Patent ID: 9338731
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: H04W

Claim Text:
1. A method of maintaining a wireless carrier system presence at a vehicle telematics unit in a vehicle, the steps comprising: (a) placing the vehicle telematics unit in a quiescent mode that suspends its signal transmitting functions; (b) instructing the vehicle telematics unit to periodically exit the quiescent mode and transmit a query to a telematics service provider that asks if the telematics service provider has stopped providing services using a first wireless carrier system and begun providing services using a second wireless carrier system, wherein the first wireless carrier system and the second wireless carrier system each comprise a different cellular telephone system that includes a plurality of cell towers and one or more mobile switching centers and that operates to permit cellular communication of data between the vehicle telematics unit and the telematics service provider, and wherein the telematics service provider supplies subscription-based data and services to vehicles via the first wireless carrier system, the second wireless carrier system, or both; (c) after a determination that the telematics service provider has stopped providing services using the first wireless carrier system and begun providing services using the second wireless carrier system, receiving a new wireless profile associated with the second wireless carrier system; and (d) storing the new wireless profile in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) hardwired at the vehicle.