Patent ID: 8160586
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of communicating messages from a vehicle using a communications device comprising a memory device operatively coupled to a multi-band transceiver adapted to communicate over a plurality of types of communication links available thereto including at least two of satellite radio, analog radio, digital radio, AM, microwave radio, FM, and/or infrared transmission channels, comprising the steps of: receiving information from an occupant of the vehicle via a human-computer interface in the vehicle; storing the information as a message in the memory device; gathering link status information regarding each of the plurality of types of communication links available to the multi-band transceiver for connecting the communications device to a destination under current transmission conditions including any movement of the vehicle into and out of range of other wireless communications devices; selecting a type of communication link most capable of completing sending of the message to said destination while the communications device and the destination are in communication range of each other under current transmission conditions based on programmable criteria including the size of the message to be transmitted, delays in the link, and how long the link is expected to last based on a rate of travel of the vehicle for said plurality of types of communication links available to the multi-band transceiver to transmit the message to said destination; passing the information from the memory device to the multi-band transceiver for transmission; and transmitting the message over a communication link of the selected type of communication link to said destination.