DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The major components of a preferred embodiment of the inventive system and its environment are shown in FIG. 1 . It comprises a customer service center 10 with an operator 11 . At least one vehicle 20 , at least one boat or ship 24 , as well as one or more stationary pieces of equipment 25 such as a remote facility or plant that communicates with the service center 10 via a cellular communication network 30 like GSM (European standard) or AMPS (US standard) and/or a satellite communication network 31 , either of which is for exchanging information, data and voice communication in both directions. Further, even software programs can be transmitted if necessary. A position of the vehicle(s) 20 is detected by means of a global positioning system (GPS) 40 . Emergency assistance vehicles 22 and roadside assistance vehicles 23 can communicate with the service center 10 in a similar manner or in any other way, and are activated by the service center in case of need by one of the remote objects and/or vehicles.

[0019] In general, the system provides telephone services and emergency and technical assistance using both cellular 30 and satellite communication 31 . This allows for a reliable connection between the remote objects or facilities, vehicles and the customer service center 10 or some other response center.

[0020] More specifically, the customer service center 10 can automatically handle emergency situations, remote diagnostics, maintenance and commands to the mobile and stationary objects 20 , 24 , 25 . Further, a vehicle driver or operator of the remote vehicle or facility can manually request help or signal an emergency to the customer service center. Additionally, the mobile and stationary objects can automatically inform the customer service center 10 in case of emergency, malfunction or for other prescribed reasons. All these exchanges of data, voice, information and software programs is conducted with a high reliability due to the use of both cellular 30 and satellite communication 31 . The actual position of the object, be it stationary or mobile, can be detected and evaluated by the global positioning system 40 .

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a first unit of the system as incorporated in a mobile object like the exemplary vehicles or ship. It includes a controller module 200 for bidirectional communication with a data bus or network manager 201 , a cellular phone module 202 , a satellite communication module 203 , a GPS controller 204 and a user interface manager 205 which is connected to a keypad 206 with incorporated loudspeaker and microphone for voice communication. Further, a backup battery (not illustrated) is provided for supplying these modules in case of main battery failure.

[0022] For transmitting and receiving signals, the phone module 202 is connected with a first antenna 210 . A backup mobile phone antenna (not illustrated) is included in the phone module for usage in case of damage to the first antenna. The satellite communication module is connected with a second antenna 211 and the GPS-controller is connected with a third antenna 212 . Further, at least one emergency sensor 207 is connected to the controller module 200 for automatically detecting accidents or malfunctions of the object.

[0023] The data bus or network manager 201 is connected to an internal data bus or network 208 of the object in order to retrieve information from, and send commands to several vehicle components like motor, brakes, alarm, audio and others. Data messages and phone information is displayed on a display 209 .

[0024] The cellular phone module 202 provides a phone subscription for private usage or manual requests for assistance (voice- and data-transmission) by a driver or operator of the object, and a service subscription for connection to the customer service center (software program download, voice- and data-transmission) and for transmitting and managing several services like remote diagnostics, maintenance, emergency or accident assistance. The service subscription is embedded into the phone module 202 . The customer service center 10 as well as the object 20 , 24 , 25 can request and initiate communication via the service subscription.

[0025] The services can further include a roadside assistance service, an emergency assistance service, services for transmitting of diagnostic reports like motor status and brake status or malfunction, and/or a service for object location, either periodically or on request of the customer service center or the object. The system further offers the possibility for a user at the customer service center to retrieve information from, or send command to any module in the vehicle connected to the internal data bus or network 208 . These reports and information can be stored by the customer service center and used for vehicle maintenance and repair.

[0026] The transition from private subscription to service subscription can be initiated by a key press of the operator, if for example road or emergency assistance is needed. Further, an accident can automatically initiate the service subscription by means of at least one sensor which for example detects an air-bag deployment. Also, service subscription can be activated by an alarm in case of theft. The transition to private subscription is effected by a simple key press (“phone on”).

[0027] A conflict concerning simultaneous execution of several such services is handled automatically by the system by assigning and affecting a priority to each service.

[0028] Preferably, a sensed indication of an occurrence such as an accident via, for example, the detection of an air-bag deployment, is assigned an upper-most priority status.

[0029] Exemplarily, if a driver asks for roadside assistance, the roadside assistance service of the system is activated. If subsequently the driver or a sensor signals an emergency, the roadside assistance service is deactivated and the emergency assistance service is activated. If then an accident occurs, the emergency assistance service is deactivated and an air-bag deployment notification is activated.

[0030] The driver can manually request help in any case. If he or she is lost, vehicle position is reported using GPS 40 and GPS controller 204 , and navigation information is provided by voice or data communication from the customer service center. If the vehicle has broken down, remote vehicle diagnostic may be performed, vehicle position be reported using GPS and a breakdown mechanic and roadside assistance 23 be informed and deployed. It should be appreciated that these are only a few examples of possible manually initiated assistance that can be provided by the inventive system.

[0031] In case of an emergency being detected by the sensor 207 , the vehicle status and position are reported automatically to the customer service center or a specific rescue service via the service subscription. A voice communication is also established to enable emergency assistance 22 to contact the driver. The inventive system handles priority between all these functions as disclosed above so that any on-going phone call or manually requested help function is automatically interrupted to manage emergency assistance.

[0032] The inventive system manages cellular communication via phone module 202 and satellite communication via satellite communication module 203 . The satellite system is primarily used as a backup when no cellular network is currently available.

[0033] An important feature of the inventive system is its modularity and its capability for being customized according to the user's needs. The controller module 200 , the data bus or network manager 201 and the phone module 202 are considered to be basic components. User interface manager 205 , satellite communication module 203 and GPS controller 204 are considered to be optional components.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a second unit of the system adapted to be incorporated in a stationary object like a remote facility or plant. It includes a controller module 200 which is connected to a data bus or network manager 201 , a cellular phone module 202 with a first antenna 210 (and a backup antenna as mentioned above) and a satellite communication module 203 with a second antenna 211 . The data bus or network manager 201 is connected to an internal data bus or network 208 of the object. Further, at least one emergency sensor 207 is connected to the controller module 200 for automatically detecting accidents or malfunctions of the object. Further, a backup battery (not illustrated) is provided for supplying these modules in case of main battery failure.

[0035] Possible applications concern any critical object in remote areas and which is accessible with difficulties. These are for example a water pump in a desert, an electricity generator in the mountains or a navigation beacon on an island.

[0036] The object can send an equipment diagnostic report periodically and offer the possibility for a remote user to retrieve information from or send commands to any module of the equipment connected to the internal data bus or network. These reports and information can be stored by the customer service center and used for the equipment maintenance and repair.

[0037] In case of a major problem detected by sensor 207 , the controller module 200 can automatically report the actual problem and equipment status.

[0038] Problem report, equipment status, information and commands are transferred using cellular or satellite communication data messages. Satellite is used as a backup when no cellular network is currently accessible; again, the cellular phone can handle the above disclosed two subscriptions.

[0039] Now, referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart indicating various steps in different operating modes of an object is shown. These modes are a sleep mode S, a standby mode W and a first service execution mode Ti.

[0040] The sleep mode S ends when a wake up timer has elapsed in step 41 . The wake up period is preferably programmable by the customer service center 10 . The object enters standby mode W in step 42 . It is powered up and initialized. The phone module 202 is activated and the service subscription is selected. The object waits for an incoming data message using cellular communication 30 in step 43 during a defined first period. If no message has been received after this first period according to step 43 , satellite communication module 203 is activated in step 44 . The object waits for an incoming message using satellite communication 31 in step 44 during a defined second period. Preferably, the first and second periods are programmable with respect to time and duration by the customer service center, so that these periods are synchronized with corresponding active periods in the customer service center 10 allowing a connection to be reliably established. If no message has been received after this second period according to step 45 , the object returns to sleep mode S via point A where power consumption is minimal.

[0041] When a data message has been received according to step 43 or step 45 , it is decoded in step 46 . Each data message preferably has a standard format like, for example, Global Automotive Protocol for Telematics Standard (GATS). The data message must contain at least one service identifier (code) for selecting the requested service. The selected service is activated in step 47 , and the related mode is executed in the object according to step 48 . Service execution includes mainly information retrieved from internal data bus or network manager 201 , message assembly and message sending using cellular phone module 202 or satellite communication module 203 . It can also optionally include position computation using GPS 40 and voice connection with the customer service center 10 . When the first service execution mode T 1 is completed, the object returns to standby mode W via point B.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart indicating various steps in which operating modes of an object are shown. These modes are a phone mode P and a second service execution mode T 2 .

[0043] The phone mode (private subscription) ends when the service subscription is activated in step 51 . The service subscription can be activated manually by an operator of the object, preferably using buttons, preferably automatically by emergency sensors or by the customer service center 10 . Ongoing communication using the cellular phone module 202 in private subscription is interrupted in step 52 and the service subscription is selected in step 53 . Preferably a message is displayed on the screen 209 to inform the user that service subscription is now active. The object(s) 20-25 tries to connect to the customer service center 10 (or vice versa) using cellular phone module 202 in step 54 . If cellular communication 30 is not possible according to step 55 , satellite communication 31 is activated in step 56 by means of satellite communication module 203 .

[0044] If communication has been established according to step 55 or step 56 , the activated service is executed in step 57 . Service execution mainly includes the retrieving of information from the internal data bus or network 208 , message assembly, and message sending using established cellular phone or satellite communication 30 , 31 . It can also optionally include position computation using GPS 40 and voice connection with the customer service center 10 . When service execution is completed, connection with customer service center 10 is terminated in step 58 . The private phone subscription is activated again in step 59 and the second service execution mode T 2 is terminated. The object returns to phone mode P via point C. Preferably a message is displayed on the screen 209 to inform the user that the cellular phone module 202 in private subscription is now active again.

[0045] There are several advantages enabled through the provision and implementation of the present invention(s). Those advantages include the use of one or more sensors 207 located for example in air-bag units, motor or brakes or elsewhere, emergency situations can automatically be detected and transmitted to the customer service center. Another is the provision of cellular phone and satellite communication, which can also be used simultaneously as a redundant communication link that can be established so that reliability of communication is substantially improved. The controller module 200 can perform remote diagnostics and maintenance via data bus or network manager 201 and internal data bus or network 208 , for example vehicle tracking, motor status reporting, fuel level, alarm notification, and commands for door lock and unlock and motor stop, and display related information messages on the screen 209 and/or transmitting to the customer service center 10 . These actions can be initiated either automatically by a sensor or program at the object or vehicle, or manually by a user at the object, or responsive to a request from the customer service center which yields direct access to the internal data bus or network 208 of the object. In another aspect, advantages are derived by providing a phone subscription for private usage (voice and messages) and a service subscription for emergency and technical assistance by which reliability is improved in the case of an emergency by interrupting and inactivating any private usage. The controller module 200 can perform priority management between the different services with emergency assistance preferably being assigned the highest priority. The modular architecture of the inventive system makes it applicable to both mobile vehicles, including small airplanes, and static equipment and facilities.