6
`If at decision block 210, the impact detection system
`controller indicates the impact detection System has been
`engaged, then the telecommunication apparatuS 102 places
`a notification call to the Service provider. This particular
`Scenario is in accordance with existing communication
`Systems, Such as OnStar(R), wherein a detected impact detec
`tion engagement results in a notification call being placed at
`block 214. However, the existing systems do not act in the
`case where, at decision block 208, no response is received by
`the telecommunication apparatus 102. If this occurs, it is
`presumed that the data bus 108 and/or impact detection
`System controller 106 has been damaged, indicative that an
`impact has occurred. Therefore, in this instance, the method
`would proceed to block 214, where a notification call is
`placed.
`Finally, FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative
`embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 4. In this
`embodiment, the method 300 (in addition to sending an
`affirmative signal to the VCS) further notifies the service
`provider with a “potential impact imminent’ message
`through a Short Message Service (SMS) at block 305, upon
`the detection of an imminent impact. AS with the case of the
`embodiment of FIG. 4, the VCS then sends a query to the
`impact detection controller (e.g., an airbag controller) to see
`whether communication is maintained therewith. Thus, if no
`response is received from the impact detection controller,
`then method 300 proceeds from decision block 308 to block
`318, where the service provider is then notified. Optionally,
`method 300 may also first provide another SMS message to
`the Service provider that a call is imminent from the vehicle,
`as shown in block 316.
`However, if a response is received from the impact
`detection controller and there has not been an engagement of
`the impact detection System, then a "false alarm condition
`will result in an SMS message to the service provider to that
`effect, as shown in block 314. But, if there has been an
`engagement of the impact detection System, then method
`300 proceeds from decision block 310 to block 316 where
`the “call imminent' SMS message is sent before the actual
`call is placed by the VCS to the service provider.
`This embodiment allows the service provider to be some
`what more proactive in that upon receiving the “impact
`imminent’ message, it could set a timer for a certain
`duration to wait and see if it hears back from the vehicle. If
`the service provider does not hear from the vehicle after the
`Set duration, then the provider will attempt to call the
`vehicle. If no contact is made upon attempting a call, then
`the Service provider will assume an impact has occurred and
`take appropriate action. If contact is made, the Service
`provider can directly verify the status of the occupant(s) of
`the vehicle to see if any further action is warranted.
`Furthermore, if the VCS does respond to the service
`provider that a false alarm occurred, no further action by the
`Service provider need take place. On the other hand, if the
`VCS responds to the service provider with a call imminent
`message, then the Service provider can take proactive mea
`Sures (as described above) after a certain duration of time
`where an actual call does not come from the vehicle fol
`lowing the call imminent message.
`AS will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the
`disclosed method and System embodiments Serve to enhance
`the communication of a engaged impact detection condition
`to the Service provider of a vehicle communication network,
`Such as OnStar(R). By integrating the vehicle communication
`system (VCS) 100 with a pre-impact or ACN system, the
`VCS is “flagged” whenever an imminent impact is detected.
`
`Petitioner's Exhibit 1014
`Page 8 of 10
`
`

`

`7
`While there are other possible implementations to accom
`plish this result partially, none provide all of the aspects as
`outlined above. For example, the impact detection System
`controller could periodically (without query) transmit a
`message indicating “engagement' or “no engagement, and
`when Such transmissions completely disappear, then the
`VCS could initiate the notification to the service provider.
`However, there could be other causes for the loss of the
`communication from the impact detection System controller
`(e.g., malfunction of the impact detection system controller
`or the data bus due to non-impact related reasons).
`Alternatively, the VCS could periodically query the
`impact detection System controller and, upon receiving no
`response, the VCS would initiate the notification. Again,
`Such an alternative approach may result in incorrect notifi
`cation if there is a failure in the vehicle data bus or the air
`bag controller. Furthermore, this technique would increase
`the traffic on the data bus unnecessarily.
`AS will also be appreciated, the disclosed invention can be
`embodied in the form of computer or controller imple
`mented processes and apparatuses for practicing those pro
`cesses. The present invention can also be embodied in the
`form of computer program code containing instructions
`embodied in tangible media, Such as floppy diskettes,
`CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable
`Storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code
`is loaded into and executed by a computer or controller, the
`computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention.
`The present invention may also be embodied in the form of
`computer program code or Signal, for example, whether
`Stored in a Storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by
`a computer or controller, or transmitted over Some trans
`mission medium, Such as over electrical wiring or cabling,
`through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation,
`wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into
`and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an
`apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented
`on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program
`code Segments configure the microprocessor to create Spe
`cific logic circuits.
`While the invention has been described with reference to
`a preferred embodiment(s), it will be understood by those
`skilled in the art that various changes may be made and
`equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
`departing from the Scope of the invention. In addition, many
`modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
`material to the teachings of the invention without departing
`from the essential Scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended
`that the invention not be limited to the particular embodi
`ment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
`out this invention, but that the invention will include all
`embodiments falling within the Scope of the appended
`claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An integrated vehicle communication System for a
`vehicle, comprising:
`a telecommunication apparatus in communication with a
`vehicle data bus, and
`a pre-impact System in communication with Said vehicle
`data bus,
`Said pre-impact System further providing Said telecom
`munication apparatus with a Signal reflective of a
`determined imminent impact detected thereby;
`wherein, upon receiving Said Signal reflective of Said
`determined imminent impact, Said telecommunication
`apparatus initiates a notification to a Service provider if
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`US 6,812,832 B2
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`Said telecommunication apparatus is not in communi
`cation with an impact detection System controller in the
`vehicle.
`2. The vehicle communication System of claim 1, wherein
`Said impact detection System controller is coupled to Said
`vehicle data bus.
`3. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein
`Said telecommunication apparatus, upon receiving Said Sig
`nal reflective of Said determined imminent impact, Sends a
`query to Said impact detection System controller through
`Said vehicle data bus.
`4. The vehicle communication system of claim3, wherein
`Said query is determinative of communication between Said
`telecommunication apparatus and Said impact detection Sys
`tem controller and, if communication is maintained
`therebetween, Said query is further determinative of an
`impact detection engagement Status of an impact detection
`system within the vehicle.
`5. The vehicle communication system of claim 4,
`wherein:
`if Said query determines that Said telecommunication
`apparatus is no longer in communication with Said
`impact detection System controller, then Said telecom
`munication apparatus initiates a notification to the
`Service provider;
`if Said query determines that Said telecommunication
`apparatus is still in communication with Said impact
`detection System controller, and Said query determines
`that Said impact detection System has been engaged,
`then Said telecommunication apparatus initiates a noti
`fication to the Service provider; and
`if Said query determines that Said telecommunication
`apparatus is still in communication with Said impact
`detection System controller, and Said query determines
`that Said impact detection System has not been engaged,
`then said telecommunication apparatus does not initiate
`a notification to the Service provider.
`6. The vehicle communication system of claim 3, wherein
`Said telecommunication apparatus, upon receiving Said Sig
`nal reflective of Said determined imminent impact, further
`Sends an imminent impact Signal to the Service provider.
`7. The vehicle communication system of claim 5,
`wherein:
`if Said query determines that Said telecommunication
`apparatus is no longer in communication with Said
`impact detection System controller, then Said