Configuring a vehicle to receive content data

A communication system and methods of using the communication system is described. One method includes configuring a telematics unit in a vehicle with at least one access point name (APN). The steps of the method include: configuring the telematics unit with a default APN prior to a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle; and thereafter, activating the telematics unit for the provision of content data in connection with the legal transfer of possession of the vehicle, wherein the activating includes replacing the default APN of the telematics unit with a geographically-specific APN.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to configuring a vehicle to receive content data, and more particularly, to receive content data that is in compliance with laws and regulations.

BACKGROUND

Content data or internet content broadly includes any textual, visual, or aural content transmitted over the World Wide Web, data conveyed using various communication means (e.g., e-mail, Internet telephony, SMS, etc.), and data conveyed using various data transfer means (e.g., including file sharing, streaming media, etc.). Thus, internet content also includes: local and regional events and information, news and financial data, location data, social relation data, pop-culture information, sports and entertainment information, fitness data, on-line shopping data, just to name a few examples.

Some countries and/or governmental entities censor internet content. For example, in some jurisdictions, the transmission of certain private, obscene, or explicit content may be prohibited by law. In another example, a content provider licensed in one jurisdiction may not be licensed to provide or distribute its content in another jurisdiction. In some instances, this can pose problems for vehicles manufactured in one jurisdiction and then sold at a dealership in another jurisdiction or for example, having wireless services activated in one jurisdiction and then driven into another.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of configuring a telematics unit in a vehicle with at least one access point name (APN). The steps of the method include: configuring the telematics unit with a default APN prior to a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle; and thereafter, activating the telematics unit for the provision of content data in connection with the legal transfer of possession of the vehicle, wherein the activating includes replacing the default APN of the telematics unit with a geographically-specific APN.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of configuring a telematics unit in a vehicle with at least one access point name (APN). The steps of the method include: configuring the telematics unit for a vehicle dealership demonstration of vehicle services, wherein the vehicle services include data content based on a physical location of the vehicle; and then following a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle to a customer, configuring the telematics unit to provide data content based on the specific geographic location of an associated transferee.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of configuring a telematics unit in a vehicle with at least one access point name (APN). The steps of the method include: prior to a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle, configuring the telematics unit for a demonstration period at a vehicle dealership, wherein the configuring includes assigning a default APN to the telematics unit; during the demonstration period, providing vehicle services via the telematics unit using the default APN, wherein the vehicle services include data content associated with a geographic area of the vehicle, a geographic position of the vehicle dealership, or both; following the legal transfer of possession of the vehicle to a vehicle user, replacing the default APN with a geographically-specific APN at a time of vehicle services activation, wherein the geographically-specific APN is associated with a home country of the user; and providing vehicle services via the telematics unit using the geographically-specific APN during a subscription period.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S)

A communication system is described below that first enables a vehicle to receive local content via the internet while the vehicle is part of a vehicle dealership's inventory—thereby a demonstration of vehicle services may be provided to potential customers. Then following a legal transfer of vehicle possession to a customer—e.g., following a sale or lease agreement—the vehicle may receive content based on the customer's home country, which may or may not be the same content providable at the dealership. By these methods, a vehicle manufacturer and dealership may be able to maintain regulatory compliance with local and regional regulations. Further, the customer or transferee of the vehicle may also then be put in compliance.

The methods described herein include configuring the vehicle at the manufacturer with at least two access point names (APNs)—e.g., a temporal or default internet APN (e.g., used when the vehicle is at the dealership for demonstration purposes) and a private APN, which may be used by the vehicle to configure a new vehicle APN (e.g., following or at the time of a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle). Thus, as will be described in greater detail below, the private APN may be used to connect with a vehicle backend, such as a call center, which may configure the vehicle with the new APN. And thereafter, having the new APN, the vehicle may access the content associated with the customer's home country.

These methods will be discussed in detail following a description of a sample operating environment of the vehicle.

With reference toFIG. 1, there is shown an operating environment that comprises a mobile vehicle communications system10and that can be used to implement the method disclosed herein. Communications system10generally includes a vehicle12, one or more wireless carrier systems14, a land communications network16, a computer18, and a call center20. It should be understood that the disclosed method can be used with any number of different systems and is not specifically limited to the operating environment shown here. Also, the architecture, construction, setup, and operation of the system10and its individual components are generally known in the art. Thus, the following paragraphs simply provide a brief overview of one such communications system10; however, other systems not shown here could employ the disclosed method as well.

Vehicle12is depicted in the illustrated embodiment as a passenger car, but it should be appreciated that any other vehicle including motorcycles, trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), marine vessels, aircraft, etc., can also be used. Some of the vehicle electronics28is shown generally inFIG. 1and includes a telematics unit30, a microphone32, one or more pushbuttons or other control inputs34, an audio system36, a visual display38, and a GPS module40as well as a number of vehicle system modules (VSMs)42. Some of these devices can be connected directly to the telematics unit such as, for example, the microphone32and pushbutton(s)34, whereas others are indirectly connected using one or more network connections, such as a communications bus44or an entertainment bus46. Examples of suitable network connections include a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), a local area network (LAN), and other appropriate connections such as Ethernet or others that conform with known ISO, SAE and IEEE standards and specifications, to name but a few.

According to one embodiment, telematics unit30utilizes cellular communication according to either GSM, CDMA, and/or LTE standards and thus includes a standard cellular chipset50for voice communications like hands-free calling, a wireless modem for data transmission, an electronic processing device52, one or more digital memory devices54, and a dual antenna56. It will be appreciated that other communications standards are also possible (e.g., GSM, CDMA, and LTE are merely examples). It should be appreciated that the modem can either be implemented through software that is stored in the telematics unit and is executed by processor52, or it can be a separate hardware component located internal or external to telematics unit30. The modem can operate using any number of different standards or protocols such as EVDO, CDMA, GPRS, and EDGE. Wireless networking between the vehicle and other networked devices can also be carried out using telematics unit30. For this purpose, telematics unit30can be configured to communicate wirelessly according to one or more suitable wireless protocols (e.g., WiMAX, ZigBee®, etc.), including any short range wireless communication (SRWC) such as any suitable Wi-Fi standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, wireless infrared transmission, or various combinations thereof. When used for packet-switched data communication such as TCP/IP, the telematics unit can be configured with a static IP address or can set up to automatically receive an assigned IP address from another device on the network such as a router or from a network address server.

Apart from the audio system36and GPS module40, the vehicle12can include other vehicle system modules (VSMs)42in the form of electronic hardware components that are located throughout the vehicle and typically receive input from one or more sensors and use the sensed input to perform diagnostic, monitoring, control, reporting and/or other functions. Each of the VSMs42is preferably connected by communications bus44to the other VSMs, as well as to the telematics unit30, and can be programmed to run vehicle system and subsystem diagnostic tests. As examples, one VSM42can be an engine control module (ECM) that controls various aspects of engine operation such as fuel ignition and ignition timing, another VSM42can be a powertrain control module that regulates operation of one or more components of the vehicle powertrain, and another VSM42can be a body control module that governs various electrical components located throughout the vehicle, like the vehicle's power door locks and headlights. According to one embodiment, the engine control module is equipped with on-board diagnostic (OBD) features that provide myriad real-time data, such as that received from various sensors including vehicle emissions sensors, and provide a standardized series of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that allow a technician to rapidly identify and remedy malfunctions within the vehicle. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above-mentioned VSMs are only examples of some of the modules that may be used in vehicle12, as numerous others are also possible.

Vehicle electronics28also includes a number of vehicle user interfaces that provide vehicle occupants with a means of providing and/or receiving information, including microphone32, pushbuttons(s)34, audio system36, and visual display38. As used herein, the term ‘vehicle user interface’ broadly includes any suitable form of electronic device, including both hardware and software components, which is located on the vehicle and enables a vehicle user to communicate with or through a component of the vehicle. Microphone32provides audio input to the telematics unit to enable the driver or other occupant to provide voice commands and carry out hands-free calling via the wireless carrier system14. For this purpose, it can be connected to an on-board automated voice processing unit utilizing human-machine interface (HMI) technology known in the art. The pushbutton(s)34allow manual user input into the telematics unit30to initiate wireless telephone calls and provide other data, response, or control input. Separate pushbuttons can be used for initiating emergency calls versus regular service assistance calls to the call center20. Audio system36provides audio output to a vehicle occupant and can be a dedicated, stand-alone system or part of the primary vehicle audio system. According to the particular embodiment shown here, audio system36is operatively coupled to both vehicle bus44and entertainment bus46and can provide AM, FM and satellite radio, CD, DVD and other multimedia functionality. This functionality can be provided in conjunction with or independent of the infotainment module described above. Visual display38is preferably a graphics display, such as a touch screen on the instrument panel or a heads-up display reflected off of the windshield, and can be used to provide a multitude of input and output functions. Various other vehicle user interfaces can also be utilized, as the interfaces ofFIG. 1are only an example of one particular implementation.

The vehicle electronics28may also include a communication device such as a vehicle head unit or vehicle multi-tainment unit (VMU)100which may include some of the vehicle electronics previously discussed (e.g., the audio system36, the visual display38, etc.). As used herein, the VMU100may include all suitable electronics, software, etc. for providing vehicle entertainment and vehicle infotainment services to the vehicle users and/or occupants. In some instances, the VMU100is electronically coupled to (and in communication with) the telematics unit30(e.g., via bus46). The unit100may be modular or may be embedded within the vehicle12. The VMU may further include its own processor and memory; the memory may store any suitable software, firmware, etc. for VMU operation and/or interaction with telematics unit30. Thus, the VMU may receive remote or cellular data via the telematics unit30—e.g., connecting to the internet, the call center20, and/or various remotely located servers and computers18using the communication capability of the telematics unit (or even other suitable mobile devices in the vehicle). Examples of VMUs include interactive displays in the vehicle instrument panel, interactive displays embedded within the backing of vehicle seating or the vehicle headliner, and other interactive vehicle devices/displays that are portable.

Wireless carrier system14is preferably a cellular telephone system that includes a plurality of cell towers70(only one shown), one or more mobile switching centers (MSCs)72, as well as any other networking components required to connect wireless carrier system14with land network16. Each cell tower70includes sending and receiving antennas and a base station, with the base stations from different cell towers being connected to the MSC72either directly or via intermediary equipment such as a base station controller. Cellular system14can implement any suitable communications technology, including for example, analog technologies such as AMPS, or the newer digital technologies such as CDMA, (e.g., CDMA2000), GSM/GPRS, UMTS, or LTE. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various cell tower/base station/MSC arrangements are possible and could be used with wireless system14. For instance, the base station and cell tower could be co-located at the same site or they could be remotely located from one another, each base station could be responsible for a single cell tower or a single base station could service various cell towers, and various base stations could be coupled to a single MSC, to name but a few of the possible arrangements.FIGS. 2 and 3, discussed in greater detail below, schematically illustrate a couple exemplary telecommunication architectures.

Computer18can be one of a number of computers accessible via a private or public network such as the Internet. Each such computer18can be used for one or more purposes, such as a web server accessible by the vehicle via telematics unit30and wireless carrier14. Other such accessible computers18can be, for example: a service center computer where diagnostic information and other vehicle data can be uploaded from the vehicle via the telematics unit30; a client computer used by the vehicle owner or other subscriber for such purposes as accessing or receiving vehicle data or to setting up or configuring subscriber preferences or controlling vehicle functions; or a third party repository to or from which vehicle data or other information is provided, whether by communicating with the vehicle12or call center20, or both. A computer18can also be used for providing Internet connectivity such as DNS services or as a network address server that uses DHCP or other suitable protocol to assign an IP address to the vehicle12.

Call center20is designed to provide the vehicle electronics28with a number of different system back-end functions and, according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, generally includes one or more switches80, servers82, databases84, live advisors86, as well as an automated voice response system (VRS)88, all of which are known in the art. These various call center components are preferably coupled to one another via a wired or wireless local area network90. Switch80, which can be a private branch exchange (PBX) switch, routes incoming signals so that voice transmissions are usually sent to either the live adviser86by regular phone or to the automated voice response system88using VoIP. The live advisor phone can also use VoIP as indicated by the broken line inFIG. 1. VoIP and other data communication through the switch80is implemented via a modem (not shown) connected between the switch80and network90. Data transmissions are passed via the modem to server82and/or database84. Database84can store account information such as subscriber authentication information, vehicle identifiers, profile records, behavioral patterns, and other pertinent subscriber information. Data transmissions may also be conducted by wireless systems, such as 802.11x, GPRS, and the like. Although the illustrated embodiment has been described as it would be used in conjunction with a manned call center20using live advisor86, it will be appreciated that the call center can instead utilize VRS88as an automated advisor or, a combination of VRS88and the live advisor86can be used.

As discussed above,FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate a couple of telecommunication architectures. More specifically,FIG. 2illustrates two communication architecture embodiments: a WCDMA or GSM architecture200and an LTE architecture210. AndFIG. 3illustrates a more detailed view of the LTE architecture210.

FIG. 2illustrates the vehicle12in communication with a public application service provider (ASP)212and a private or backend ASP214. In one embodiment—according to the WCDMA or the GSM architecture200, the vehicle12communicates with towers70electrically coupled to a first network node220that includes a Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (SGSN)222which is in communication with an access point name (APN) domain name server (DNS)224and a second network node226that includes a Gateway GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (GGSN)228. In addition, the APN DNS224and GGSN228are also in communication with one another. The GGSN228is in communication with: (1) the public ASP212and an associated Internet DNS232; and (2) the backend ASP214and an associated backend DNS234. Similarly, the public ASP and DNS212,232are in communication with one another, as are the backend ASP and DNS214,234. This architecture is merely an example to illustrate the methods discussed below; e.g., the architecture may include additional SGSNs, additional GGSNs, additional APN DNSs, additional public and/or private DNSs, and additional public and/or private ASPs.

In another embodiment ofFIG. 2—according to the LTE architecture210, the vehicle12communicates with towers70electrically coupled to the first network node220that includes a Serving Gateway (S-GW)252which is in communication with the APN DNS224and the second network node226that includes a Packet Gateway (P-GW)258. The S-GW252is shown in communication with a Mobility Management Entity (MME)254—a control node for LTE network access. In addition, the APN DNS224and P-GW258are also in communication with one another. Similar to the GSM implementation, the P-GW258is in communication with: (1) the public ASP and the associated Internet DNS212,232; and (2) the backend ASP and the associated backend DNS214,234—which are also each in communication with one another, respectively. And, as similarly described above, this architecture210is merely an example to illustrate the methods discussed below; e.g., the architecture may include additional S-GWs, additional P-GWs, additional APN DNSs, additional public and/or private DNSs, and additional public and/or private ASPs.

FIG. 3illustrates a more detailed view of the LTE architecture210shown inFIG. 2. More specifically, the vehicle12, the tower(s)70, the MME254, and the S-GW252are shown as part of a Visiting Network310. And the APN DNS224, the P-GW258, the backend APS214, and the backend DNS234are shown as part of a Home Network320. In addition,FIG. 3illustrates two public ASPs, each having an associated DNS. One public ASP212′ may be a geographically local ASP in communication with an associated local DNS232′ (e.g., local to or within a geographical region associated with the dealership). The other public ASP212″ may be a geographically-remote ASP in communication with an associated geographically-remote DNS232″. For example, one DNS/ASP212′,232′ pair may be located in one country, while the other DNS/ASP pair212″,232″ may be located in another country. Or in another example, both public DNS/ASP pairs (212′,232′;212″,232″) may be in the same or proximate geographic region; however, one DNS/ASP pair (local)212′,232′ may be configured to recognize an APNs from one geographic region (e.g., a first country) while the other DNS/ASP pair (remote)212″,232″ may be configured to recognize APNs from another geographic region (e.g., a second country). These of course are merely examples; other arrangements are also possible.

It should be appreciated that the first network node220and the second network node226are merely examples. In GSM, WCDMA, and LTE implementations, there may be many first and second network nodes. Similarly, there may be many APN DNS, and various ASPs. Thus,FIGS. 2 and 3are merely examples to illustrate the methods described below.

Turning now toFIGS. 4, 5, and 6, there are shown methods400,500,600(respectively) of vehicle12interaction with the LTE communication architecture210discussed above. More specifically, in at least one embodiment, the methods of vehicle interaction may occur sequentially; i.e., method400followed by method500, followed then by method600. And while the methods described below are discussed using elements of the LTE architecture210, it will be appreciated that the vehicle12may similarly interact with the WCDMA/GSM architectures as well (e.g., according to the corresponding elements of the WCDMA/GSM architecture200, also shown inFIGS. 4-6). Further, as will be appreciated by skilled artisans, other architectures are also possible.

The method400shown inFIG. 4may occur when the vehicle12is located at a vehicle dealership. As discussed above, at the dealership, it may be desirable to demonstrate to a customer or potential user vehicle services or automotive features associated with or operable using the vehicle telematics unit30. For example, a representative at the dealership may wish to demonstrate vehicle services such as receiving internet content via the vehicle's multi-tainment unit (VMU)100. And as will be illustrated in method400, this content may be local internet content—i.e., permissible internet content based on the laws and regulations associated with the location of the vehicle dealership (e.g., the country or other geographic boundary in which the dealership is located).

The method400begins with step405by activating a packet data protocol (PDP) context request to the S-GW252. This step establishes a communication path (or tunnel) between the vehicle12(or more specifically the telematics unit30) and the network for data transfer. In this step, the telematics unit30may provide a default APN (or default internet APN) to the S-GW252that includes, among other things, the identity and credentials of the telematics unit in order to access the LTE network. This default internet APN may be assigned by a manufacturer of the vehicle or by service personnel following manufacture. In at least one embodiment, the telematics unit30is configured with this default internet APN prior to step405.

In step410, various security functions may be performed as well as a radio access bearer (RAB) assignment between the telematics unit30and the S-GW252.

Based on the RAB assignment, in step415the S-GW252may query the APN DNS224using a default Internet APN and in step420, the APN DNS224may respond and acknowledge the S-GW252.

Thereafter in step425, the S-GW252may create a PDP context request with the P-GW258and in step430, the P-GW258may respond accordingly (providing the PDP context response). More specifically, in step430, the P-GW258may assign an IP address based on both the default internet APN and the IP address of the incoming S-GW.

Having established a means to connect the telematics unit30in the vehicle12to the P-GW258, the S-GW252may communicate this to the telematics unit30in step435—activating the PDP context response (this step being ultimately in response to request of step405).

Thereafter, the telematics unit30may access the internet based on the default internet APN. For example, in step440, the telematics unit may submit an Internet DNS query to the Internet DNS232′. This DNS may be any suitable public DNS; in addition, it may or may not be a DNS within a geographical region or area proximate to the dealership and/or the vehicle12.

In step445, the Internet DNS232′ may provide a response indicating an address of a desired public ASP (e.g., ASP212′).

Thus, in step450, the public ASP212′ may provide vehicle services to the telematics unit30such as application specific interactions and data. This may include internet content provided the public ASP recognizes and associates the default internet APN (and its information) as being from a source lawfully suitable to receive its content. Thus, the internet content may be in accordance with local laws and governmental regulations. Thus, step450may continue as long as the vehicle is lawfully possessed by the dealership.

However, internet content that may be permissible to demonstrate at the dealership may not be permissible if the potential user purchases, leases, etc. the vehicle12and/or takes it to another geographical region (e.g., a home country different than the country of the dealership). Consider for example that in step450the ASP212′ streams music (e.g., using Pandora™). Streaming Pandora™ music in one country may be lawful while streaming Pandora™ music in a neighboring country may be unlawful due to licensing, restrictions, etc. Internet content (or simply content data) should be construed broadly to include audible and/or visual media (e.g., music, speech, videos, images, etc.) and any other readable, viewable, user experience-able content. Lawfully received content in one geographical area or region may not be lawfully received in another geographical area or region based on contractual restrictions, government censorship, or private regulations governed by a privately-owned ASP, just to name a couple of examples.

Turning now toFIG. 5, the method500may occur following a legal transfer of possession of the vehicle from a transferor (e.g., the dealership) to a transferee (e.g., the customer or user—formerly, the potential user). As used herein, legal transfer includes conveying the vehicle12from one person to another, and the person may be an actual human being or a ‘legal’ person (e.g., a non-human entity that is treated as a person for limited legal purposes). Non-limiting examples of legal persons include corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, etc. Non-limiting examples of legal transfers of possession include the sale, lease, rental, or donation of the vehicle from a seller or a transferor (e.g., the vehicle dealership) to a buyer or a transferee (e.g., the customer)—e.g., the transferor and the transferee could be a human being or a legal person. The legal transfer of possession may include some or all of a bundle of rights associated with the vehicle. For example, when a vehicle is leased or purchased according to an installment plan, a legal transfer may include providing the transferee with rights of possession to the vehicle and designating a lien holder (which may or may not be the dealership), thereby withholding full rights from the transferee to the vehicle's title. Or for example when the transferee provides legal tender to the transferor equal to an agreed upon purchase price, the legal transfer may include providing the transferee with possession and full rights of legal title. These of course are merely examples; other implementations will be apparent to skilled artisans.

FIG. 5illustrates communicative interaction between the same or similar entities as those shown inFIG. 4. For example, the vehicle12, the SGSN/S-GW (222/252), the APN DNS224, and the GGSN/G-PW (228/258) are the same. InFIG. 5, instead of the public internet DNS (local to the dealership)232′, the backend DNS234is shown. Similarly, instead of the public ASP (local to the dealership)212′, the backend ASP214is shown.

The method begins with step505activating a PDP context request. Step505may be the similar to step405described above, except that instead of providing the default internet APN to the S-GW252, the telematics unit30provides a backend or private APN (or internet APN) associated with the call center20or a facility having a similar server18. The private APN also may be assigned by the vehicle manufacturer (or authorized service personnel), and in at least one embodiment, the telematics unit30is configured with this private APN prior to step505. It will be appreciated by skilled artisans that typically a mobile device has only one APN (or internet APN); thus in at least one implementation, the telematics unit30has two internet APNs—the private internet APN that is never changed and the default internet APN that may be changed, as will be described in greater detail below.

Steps510,515,520,525,530, and535may be virtually identical to steps410,415,420,425,430, and435discussed above—except that the connection is being established using the private APN. Therefore, they will not be discussed in greater detail here.

Steps540,545, and550may be virtually identical to steps440,445, and450discussed above—except that instead of the vehicle12communicating with the local internet DNS232′ and local ASP212′, the vehicle is communicating with the backend DNS234and backend ASP214. Thus, according to one embodiment, the call center20or server18may provide vehicle services such as internet content to the vehicle in step550based on the private APN presented by the telematics unit30. It will be appreciated that various means may be employed during any connection with the backend ASP214to ensure safety, privacy, and security (e.g., any suitable network security means, encryption algorithms, etc.).

Method500further includes steps555and560pertaining to user service activation of the telematics unit30. Service activation pertains to conferring usage accountability to the user (the now lawful transferee of the vehicle12). For example, while the telematics unit was operable for demonstration purposes at the dealership prior to the sale, lease, etc. of the vehicle, service was not activated ‘for the user’ (but instead for the dealership). Thus, user service activation may pertain to a variety of service-related parameters—including the capability to wirelessly send and receive voice and data, regional calling capability or restrictions, various calling features (call forwarding, call waiting, etc.), allotted data quantity (e.g., per month or billing period), and various quality of service (QoS) parameters as QoS is understood by skilled artisans, just to name a few examples. Thus, service to the telematics unit should be construed broadly to include any suitable content data (or internet content). Further, service may be subject to a subscription period—e.g., a period of time when services are available to the user.

In step555, the vehicle12may request of the backend ASP214service activation. The request may be granted in step560—thereby activating telematics unit service. According to at least one embodiment, step560may include replacing the default internet APN in the vehicle12with a home-country-specific or geographically-specific APN (or internet APN). Thus, the default internet APN which was programmed or configured and stored in the telematics unit memory54by the manufacturer or other authorized service personnel may be deleted, overwritten, or both, and the geographically-specific internet APN may be stored in memory54.

The geographically-specific internet APN may be used by the vehicle12to receive internet content and telematics services in a predetermined geographical region such as the user's home country during the vehicle user's subscription period—as will be discussed below with respect toFIG. 6. Method500may occur at the dealership or at a later time selected by the user and/or dealership. Further, the method may occur in the user's home country, outside of the user's home country, or any other suitable geographical boundary or region.

Turning now toFIG. 6, the method600occurs during the user's subscription period, or whenever the user is authorized to receive content data via the telematics unit30.FIG. 6illustrates communicative interaction between the same or similar entities as those shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. For example, the vehicle12, the SGSN/S-GW (222/252), the APN DNS224, and the GGSN/G-PW (228/258) are the same. InFIG. 6, the home-geo-boundary DNS232″ is shown instead of the local public internet DNS232′ or the backend DNS234. Similarly, instead of the local public internet ASP212′ or the backend ASP214, the home-geo-boundary ASP212″ is shown.

The method begins with step605activating a PDP context request. Step605may be the similar to step405described above, except that instead of providing the default internet APN to the S-GW252, the telematics unit30provides the geographically-specific internet APN received during the service activation.

Steps610,615,620,625,630, and635may be virtually identical to steps410,415,420,425,430, and435discussed above—except that the connection is being established using the geographically-specific internet APN. Therefore, they will not be discussed in greater detail here.

Steps640,645, and650may be virtually identical to steps440,445, and450discussed above—except that instead of the vehicle12communicating with the local internet DNS232′ and local ASP212′, the vehicle is communicating with the home-geo-boundary DNS232″ and the home-geo-boundary ASP212″. In providing vehicle services (e.g., content data) via step650, these vehicle services may be in compliance with the user's home country or geographic region. This may continue as long as a valid subscription period exists.

As discussed above, the processes described and shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 6may define an entire process where the steps of methods400,500, and600may be executed sequentially. These methods may enable the vehicle manufacturer to do the following: to ship vehicles to a number of different geographic regions around the world enabling internet content to be demonstrated at vehicle dealerships in different countries; to reconfigure each vehicle telematics unit30in the vehicle12once the respective vehicle is sold or leased; and then to enable internet content to be provided to each respective vehicle according to the home geographic region of the owner of the vehicle.

In light of the above description, it will be apparent that in at least one embodiment, the telematics unit may store and use at least two different APNs—one for accessing publicly available DNSs and one for accessing a private DNS (such as a DNS at a vehicle call center). Such private connections may provide safety, security and diagnostic related services which are not typically sensitive to country or region. In addition, it will be apparent that in at least one embodiment, at least one of the internet APNs may be deleted or overwritten and replaced with a different internet APN (e.g., replacing an originally configured public internet APN with a second public internet APN). Access may be granted remotely to the vehicle to replace the original public internet APN with the new public internet APN via a connection established using the private internet APN. Such internet APNs may provide internet related services, such as streaming music etc, which might have regulatory restriction. Thus, in following such processes, the vehicle manufacturer, dealership, and customer may be in compliance with local and regional laws and regulations governing receipt of internet content or content data at the vehicle.