Method for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle

A method for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle involves uploading an appointment to the electronic calendar, where the appointment includes a description of an event, a time block for the event, and a travel time preceding the time block. An alert is set in a telematics unit of the vehicle, where the alert notifies a vehicle occupant of the appointment. The alert is configured to be activated in response to a trigger. At a time subsequent to the time block of the event, one of i) a memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was activated, or ii) another memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was not activated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Business owners and their employers often use electronic calendars to keep track of scheduled appointments, enabling them to maintain organization of the business. These calendars may be local on a particular electronic device, such as on a personal computer, a laptop notebook, or a netbook, to name a few. In some cases, the electronic calendar may also be synched with other mobile devices such as, e.g., mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), and/or the like.

SUMMARY

A method for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle involves uploading an appointment to the electronic calendar, where the appointment includes a description of an event, a time block for the event, and a travel time preceding the time block. An alert is set in a telematics unit of the vehicle, where the alert notifies a vehicle occupant of the appointment. The alert is configured to be activated in response to a trigger. At a time subsequent to the time block of the event, one of i) a memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was activated, or ii) another memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was not activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example(s) of the method disclosed herein enable a user to update an electronic calendar in a vehicle. The updated calendar includes one or more scheduled appointments, each having associated therewith pre- and post-event appointment information. The pre-event appointment information includes, for example, information pertaining to a corresponding scheduled appointment. As used herein, a “scheduled appointment” or an “appointment” is a date, a meeting, and/or an event that is arranged for in advance. In a non-limiting example, the pre-event appointment information includes a description of an event for which the appointment was scheduled, a time block for the event (i.e., a known or expected duration of the event), and a travel time preceding the time block (i.e., an anticipated amount of time that it will take to travel to the location at which the event is to occur). The scheduled appointment also has associated therewith an alert that, when triggered, advantageously reminds or otherwise notifies the user of the appointment.

The post-event appointment information includes, for example, information pertaining to what happened after the starting time of the event. The post-event information includes at least one of i) an indication that a reminder alert was activated (which may be interpreted by one reviewing the calendar as a confirmation that the one or more of the vehicle occupants attended the scheduled appointment), or ii) an indication that the reminder alert was not activated (which may be interpreted by one reviewing the calendar as an indication that none of the vehicle occupants attended the scheduled appointment). For example, if the scheduled appointment is a dinner reservation at Restaurant X at 5:00 pm on Friday, and a reminder alert was not triggered, the post-event information uploaded to the calendar may indicate, in some form, that the vehicle occupant(s) did not attend the dinner at Restaurant X at 5:00 pm on Friday or that the vehicle occupant(s) may have attended the dinner at Restaurant X at a later time (e.g., at 5:30 pm).

The pre- and post-event appointment information that is uploaded to the electronic calendar may advantageously be used by an individual as a means for reminding the individual of up-coming appointments. For example, if Mr. X scheduled an appointment to stop at the grocery store on his way home from work on Monday, an alert may be triggered at some point along Mr. X's normal route home reminding him that he needs to stop at the grocery store. If the alert was activated, Mr. X's wife (who has authorized access to Mr. X's calendar) may review post-event information uploaded to the calendar indicating that the alert was triggered and that Mr. X did likely stop at the grocery store on the way home.

The pre- and post-event information may also advantageously be used in a similar manner by a fleet manager, supervisor, owner, or the like for tracking vehicles that are members of a fleet. The fleet manager may, for instance, review the pre- and post-event information uploaded to the electronic calendar of one or more drivers of particular vehicles to determine whether or not the drivers attended one or more of their scheduled appointments. The fleet manager may use the post-event information contained in the electronic calendars of the drivers to promote management and/or organization of the fleet, as well as to determine a habit of one or more drivers that tend to miss or otherwise skip certain scheduled appointments. When a calendar is designated for a specific vehicle rather than a specific driver, the fleet manager can track the vehicle's habits and then can link these habits to one or more drivers.

It is to be understood that, in some examples of the method disclosed herein, the term “user” refers to a vehicle owner, operator, and/or passenger, and such term may be used interchangeably with the term subscriber/service subscriber. In instances where the examples of the method described below involve a single person such as a vehicle owner, operator, or the like, the “user” may be referred to as an individual. It is further to be understood that the term “user” may, in other examples of the method, refer to a manager, supervisor, owner or other authoritative figure in a position to manage or otherwise control a vehicle fleet.

Additionally, the terms “connect/connected/connection” and/or the like are broadly defined herein to encompass a variety of divergent connected arrangements and assembly techniques. These arrangements and techniques include, but are not limited to (1) the direct communication between one component and another component with no intervening components therebetween; and (2) the communication of one component and another component with one or more components therebetween, provided that the one component being “connected to” the other component is somehow in operative communication with the other component (notwithstanding the presence of one or more additional components therebetween).

Also, the term “communication” is to be construed to include all forms of communication, including direct and indirect communication. As such, indirect communication may include communication between two components with additional component(s) located therebetween.

Referring now toFIG. 1, one non-limiting example of a system10for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle is shown. The system10may include a vehicle12owned and/or operated by an individual, or may include a plurality of vehicles12,12′,12″ that are members of a vehicle fleet. Each of the vehicles12,12′,12″ includes a telematics unit14. The system10further includes a carrier/communication system16(including, but not limited to, one or more cell towers18, one or more base stations19and/or mobile switching centers (MSCs)20, one or more service providers (such as the service provider90)), one or more land networks22, and one or more telematics service call/data centers24.

In an example, the carrier/communication system16is a two-way radio frequency communication system, and may be configured with a web service supporting system-to-system communications (e.g., communications between the call center24and the service provider90). The carrier/communication system16may also or otherwise be configured with a front-end human-machine interface (HMI, e.g., a webpage) that a user may interact with, for example, to sign up for services, request services, change a service plan, record or enter an alert or prompt, or the like. In this instance, the carrier/communication system16would also include a host server94including suitable computer equipment (not shown) upon which information of a remotely accessible page96(e.g., a webpage, an Internet enabled program, or the like) resides/is stored. Further details of the remotely accessible page96will be described below.

The overall architecture, setup and operation, as well as many of the individual components of the system10shown inFIG. 1are generally known in the art. Thus, the following paragraphs provide a brief overview of one example of the system10. It is to be understood, however, that additional components and/or other systems not shown here could employ the method(s) disclosed herein.

Vehicles12,12′,12″ are mobile vehicles, such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, recreational vehicles (RV), boats, planes, etc., and are equipped with suitable hardware and software that enables them to communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive voice and data communications) over the carrier/communication system16. It is to be understood that the vehicles12,12′,12″ may also include additional components suitable for use in the telematics unit14. As mentioned above, the vehicles12,12′,12″ may be individually owned, or may be owned by a business that uses a number of vehicles (i.e., a vehicle fleet) in operation in their ordinary course of business.

Some of the vehicle hardware26is shown generally inFIG. 1, including the telematics unit14and other components that are operatively connected to the telematics unit14. While the vehicle hardware26is shown as being operatively disposed in the vehicle12, it is to be understood that each vehicle12,12′,12″ has vehicle hardware26disposed therein as well. Examples of such other hardware26components include a microphone28, a speaker30and buttons, knobs, switches, keyboards, and/or controls32. Generally, these hardware26components enable a user to communicate with the telematics unit14and any other system10components in communication with the telematics unit14. It is to be understood that the vehicle12may also include additional components suitable for use in, or in connection with, the telematics unit14.

Operatively coupled to the telematics unit14is a network connection or vehicle bus34. Examples of suitable network connections include a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), an Ethernet, and other appropriate connections such as those that conform with known ISO, SAE, and IEEE standards and specifications, to name a few. The vehicle bus34enables the vehicle12to send and receive signals from the telematics unit14to various units of equipment and systems both outside the vehicle12and within the vehicle12to perform various functions, such as unlocking a door, executing personal comfort settings, and/or the like.

The telematics unit14is an onboard vehicle dedicated communications device. The telematics unit14is linked to both the host server94and the call/data center24. The telematics unit14is capable of transmitting data to the host server94and is also capable of calling and transmitting data to the call/data center24.

The telematics unit14provides a variety of services, both individually and through its communication with the call/data center24. The call/data center24includes at least one facility that is owned and operated by the telematics service provider. The telematics unit14generally includes an electronic processing device36operatively coupled to one or more types of electronic memory38, a cellular chipset/component40, a wireless modem42, a navigation unit containing a location detection (e.g., global positioning system (GPS)) chipset/component44, a real-time clock (RTC)46, a short-range wireless communication network48(e.g., a BLUETOOTH® unit), a dual antenna50, a recorder91, a text-to-speech unit89, and, in some instances, a speech-to-text unit88. In one example, the wireless modem42includes a computer program and/or set of software routines executing within processing device36.

It is to be understood that the telematics unit14may be implemented without one or more of the above listed components, such as, for example, the short-range wireless communication network48. It is to be further understood that telematics unit14may also include additional components and functionality as desired for a particular end use.

The electronic processing device36may be a micro controller, a controller, a microprocessor, a host processor, and/or a vehicle communications processor. In another example, electronic processing device36may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, electronic processing device36may be a processor working in conjunction with a central processing unit (CPU) performing the function of a general-purpose processor. In an example, the processor36includes software having computer readable code for activating an alert, which is output to the vehicle occupant(s), in some form, as a reminder or notification of an up-coming appointment scheduled in the electronic calendar98.

In an example, the alert is a visual alert (such as a flashing light or a text message displayed on an in-vehicle display80), an audible alert (such as an audible message, a tone, a beep, and/or the like), both a visual and an audible alert, and/or any combination of HMI modalities (e.g., a haptic alert). The purpose of these alerts, upon activation thereof, is to notify the vehicle occupant(s) of an up-coming appointment, whereby details of the upcoming appointment may be retrieved by the vehicle occupant(s) upon accessing the calendar98resident on the server94. Access to the calendar98may be accomplished from inside the vehicle12, e.g., using a mobile device having Internet access capabilities.

As mentioned in one example, the alert may be a text-based message presented on the display80associated with the telematics unit14. This text-based message is referred to herein as a “data alert”, and is configured to place the vehicle occupants) on notice of an upcoming appointment and, in some cases, includes some or all of the pre-event appointment information (in the form of text) previously uploaded onto the calendar98. In an example, upon activating the data alert, the display80may output to the vehicle occupant(s), in text form, i) a notification of the appointment, ii) a description of the event, and iii) the duration of the event as scheduled in the calendar98.

As mentioned in yet another example, the alert may be a voice-based or audible message that is output to the vehicle occupant(s) through the audio component60. The voice-based message is referred to herein as a “voice alert”, and may also include some or all of the pre-event appointment information previously uploaded to the calendar98. It is to be understood that the voice alert may be set in the telematics unit14by converting a data upload of the pre-event appointment information from the calendar98resident on the server94into an audible form (referred to herein as a voice upload) using the text-to-speech unit89. In a non-limiting example, the voice alert may include i) a voice notification of the appointment, and ii) at least the event description of the appointment from the voice upload.

The processor36may further include software having computer readable code for uploading a memo to the electronic calendar98at some predefined time after the scheduled appointment started. In an example, the memo will recite, in some form, that an alert was or was not activated. The memo may, e.g., be automatically generated by the processor36, and then uploaded onto the calendar98using the telematics unit14and the wireless communication system16.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the location detection chipset/component44may include a Global Position System (GPS) receiver, a radio triangulation system, a dead reckoning position system, and/or combinations thereof. In particular, a GPS receiver provides accurate time and latitude and longitude coordinates of the vehicle12responsive to a GPS broadcast signal received from a GPS satellite constellation (not shown).

The cellular chipset/component40may be an analog, digital, dual-mode, dual-band, multi-mode and/or multi-band cellular phone. The cellular chipset-component40uses one or more prescribed frequencies in the 800 MHz analog band or in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz and higher digital cellular bands. Any suitable protocol may be used, including digital transmission technologies such as TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM (global system for mobile telecommunications). In some instances, the protocol may be short-range wireless communication technologies, such as BLUETOOTH®, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), or Wi-Fi.

Also associated with electronic processing device36is the previously mentioned real time clock (RTC)46, which provides accurate date and time information to the telematics unit14hardware and software components that may require and/or request such date and time information. In an example, the RTC46may provide date and time information periodically, such as, for example, every ten milliseconds.

As mentioned above, the vehicle12further includes the speech-to-text unit88operatively associated with the telematics unit14. The speech-to-text unit88includes speech recognition software and is in operative communication with a recorder91(described below). In one example, when a user wishes to record speech (such as to create or respond to a post-event memo), he/she presses an in-vehicle button to initiate the recorder91. In response to an in-vehicle prompt that the recorder91is recording (e.g., an audible beep or a blinking light), the user speaks, and the recorder91records the user's utterance(s). The recorded utterance(s) is/are then transmitted to the speech-to-text unit88, and the speech recognition software of the unit88is configured to convert the recorded utterance(s) into corresponding text. This text may be uploaded from the telematics unit14to the electronic calendar98.

In another example, the recorder91is a component of the telematics unit14, and the speech-to-text unit88′ is located at the call center24(as shown in phantom inFIG. 1). In these instances, the user may activate the recorder91as previously described, and when the recording is complete, the telematics unit14may be configured to initiate communication with the call center24to transfer the recording to the off-board speech-to-text unit88′. A voice channel or packet data may be used to transmit the recorded data. Once the recording is transmitted to the speech-to-text unit88′, the speech recognition software converts the recorded utterance(s) into corresponding text, and the text may be uploaded from the call/data center24to the electronic calendar98.

In an example, the telematics unit14also includes a text-to-speech unit89that converts the text of, e.g., pre-event information of a calendar appointment into an audible format. The text-to-speech unit89utilizes one or more data translation algorithms to translate or otherwise convert digital signals of the text (which is in the form of phonetic data) into an audible, human-understandable form. The audio form of the message may, for example, be played back to the user through speakers30′ of the audio component60.

The telematics unit14provides numerous services alone or in conjunction with the call/data center24, some of which may not be listed herein, and is configured to fulfill one or more user or subscriber requests. Several examples of such services include, but are not limited to: turn-by-turn directions and other navigation-related services provided in conjunction with the GPS based chipset/component44; airbag deployment notification and other emergency or roadside assistance-related services provided in connection with various crash and or collision sensor interface modules52and sensors54located throughout the vehicle12; and infotainment-related services where music, Web pages, movies, television programs, videogames and/or other content is downloaded by an infotainment center56operatively connected to the telematics unit14via vehicle bus34and audio bus58. In one non-limiting example, downloaded content is stored (e.g., in memory38) for current or later playback.

Again, the above-listed services are by no means an exhaustive list of all the capabilities of telematics unit14, but are simply an illustration of some of the services that the telematics unit14is capable of offering. It is to be understood that when such services are obtained from the call/data center24, the telematics unit14is considered to be operating in a telematics service mode.

Vehicle communications generally utilize radio transmissions to establish a voice channel with carrier system16such that both voice and data transmissions may be sent and received over the voice channel. Vehicle communications are enabled via the cellular chipset/component40for voice communications and the wireless modem42for data transmission. In order to enable successful data transmission over the voice channel, wireless modem42applies some type of encoding or modulation to convert the digital data so that it can communicate through a vocoder or speech codec incorporated in the cellular chipset/component40. It is to be understood that any suitable encoding or modulation technique that provides an acceptable data rate and bit error may be used with the examples disclosed herein. Generally, dual mode antenna50services the location detection chipset/component44and the cellular chipset/component40.

The microphone28provides the user with a means for inputting verbal or other auditory commands, and can be equipped with an embedded voice processing unit utilizing human-machine interface (HMI) technology known in the art. Conversely, speakers30,30′ provides verbal output to the vehicle occupants and can be either a stand-alone speaker (e.g., speaker30) specifically dedicated for use with the telematics unit14or can be part of a vehicle audio component60(e.g., speaker30′). In either event and as previously mentioned, microphone28and speakers30,30′ enable vehicle hardware26and telematics service data/call center24to communicate with the occupants through audible speech. The vehicle hardware26also includes one or more buttons, knobs, switches, keyboards, and/or controls32for enabling a vehicle occupant to activate or engage one or more of the vehicle hardware components. For instance, one of the buttons32may be an electronic pushbutton used to initiate voice communication with the telematics service provider data/call center24(whether it be a live advisor62or an automated call response system62′), e.g., to request emergency services. In another example, one of the buttons32may be used to initiate the recorder91.

The audio component60is operatively connected to the vehicle bus34and the audio bus58. The audio component60receives analog information, rendering it as sound, via the audio bus58. Digital information is received via the vehicle bus34. The audio component60provides AM and FM radio, satellite radio, CD, DVD, multimedia and other like functionality independent of the infotainment center56. Audio component60may contain a speaker system30′, or may utilize speaker30via arbitration on vehicle bus34and/or audio bus58.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the vehicle crash and/or collision detection sensor interface52is/are operatively connected to the vehicle bus34. The crash sensors54provide information to the telematics unit14via the crash and/or collision detection sensor interface52regarding the severity of a vehicle collision, such as the angle of impact and the amount of force sustained.

Other vehicle sensors64, connected to various sensor interface modules66, are operatively connected to the vehicle bus34. Example vehicle sensors64include, but are not limited to, gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, emission detection and/or control sensors, environmental detection sensors, and/or the like. Non-limiting example sensor interface modules66include powertrain control, climate control, body control, and/or the like.

As mentioned above, the vehicle hardware26also includes the display80. The display80may be operatively directly connected to or in communication with the telematics unit14, or may be part of the audio component60. Non-limiting examples of the display80include a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a driver information center display, a radio display, an arbitrary text device, a heads-up display (HUD), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Diode) display, and/or the like.

The electronic memory38of the telematics unit14may be configured to store data associated with the various systems of the vehicle12, vehicle operations, vehicle user preferences and/or personal information, and the like.

A portion of the carrier/communication system16may be a cellular telephone system or any other suitable wireless system that transmits signals between the vehicle hardware26and land network22. According to an example, the wireless portion of the carrier/communication system16includes one or more cell towers18, base stations19and/or mobile switching centers (MSCs)20, as well as any other networking components required to connect the wireless portion of the system16with land network22. It is to be understood that various cell tower/base station/MSC arrangements are possible and could be used with the wireless portion of the system16. For example, a base station19and a cell tower18may be co-located at the same site or they could be remotely located, and a single base station19may be coupled to various cell towers18or various base stations19could be coupled with a single MSC20. A speech codec or vocoder may also be incorporated in one or more of the base stations19, but depending on the particular architecture of the wireless network16, it could be incorporated within an MSC20or some other network components as well.

Land network22may be a conventional land-based telecommunications network that is connected to one or more landline telephones and connects the wireless portion of the carrier/communication network16to the call/data center24. For example, land network22may include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or an Internet protocol (IP) network. It is to be understood that one or more segments of the land network22may be implemented in the form of a standard wired network, a fiber or other optical network, a cable network, other wireless networks such as wireless local networks (WLANs) or networks providing broadband wireless access (BWA), or any combination thereof.

The call/data center24of the telematics service provider is designed to provide the vehicle hardware26with a number of different system back-end functions. According to the example shown inFIG. 1, the call/data center24generally includes one or more switches68, servers70, databases72, live and/or automated advisors62,62′, processing equipment (or processor)84, as well as a variety of other telecommunication and computer equipment74that is known to those skilled in the art. The call/data center24may also include the speech-to-text unit88′ as mentioned above. These various telematics service provider components are coupled to one another via a network connection or bus76, such as one similar to the vehicle bus34previously described in connection with the vehicle hardware26.

The processor84, which is often used in conjunction with the computer equipment74, is generally equipped with suitable software and/or programs enabling the processor84to accomplish a variety of call/data center24functions. The various operations of the call/data center24are carried out by one or more computers (e.g., computer equipment74) programmed to carry out some of the tasks of the method(s) disclosed herein. The computer equipment74(including computers) may include a network of servers (including server70) coupled to both locally stored and remote databases (e.g., database72) of any information processed.

Switch68, which may be a private branch exchange (PBX) switch, routes incoming signals so that voice transmissions are usually sent to either the live advisor62or the automated response system62′, and data transmissions are passed on to a modem or other piece of equipment (not shown) for demodulation and further signal processing. The modem preferably includes an encoder, as previously explained, and can be connected to various devices, such as the server70and database72.

It is to be appreciated that the call/data center24may be any central or remote facility, manned or unmanned, mobile or fixed, to or from which it is desirable to exchange voice and data communications. As such, the live advisor62may be physically present at the call/data center24or may be located remote from the call/data center24while communicating therethrough.

The communications network provider90generally owns and/or operates the carrier/communication system16. In an example, the communications network provider90is a cellular/wireless service provider (such as, for example, VERIZON WIRELESS®, AT&T®, SPRINT®, etc.). It is to be understood that, although the communications network provider90may have back-end equipment, employees, etc. located at the telematics service provider data/call center24, the telematics service provider is a separate and distinct entity from the network provider90. In an example, the equipment, employees, etc. of the communications network provider90are located remote from the data/call center24. The communications network provider90provides the user with telephone and/or Internet services, while the telematics service provider provides a variety of telematics-related services (such as, for example, those discussed hereinabove). It is to be understood that the communications network provider90may interact with the data/call center24to provide services to the user.

While not shown inFIG. 1, it is to be understood that in some instances, the telematics service provider operates the data center24, which receives voice or data calls, analyzes the request associated with the voice or data call, and transfers the call to an application specific call center (not shown). It is to be understood that the application specific call center may include all of the components of the data center24, but is a dedicated facility for addressing specific requests, needs, etc. Examples of the application specific call centers include emergency services call centers, navigation route call centers, in-vehicle function call centers, or the like.

The remotely accessible page96is a webpage set up and maintained by the communications network provider90or by a call center24, and the user may access the page96by, e.g., submitting an appropriate login and password. In an example, the remotely accessible page96enables a user or another authorized person to access the electronic calendar98for scheduling appointments, uploading pre-event appointment information associated with the appointments, and/or to view post-event appointment information of one or more past appointments. As will be described in further detail below, the user (such as an individual vehicle owner, a fleet manager and/or owner, etc.) signs up to utilize the remotely accessible page96to access/manage the electronic calendar98. Upon registering, the user is given an initial password and login ID, both of which may be customized by the user after the initial registration process is complete. An account is set up for the user, which may include a name and/or company name associated with the account, contact information, billing information, etc. The subscriber can enroll via one of several methods. As one example, the subscriber can enroll through a website associated with the remotely accessible page96, which may or may not be part of a more comprehensive website associated with the call/data center24. Another example involves placing a voice call to the call/data center24, and speaking with an advisor62. The advisor62may enroll the user through computer access to the subscriber's account information.

In an example, the remotely accessible page96may include a homepage (not shown) including enrollment boxes, and login and ID boxes that enable the user (or the advisor62) to access his/her account. The homepage may also include convenient drop-down options for the user for easy access to the user's electronic calendar98. The remotely accessible page96may be available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, which allows the user flexibility with updating his/her calendar98and a manager flexibility with tracking employee's calendars98.

When a fleet manager, owner, supervisor, or the like signs up, he/she registers all of the vehicles in the fleet (such as the vehicles12,12′,12″ as shown inFIG. 1). In an example, registering the vehicles12,12′,12″ includes inputting vehicle ID numbers, the make and model of each vehicle12,12′,12″, the region in which a respective vehicle12,12′,12″ will be used, etc. In an example, the fleet owner may also register other users that are authorized to access the account (including the other users' names, ID numbers, etc.), as well as designate any desirable parameters for the calendar98. For example, one calendar98may be set up for an entire fleet and/or one calendar may be associated with each driver in the fleet and/or one calendar may be associated with a particular fleet vehicle12,12′,12″ (regardless of who the driver is). As one example, the fleet owner may assign each member of his/her team a login and password so that each member can assess his/her individual calendar98without accessing another's calendar98or general account information. Each member of the fleet may then access his/her calendar98from one or more electronic devices (such as, e.g., a personal computer, a netbook, a laptop notebook, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, and/or the like). As another example, the fleet owner may assign each vehicle12,12′,12″ a calendar98, and each member of his/her team a login and password so that each member can assess the vehicle calendars98. Each member of the fleet may access the calendars98from one or more electronic devices to determine which vehicle12,12′,12″ he/she is assigned to on a particular day.

The call/data center24may also be given access to the calendar(s)98once the user (e.g., the individual, fleet owner, etc.) has i) subscribed for services associated with the call/data center24, and ii) has agreed that the call/data center24may have access. As an example, when a fleet owner signs up a plurality of vehicles (e.g., vehicles12,12′,12″) for telematics related services through the call/data center24, each vehicle user in his/her fleet will have access to his/her own calendar98on the remotely accessible page96, and will be able to utilize one or more call/data centers24associated with the telematics related services. Furthermore, in this example, once the fleet account is set up with the call/data center24, the fleet owner can enable the call/data center(s)24to transmit data to each electronic calendar98that is registered with the fleet owner's particular account.

Referring briefly toFIG. 2, each individual who has subscribed to the remotely accessible page96has access to his/her online calendar98. The calendar98may be used to keep track of appointments A, B, and C (as shown inFIG. 2), examples of which include personal appointments, sales calls, client meetings, etc. As shown inFIG. 2, appointments (e.g., a client meeting A at 9:00 am on Tuesday (T/D, which stands for Tuesday/Dienstag (Tuesday in German)) the 5th; a sales meeting B at 9:00 am on Thursday (T/D, which stands for Thursday/Donnerstag (Thursday in German)) the 7th; and a lunch meeting at 11:30 am on Thursday (T/D) the 7th) have been logged into appropriate cells100of the calendar98via any computer or electronic device capable of supporting and running the remotely accessible page96. As shown inFIG. 2, the appointments A, B, and C may be shown on a monthly basis (e.g., month “M” of year 2010). However, it is to be understood that yearly, weekly, and daily calendar pages may also be accessed/viewed. While the calendar is shown to represent English and German languages, the language used may be any language supported by the program running the electronic calendar98.

It is to be understood that the calendar98is created/managed/updated by a user accessing the webpage96(as mentioned above). The calendar98may also be updated when a memo (indicative of the activation or non-activation of an alert) is uploaded from the telematics unit14or the call center processor84. The calendar98and its associated information is stored in and is resident in the server94. The data entered into the calendar98may, in some instances, also be stored in the database72at the call/data center24, and is linked to the user's profile.

Examples of the method for updating an electronic calendar98will be described hereinbelow in conjunction withFIGS. 1-4. In one example, the electronic calendar98of an individual (such as a vehicle owner) is updated. In this example, the individual is registered so that he/she can access and utilize the electronic calendar98through the webpage96, as described herein. For instance, the individual accesses his/her account by submitting an acceptable login and password on a homepage of the webpage96, which allows the individual to gain access to his/her electronic calendar98stored on the server94. Upon accessing the calendar98, the individual may update the calendar98, e.g., by removing currently-existing appointments from the calendar98, adding or scheduling new appointments to the calendar98, and/or changing one or more terms associated with pre-event appointment information pertaining to a particular pre-existing appointment.

In an example, the individual may remove a calendar appointment by selecting the appropriate appointment cell100, and deleting the appointment. Deleting may be accomplished, e.g., by selecting a delete function from a menu, pressing a delete key on a keyboard, or via any function provided within the HMI of the calendar98. When the appointment is removed, all of the terms associated with the appointment are removed, including the pre-event appointment information, trigger(s) for activating a reminder alert, personal preferences, etc.

When a new calendar appointment is scheduled, the individual will select to create a new appointment via, e.g., a mouse click on an appropriate icon or menu choice, and will then input (as a data upload) all of the pre-event appointment information (e.g., event description, duration, etc.) pertaining to the new appointment. If, for example, the individual wishes to make a calendar appointment for a lunch date with an associate at 12:00 pm at Restaurant Z on Wednesday the 13th, he/she may, e.g., select to create a new appointment by clicking on the appropriate icon, e.g., which directs the individual to a new screen designed to create new appointments. The individual may then input a general description of the event (in this case, lunch with the associate at Restaurant Z), the time block for the event (e.g., from 12:00 pm until 1:30 pm), and a travel time preceding the time block (e.g., if it takes about 20 minutes to travel from the individual's location prior to the event (e.g., his/her place of business or residence) to the location of Restaurant Z, then the individual may input a travel time from 11:40 am to 12:00 pm). The pre-event information may be input by typing the information into appropriate input boxes displayed on the webpage96(such as, e.g., the description of the event), and/or by selecting options from a drop down menu (such as, e.g., the time block for the event). The individual may thereafter select a “SUBMIT”, “DONE”, “SAVE AND CLOSE” or other similar button, icon, or menu choice when he/she is finished creating the appointment.

In instances where the individual wishes to change or edit an existing calendar appointment, he/she may access the existing appointment (via, e.g., a mouse click on the appropriate appointment cell100displayed on the electronic calendar98shown inFIG. 2) and select the input boxes that he/she wishes to change/edit. If, for example, the lunch date for Restaurant Z was changed to Restaurant Y, the individual may click on the appointment, the event description input box, and then edit the event description to recite something similar to “Lunch date at Restaurant Y”. Upon accepting the change (which may be accomplished, e.g., by a mouse click on the “DONE” or “SUBMIT” button as mentioned above), the edited event description is uploaded to the electronic calendar98and saved therein.

Removing, scheduling, or editing an appointment may also be accomplished by placing a voice call to the call/data center24, and submitting a request to remove, schedule, or edit an appointment during the voice call. In this case, the voice call may be received at the switch68, which routes the call to an appropriate division of the data/call center24. In instances where the call/data center24is a data center, then the switch68may route the call to an appropriate application specific call center. In any event, the advisor62associated with the appropriate division (or call center) will authenticate the caller (e.g., by having the caller correctly answer one or more challenge questions), and will then update the calendar98according to the caller's request. For instance, the advisor62may access the individual's electronic calendar98via the webpage96, and perform the updating using the webpage96as described above.

The webpage96may also be used (directly by the individual or by the call/data center24) to designate an alert for one or more of the calendar98appointments. The alert may be a pre-selected visual or audio alert that is output within the vehicle12,12′,12″ upon recognition of a trigger associated with the alert. The individual may also select the trigger(s) that is/are to be associated with a particular appointment and to instruct the telematics unit to actuate the alert. As used herein, the term “trigger” refers to an incident that, upon occurrence thereof, prompts the telematics unit14to activate the alert. Triggers may be set by the individual user via the webpage96(and thus can be altered or revised), or may be set by a fleet owner/manager via the webpage96and may not be overridden by an individual driver. Once a trigger is set, it is sent to the telematics unit14that is linked to the calendar98. When the calendar98is associated with a particular user, the trigger can be sent to any vehicle telematics unit14that is located in a vehicle12identified in the user's profile. When the calendar98is associated with multiple users but a single vehicle12, the trigger can be sent to the telematics unit14of the single vehicle12. The trigger(s) can be sent at any time that the telematics unit14of the identified vehicle12is in an ON state. The webpage96or the call/data center24if managing the webpage96will automatically ping the vehicle12to transmit the trigger (in the form of packet data) to the telematics unit14for storage therein.

The triggers may be associated with a time of a particular appointment and/or may be associated with a position of the vehicle12,12′,12″. The individual or fleet owner/manager may designate a time that occurs prior to the event/appointment time as the trigger. More particularly, the trigger may be the recognition that the then-current time is 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc. prior to the start of an event/appointment stored in the calendar98. For example, if the scheduled appointment is at 11:00 am and the trigger is 30 minutes prior to the start of the appointment, at 10:30, the telematics unit14(if in an ON state) will recognize the set trigger and will activate the alert about the appointment within the vehicle12,12′, and/or12″. In another example, the time-based trigger may be set to “X” number of minutes before the vehicle's arrival to a particular destination. “X” would be set when the trigger is set, and would be estimated during travel via downloaded directions with estimated travel times.

The individual or fleet owner/manager may designate a predefined geographic boundary (identified by reference numeral120inFIG. 3) as the trigger. More particularly, the trigger may be the recognition that the then-current vehicle12,12′,12″ position coincides with or falls within the set geographic boundary120. For example, when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the set geographic boundary, the telematics unit14will recognize the set trigger and will activate the alert associated with the trigger within the vehicle12,12′, and/or12″.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates multiple examples of the geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′. In one example, the geographic boundary120is constructed around a location at which the event described in the calendar appointment is to occur, and the alert is automatically activated when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the geographic boundary120. If, for example, the electronic calendar98includes an appointment for a lunch date at Restaurant X (identified by reference character “X” inFIG. 3), the geographic boundary120may, for instance, be defined by a circular (or other geometric) boundary with X as the center point and a predefined radius “r”. This type of geographic boundary120may be desirable when the route to be taken may not be known in advance.

In another example, the geographic boundary120′ is defined by all or a portion of a road segment114or an intersection I near the location of Restaurant X. In the example shown inFIG. 3, if the vehicle12,12′,12″ turns onto the road segment114off of road segment110, the vehicle12,12′,12″ is within the geographic boundary120′, and the alert will be automatically activated by the telematics unit14. This type of geographic boundary120′ may be desirable when the route to be taken is known in advance. While the intersection I is used as the geographic boundary120′ in this example, it is to be understood that any road segment and/or intersection (for example, the intersection of segments114and116) may be used as the geographic boundary120′.

In another example, the geographic boundary120″ may be defined by an exit ramp off of a highway or other major road segment, such as highway M shown inFIG. 3. In this example, the telematics unit14may activate the alert if it recognizes that the vehicle12,12′,12″ has taken a particular exit ramp off of highway M, such as ramp112.

In still another example, the geographic boundary120′″ may be defined as a border constructed around any predefined geographic area or region. As previously mentioned above, this type of geographic boundary120may be constructed around the location at which the event is to occur (such as Restaurant X). In other instances however, such as shown inFIG. 3, the geographic boundary120′″ is constructed around a predefined geographic area or region along a most probable route toward the location at which the event is to occur. For instance, if the lunch date at Restaurant X is to occur on a Tuesday, the geographic boundary120′″ may be constructed around an area along a route that the individual will most likely take from his/her workplace to Restaurant X. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the individual may, for instance, be most likely to take highway M northbound, and then exit off highway M at exit112toward road segment114. As soon as the vehicle12enters the geographic boundary120′″, the telematics unit14will automatically activate the alert.

While numerous examples of the geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′ are shown inFIG. 3, it is to be understood that any desirable geographic boundary may be designated as the trigger and may encompass any desirable mileage, intersection(s), road segment(s), exit(s), landmark(s), etc.

In any of these examples, the telematics unit14is aware of the fact that the vehicle12,12′,12″ is located within the preset geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′ by comparing GPS coordinate data taken from the GPS component44with the GPS coordinate data defining the geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′. If a match is found between the compared coordinates (i.e., the GPS coordinate data of the vehicle12,12′,12″ falls within that defined by the geographic boundary120), the telematics unit14determines that the vehicle12,12′,12″ has in fact entered the geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″. The comparison between the GPS coordinate data of the vehicle12,12′,12″ and that of the geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′ may, for example, be continuously run in the background of the telematics unit14as soon as the vehicle telematics unit14is in an ON state, the ignition is in an ON state, or the vehicle transmission system is shifted into a drive mode. In another example, the comparison run by the telematics unit14is initiated within a predefined amount of time prior to a scheduled appointment, and is continuously run until a predefined amount of time after scheduled appointment or upon detecting a trigger. For instance, if a scheduled appointment is at 5:00 pm, the telematics unit14may be preset to start running the comparison a half an hour ahead of the 5:00 pm appointment time (i.e., at 4:30 pm), and continue to run the comparison until i) a trigger is detected (e.g., the vehicle12,12′,12″ entered a predefined geographic boundary120,120′,120″,120″′ as described above) or until a half hour after the appointment time (i.e., at 5:30 pm).

Referring back to the discussion about appropriate triggers, in still another example, the individual or fleet owner/manager may designate both a time that occurs prior to the event/appointment time and a predefined geographic boundary120as triggers. In this example, the trigger is the recognition that the then-current vehicle12,12′,12″ position coincides with or falls within the set geographic boundary120and/or the preset time period before the start of the event/appointment. For example, if the scheduled appointment is at 11:00 am and the triggers include both i) within 30 minutes prior to the start of the appointment and ii) a geographic boundary of 10 miles from the location of the appointment, the telematics unit14(if in an ON state) will recognize the set triggers (and activate the alert) when at least one of the two alert-triggering events take place. In one example when the first trigger is detected, the telematics unit14will automatically generate the alert, and thereafter will call the call/data center24to report that the alert was generated. Upon receiving the call, the call/data center24may, in some instances, elect to delete the second trigger.

In yet another example, multiple triggers may be embodied in nested geographic boundaries; i.e., one or more geographic boundaries within an outer geographic boundary. An example of nested geographic boundaries (i.e., an outer geographic boundary120OBand an inner geographic boundary120IB) is depicted inFIG. 4. For instance, a first trigger may be detected when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the outer geographic boundary120OB, and then a second alert may be generated when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the inner geographic boundary120IB. Details of example alerts are provided hereinbelow, however for purposes of illustrating the instant example, alerts are also now described. In instances where the alerts are data alerts or voice alerts, the first and second alerts output to the user on the display80(for data alerts) or through the audio component60(for voice alerts) may, in some cases, include the same message (e.g., “Sales call with Client A at 12:00 pm”, etc.). In other cases, the first and second alerts may include different messages, whereby the first alert that is generated when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the outer boundary120OBmay have a primary message associated therewith, and the second alert that is generated when the vehicle12,12′,12″ enters the inner boundary120IBmay have a secondary message associated therewith. For instance, the primary message may be, e.g., “Sales call with Client A at 12:00 pm”, and the secondary message may be, e.g., “Don't forget to wish Client A happy birthday.”

Upon updating the calendar98(by deleting an appointment, creating a new appointment, changing an appointment, selecting an alarm, setting a trigger, etc.), the calendar98is automatically stored at the host server94of the webpage96, and the associated triggers are automatically modified in the respective vehicle(s)12,12′,12″. In a non-limiting example, the triggers are modified by replacing a currently-existing trigger(s) stored in the telematics unit14with the new trigger(s) associated with the updated calendar98. In this example, the currently-existing trigger(s) is/are deleted, and the new trigger(s) is/are stored in the telematics unit14. In another non-limiting example, the triggers are modified by adding the new trigger(s) to the currently-existing trigger(s) stored in the telematics unit14. In this example, the new trigger(s) may include the same message/reminder and geographic boundary, for example, as the other trigger(s), however the new trigger(s) may be associated with an extended expiration time or some other feature that adds on to the original trigger.

When a trigger is recognized, the visual or audio alert is generated within the vehicle12,12′,12″ to inform the in-vehicle user of the upcoming appointment. The alert may be a pre-set alert, or it may be generated in real time. A pre-set alert (e.g., a simple text message or voice message identifying the appointment details) may be selected using the webpage96, and will be sent to the telematics unit memory38for storage therein. When the trigger is recognized, this pre-saved message will be output within the vehicle12,12′,12″. After the pre-saved message is played, it may be saved (e.g., in a message inbox or the like associated with the calendar98) at least for a predetermined amount of time after the message is played so that the user may replay the message at a later time if desired.

In some instances when a trigger is recognized, a data call may be initiated from the telematics unit14to the call/data center24. The switch68at the call/data center24routes the data call to an appropriate advisor62,62′, who/which can retrieve calendar98information from the host server94and transmit the information to the vehicle12. In this example, transmission of the information is accomplished by downloading the information directly to the telematics unit14. Transmission of the information to the vehicle12may also be accomplished via a voice call. For instance, a fleet manager/owner may recite a voice alert to the vehicle12driver in real time or a pre-recorded alert may be triggered as the vehicle12approaches a destination at which the scheduled appointment is to take place. This voice alert may, e.g., be a command to “speak to an advisor” in instances where the fleet manager/owner may want to provide certain instructions to the vehicle12driver such as, e.g., complex delivery instructions/requirements that requires two-way verbal interaction (such as active participation by the vehicle12driver in response to various requirements of the delivery).

In another example, the telematics unit call14is ultimately patched through to the host server94(by the advisor62,62′) so that the telematics unit14can retrieve pre-event appointment information to be included in the alert. More specifically, the desktop application of the advisor62,62′ may be used to access the user profile to retrieve information pertaining to the vehicle12,12′,12″ and/or the vehicle owner/subscriber, and this information may be attached to the data call that is forwarded to the host server94so that the host server94knows which calendar information to retrieve. In this example, the call from the telematics unit14may be placed as soon as the telematics unit14recognizes one of the triggers described above. In response to the call, the call center24transmits, to the telematics unit14, a text form of the pre-event information for the appointment associated with the recognized trigger. The telematics unit14utilizes the pre-event information to formulate an alert (such as a data alert to be presented on the display80or a voice alert to be output through the audio component60) designed to notify the vehicle occupant(s) of the upcoming appointment. This example may be used by fleet vehicles12where delivery instructions change prior to arrival at the appointment destination. In these cases, the fleet manager/owner may request that the alert(s) stored at the host server94is/are associated with an easily updatable message.

In instances where a data alert is formulated in real time, the vehicle bus34of the telematics unit14receives the information from the host server94or call center24, and transmits the information to the display80for viewing by the in-vehicle occupant(s).

In instances where a voice alert is formulated in real time, the telematics unit14uses the text-to-speech unit89to convert the received text into an audible, human-recognizable form, and then constructs the alert so that it relays a notification to the vehicle occupant(s) of an upcoming appointment including at least some of the pre-event information. The voice alert may be something similar to “Lunch with Bob at Restaurant X”, “Stop at grocery store”, “Sales meeting with client A, 9:00 AM”, etc. It is to be understood that if the trigger associated with the appointment is based upon time, the voice alert (or data alert) may be output to the vehicle occupant(s) at a predetermined amount of time prior to the starting time of the event, which often falls within a designated travel time.

As mentioned above, the outputting of the voice alert to the vehicle occupant(s) may be accomplished, for example, using the audio component60disposed in the vehicle12. In instances where the audio component60is turned off at the time the alert is generated, the telematics unit14will activate the audio component60so that the voice alert may be played to the vehicle occupant(s). In instances where the audio component60is turned on at the time the alert is generated (e.g., the vehicle occupant(s) is/are listening to a radio station, music stored on a compact disc, a podcast stored on an MP3 player, etc.), the telematics unit14will momentarily override the output of the audio component60so that the voice alert may be played to the vehicle occupant(s).

When the trigger is generated and the alert is activated, the telematics unit14automatically initiates a vehicle data upload event (via a vehicle data upload (VDU) system not shown inFIG. 1) for uploading a memo to the electronic calendar98resident at the host server94. The memo may, in an example, be generated by the telematics unit14using a preset protocol, and the memo itself may conform to a preset template. The template may include, e.g., that the alert was played at xx:xx, otherwise indicating that the alert was activated. The memo generated by the telematics unit14is stored in the calendar98as post-event appointment information.

Upon storing the memo in the calendar98, a response message may be automatically transmitted back to the telematics unit14from the host server94to remove the trigger from the vehicle12.

When a trigger is not recognized, an alert is not generated or output within the vehicle12,12′,12″. As one example, when the telematics unit14is not in an ON state during the preset time interval before the start of an appointment, the time trigger will not be recognized and the alert will not be generated. As another example, when the vehicle12does not enter the geographic boundary120within a designated time interval (such as during the travel time period or within a predetermined amount of time during the time block of the event), activation of the alert by the telematics unit14will not be triggered. When the trigger is not activated and is associated with a particular time that has expired, the telematics unit14may, for example, disable or delete the trigger so that the associated alert cannot be activated. Whenever a preset trigger is not recognized, the telematics unit14automatically initiates a vehicle data upload event for uploading another memo to the electronic calendar98that is resident on the webpage96. This other memo indicates that the trigger was not recognized and thus the associated alert was not activated, and, in some instances, also indicates that the trigger has been disabled or deleted.

In instances where the vehicle12,12′,12″ is a member of a fleet, the telematics unit14may also automatically initiate a message (such as a text message, a voice message, an e-mail message, etc.) that may be transmitted directly to the fleet manager (e.g., to the fleet manager's cellular phone, personal digital assistance, personal computer, or other suitable device) indicating that the alert was activated or not activated.

Once the memo indicating that the alert has been activated or the other memo indicating that the alert has not been activated has been uploaded to the electronic calendar98, the individual or another person authorized to access the calendar98may view the memo/other memo. Viewing may be desirable, for example, by a fleet manager to see whether a particular driver or vehicle12,12′,12″ associated with the calendar has attended all of its scheduled appointments. In instances where a driver or vehicle12,12′,12″ has missed one or more of the appointments (as may be concluded by the other memo indicating that the alert was not activated), the fleet manager may use such information to contact the individual or business party associated with the appointment to fulfill any obligations that may have been missed and/or to reschedule the appointment.

In some instances, one or more of the vehicle occupant(s) and/or a person authorized to view the calendar98may respond to the memo/other memo. In one example, responding to the memo/other memo may be accomplished by a vehicle occupant by posting an audio message to the electronic calendar98. This may include reciting the message as utterances into the microphone28inside the vehicle12, where the utterances are recorded by the recorder91. The recorded audio message may be transmitted to the host server94at which the electronic calendar98is resident during a vehicle data upload event, and the host server94may upload the voice message to the calendar98as a voice post or voice upload.

In another example, responding to the memo/other memo may be accomplished by posting a data message to the electronic calendar98. The data message may be generated by an authorized person viewing the calendar98by typing comments into the appointment cell100in response to the memo/other memo. The data message may otherwise be generated by the vehicle occupant(s) from a voice recording of the message (taken by the recorder91), which is then converted into text via the speech-to-text unit88,88′. In instances where the text is converted by the speech-to-text unit88, the data message is transmitted from the telematics unit14to the host server94during a vehicle data upload event, and then posted to the calendar98as a data post or data upload. In instances where the text is converted by the speech-to-text unit88′, the voice recording is transmitted to the call/data center24, where it is converted to text by the speech-to-text unit88′. The data message is then transmitted to the host server94from the call/data center24and then uploaded to the calendar98.

In yet another example, responding to the memo/other memo may be accomplished by sending a short message service (SMS) message to another person authorized to access the electronic calendar98via the webpage96, who may post the SMS message to the electronic calendar98. For instance, the vehicle occupant(s) may recite a response to the memo/other memo into a microphone associated with his/her mobile communications device (e.g., a smart phone), which is converted into text via an internal speech-to-text engine. The text version of the message, in the form of an SMS message, may be submitted to the authorized user, who may upload the message onto the calendar98using the webpage96. The smart phone may contain an application for recording messages and creating text messages from the recorded messages.

In still another example, the vehicle occupant may send an SMS message to the host server94using a specific shortcode (e.g., “12345 calendar”), and the host server94may autoreply with options to, e.g., view and/or edit the calendar98, to generate a new alert, etc. Upon authorizing the SMS message sender (via, e.g., verifying the MDN of the device used to submit the SMS message, as well as correctly answering selected challenge question(s)), the host server94will upload any responses made by the SMS message sender to the host server's94autoreply.

While several examples have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed examples may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting.