| |II|I |||I|I|I || I|I||I “III III" "III III“ "III "III "III "III III“ |II|I I||I|| |II| ||I| MI
`US 20050221876A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0221876 A1
`
`Van Bosch et al. Oct. 6, 2005 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`(54) METHODS FOR SENDING MESSAGES
`BASED ON THE LOCATION OF MOBILE
`USERS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: James A. Van Bosch, Crystal Lake, IL
`(US); Michael A. Newell, Williams
`Bay, WI (US); Robert F. D’Avello,
`Lake Zurich, IL (US); Nick J. Grivas,
`Harvard, IL (US); Jerome D-
`Meyerhofi', Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
`SCOTT 13- Davis, Walworth, WI (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MOTOROLA, INC.
`1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD
`IL01/3RD
`SCHAUMBURG IL 60196
`’
`10/818,078
`
`(21) Appl. No.2
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 5, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... H04Q 7/20
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`.......................................................... 455/575.9
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and procedure for posting and receiving location-
`based messages in a wireless communication based network.
`The system allows messages to be posted to specified users
`and to be associated with a particular location for which the
`message is pertinent. The messages can be left when a user
`passes a particular location, or the user can specify the
`location for the message even if not present at that location.
`The messages can then be displayed at a user interface of the
`recipient either when the recipient nears that location, or
`they can be reviewed in advance. Such location-based
`messages can be left either for another user or for the same
`user that is posting the method. The posted and received
`messages can be textual, audio, video, or pictorial messages
`and may be superimposed on computerized maps to make
`association between the message and the location more
`meaningful. Regardless, the disclosed system and methods
`allow messages to be associated with particular locations of
`interest.
`
`54
`
`56
`
`
`EMERGENCY
`SERVICE
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`SERVICE
`COMMUNICATION
`
`
`
`SERVICE
`
`CENTER
`WIRELESS
`
`NETWORK
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`WIRELESS
`
`DEVICE
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 13
`
`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`‘ 34
`
`EMERGENCY
`SERVICE
`
`36
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`SERVICE
` SERVICE
`
`
`
`CENTER
`
`WIRELESS
`NETWORK
`
`22b
`
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`FIG. 1
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`79
`
`V
`Pick up prescription at pharmacy on your left
`
`?
`
`‘ [user I02]
`
`3:00-4:00 pm
`
`Message:
`
`Recipient:
`
`‘ Post
`
`time:
`
`Post date:
`
`500 Feet
`00.0.04—
`
`November 26-30, 2003
`
`Location Radius:
`
`FIG. 4a
`
`Message:
`
`Recipient:
`
`Post
`
`time:
`
`Pick up prescription at pharmacy on‘ your left
`
`=-A
`
`Terri!
`
`Garret
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`3:00 pm
`
`Expiration time:
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Message:
`
`Accident 0n Highway 190
`
`1 Mile
`
`Recipient:
`
`Global
`
`Post
`
`time:
`
`Post date:
`
`5:00-6:00 pm
`
`November 31, 2003
`
`Location Radius:
`
`I Mile
`
`Message:
`
`Recipient:
`
`Intructions:
`
`Post date:
`
`Place Call
`
`[User 102]
`
`Call [User 101]
`
`November 31. 200.5
`
`Location Radius:
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 13
`
`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 13
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
`
`Oct. 6, 2005
`
`METHODS FOR SENDING MESSAGES BASED ON
`THE LOCATION OF MOBILE USERS IN A
`COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`[0001] The present application is related to the following
`co-pending, commonly assigned patent applications, which
`were filed concurrently herewith and incorporated by refer-
`ence in their entirety:
`
`
`
`“Selectively
`entitled
`,
`Ser. No.
`[0002]
`Enabling Communications at a User Interface Using
`a Profile,” attorney docket TC00167, filed concur-
`rently herewith.
`
`
`
`for
`“Method
`,entitled
`Ser. No.
`[0003]
`Enabling Communications Dependent on User Loca-
`tion, User-Specified Location, or Orientation,” attor-
`ney docket TC00168, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Methods for Dis-
`Ser. No.
`[0004]
`playing a Route Traveled by Mobile Users in a
`Communication
`Network,”
`attorney
`docket
`TC00170, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Conversion of
`Ser. No.
`[0005]
`Calls from an Ad Hoc Communication Network,”
`attorney docket TC00172, filed concurrently here-
`with.
`
`
`
`, entitled “Method for Enter-
`Ser. No.
`[0006]
`ing a Personalized Communication Profile Into a
`Communication User
`Interface,” attorney docket
`TC00173, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Methods and Sys-
`Ser. No.
`[0007]
`tems for Controlling Communications in an Ad Hoc
`Communication
`Network,”
`attorney
`docket
`TC00174, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Methods for Con-
`Ser. No.
`[0008]
`trolling Processing of Inputs to a Vehicle Wireless
`Communication
`Interface,”
`attorney
`docket
`TC00175, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Methods for Con-
`Ser. No.
`[0009]
`trolling Processing of Outputs to a Vehicle Wireless
`Communication
`Interface,”
`attorney
`docket
`TC00176, filed concurrently herewith.
`
`
`, entitled “Programmable
`Ser. No.
`[0010]
`Foot Switch Useable in a Communications User
`
`Interface in a Vehicle,” attorney docket TC00177,
`filed concurrently herewith.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`tion system currently employed in vehicles, and allows
`vehicle occupants to establish a telephone call with others
`(such as a service center) by activating a switch.
`
`[0013] Existing vehicle-based communication systems,
`however, contemplate immediate communication between
`the two parties, which may not always be desirable. For
`example, an occupant in a first vehicle may wish to remind
`a second vehicle of something at a particular time and/or at
`a particular location along the second vehicle’s route. For
`example,
`the first vehicle may wish to post a reminder
`message to the second vehicle to have the user “turn right
`here, at Autumnway Drive, and pull into the diner to meet
`me.” It may also be desired for a first user to leave a similar
`location-based message for the second vehicle even when
`that first user is not in a vehicle or not mobile. For example,
`the first user may wish from his home to leave a similar
`message for the second vehicle, such as “turn into the
`grocery store here and bring home a bottle of milk on your
`way home from work.” Such messages are thus only rel-
`evant to the second vehicle when they are at or near the
`particular locations, and furthermore may only have perti-
`nence at a particular time or day. Such functionality is not
`presently enabled in vehicle-based or other communication
`systems.
`
`It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved
`[0014]
`vehicle communication system that includes the sending and
`receiving location-based messages. In particular, it would
`thus be convenient for vehicle-based (or other) communi-
`cation systems to allow messages to be left for a second user
`at a particular location and further at a particular time or
`date. This disclosure presents several different means for
`meeting these needs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless vehicular
`communications system;
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for
`a vehicular wireless communications system;
`
`[0017] FIG. 3 is diagram illustrating a map showing two
`vehicles and a house in communication with a system in
`which location-based messages can be posted and received;
`
`[0018] FIGS. 4a-4d are embodiments of a user interface
`for posting a location-based message for a user of the
`communication system;
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a further embodiment
`of a control system with the addition of a video camera to
`allow the posting of video messages;
`
`[0011] This invention relates to systems and methods for
`sending and receiving location-based messages in a com-
`munication network.
`
`[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating two vehicles in
`wireless communication and the transmission and storage of
`a location-based message from one vehicle to the other;
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0012] Communication systems, and especially wireless
`communication systems, are becoming more sophisticated,
`offering consumers improved functionality to communicate
`with one another. Such increased functionality has been
`particularly useful in the automotive arena, and vehicles are
`now being equipped with communication systems with
`improved audio (voice) wireless communication capabili-
`ties. For example, On StarTM is a well-known communica-
`
`[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display in
`a user interface for reviewing a textually-based location-
`based message;
`
`[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a display in
`a user interface for reviewing a location-based message
`superimposed on a map marked with the location;
`
`[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a display in
`a user interface for reviewing a plurality of location-based
`messages superimposed on a map marked with the locations;
`
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
`
`Oct. 6, 2005
`
`[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a display in
`a user interface for reviewing a plurality of textually-based
`location-based messages;
`
`[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a display in
`a user interface for reviewing a plurality of audio or video-
`based location-based messages; and
`
`[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a monitor in
`the computer for posting a location-based message to a
`mobile user.
`
`[0027] While the invention is susceptible to various modi-
`fications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have
`been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be
`described in detail herein. However, it should be understood
`that
`the invention is not
`intended to be limited to the
`
`particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover
`all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within
`the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
`appended claims.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`is described is a system and method for
`[0028] What
`sending and receiving location-based messages in a com-
`munication network. The system allows messages to be
`posted to specified users and to be associated with a par-
`ticular location for which the message is pertinent. The
`messages can be left when a user passes a particular loca-
`tion, or the user can specify the location for the message
`even if not present at that location. The messages can then
`be displayed at a user interface of the recipient either when
`the recipient nears that location, or they can be reviewed in
`advance. Such location-based messages can be left either for
`another user or for the same user that is posting the method.
`The posted and received messages can be textual, audio,
`video, or pictorial messages and may be superimposed on
`computerized maps to make association between the mes-
`sage and the location more meaningful. Regardless,
`the
`disclosed system and methods allow messages to be asso-
`ciated with particular locations of interest.
`
`[0029] Now, turning to the drawings, an example use of
`the present
`invention in an automotive setting will be
`explained. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary vehicle-based com-
`munication system 10.
`In this system, vehicles 26 are
`equipped with wireless communication devices 22, which
`will be described in further detail below. The communica-
`
`tion device 22 is capable of sending and receiving voice (i.e.,
`speech), data (such as textual or SMS data), and/or video.
`Thus, device 22 can wirelessly transmit or receive any of
`these types of information to a transceiver or base station
`coupled to a wireless network 28. Moreover, the wireless
`communication device may receive information from satel-
`lite communications. Ultimately,
`the network may be
`coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 38,
`the Internet, or other communication network on route to a
`server 24, which ultimately acts as the host for communi-
`cations on the communication system 10 and may comprise
`a communications server. As well as administering commu-
`nications between vehicles 26 wirelessly connected to the
`system, the server 24 can be part of a service center that
`provides other services to the vehicles 26, such as emer-
`gency services 34 or other information services 36 (such as
`restaurant services, directory assistance, etc.).
`
`[0030] Further details of a typical wireless communica-
`tions device 22 as employed in a vehicle 26 are shown in
`FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the device 22 is comprised of
`two main components: a head unit 50 and a Telematics
`control unit 40. The head unit 50 interfaces with or includes
`
`a user interface 51 with which the vehicle occupants interact
`when communicating with the system 10 or other vehicles
`coupled to the system. For example, a microphone 68 can be
`used to pick up a speaker’s voice in the vehicle, and/or
`possibly to give commands to the head unit 50 if it is
`equipped with a voice recognition module 70. Akeypad 72
`may also be used to provide user input, with switches on the
`keypad 72 either being dedicated to particular functions
`(such as a push-to-talk switch, a switch to receive mapping
`information, etc.) or allowing for selection of options that
`the user interface provides.
`
`[0031] The head unit 50 also comprises a navigation unit
`62, which typically includes a Global Positioning Satellite
`(GPS) system for allowing the vehicle’s location to be
`pinpointed, which is useful, for example, in associating the
`vehicle’s location with mapping information the system
`provides. As is known, such a navigation unit communicates
`with GPS satellites (such as satellites 32) via a receiver. Also
`present
`is a positioning unit 66, which determines the
`direction in which the vehicle is pointing (north, north-east,
`etc.), and which is also useful for mapping a vehicle’s
`progress along a route.
`
`[0032] Ultimately, user and system inputs are processed
`by a controller 56 which executes processes in the head unit
`50 accordingly, and provides outputs 54 to the occupants in
`the vehicle, such as through a speaker 78 or a display 79
`coupled to the head unit 50. The speakers 78 employed can
`be the audio (radio) speakers normally present in the vehicle,
`of which there are typically four or more, although only one
`is shown for convenience. Moreover,
`in an alternative
`embodiment, the output 54 may include a text to speech
`converter to provide the option to hear an audible output of
`any text that is contained in a group communication channel
`that the user may be monitoring. This audio feature may be
`particular advantageous in the mobile environment where
`the user is operating a vehicle. Additionally, a memory 64 is
`coupled to the controller 56 to assist
`it
`in performing
`regulation of the inputs and outputs to the system. The
`controller 56 also communicates via a vehicle bus interface
`58 to a vehicle bus 60, which carries communication infor-
`mation and other vehicle operational data throughout the
`vehicle.
`
`[0033] The Telematics control unit 40 is similarly coupled
`to the vehicle bus 60, via a vehicle bus interface 48, and
`hence the head unit 50. The Telematics control unit 40 is
`
`essentially responsible for sending and receiving voice or
`data communications to and from the vehicle, i.e., wirelessly
`to and from the rest of the communications system 10. As
`such, it comprises a Telematics controller 46 to organize
`such communications, and a network access device (NAD)
`42 which include a wireless transceiver. Although shown as
`separate components, one skilled in the art will recognize
`that aspects of the head unit 50 and the Telematics control
`unit 40, and components thereof, can be combined or
`swapped.
`
`[0034] The wireless communications device 22 can pro-
`vide a great deal of communicative flexibility within vehicle
`
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`US 2005/0221876 A1
`
`Oct. 6, 2005
`
`26. For example, an occupant in a first vehicle 26a can call
`a second vehicle 26b to speak to its occupants either by
`pressing a switch on the keypad 72 of the head unit 50 or by
`simply speaking if the head unit is equipped with a voice
`recognition module 70. In one embodiment, the pressing of
`a switch or speaking into a voice recognition module ini-
`tiates a cellular telephone call with a second vehicle 26b. In
`this case, users in either the first vehicle 26a or the second
`vehicle 26b can speak with each other without pressing any
`further switches. Moreover, the system may be configured to
`include a voice activated circuit such as a voice activated
`
`switch (VAS) or voice operated transmit (VOX). This would
`also provide for hands-free operation of the system by a user
`when communicating with other users.
`
`In an alternative embodiment, the switch may be
`[0035]
`configured to establish a push-to-talk communication chan-
`nel over a cellular network. Here,
`the controller 56 is
`configured to only allow audio by occupants in the first
`vehicle 26a through microphone 68 to be transmitted
`through the Telematics control unit 40 when a user in the
`first vehicle 26a is pressing down on the push-to-talk switch.
`The controller 56 is further configured to only allow audio
`received from the second vehicle 26b (or server 24) to be
`heard over speakers 78 when the operator of the first vehicle
`26a is not pressing down on the switch. Alternatively, to
`avoid the need of holding down a switch to speak, the system
`may be configured to allow a user to push a button a first
`time to transmit audio and push the button a second time to
`receive audio.
`
`In any event, a user in the second vehicle 26b can,
`[0036]
`in like fashion, communicate back to the first vehicle 26a,
`with the speaker’s voice being heard on speaker(s) 78 in the
`first vehicle. Or, an occupant in the first vehicle 26a can call
`the server 24 to receive services. Additionally, such a system
`10 can have utility outside of the context of vehicle-based
`applications, and specifically can have utility with respect to
`other portable devices (cell phones, personal data assistants
`(PDAs), etc.).
`
`[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates two traveling vehicles 26a and
`26b. Also illustrated is a house 100 having a personal
`computer 101 therein, and two stores: a pharmacy 102 and
`a grocery 104. Also illustrated is a transceiver tower or base
`station 106 which forms part of the communications net-
`work 10 as largely illustrated in FIG. 1. The vehicles 26a
`and 26b are in wireless communication with the system 10.
`
`In a first embodiment, the first vehicle 26a desires
`[0038]
`to leave a message for the second vehicle 26b, in this case,
`instructing the second vehicle to stop at the pharmacy 102 to
`pick up a prescription. In this first embodiment, the message
`is left at the current location of the first vehicle 26a which
`
`is leaving the message. Thus, in this embodiment, assume
`that the vehicle 26a was at a prior time at location X1 (i.e.,
`at or just before the pharmacy) when the first vehicle posted
`the message for the second vehicle 26b.
`
`[0039] The first vehicle 26a can leave the message for the
`second vehicle 26b in a number of different ways using the
`user interface 51 in the first vehicle. FIG. 4a illustrates one
`
`method using the display 79 and other aspects of the user
`interface 51. In this example, an occupant in the first vehicle
`26a can enter the message and other pertinent information
`concerning the message using switches 113 on the user
`interface 51 in the vehicle, which in this example would be
`
`similar to schemes used to enter names and numbers into a
`
`cell phone. The recipient information preferably constitutes
`a user ID for an occupant in the second vehicle 26b which
`is recognizable by the system. Because the message may
`also have pertinence to a particular time of day, or time
`period during the day, or a particular day, or day of the week,
`the first vehicle 26a can also specify the dates and times at
`which the message should be transmitted to the second
`vehicle 26b. For example, if the message refers to an item
`that the second vehicle needs to pick up at a store after work,
`receipt of the message at a particular time of day (3:00-4:00
`pm) may be the only pertinent time at which the message
`need be transmitted, and the first vehicle can so designate.
`Accordingly, the posting and expiration dates, time, periods,
`are specifiable.
`
`[0040] Of course, many other less cumbersome ways may
`be used to textually enter the message and other information.
`For example, in FIG. 4b, other switches 114 on the user
`interface 51 are used to allow other message information to
`be easily selected without substantial typing on behalf of the
`first vehicle’s occupant. Thus, those users in the second
`vehicle which are normally contacted by the users in the first
`vehicles can be loaded from memory 64 and correlated with
`switches 114 for easy selection. Similarly, the post time and
`expiration time for the message can be more easily entered
`using certain switches 114 as up/down buttons to adjust the
`time.
`(The post and expirations dates can be similarly
`adjusted in this fashion, although this is not shown). The
`disclosed schemes of FIGS. 4a and 4b are merely illustra-
`tive.
`
`[0041] FIG. 46 illustrates another method using the dis-
`play 79 and other aspects of the user interface 51. In this
`example, an occupant in the first vehicle 26a can enter a
`global message and other pertinent information concerning
`the message using switches 113 on the user interface 51 in
`the vehicle, which in this example would be a global
`message to other users regarding an accident. The recipient
`information preferably constitutes people that may be
`affected by the message (even broadly defined as global).
`Because the message may also have pertinence to a particu-
`lar time of day, or time period during the day, or a particular
`day, or day of the week, the first vehicle 26a can also specify
`the dates and times at which the message should be trans-
`mitted to anyone desiring to receive accident information.
`Accordingly, the posting and expiration dates, time, periods,
`are specifiable as well as a radius of the accident that any
`second vehicle must be within before having the message
`sent to them.
`
`[0042] FIG. 4d illustrates a further method using the
`display 79 and other aspects of the user interface 51. In this
`example, an occupant in the first vehicle 26a can enter a
`message that includes a data instruction and other pertinent
`information concerning the establishment of a communica-
`tion link between the first vehicle 26a and a second vehicle
`
`26b when a user is within a predetermined range of a
`location point. The recipient information preferably consti-
`tutes people that may be affected by the message (user 2 in
`the second vehicle 26b). Because the message may also have
`pertinence to an instruction, the first vehicle 26a can also
`specify the type of instruction (place call to user 1 in the first
`vehicle 26a). A radius of a location point that any second
`vehicle must be within before establishing the communica-
`tion link may also be specified in the message.
`
`|PR2017-02022
`
`Unified EX1006 Page 17
`
`IPR2017-02022
`Unified EX1006 Page 17
`
`

`

`US 2005/0221876 A1
`
`Oct. 6, 2005
`
`[0043] Messages and other pertinent message information
`can also be voice posted by the first vehicle 26a using voice
`recognition module 70 (see FIG. 2). In this regard, in one
`embodiment, the voice recognition module 70 (which also
`may constitute part of the controller 56) is employed to
`process a received voice in the vehicle and to match it to
`pre-stored voice prints stored in the voice recognition mod-
`ule 70. Many such voice recognition algorithms exist and are
`useable in the head unit 50, as one skilled in the art will
`appreciate. When a voice recognition module 70 is
`employed, message posting is made more convenient and
`less cumbersome, as an occupant in the vehicle can speak his
`message, the posting time, etc., and have it translated to text
`for eventual transmission to the second vehicle 26b. More-
`
`the voice recognition module 70 may be used to
`over,
`verbally submit an intersection that is transmitted to the
`server 24 for translation into GPS or other latitude and
`
`longitude coordinates.
`
`[0044] The message can also be posted an as audio or
`video message. Thus, at an appropriate time,
`the user
`interface 51 can prompt the user to speak the message he
`wants to send to the second vehicle 26b, which can be
`recorded using microphone 68. Additionally, a video of the
`user leaving the message can be taken using video camera
`120, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, instead of a text message, an
`audio or streaming video message can also be left for the
`second vehicle.
`
`[0045] The message can also constitute a picture. For
`example, instead of informing the second vehicle 26b to pick
`up the prescription at
`the pharmacy,
`the message may
`instead constitute a simple picture of the pharmacy to be
`displayed on display 79 of the second vehicle’s user inter-
`face 51 as a reminder. Such a picture can also be accompa-
`nied by a text or audio message. Apicture can be taken using
`a camera coupled or coupleable to the user interface 51 in
`the first vehicle (not shown), and which may reside outside
`of the vehicle.
`
`in a preferred
`is deemed beneficial
`[0046] While it
`embodiment to allow posting of the post time/expiration and
`time/date for the message, this is not strictly required, as the
`message can be posted immediately and indefinitely, or at
`least until the message is received by the second vehicle, as
`explained further below. Else, the message can simply “time
`out” after a set period and be deleted by the system.
`
`In addition to any location information, the mes-
`[0047]
`sage sent from a user to the server 24 may also include a
`direction and a velocity of the user. This information may be
`obtained from the navigation unit 62, the positioning unit 6,
`or other vehicle sensors. This type of information can be
`helpful in specific cases such as accident notifications and
`third party requests as mentioned above.
`
`In any event, once the message, the intended recipi-
`[0048]
`ent, and other posting information (times, dates) are entered
`into the user interface 51 in the first vehicle 26a, such
`information is sent by the controller 56 to the vehicle bus 60,
`to the Telematics control unit 40, and ultimately to the server
`24, which may constitute a communications server and is
`hereinafter referred to as a server. As shown in FIG. 6, the
`server 24 stores the message, along with the sending user’s
`system ID code (user ID1), the recipient’s system ID code
`(user ID2), and other message particulars such as the post/
`expiration time and date for the message. Other identity
`
`codes can also be used such as a phone number, a “handle,”
`a Vehicle Identification number (VIN), an Electronic Serial
`Number (ESN), an International Mobile Subscriber Number
`(IMSI), or a Mobile Subscriber International ISDN Number
`(MSISDN), all of which are referred to herein as “user IDs”
`for,convenience.
`
`In a further embodiment, the location at which the
`[0049]
`message was posted by the first vehicle 26a (i.e., X1) is also
`stored with the message. Such location information may be
`automatically included with the posting by having the con-
`troller 56 query the navigation unit 62 (see FIG. 2) to
`receive the location of the first vehicle (i.e., its latitude/
`longitude coordinates). Alternatively, the server 24 may also
`determine or calculate location information about a specific
`user 26 based on information from various cellular base
`
`stations in the proximity of the user 26. This can be done by
`triangulating information such as signal strength of commu-
`nications of the user with the plurality of cellular base
`stations. In any event, when wirelessly transmitting to the
`server 24, the message and any associated information may
`be formatted in any number of ways. For example,
`the
`message may constitute the bulk of the data stream, and may
`be accompanied by a header containing the user IDs, the
`posting data/time, etc., in predictable formats so they will be
`easily interpreted by the server 24. Once at the server 24, the
`information is preferably decompiled to understand the
`various pieces of information, and is stored in a file 122 as
`shown in FIG. 6.
`
`[0050] However, it is not strictly necessary to send the
`exact location of the first vehicle at the time the message is
`posted by the first vehicle. For example, if the navigation
`unit 62 sends location information to the server 24 fre-
`
`quently enough, as described in further detail below, loca-
`tion information can be sent without the message. Instead,
`the server 24, upon receipt of the message, can query the last
`reported position of the first vehicle 26a and associate that
`location with the message. In this regard, the idea of sending
`a message and location information to the server 24 should
`be understood not to necessarily require simultaneous trans-
`mission of the two.
`
`[0051] At this point, the server 24 may calculate other
`information which will be useful in eventually getting the
`message to the second vehicle 26a. For example, although it
`is desired to eventually send the message to the second
`vehicle 26b when it arrives at the posted location X1, the
`second vehicle may not arrive exactly at that location. Thus,
`it is preferred to eventually send the message to the second
`vehicle 26b when that vehicle is merely near to the location
`X1. The server 24 may