Patent ID: 7599680
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of tracking short-range wireless communication in a vehicle, the method comprising: detecting a wireless communication signal from a portable wireless communication device at a telematics unit in the vehicle, the portable wireless communication device being selected from a personal digital assistant or a handset; initiating tracking of a short-range wireless connection between the portable wireless communication device and the telematics unit responsive to detecting the wireless communication signal; tracking, via the telematics unit, a total usage time of the short-range wireless connection between the telematics unit and the portable wireless communication device; triggering a vehicle upload request in response to at least one trigger; initiating, via the telematics unit, a wireless connection between the telematics unit and a call center and sending the tracked total usage time from the telematics unit to the call center via the wireless connection, the initiating and the sending being responsive to the triggering of the vehicle upload request; and generating a usage bill at the call center based on the total usage time.