Exhibit 101 1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,228,211 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 5, 2007
`Lowrey et a].
`
`US007228211B1
`
`(54) TELEMATICS DEVICE FOR VEHICLES
`WITH AN INTERFACE FOR MULTIPLE
`PERIPHERAL DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Seabrook, TX
`(US); Matthew J. Banet, Del Mar, CA
`
`(US); Paul Washrcko, Carlsbad, CA
`(US)
`
`.
`(73) Assrgnee: HTI IP, LLC, New York, NY (US)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`( * ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclalmer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 145 days.
`
`(21) App]. No.: 10/810,373
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 26, 2004
`
`RCIated U-S- Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation—in—part Of application NO 10/447 713
`filed on May 29, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,732,031, which
`is a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/431,
`947, filed on May 8, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,957,133,
`which is a continuation of application No. 09/776,
`106! filed On Feb. 1, 2001, HOW Pat. NO- 6,636,790
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/220,986, filed on Jul.
`25, 2000, provisional application No. 60/222,213,
`filed on Aug. 1, 2000, provisional application No.
`60/222,152, filed on Aug. 1, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. C].
`(2006.01)
`G01C 17/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................ 701/29; 701/33; 701 /36;
`701/213
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 701/29,
`701/30733, 36, 2137214; 342/357.13, 357.06,
`342/357.12; 340/988, 500; 307/91, 101
`See application file for complete search history.
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`RD-422061 A; Anonymous; Jun. 10, 1999; Abstract, Using Internet
`for vehicle diagnostics-enabling using to operate vehicle personal
`
`computer to direct web browser to vehicle diagnostics website ,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriY. Beaulieu
`(74) Allorney, Agent, or Firm7Stephen C. Glazier;
`
`Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In one embodiment, the invention provides an in—vehicle
`telematics system featuring: 1) a controller; 2) a diagnostics
`system configured to receive diagnostic information from a
`host vehicle; 3) a position-locating system configured to
`determine the host vehicle’s location information; 4) a
`communication interface configured to send additional
`information to a peripheral system other than the diagnostic
`position-locating systems; and, 5) a wireless transmitter
`configured to transmit informatron through a Wireless net-
`work to an Intemet-accessrble websrte.
`
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`
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`
`
`m2: 0 Gammzfvware 0 Hostsgénrp‘uter 4—» Website A Internet
`
`
`
`
`
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`.2
`55>
`57>
`
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`Component
`DataProcessing
`TextMamghgProcessing
`0'1)
`
`
`
`
`
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`70>
`f?
`
`61
`
`,
`
`Seoonusayrignpuwr
`&
`&
`Hi]30
`62
`
`
`
`12 Liberty Mutual
`Exhibit 1011
`
`Page 000001
`
`

`

`US 7,228,211 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`~
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`
`Page 000002
`
`

`

`US 7,228,211 B1
`
`Page 3
`
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`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 000003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 5, 2007
`
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 7,228,211 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2007
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2007
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 7,228,211 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2007
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2007
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`Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 7,228,211 B1
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`

`

`1
`TELEMATICS DEVICE FOR VEHICLES
`WITH AN INTERFACE FOR MULTIPLE
`PERIPHERAL DEVICES
`
`2
`able through a 6 or 9-pin connector, referred to herein as ‘the
`truck diagnostic connector’, typically located in the truck’s
`interior.
`
`US 7,228,211 B1
`
`This application is a continuation-in—part of prior appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/447,7l3, filed May 29, 2003 now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,732,031, which is a continuation of prior appli-
`cation Ser. No. 09/776,106, filed Feb. 1, 2001 now U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,636,790, which claims the benefit of US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/220,986, filed Jul. 25, 2000, U.S. Pro-
`visional Application No. 60/222,213, filed Aug. 1, 2000 and
`US. Provisional Application No. 60/222,152, filed Aug. 1,
`2000, the contents of each prior application and provisional
`application incorporated herein by reference. This applica-
`tion is also a continuation—in—part of prior application Ser.
`No. 10/431,947,
`filed May 8, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,957,133, incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field
`Embodiments of the present invention related to vehicle
`telematics.
`2. Descriptions of Related Art
`Vehicles, such as light-duty cars and trucks and heavy-
`duty tractor/trailers, can include ‘telematics’ systems that
`monitor information describing the vehicle’s location and
`diagnostic condition. Such telematics systems typically
`include a conventional global positioning system (‘GPS’)
`that receives signals from orbiting satellites and a processor
`that analyzes these signals to calculate a GPS ‘fix’. The fix,
`which features data such as the vehicle’s latitude, longitude,
`altitude, heading, and velocity, typically describes the vehi-
`cle’s location with an accuracy of about 10 meters or better.
`Telematics systems can include circuitry that monitors the
`host vehicle’s diagnostic system. As an example of a diag-
`nostic system, light-duty automobiles and trucks beginning
`with model year 1996 include an on-board diagnostic (OBD-
`II) system as mandated by the Environmental Protection
`Agency (EPA). OBD-II systems typically operate under one
`of the following communication protocols: J1850 VPW
`(Ford); J 1850 VPWM (General Motors); ISO 9141—2 (most
`Japanese and European vehicles); Keyword 2000 (some
`Mercedes and Hyundai vehicles); and CAN (a newer pro-
`tocol used by many vehicles manufactured after 2004).
`OBD-II systems monitor the vehicle’s electrical, mechani-
`cal, and emissions systems and generate data that are pro-
`cessed by a vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) to detect
`malfunctions or deterioration in performance. The data
`typically include parameters such as vehicle speed (VSS),
`engine speed (RPM), engine load (LOAD), and mass air
`flow (MAF). The ECU can also generate diagnostic trouble
`codes (DTCs), which are 5-digit codes (e.g., ‘P0001’) indi-
`cating electrical or mechanical problems with the vehicle.
`Most vehicles manufactured after 1996 include a standard-
`ized,
`serial 16-cavity connector, sometimes referred to
`herein as an ‘OBD-II connector’,
`that makes these data
`available. The OBD-II connector serially communicates
`
`with the vehicle’s ECU and typically lies underneath the
`vehicle’s dashboard.
`Heavy-duty trucks typically include a diagnostic system,
`referred to herein as a ‘truck diagnostic system’, which is
`analogous to the OBD-II systems present
`in light-duty
`vehicles. Truck diagnostic systems typically operate a com-
`munication protocol called J1708/J1587 or J1939 that col-
`lects diagnostic information from sensors distributed in the
`truck, processes this information, and then makes it avail-
`
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`The features and advantages of embodiments of the
`present invention can be understood by reference to the
`following detailed description taken with the drawings of
`various embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an in-vehicle telematics
`device featuring a wireless modem, GPS, vehicle-commu-
`nication circuits, and a serial interface for connecting one or
`more peripheral devices, according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the serial interface of
`FIG. 1 connecting to peripheral devices including an LCD
`display and keyboard, a hand’s-free cellular phone kit, a
`panic button, a short-range wireless transmitter, and a sec-
`ondary modem, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 3 is a semi-schematic drawing of a vehicle’s driver
`and passenger compartments,
`featuring an in-vehicle
`telematics device and a peripheral device, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle featuring a
`wireless appliance that communicates with a GPS, a wire-
`less communication network, and an Intemet—accessible web
`site, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5A is a semi-schematic drawing of an Intemet-
`accessible web site featuring, respectively, tabs for informa—
`tion relating to diagnostics, location, service records, and
`text messaging, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 5B is a semi-schematic drawing of an Intemet-
`accessible web page that links to the web site of FIG. 5A and
`includes a user interface for sending and receiving text
`messages, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 6 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-acces-
`sible web page that links to the web site of FIG. 5A and
`displays a vehicle’s diagnostic data monitored by the
`telematics system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-acces-
`sible web page that links to the web site of FIG. 5A and
`displays a vehicle’s numerical latitude and longitude and a
`map showing the vehicle’s location monitored by the
`telematics system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a semi-schematic drawing of an Internet-acces-
`sible web page that links to the web site of FIG. 5A and
`displays a vehicle’s service records generated using a data
`management system for an automotive dealership, according
`to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of the in-vehicle telematics
`device featuring a wireless modem, GPS, vehicle-commu-
`nication circuits, and a short-range wireless transmitter,
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of the in—vehicle telemat—
`ics device featuring a single chipset-based that includes a
`wireless transmitter, position-locating module, memory, and
`a microprocessor, vehicle-communication circuits, and a
`voice interface for transmitting audio information, according
`to one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Page 000014
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`

`

`US 7,228,211 B1
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The following description refers to the accompanying
`drawings that illustrate certain embodiments of the present
`invention. Other embodiments are possible and modifica-
`tions may be made to the embodiments without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the
`following detailed description is not meant to limit
`the
`present invention. Rather, the scope of the present invention
`is defined by the appended claims.
`It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention
`to provide a small-scale, wireless, intemet—based telematics
`system for monitoring and analyzing a vehicle’s GPS and
`diagnostic data. The embodiment of the system includes an
`in—vehicle telematics device that features a serial interface to
`one or more peripheral devices, including but not limited to
`the following: 1) liquid-crystal display (LCD) and keyboard;
`hand’s-free cellular telephone kit; 3) panic button; 4) short-
`range wireless transmitter (e.g., a BluetoothTM or 802.11b
`transmitter); and 5) a secondary modem (e.g. a satellite
`modem).
`In the embodiment, the peripheral devices, which connect
`through the serial
`interface using a universal connector,
`expand the capabilities of the telematics device to include,
`among other things, text messaging between a driver and a
`fleet manager; operation of a cellular telephone in a conve-
`nient ‘hand’s free’ mode; notification of authorities in case
`of emergency; short-range, high-speed data communication;
`and world-wide wireless coverage.
`More specifically, in one embodiment, the invention pro-
`vides an in-vehicle telematics system featuring: 1) a con-
`troller; 2) a diagnostics system configured to receive diag-
`no stic information from a host vehicle; 3) a position-locating
`system configured to detemiine the host vehicle’s location
`information; 4) a communication interface configured to
`send additional information to a peripheral system other than
`the diagnostic position-locating systems; and, 5) a Wireless
`transmitter configured to transmit information through a
`wireless network to an Internet-accessible website.
`In certain embodiments, the peripheral device can be a
`display, such as a LCD. In this case the controller features
`machine-readable computer code, e. g. firmware, which con-
`trols the display. For example, the computer code can be
`configured to render a text message on the display. The text
`message can be sent from the Intemet-accessible website, or
`from a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant
`(‘PDA’). Preferably the display is configured to mount
`inside the vehicle.
`In other embodiments, the peripheral device features a
`voice interface that receives audio information and sends the
`information to the wireless transmitter. For example, the
`peripheral device can be a hand’s—free phone kit. The
`hand’s—free phone kit can contain a BluetoothTM transmitter
`configured to send information to and receive information
`from a user’s cellular telephone. Alternatively, the telematics
`device includes the BluetoothTM transmitter, e.g.
`it
`is
`mounted on an internal circuit board. In still other embodi-
`ments, the peripheral device is a short-range wireless trans-
`mitter, e.g. a transmitter operating a BluetoothTM, 802.11,
`part-15, or infrared wireless protocol.
`In another embodiment, the peripheral device includes a
`button (e.g. a ‘panic button’) that, when depressed, sends a
`signal through the interface to the controller. Or the periph-
`eral device can be a secondary wireless modem, such as a
`satellite modem. The interface used in the telematics device
`may be a serial interface, such as an IZC, RS232, RS485,
`USB, CAN or SPI serial interface.
`
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`In an embodiment, the position-locating system may be a
`conventional GPS (that interprets satellite signals to deter-
`mine location) or a network-assisted GPS (that interprets
`both satellite and terrestrial wireless signals to determine
`location). The controller may be a microcontroller or a
`microprocessor, e.g. an ARM7 or ARM9 microprocessor.
`In another embodiment, the invention provides an in-
`vehicle telematics system that features a controller that runs
`machine-readable computer code configured to receive diag-
`nostic information from a host vehicle and location infor-
`mation from a position-locating system. The controller is
`additionally configured to receive and send information
`through a serial interface to a peripheral device other than
`the diagnostic and position-locating systems. The telematics
`system uses a wireless transmitter to transmit diagnostic and
`location information through a wireless network to an Inter-
`net-accessible website.
`the invention provides an in-
`In another embodiment,
`vehicle telematics system that features the above-described
`components for determining diagnostic and location infor-
`mation combined with a voice interface configured to
`receive and transmit voice information.
`In various embodiments, the same wireless transmitter
`transmits location information through a wireless network to
`the Intemet—accessible website, and voice information
`through the same wireless network to an external telephone.
`Here, the controller further comprises a speech-recognition
`module, e.g. machine-readable computer code that analyzes
`a user’s speech to determine a telephone number and other
`commands.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the telematics
`system features a housing that covers the controller and the
`position-location system, and additionally includes a port
`that connects to the external peripheral system. In this case,
`the system can include a cable or a wireless interface that
`sends information to and receives information from the
`external peripheral system.
`In yet another embodiment of the invention, the invention
`provides a telematics system that features a short-range
`wireless transmitter (e.g. a BluetoothTM transmitter) config-
`ured to send information to an external peripheral device,
`and a long-range wireless transmitter (e.g. a cellular modem)
`configured to transmit information through a wireless net—
`work to an Intemet—accessible website.
`Various embodiments of the invention have many advan-
`tages. In particular, with various embodiments of the inven-
`tion described herein, difierent peripheral devices can easily
`and quickly connect to the telematics device through its
`serial interface. This means a user can add valuable func-
`tionality to the telematics device, and optimize the device for
`a particular application, in a matter of minutes. For example,
`using the serial interface, the user can add a simple, LCD
`display and keyboard. With this, drivers and fleet managers
`can communicate with text messages to optimize the fleet’s
`efficiency. Or a hand’s-free cellular telephone kit (e.g., a kit
`featuring a BluetoothTM module or cradle) can connect
`through the serial interface to give a driver a safe, conve-
`nient way to place cellular phone calls. To even further
`enhance safety and security, a peripheral device featuring a
`panic button can connect
`through the serial
`interface.
`Depressing the panic button automatically sends a message
`to, e.g., a call center, that in turn would notify the appro—
`priate authorities. Peripheral devices running a BluetoothTM
`or 802. 11b wireless protocol can quickly send large amounts
`of information (e.g. diagnostic information collected and
`stored over long periods of time) to a proximal hub. And a
`peripheral device featuring a secondary modem, such as a
`
`Page 000015
`
`

`

`US 7,228,211 B1
`
`5
`satellite or CDMA modem, can transmit and receive infor-
`mation in regions in which the primary modem may not
`operate.
`interface,
`These features, made possible by the serial
`complement basic advantages provided by the telematics
`system. For example, embodiments of this system provide
`wireless, real-time transmission and analysis of GPS and
`diagnostic data, followed by analysis and display of these
`data using an Intemet-hosted web site. This makes it pos-
`sible to characterize the vehicle’s performance and deter-
`mine its location in real -time from virtually any location that
`has Internet access, provided the vehicle being tested
`includes the below-described telematics system. This infor-
`mation is complementary and, when analyzed together, can
`improve conventional services such as roadside assistance,
`vehicle theft notification and recovery, and remote diagnos-
`tics. For example, the information can indicate a vehicle’s
`location, its fuel level and battery voltage, and whether or
`not it has any active DTCs. Using this information, a call
`center can dispatch a tow truck with the appropriate mate-
`rials (e.g., extra gasoline or tools required to repair a specific
`problem) to repair the vehicle accordingly.
`Embodiments of the present invention may be useful in a
`
`wide range of vehicles. Examples of such vehicles include
`automobiles and trucks, as well as commercial equipment,
`medium and heavy-duty trucks, construction vehicles (e.g.,
`front-end loaders, bulldozers,
`forklifts), powered sport
`vehicles (e.g., motorboats, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles,
`snowmobiles, jet skis, and other powered sport vehicles),
`collision repair vehicles, marine vehicles, and recreational
`vehicles. Further, embodiments may be useful in the vehicle
`care industry.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic drawings of a small-scale
`telematics device 13 according to an embodiment of the
`invention that monitors diagnostic and location-based data
`from a host vehicle and wirelessly transmits these data to an
`Internet-accessible website. The telematics device 13 fea-
`tures a serial interface 35 that connects to peripheral devices,
`described in detail below. The serial interface 35 features a
`connector that mates with an associated connector that is
`universal to each peripheral device. The telematics device 13
`runs firmware, described in more detail below, that recog-
`nizes the peripheral device and serially communicates with
`it so that information can pass across the serial interface 35.
`The serial
`interface 35 additionally supplies power and
`ground so that the peripheral device does not require an
`additional power supply to operate.
`Referring to FIG. 2,
`for example, peripheral devices
`according to an embodiment of the invention may include:
`1) LCD and keyboard 36a for sending, receiving, and
`displaying text messages; 2) a hand’s-free cellular phone kit
`and voice interface 36b for safe, convenient voice commu—
`nications; 3) a panic button 360 for sending a short, auto—
`mated message and location in case of emergency; 4) a
`short-range, high-bandwidth wireless transmitter 36d oper-
`ating BluetoothTM or 802.11b; or 5) a secondary modem 369,
`e.g. a cellular or satellite modem.
`In addition to the serial interface to peripheral devices 35,
`the telematics device 13 may feature: 1) a data-generating
`portion 15 that generates both dia