(12) United States Patent
`Obradovich et al.
`
`(54) TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVELY
`PROVIDING MANTENANCE AND
`INFORMATION TO VEHICLES
`
`Inventors: Michael L. Obradovich, San Clemente,
`CA (US); Philip E. White, Laguna
`Niguel, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: American Calcar Inc., Wilmington, DE
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`Appl. No.:
`09/622,869
`Dec. 6, 1999
`PCT Fed:
`PCT/US99/28848
`
`(75)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(86)
`
`(87)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Notice:
`
`PCT No.:
`S371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date: Aug. 23, 2000
`PCT Pub. No.: WO00/40038
`PCT Pub. Date:Jul. 6, 2000
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/113,397, filed on Dec. 23,
`1998, and provisional application No. 60/117,958, filed on
`Jan. 28, 1999.
`Int. Cl................................................... H04B 1/06
`U.S. Cl. ................................ 455/414.1; 455/412.2;
`455/414.2; 455/345; 455/466; 340/7.35;
`340/7.52; 340/286.14; 340/825.72; 340/995.12
`Field of Search ............................ 455/96, 99,345,
`455/414, 422, 426, 466, 507,556, 557,
`412.2; 34.0/7.52, 7.31, 7.35, 286.14, 425.5,
`426,438, 457, 825.72, 825.52, 86.01, 994,
`995, 988
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`USOO6754485B1
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`5,400,018 A * 3/1995 Scholl et al. .............. 340/10.3
`5,442,553 A
`8/1995 Parrillo
`5,471,393 A * 11/1995 Bolger ....................... 701/217
`5,479,157 A * 12/1995 Suman et al............... 340/5.28
`5,818,356 A * 10/1998 Schuessler .....
`... 340/995. 12
`5,832,394 A 11/1998 Wortham ....................... 701/1
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`EP
`
`198 24 587 A1
`O 756 153 A2
`O 756 153
`
`6/1998
`1/1997
`1/1997 ........... GO1C/21/20
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Paul C. Richardson, “CVAN: A Requirements Definition for
`a Real-Time Local Area Network in Land Combat
`Vehicles”, U.S. Army TARDEC, Warren, MI, 1998 IEEE.
`Primary Examiner William Trost
`ASSistant Examiner-James Ewart
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Kaye Scholer LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In an automobile, communications to and from the automo
`bile are in the form of messages. Such messages are referred
`to as “electronic car-mail' or "C-mail' messages as each
`message has a destination or origination address which
`includes an identifier, e.g., a Vehicle identification number
`(VIN), identifying the automobile. The message may be
`delivered to the automobile from a remote server through a
`communications network, e.g., the Internet. One Such mes
`Sage may contain a recall notice to the automobile. Another
`message may contain just-in-time map information for
`navigation, depending on the current location of the auto
`mobile. Yet another message may contain advertising infor
`mation concerning Selected entities, e.g., restaurants, gas
`Stations, department Stores, etc., also depending on the
`current location of the automobile. The messages transmit
`ted from the automobile to the remote Server may contain,
`e.g., GPS information identifying the location of the
`automobile, dynamic data furnished by Sensors in the auto
`mobile for analysis, an odometer reading and a Speedometer
`reading for records, etc.
`
`5,095,532 A *
`5,218,629 A
`
`3/1992 Mardus ................... 455/186.1
`6/1993 Dumond, Jr. et al.
`
`30 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`COURICAONS
`SUBSYSTE
`
`12
`
`TRACTION
`CONTROL
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`34
`
`ALARY
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`BEECTION
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`BRAKE
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`ENGINE
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`CMATE
`CONTROL
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`CLOCK
`SUBSYSTE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ELECTRONIC
`TRANSMISSION/
`HROTLE
`SBSYSTEM
`
`WHEEL
`SUBSYSTE
`
`
`
`SUBSYSTEM
`INTERFACE
`
`5
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`03
`
`MEOR
`
`o
`
`t
`S
`
`NAGATON
`SUBSYSTE
`
`139
`
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 1
`
`

`

`US 6,754,485 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,931,878 A * 8/1999 Chapin, Jr. .................. 701/30
`5.991,690 A * 11/1999 Murphy ...................... 701/211
`6,018,657 A * 1/2000 Kennedy et al.
`... 455/426
`6,114,970 A * 9/2000 Kirson et al. .......... 340/825.52
`6,210,210 B1
`4/2001 Kozel et al. ................ 439/495
`6,240,365 B1
`5/2001 Bunn ......................... 701/213
`
`6,275,231 B1 * 8/2001 Obradovich ................ 345/970
`6,405,033 B1 * 6/2002 Kennedy et al............. 455/414
`6,427,075 B1 * 7/2002 Burg et al. .............. 455/422.1
`6,580,914 B1 * 6/2003 Smith .........
`455/456.6
`6,598,016 B1 * 7/2003 Zavoli et al. ............... 704/251
`2001/0044310 A1 11/2001 Lincke ....................... 455/456
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
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`
`

`

`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`CENTRAL
`2301 SEV
`
`250
`
`213
`- - - - - - - - - - - ----------------
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS)
`NETWORK
`J
`
`-4-
`
`rw as
`
`a r"
`
`----- - - - - - -
`
`r
`----
`
`- - - - - -
`
`a
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`SUBSYSTEM
`205
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`FIG. 3
`
`303
`307
`3.11
`315
`319
`323
`327
`33
`
`
`
`MAIL00ARCENTRALCOM
`JNCA23D4TT567890OVEHICLECOM
`SELECTED DYNAMIC DATA
`DATE AND TIME STAMP
`ODOMETER READING
`GPS DATA
`DIRECTION DATA
`SPEED DATA
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`139
`405
`
`SMART NAVIGATOR
`
`
`
`419 1 NAVIGATION
`
`421
`
`WEATHER
`
`425
`
`TRAFFIC
`
`430 u1 DIRECTORY
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`509 - SAVE
`
`51
`
`FROM: ABC AUTO MANUFACTURER
`{INFOOABCAUTO.COMX
`TO: 1998 X MAKEY MODEL
`kJNCA23D4TT567890OWEHICLE.COM)
`SUBJECT: RECALL NOTICE
`
`DEAR WEHICLE USER:
`ABC AUTO MANUFACTURER IS RECALLING 1998 X MAKEY
`MODEL FOR POSSIBLE FAULTY AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM.
`PLEASE ...
`
`FIG. 6
`405
`
`MAN DIRECTORY
`607
`
`609
`
`NATIONAL
`
`REGIONAL
`
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`615-1W RESTAURANT
`
`617-1W THEME PARK
`
`615-2 WGAS STATION
`
`617-2W SOUVENIR
`615
`
`BUSINESS
`
`PERSONAL
`
`DEPARTMENT
`615-N1"S
`
`REGIONAL
`67KRESENT
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`FIC. 7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`721
`
`725
`
`RESTAURANT ADVERTISING
`
`SegS. A.
`; AC Se
`y
`(4)
`2 \,
`k C
`Q 2)
`D
`)
`2K72Nf a
`
`405
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`FIC. 8
`
`8051
`807 -
`
`809
`
`SELECTION CONFIDENTIAL
`SELECTION NONCONFIDENTIAL
`ALWAYS NONCONFIDENTIAL
`DO NOT ASK AGAIN.
`
`FIG. 9
`
`405
`
`907
`
`909
`
`911
`
`903
`
`905
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`McDONALD'S RESTAURANT
`
`HWY 5, EXIT 10 SERVICE AREA
`PHONE NO. XXX-XXX-XXXX
`SERVICE HOURS
`OPEN DAILY: 750AM - 12:30AM
`EAT-IN: 140 SEATS
`DRIVE THROUGH
`OUTDOOR KIDS PLAYGROUND
`PROMOTIONS: FREE TOYS FOR KIDS
`
`RESTAURANT
`913 - "WEST
`
`RESTAURANT
`ME"r 915
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`FIC. 1 0
`
`RESTAURANT MENU
`
`FOOD
`HAMBURGER
`DOUBLE BURGER
`
`BEVERAGE
`COLA
`STRAWBERRY SHAKE
`
`
`
`FIC. 1 1
`BUSINESS REGISTRY
`
`COMPUTER
`1103-EOPMEN
`COMPUSA (SPRINGFIELD, NJ)
`s:
`1105 - OECE
`STAPLES (ALL LOCATIONS)
`ABC STATIONERY (NY, NY)
`
`109 / RESTAURANT
`
`XYZ RESTAURANT (LA, CA)
`EFG STEAK (ALL LOCATIONS)
`
`1115
`DELETE
`117
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 9
`
`

`

`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`1
`TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVELY
`PROVIDING MANTENANCE AND
`INFORMATION TO VEHICLES
`
`This application claims the benefit of International Appli
`cation No. PCT/US99/28848 filed on Dec. 6, 1999, which
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/113,397 filed on Dec. 23, 1998 and the benefit of U.S.
`Provisional Application No. 60/117,958 filed on Jan. 28,
`1999.
`
`1O
`
`2
`In addition, to obtain diagnostic information from, and
`upgrade certain Software in, an automobile, a System
`whereby an automobile communicates, with a remote
`Station, data concerning the automobile is disclosed in U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,442,553 issued Aug. 15, 1995 to Parrillo. In the
`disclosed System, the remote Station communicates the data
`via a cellular phone network to the automobile having a
`cellular phone connection, using the cellular phone number
`to locate the automobile.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`We have recognized that the prior art system described
`above which uses the cellular phone number assigned to a
`cellular phone connection in a vehicle to locate the vehicle
`is disadvantageous. This Stems from the fact that the cellular
`phone number appertains to, and is Specifically associated
`with, the Subscriber to the cellular phone service, who is
`most likely the current owner of the vehicle. As the cellular
`phone number is used for personal communications, when
`the ownership of the vehicle changes, the new owner would
`most likely replace the current cellular phone number with
`a new number for his/her own personal communications. AS
`a result, the remote Station in the prior art System can no
`longer locate and communicate with the vehicle using the
`old cellular phone number. Thus, the practicability of the
`prior art System turns on whether the System has a record of
`the latest phone numbers for locating vehicles. Even if
`procedures for registration of new phone numbers are in
`place, the workability of the System is undesirably Subject to
`compliance by the new owners with the registration proce
`dures.
`In addition, utilizing the cellular phone network, the
`remote Station in the prior art System when communicating
`data with multiple automobiles needs to call one automobile
`at a time. Thus, Such a communication Scheme is also
`ineffective especially when the remote Station needs to
`transmit the same data, e.g., information concerning a recall
`of a certain type of automobile, to many automobiles. In that
`case, the remote Station needs to make multiple calls to the
`respective vehicles to repeat the Same data. Conversely,
`utilizing the cellular phone network, a vehicle can commu
`nicate with one remote Station at a time. In the event that the
`Same data from the vehicle needs to be communicated to
`various Stations for different analyses, multiple calls need to
`be made to the respective Stations one at a time, which is
`undesirable.
`In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the com
`munications between a vehicle and remote Stations or Serv
`erS are realized using electronic car-mail, referred to as
`“C-mail.” Like a conventional E-mail message, a C-mail
`message is formatted in accordance with well known
`protocols, and it may be delivered by conventional mail
`Servers on a communications network Such as the Internet.
`However, unlike E-mail whose address identifies a perSon
`for personal communications and is analogous to the afore
`mentioned cellular phone number, the C-mail has an address
`identifying the vehicle itself. For example, the C-mail
`address may be made up of the vehicle identification number
`(VIN) identifying the vehicle. Such a C-mail address
`remains unchanged at least over the lifetime of the vehicle.
`AS the C-mail address appertains to, or Specifically associ
`ated with, the vehicle, rather than a perSon, e.g., the owner
`of the vehicle, communications with the vehicle using
`C-mail is intact throughout the lifetime of the vehicle,
`Surviving all changes in the ownership of the vehicle. In
`addition, by taking advantage of the well known E-mail
`features, the vehicle may multicast via C-mail the same
`
`15
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to a communications technique, and
`more particularly to a technique for communicating
`information, including advertising information, with auto
`mobiles.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`In this information age, Virtually everyone is “connected”
`with one another via telephone, cellular phone, facsimile,
`pager, etc. In particular, because of recent major advance
`ments in Internet technology, many people also utilize a
`personal computer (PC), notebook computer, handheld
`computer, etc., with a modem to communicate electronic
`mail (E-mail) with one another over the Internet. In addition,
`with common web browser software of the type of the
`NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR or MICROSOFT INTERNET
`EXPLORER browser installed in one such computer, a user
`is able to browse, on the computer, web pages from the
`world wide web (WWW), which is a graphical subnetwork
`of the Internet.
`Many web pages, especially those providing free Services
`Such as Search engines and other portal Services, contain
`paid advertisements. Some web pages contain displayed
`options for providing directory assistance. One Such option
`may be a “Yellow Page' option whereby a user may specify
`the desired product or Service, and the area in which the user
`wants to obtain Same. In return, the user is presented with
`information concerning each location of the provider of the
`desired product or Service in the Specified area.
`To keep automobile users “wired” even while on the road,
`a PC specifically designed for them, namely, the “AutoPC,”
`has been introduced. The AutoPC, which may be installed in
`the Standard car Stereo slot, comprises well known commu
`nications and navigation technologies. For example, the
`45
`automobile users can utilize the AutoPC to communicate
`E-mail and pager messages. The users can also rely on the
`AutoPC to navigate with the aid of the U.S. governments
`constellation of global positioning System (GPS) satellites.
`In response to Signals from Such Satellites, in a conventional
`manner, the AutoPC pinpoints the vehicle's location (in
`latitude and longitude). It also detects the vehicle's speed
`and direction. With geographic information Stored therein,
`the AutoPC is capable of verbally and visually communi
`cating to the user instructions for reaching the destination.
`The marriage of communications and GPS technologies
`benefitting automobiles has been observed. The resulting
`Service is known as the "OnStar service.” This service
`requires that an OnStar System including a GPS receiver, and
`a cellular phone be installed in an automobile Subscribing to
`the service. When an automobile user calls an OnStar
`Service representative via the cellular phone, the System
`automatically communicates the vehicle's location tracked
`by the GPS receiver. The service representative may then
`provide the user with directions, restaurant
`recommendations, and/or roadside assistance depending on
`the vehicle's location.
`
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`

`

`US 6,754,485 B1
`
`3
`information, e.g., diagnostic information, Simultaneously to
`various Servers on the Internet for different analyses.
`Conversely, a Server may multicast Via C-mail the same
`information, e.g., recall information, Simultaneously to
`Selected vehicles using the corresponding VINS as parts of
`their C-mail addresses.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user
`may utilize a car browser to browse advertising information
`from a communications network, e.g., the Internet. The
`advertising information is provided in a just-in-time (JIT)
`fashion, whose content is dependent upon the current loca
`tion of the vehicle indicated by GPS coordinates.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
`will become apparent from the following detailed descrip
`tion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
`showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information and control
`System for use in a vehicle in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement in which a communi
`cations Subsystem in the System of FIG. 1 communicates
`with a remote Server through a communications network,
`FIG. 3 illustrates data fields in an electronic car-mail
`message in accordance with the invention communicated by
`the communications Subsystem;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a Screen containing displayed options
`concerning navigation capabilities provided by a navigation
`Subsystem in the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a Screen displaying an electronic car
`mail message;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a Screen containing displayed options
`for accessing GPS based advertising information in accor
`dance with the invention;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a Screen displaying an advertising page;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a displayed window including inquiries
`as to confidentiality of accessing certain advertising infor
`mation;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a Screen displaying information con
`cerning a restaurant-advertiser;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a Screen containing restaurant menu
`information; and
`FIG. 11 illustrates a Screen containing information con
`cerning favorite product/service providers for business pur
`pOSes.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 illustrates information and control system 100
`embodying the principles of the invention for use in a
`vehicle, e.g., an automobile. In accordance with the
`invention, System 100 is capable of communicating infor
`mation with remote Servers through a communications
`network, e.g., the Internet in this instance. AS to be described
`hereinbelow, system 100 may transmit information concern
`ing the vehicle including, e.g., diagnostic information, GPS
`information, etc., to one or more Servers, and receive there
`from information including, e.g., map information, weather
`information, traffic information, directory information, etc.
`In a prior art System, a remote Station communicates, with
`a vehicle having a cellular phone connection, data concern
`ing the vehicle through a cellular phone network, using the
`cellular phone number assigned to the connection to locate
`the vehicle. However, Such a communications Scheme based
`
`4
`on the knowledge of the cellular phone number is deficient
`in that the cellular phone number appertains to, and is
`Specifically associated with, the Subscriber to the cellular
`phone Service, who is most likely the current owner of the
`vehicle. AS the cellular phone number is used for personal
`communications, when the ownership of the vehicle
`changes, the new owner would most likely replace the
`current cellular phone number with a new number for his/her
`own personal communications. As a result, the remote
`Station can no longer locate and communicate with the
`vehicle using the old cellular phone number. Thus, the
`practicability of the prior art System turns on whether the
`System has a record of the latest phone numbers for locating
`vehicles. Even if procedures for registration of new phone
`numbers are in place, the workability of the System is
`undesirably Subject to compliance by the new owners with
`the registration procedures.
`In addition, utilizing the cellular phone network, the
`remote Station in the prior art System when communicating
`data with multiple automobiles needs to call one automobile
`at a time. Thus, Such a communication Scheme is also
`ineffective especially when the remote Station needs to
`transmit the same data, e.g., information concerning a recall
`of a certain type of automobile, to many automobiles. In that
`case, the remote Station needs to make multiple calls to the
`respective vehicles to repeat the Same data. Conversely,
`utilizing the cellular phone network, a vehicle can commu
`nicate with one remote Station at a time. In the event that the
`Same data from the vehicle needs to be communicated to
`various Stations for different analyses, multiple calls need to
`be made to the respective Stations one at a time, which is
`undesirable.
`In accordance with the invention, the communications
`between a vehicle and remote Stations or Servers are realized
`using electronic car-mail, hereinafter referred to as
`“C-mail.” Like a conventional E-mail message, a C-mail
`message is formatted in accordance with well known pro
`tocols Such as the well known mail transfer protocol and
`transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP),
`and it may be delivered by conventional mail servers on the
`Internet. However, unlike E-mail whose address identifies a
`person for personal communications and is analogous to the
`aforementioned cellular phone number, the C-mail has an
`address identifying the vehicle itself.
`A typical E-mail address is in the format of <user
`id>(a)-domain>, e.g., “jSmith(Gaol.com'. AS is well known,
`the <user-idd part before the “G” sign, e.g., “jSmith',
`identifies the E-mail user, e.g., Joe Smith. The <domain>
`part after the “G” Sign, e.g., “aol.com', identifies the acceSS
`mail Server, e.g., an American Online Server connected to the
`Internet, providing the E-mail service for Joe Smith in this
`instance. However, in accordance with the invention, a
`C-mail address is in the format of <vehicle-idd(okdomaind.
`In this instance, the <vehicle-idd part consists of a vehicle
`identification number (VIN) which identifies the vehicle to
`which the C-mail address is assigned. In a conventional
`manner, the VIN uniquely identifies the vehicle by its make,
`model, year, etc. The <domain> part may represent a pre
`determined access mail Server connected to the Internet for
`serving the C-mail needs of vehicles. For illustrative
`purposes, the <domain> part may be “vehicle.com” in this
`example.
`Thus, the C-mail address of the vehicle in question here
`may be “JN1CA23D4TT567890(a vehicle.com", where
`“JN1 CA23D4TT567890’ is the VIN of the vehicle. This
`C-mail address is stored in memory 107 in system 100, and
`remains unchanged at least over the lifetime of the vehicle.
`
`5
`
`15
`
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`35
`
`40
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`
`50
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`
`

`

`S
`It should be noted that memory 107 here generically repre
`Sents a combination of Volatile, non-volatile and cache
`memories. AS the C-mail address appertains to, or Specifi
`cally associated with, the vehicle, rather than a perSon, e.g.,
`the owner of the vehicle, communications with the vehicle
`using C-mail is intact throughout the lifetime of the vehicle,
`Surviving all changes in the ownership of the vehicle. In
`addition, as described hereinbelow, by taking advantage of
`the well known E-mail features, the vehicle may multicast
`Via C-mail the Same information, e.g., diagnostic
`information, Simultaneously to various Servers on the Inter
`net for different analyses. Conversely, a Server may multi
`cast Via C-mail the same information, e.g., recall
`information, Simultaneously to Selected vehicles using the
`corresponding VINS as parts of their C-mail addresses.
`System 100 includes communications subsystem 109 for
`communicating information, including C-mail, in the
`vehicle. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of Subsystem 109 which
`comprises transceiver 205, which includes, e.g., a cellular
`phone, for transmitting and receiving information via wire
`leSS communications network 213, e.g., the well known
`advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) network, digital
`AMPS network, personal communications service (PCS)
`network, global system for mobile communications (GSM)
`network, paging network, hybrid personal communications
`network (HPCN), satellite network, microwave network,
`milliwave network, etc. Subsystem 109 also comprises
`modem 209 for modulating and demodulating carriers car
`rying C-mail data to and from data channels, e.g., cellular
`digital packet data (CDPD) channels, in wireless commu
`nications network 213.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, Subsystem 109 is connected via
`common bus 113 to other subsystems in system 100
`including, e.g., detection Subsystem 111, electronic
`transmission/throttle system 113, brake subsystem 116, trac
`tion control Subsystem 121, engine Subsystem 126, wheel
`Subsystem 129, climate control subsystem 131, auxiliary
`Subsystem 134, clock subsystem 136, user interface 139 and
`navigation subsystem 141. Subsystem interface 151
`includes, e.g., an ensemble of standard inputs/outputs (I/O’s)
`connecting processor 103 to all of the subsystems. Under
`control of processor 103, combinations of the Subsystems
`Synergistically carry out various vehicle functions.
`For example, system 100 affords an adaptive cruise con
`trol function using detection Subsystem 111, electronic
`transmission/throttle subsystem 113 and brake subsystem
`116. Specifically, detection Subsystem 111, which includes
`Sonar, infrared transceiver, laser transceiver and/or Doppler
`radar, measures the distance to the vehicle just ahead. With
`electronic transmission/throttle Subsystem 113 and brake
`Subsystem 116, processor 103 adjusts the vehicle's speed to
`keep it moving with the traffic flow. If the vehicle ahead
`Speeds up or slows down, Subsystem 111 Signals processor
`103 to accordingly adjust the throttle or brakes to maintain
`a Safe distance. Other automatic driving methodologies
`involving the above Subsystems may be found in copending
`commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/904,
`855 (“the 855 application”), entitled “Centralized Control
`and Management System for Automobiles,” which however
`are deemed to be out of the Scope of the present invention,
`and their description are thus omitted here.
`Traction control Subsystem 121, which may be of the type
`of the TRAXXAR stability control system, includes sensors
`for measuring the Steering wheel position, yaw rate and
`lateral acceleration of the vehicle. These sensors work with
`processor 103 to controllably apply brakes at selected
`wheels to avoid potential Skids.
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`Similarly, under the control of processor 103, engine
`Subsystem 126 runs the engine of the vehicle at a Selected
`R.P.M. using a Selected fuel/air mixture to provide appro
`priate power for the vehicle.
`Wheel Subsystem 129 includes sensors for reading tire
`preSSures, detection of loSS of tire traction or tread, etc.
`Climate control Subsystem 131, which includes thermo
`Stats and an airflow controller, controllably cools or heats the
`vehicle compartment for the comfort of passengers, and the
`trunk/storage to properly preserve cargo, Selects an air flow
`mode, Sets fan Speeds, enables or disables Seat heaters,
`Selects fresh or recirculated air; and enables or disables front
`and rear defrosters, mirror defrosters and Steering wheel
`heaters.
`Through auxiliary subsystem 134, processor 103 controls
`the functions of the doors, windows, hood, trunk, mirrors,
`air-bags, restraint devices, lights, etc., of the vehicle.
`The above-described Subsystems each include Sensors
`(not shown) to provide a variety of dynamic data concerning
`the components associated therewith to processor 103.
`Specifically, sensors in communications subsystem 109 pro
`vides dynamic data concerning whether transceiver 205 and
`modem 209 are in proper order, which includes information
`concerning the level of battery power therefor.
`Sensors in detection Subsystem 111 provide dynamic data
`concerning whether the radars and transceivers associated
`there with are functioning properly, which also includes
`information concerning the level of battery power for Such
`radars and transceivers.
`Sensors in electronic transmission/throttle subsystem 113
`provide dynamic data concerning transmission or the status
`of the transmission, as well as the Status of variables in the
`transmission including fluid levels, etc.
`Sensors in brake subsystem 116 provide dynamic data
`concerning the wear of the brakes, Status of the emergency
`brake and whether all of the brakes are in proper order.
`The aforementioned Sensors in traction control Subsystem
`121 provide dynamic data concerning measurements of the
`Steering wheel position, yaw rate and lateral acceleration of
`the vehicle.
`Sensors in engine Subsystem 126 provide dynamic data
`concerning the engine R.P.M., fuel/air mixture, emissions,
`pollution content, remaining life of engine oil before the
`next requisite oil change, etc.
`The aforementioned sensors in wheel Subsystem 129
`provide dynamic data concerning tire pressures, loss of tire
`traction or tread, etc.
`Sensors in climate control subsystem 131 provide
`dynamic data concerning the temperatures of the compart
`ment and trunk/storage, air flow mode, fan Speeds, air
`quality inside the compartment, and Statuses of the front and
`rear defrosters, mirror defrosters and Steering wheel heater.
`Sensors in auxiliary Subsystem 134 which include, among
`others, the odometer and Speedometer which provide
`dynamic data concerning the current mileage and Speed of
`the vehicle, respectively. Other sensors in system 134 pro
`vide dynamic data concerning Statuses of the doors,
`windows, hood, trunk, mirrors, air-bags, restraint devices,
`lights, etc., of the vehicle. In particular, Some of the data
`concerns the integrity of the doors, windows, hood, trunk
`and mirrors, detection of any physical impact on any of them
`as happens in a collision, and whether or not the air-bags are
`ready to function or have been deployed, etc.
`In addition, clock subsystem 136 provides processor 103
`with data concerning the current time and date. Relying on
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1019
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 12
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`7
`Such data, processor 103 duly Synchronizes activities of
`system 100 and keeps track of events. Moreover, utilizing
`the temporal data, processor 103 realizes planner functions
`Such as Scheduling vehicle maintenance, etc.
`It will be appreciated that the dynamic data provided by
`the above-described subsystems is only for illustrative pur
`poses and, depending on the vehicle and the actual compo
`nents incorporated therein, additional and/or other dynamic
`data may be desired. In any event, processor 103 polls each
`Subsystem from time to time for the dynamic data and, based
`on the dynamic data, it may issue warnings, and messages
`describing irregularities through user interface 141
`described below. Some irregularities may cause processor
`103 to restrict certain vehicle operations until a corrective
`action therefor is taken. As described below, processor 103
`causes Selected ones of the dynamic data to be transmitted
`Via C-mail to one or more remote Servers for analyses and
`records.
`Presently, in the United States, about 200 million vehicles
`operate on public roads. However, the operations of the
`vehicles are Subject to federal and State laws. For instance,
`each operating vehicle needs to meet certain legal require
`ments concerning Safety, emission, licensing, insurance,
`operational capabilities, etc. Thus, the law enforcement is
`interested in obtaining certain information about each
`vehicle to determine whether the operating vehicle meets
`Such requirements.
`In addition, many of the vehicles in the United States are
`leased or financed through financial institutions. The latter
`typically place liens on the vehicles with the right to
`repossess them in the event of non-payment of the under
`lying loans. Thus, Such financial institutions are interested in
`knowing the whereabouts of the leased or financed vehicles
`in case of repossession thereof.
`Further, auto repair Services are interested in knowing the
`working history of each vehicle to be Serviced for diagnostic
`purposes, and the maintenance history as to what and when
`previous Services have been performed on, and parts have
`been replaced in, the vehicle. Similarly, potential buyers of
`a used vehicle may want to have independent records of the
`working and maintenance histories of the vehicle. In
`addition, they may want to know whether the vehicle was
`involved in a collision, whether its odometer reading is
`accurate, etc.
`Still further, auto manufacturers and original equipment
`manufacturers (OEMs) are interested in obtaining data con
`cerning components in each vehicle manufactured thereby to
`determine the durability of, and thus the appropriate war
`ranties for, the components after the original Sale of the
`vehicle. Independent watch groups are interested in Such
`data as well for generating reports on vehicle quality for
`various vehicle br