Abstract:
A method for automatically replenishing vehicle calling units is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting, in response to a user input, a call unit rate plan including parameters designating automatic replenishment of calling units for loading into a telematics unit. A calling plan configuration signal is transmitted to the telematics unit, where the calling plan configuration signal is indicative of the selected call unit rate plan parameters. The telematics unit is configured with the selected call unit rate plan parameters. A current cycle of the rate plan is monitored, via the telematics unit, for its expiration; and the telematics unit determines whether an additional cycle is available in a plan duration upon expiration of the current cycle. If the additional cycle is available, the telematics unit automatically replenishes the calling units to a number of calling units available per cycle upon the expiration of the current cycle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/607,657, filed Jun. 27, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to data transmission over a wireless communication system. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and system for replenishing cellular phone calling units. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many passenger vehicles now incorporate an integrated communication system. A Vehicle Communication Unit (VCU) used in conjunction with a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as a cellular telephone network or a satellite communication system allows for a variety of fee-based subscription services to be provided in a mobile environment. One such service provides for the use of a wireless phone within the vehicle. Users of these services find them convenient and at times a lifesaver in emergency situations. 
         [0004]    One drawback to these fee-based subscription services, however, is the subscription cost which, at times, can be quite high. The cost of a plan may be based on many factors. The cost may be based on such factors as, for example, the total number of months duration of the plan, the number of minutes allowed per month, and the time of day a call is placed. Fortunately, service providers have a wide variety of plans available to suit most consumers&#39; budgets. 
         [0005]    A problem arises, though, when the subscriber uses the cellular phone for more than the amount of minutes allotted for a particular billing cycle. Depending on the service provider and other billing factors, the cost for these additional minutes can be very high. For example, a service provider may offer a plan where the cost is under one cent per minute. However, the cost per minute over the plan limit may be twenty-five cents or more. For most situations staying within the allotted number of minutes is not a problem. However, the probability of incurring additional fees is high for those who may travel extensively or who use the cellular phone for work. Excessive fees may also be a problem for parents that provide a cellular phone to their talkative children. 
         [0006]    Some cellular phone providers offer inconvenient solutions to these problems. One solution provided is a prepaid cellular phone with a finite number of minutes, that upon their use the phone will not function. Another option is a calling card, also with prepaid minutes. Calling cards provide an inconvenient solution due to the requirement that the user must input a long string of digits that corresponds to the calling card and then the telephone number of the party they are trying to contact. Further, calling cards are easily lost or misplaced. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a system and method for replenishing calling units to a cellular phone that overcomes these and other disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A method for automatically replenishing vehicle calling units is disclosed herein. The method includes selecting, in response to a user input, a call unit rate plan including parameters designating automatic replenishment of calling units for loading into a telematics unit. A calling plan configuration signal is transmitted to the telematics unit, where the calling plan configuration signal is indicative of the selected call unit rate plan parameters. The telematics unit is configured with the selected call unit rate plan parameters. A current cycle of the rate plan is monitored, via the telematics unit, for its expiration; and the telematics unit determines whether an additional cycle is available in a plan duration upon expiration of the current cycle. If the additional cycle is available, the telematics unit automatically replenishes the calling units to a number of calling units available per cycle upon the expiration of the current cycle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of a system for replenishing cellular phone calling units in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the current invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for replenishing cellular phone calling units in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the current invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an illustration of one embodiment of a system for replenishing cellular phone calling units in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the present invention at  100 . Cell-phone unit replenishment system  100  may use current hardware within telecommunication systems and networks that are enabled by code division multiple access technology (CDMA), but implement new software applications and methods to replenish cellular phone calling units. 
         [0012]    Cell-phone unit replenishment system  100  contains one or more mobile vehicles  110 , one or more telematics units  120 , one or more wireless carrier systems  115  of a wireless service provider, one or more communication networks  130 , one or more land networks  140 , and one or more call centers  150 . Call center  150  includes one or more switches  151 , one or more data transmission devices  152 , one or more communication services managers  153 , one or more communication services databases  154 , one or more advisors  155 , and one or more bus systems  156 . 
         [0013]    Mobile vehicle  110  is a vehicle equipped with suitable hardware and software for transmitting and receiving voice and data communications. Mobile vehicle  110  contains telematics unit  120 . Telematics unit  120  may include a digital signal processor (DSP)  122  connected to a wireless analog, digital or dual-mode modem  124 , a global positioning system (GPS) unit  126 , an in-vehicle memory  125 , a microphone  121 , one or more speakers  123 , and a wireless communication device  127 . Wireless communication device  127  may be an in-vehicle mobile (cellular) phone. In-vehicle mobile phone  127  may be an analog, digital, or dual-mode cellular phone. 
         [0014]    DSP  122  uses instructions and data from a computer usable medium that contains various computer programs for controlling programming and operational modes within mobile vehicle  110 . Digital signals activate programming and operational modes, as well as provide input and output data. DSP  122  may direct communications from the telematics unit  120  through mobile phone  127 . 
         [0015]    Telematics unit  120  contains an in-vehicle wireless communication device such as a digital mobile or cellular phone  127  with suitable hardware and software for transmitting and receiving data communications. Mobile phone  127  may be a CDMA-enabled, TDMA-enabled, or GSM-enabled communication device. Mobile vehicle  110  sends to and receives radio transmissions from wireless carrier system  115 . Mobile vehicle  110  may also contain a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, a microcontroller, or a host processor with software and additional hardware to enable communications with the mobile vehicle and to perform other routines and requested services. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, wireless carrier system  115  may be a wireless communications carrier. Wireless carrier system  115  may be, for example, a mobile telephone system or station. The mobile telephone system may be a digital mobile telephone system operating over a prescribed band nominally at 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz, or any suitable band capable of carrying mobile communications. The wireless vehicle communication device may be enabled by code division multiple access technology (CDMA) with greater call capacity than narrowband multiple access wireless technologies. Wireless carrier system  115  transmits to and receives signals from mobile vehicle  110 . Wireless carrier system  115  may also transmit to and receive signals from a second mobile vehicle  110 . Wireless carrier system  115  may be connected with communications network  130 . 
         [0017]    Communications network  130  comprises a mobile switching center (MSC), also known as a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO). Communications network  130  comprises services from one or more wireless communications companies. Communications network  130  includes any suitable system or collection of systems for connecting wireless carrier system  115  to a second mobile vehicle  110  or to a call center. In one embodiment, land network  140  is a public-switched telephone network. Land network  140  may be comprised of a wired network, an optical network, a fiber network, another wireless network, or any combination thereof. Land network  140  comprises an Internet protocol (IP) network. Land network  140  connects communications network  130  to a call center. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, land network  140  connects a first wireless carrier system  115  with a second wireless carrier system  115 . Communication network  130  and land network  140  may connect wireless carrier system  115  to a communication node or call center  150 . 
         [0019]    Call center  150  may be a location where many calls may be received and serviced at the same time, or where many calls may be sent at the same time. Alternatively, call center  150  may be a telematics service call center, prescribing communications to and from mobile vehicles  110 . The call center may be a voice call center, providing verbal communications between an advisor in the call center and a subscriber in a mobile vehicle. In one embodiment, the call center contains each of these functions to provide requested subscriber services. 
         [0020]    These services include, but are not limited to enrollment services, navigation assistance, directory assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential assistance, information services assistance, emergency assistance, and communications assistance. Telematics service call center  150  may also manage personal calling plans negotiated with local wireless carrier providers in the home area of a driver. 
         [0021]    The call center  150  contains switch  151 . Switch  151  is connected to land network  140 , and may receive a modem carrier signal from an analog modem or from a digital modem. Switch  151  transmits voice or data transmission from the communication node and may also receive voice or data transmissions from mobile vehicle  110  through wireless carrier system  115 , communications network  130 , and land network  140 . Further, switch  151  receives from or sends data transmissions to data transmission device  152 . Switch  151  may also receive from or send voice transmissions to advisor  155  via bus system  156 . 
         [0022]    Data transmission device  152  sends or receives data from switch  151 . Data transmission device  152  may be an IP router or a modem. Data transmission device  152  may transfer data to or from advisor  155 , one or more communication services managers  153 , one or more communication services databases  154 , and any other device connected to bus system  156 . Data transmission device  152  also conveys information received from land network  140  to communication services manager  153 . Communication services manager  153  is connected to switch  151 , data transmission device  152 , and advisor  155  through bus system  156 . The call center includes any combination of hardware or software facilitating data transmissions between call center  150  and mobile vehicle  110 . 
         [0023]    Communication services manager  153  receives information from mobile vehicle  110  through wireless carrier system  115 , communication network  130 , land network  140 , and data transmission device  152 . Communication services manager  153  may send information to mobile vehicle  110  through data transmission device  152 , land network  140 , communication network  130  and wireless carrier system  115 . Communication services manager  153  may also determine whether a communication should be sent to mobile vehicle  110 , provide further requests and determinations based on a reply from mobile vehicle  110  and provide information to mobile vehicle  110  from communication services database  154 . 
         [0024]    Communication services database  154  contains records on one or more mobile vehicles  110 . Records in communication services database  154  may include vehicle identification, location information, status information, and recent action information regarding mobile vehicle  110 . Communication services database  154  provides information and other support to communication services manager  153 . 
         [0025]    Advisor  155  may be a real advisor or a virtual advisor. A real advisor is a human being in verbal communication with mobile vehicle  110 . A virtual advisor is a synthesized voice interface responding to requests from mobile vehicle  110 . Advisor  155  provides services to mobile vehicle  110 . Advisor  155  may communicate with communication services manager  153  or any other device connected to bus system  156 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for replenishing calling units for a wireless communication device in accordance with the present invention and shown generally at  200 . In the preferred embodiment, method  200  utilizes a system like that described in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    Method  200  begins when a subscriber contacts the call center  150  and selects a calling unit rate plan (Block  205 ). The subscriber may contact call center  150  by phone, the Internet or any other method known in the art. 
         [0028]    A calling unit rate plan provides the details of the cellular phone subscription service the subscriber selects. The calling unit rate plan includes several parameters for the subscriber to define. In one embodiment, these parameters include the duration of the plan, the number of cycles the duration is divided into and the number of calling units per cycle. These parameters comprise a calling plan termination configuration whereby upon the expiration of the duration or the depletion of the calling units, the calling plan is terminated. In another embodiment, a rollover parameter may be defined. This parameter comprises choosing whether any unused calling units will rollover into the next cycle. As an example, the subscriber may choose a plan having a duration of one year, the duration divided into twelve cycles (recurrences) and 200 calling units (minutes) per cycle. The subscriber may also choose to have any minutes left at the end of a cycle to rollover into the next cycle. 
         [0029]    Once the plan is selected, a calling plan configuration signal is sent to the telematics unit  120  of vehicle  110  (Block  210 ). The calling plan configuration signal includes data regarding the calling unit rate plan parameters. Once received, the calling plan configuration signal is then used to configure the telematics unit hardware with the selected parameters (Block  215 ). The number of calling units are stored in memory  125  located within the telematics unit. Referring to the above example, the subscriber&#39;s cellular phone is now configured for a plan duration of 12 months, the duration divided into one-month cycles with a limit of 200 minutes in each one-month cycle. 
         [0030]    As the calling units are used the telematics unit  110  will decrement the available calling units and store the remaining available calling units in memory (Block  220 ). The configured telematics software will also determine whether or not the duration of the current cycle has expired (Block  225 ). If the current cycle has expired the telematics unit software will determine whether there is a remaining cycle recurrence (Block  230 ). If there is at least one remaining cycle, the telematics unit will reset the number of available calling units to the configured value (Block  235 ) and return to Block  220 . If it is determined that there are no remaining cycles (i.e. the duration of the plan has expired), the subscriber will be prompted to contact the calling center to select a calling unit rate plan (Block  205 ). In another embodiment, the subscriber may be given the option of purchasing a one time calling unit package. The one time unit package would allow the subscriber the ability to continue using the cellular phone and to contact the call center at a later time to select another calling unit plan. 
         [0031]    If, at Block  225 , the system determines that the cycle duration has not expired, the system determines whether the calling units are depleted (Block  240 ). If the units have not been depleted, the method returns to Block  220 . If the units have been depleted but the cycle duration has not expired, the subscriber is given the choice to purchase a one-time calling unit package (Block  250 ) or wait until the start of a new cycle (Block  245 ). 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the method illustrated in  FIG. 2  any remaining calling units at the end of a cycle may be rolled over to the next cycle. The remaining minutes are stored in memory located in the telematics unit. In one embodiment, these minutes are stored in a location separate from the minutes allocated for a new cycle and are depleted before the new amount of minutes are used. In another embodiment, the rolled over minutes are added to the newly allocated minutes with no distinction made between the minutes. For example, if at the end of a 200 minute per month cycle there remains 10 minutes, the remaining 10 minutes are added to the newly allocated 200 minutes made available at the beginning of the new cycle resulting in a total of 210 minutes available for the new cycle. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the method does not allow for the purchase of a one time calling unit package, causing the subscriber to wait for unit replenishment at the start of a new cycle. This method may be attractive to parents who wish for their children to have a mobile phone when they are driving but without the worry that the child would use the phone beyond the allotted number of minutes per cycle. 
         [0034]    In yet another embodiment, the cellular phone is not linked to a telematics unit of a vehicle. In this embodiment a cellular phone includes the necessary hardware and software for implementing a method for replenishing calling units as that described above in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.