Abstract:
A system and method for providing services to users in vehicles based on radio broadcasts received by a vehicle&#39;s radio receiver. The system includes a computer-based vehicle unit located in a vehicle, a gateway configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the vehicle unit, and a computer-based server in communication with the gateway over a network. The vehicle unit includes a user interface component that presents the received content and radio broadcast and records user requests. The server processes the requests and sends confirmation messages back to the unit via the gateway when a request is completed or other information needs to be sent to the unit. The vehicle unit wirelessly receives a radio broadcast from a radio station, transmits user requests and vehicle information to the server via the gateway, and receives content back from the server.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Application filed Mar. 29, 2001, Ser. No. 60/280,375. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to data communication and, more specifically, to data communication to vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the increased popularity of wireless telecommunication via cellular phones, personal data assistants, and computers, literally millions of consumers are gaining access to the Internet for information, services, and applications. Mobile telecommunication is especially useful for vehicular travelers, providing them with universal access to information and applications. Attempts have been made to parley traditional mobile telecommunications systems into vehicle-based systems that allow users to more easily and safely gain information and complete transactions from the convenience of their automobile. One such attempt, for instance, allows users to purchase music heard over the radio by contacting an automated purchasing service via a cellular telephone after hearing the music over the vehicle radio. Such attempts, however, are generally limited to a single transaction or information request for only a specific type of product, and do not provide the user with a wide range of information and transaction options related to a variety of products and services. Moreover, such attempts do not incorporate the use of vehicle information, such as vehicle location, traveling speed, and direction, to customize and tailor the information and transaction options to the specific needs of the user. 
     There is a need for a system and method that provides greater flexibility for a user to obtain information and complete transactions related to a wide range of products and services advertised over the radio, for example, food, music, event tickets, and books. The system and method should also allow a mobile user to obtain customized information and complete transactions associated with broadcast radio content based on specific information related to the vehicle&#39;s particular circumstances. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a system and method for providing services to users in vehicles based on radio broadcasts received by a radio receiver in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-based vehicle unit located in a vehicle, a gateway configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the vehicle unit, and a computer-based server in communication with the gateway over a network. The vehicle unit wirelessly receives a radio broadcast from a radio station, transmits vehicle information, communicates radio broadcast information to the server via the gateway, and receives content from the server via the gateway. The vehicle information includes vehicle location and the broadcast frequency or station identification to which the radio receiver is tuned. The content is associated with the radio broadcast. The vehicle unit includes a user interface component that presents the received content and radio broadcast and records user requests. The server processes the requests and sends confirmation messages back to the unit via the gateway when a request has been completed or other information needs to be sent to the unit. 
     The server includes a receiving component that receives information from the vehicle via the gateway, a content generator that generates content based on prestored radio broadcast information and associated vehicle information, and a first sending component that sends the generated content to the vehicle unit via the gateway. The server also includes a transaction component that completes a transaction based on the request and prestored user information, a confirmation component that generates a confirmation message based on the completed transaction, and a second sending component that sends the generated confirmation message to the vehicle via the network and the gateway. 
     In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the user interface includes a microphone for recording requests and a speaker for presenting received content audibly. 
     In accordance with yet other aspects of the invention, the user interface includes a display for displaying one or more images or textual information associated with at least a portion of the content or the message. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the transaction component includes a voice recognition processor configured to perform voice recognition processing of the recorded request. 
     In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the transaction component includes a monetary transfer component configured to perform a monetary transfer with a bank system over a network connection based on user information and the user request. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the transaction component includes a business information component configured to retrieve information from a business system over a network connection based on the user request, wherein the confirmation information includes at least a portion of the information retrieved from the business system. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the recorded user request is a request to purchase an item offered for purchase in one or more of the received radio broadcast or the sent content. 
     As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a system and method for improving services to users in vehicles based on radio broadcasts received by a radio receiver in the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for performing functions of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the contents of a vehicle interface unit of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating operation of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a system and method for using broadcast radio content and wireless network communication to enhance user interaction with a business from the user&#39;s vehicle. By way of overview and with reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a system  10  that includes a network  12  (such as the Internet), a wireless gateway  14 , a radio station  16 , at least one financial services system  18 , business system  20 , and main system  22 , all of which include a server and a database. Financial services system  18 , business system  20 , and main system  22  are coupled to network  12 . A user&#39;s vehicle  24  includes a telematic control unit  26  and a radio  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the telematic control unit  26  includes a processor  30 , a built-in global positioning system (GPS) unit  32 , a wireless communication module  34 , a vehicle information component  36 , and a user interface  38 . Vehicle information component  36  extracts information related to the vehicle&#39;s sensory status, such as engine specification, door lock/unlock status, and airbag deployment requirements from vehicle  24 . User interface  38  includes one or more of a microphone, a speaker, a display, such as a touch sensitive screen, and user interface buttons. 
     Main system  22  generates interactive content for use by the user at the vehicle. The interactive content can include a wide variety of information including, for example, product information. The main system previously receives the interactive content from associated business server  20 . Telematic control unit  26  sends the interactive content via gateway  14 . Wireless communication module  34  wirelessly receives the interactive content from gateway  14 . Processor  30  presents the received interactive content to the motorist via user interface  38 . The content is presented visually, audibly, or using a combination of both. Using telematic control unit  26 , the user can select from the offered content (products or services) directly related to the broadcasted radio content. 
     The interactive content is related to broadcasted radio content and the specific circumstances of the user. Main system  22  obtains information related to the broadcasted radio content, such as broadcast time schedule, from the business system. The main system determines what interactive content to send based on the radio station the motorist is listening to, and where to send the interactive content based on the vehicle&#39;s location. This information is obtained from the vehicle&#39;s telematic control unit. Likewise, main system  22  obtains financial account information from the user, which in turn is used to authorize purchases. The resulting system provides the user with a variety of options with respect to making purchases based on the interactive content presented over the radio. For example, if a user hears a song on the radio and requests to purchase that CD, the user can request to purchase one and have the cost charged to his/her account number and delivered to an address on file. Alternatively, the user could authorize purchase of the CD but, desiring to pick it up as soon as possible, could have the transaction completed at the nearest music store, so that the purchased product is waiting for pickup. In still another embodiment, the user drives vehicle  24  to a fast download site. The download site (i.e., hot spot) is a location that has enhanced data channel communication to vehicle  24 , thereby allowing for a greater amount of data to be downloaded in a shorter period of time. The hot spot includes a wireless communications component capable of communicating wireless data transmission content at a much greater capacity to a vehicle in close proximity. 
     The telematic control unit&#39;s wireless communication module  34  is capable of sending and receiving both voice and data wirelessly to gateway  14 . The wireless gateway is in direct communication with network  12 . When a motorist or passenger makes a selection related to the presented interactive content, wireless communication module  34  sends a request in the form of a message to process a transaction to wireless gateway  14 , such as a request to purchase an item. The wireless gateway directs the request to main system  22  for processing. The wireless gateway facilitates communication between a wireless network (e.g., cellular telephone network) and other networks. Bridges, routers, and switches are components of others systems that may be used to connect different networks. Main system  22  determines if the user message is associated with a bank transaction, a business transaction, or both. The main system communicates with bank server  18  for completing a bank transaction, such as verifying a user&#39;s credit card, account information and address. Once the transaction is completed, main system  22  sends confirmation back to vehicle  24  via wireless gateway  14 . 
     In one example, if the user selects to purchase an item (e.g., a sub sandwich) that is included in a commercial advertisement radio broadcast, the GPS receiver sends the user&#39;s current vehicle location and trajectory information to main system  22  via network  12 . The vehicle location is checked against the business transaction server to locate the nearest establishment associated with the broadcasted content. Furthermore, a timestamp is used in determining the estimated time of arrival (ETA) with respect to that establishment. A confirmation of the transaction and the location of the establishment are sent back to the user interface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an illustrative routine for the operation of telematic control unit  26  utilizing main system  22  to send and retrieve information relating to monetary transactions and radio broadcast content via the Internet is described. First, at block  60 , the telematic control unit  26  receives the radio broadcast signal. Typically, the radio broadcast signal originates from a radio tower in analog form and is transmitted to a radio receiver in vehicle  24 . At block  62 , information related to the radio broadcast is determined. In this step, the main system determines the radio broadcast channel information associated with the vehicle. This may be accomplished by sending radio broadcast channel information from the telematic control unit to the main system. The main system uses radio broadcast channel information to determine what information is related to the radio broadcast of interest to the vehicle user. At block  64 , the main system  22  sends information content related to the radio broadcast to telematic control unit  26  via gateway  14 . The information content is a function of what the radio station is broadcasting and the businesses that are participating in the system. Next, at block  66 , if the user makes a selection pertaining to any of the information content presented by telematic control unit  26 , the telematic control unit sends information related to the user&#39;s selection as well as vehicle information to main system  22  via a wireless communication link. The information sent from the telematic control unit to the main system can include vehicle location and trajectory, a request to perform a transaction, or a request for more information concerning broadcast content. The wireless communication link may include a cellular station, a satellite dish, or other wireless communication system, which provides access to network  12 . 
     At block  68 , main system  22  searches a database to process the request for more information related to the broadcasted content, or to process the request to perform a monetary transaction. In an alternative embodiment, main system  22  can send information about content to be broadcast in the near future, for example, the title of songs that will be broadcast in the next 15 minutes. This information is sent to the telematic control unit&#39;s cache memory to be displayed in a timely fashion. The telematic control unit discards the cache information in the event the user switches radio stations or frequencies. 
     At block  70 , main system  22  retrieves textual or audio information related to the processed request and returns the results to telematic control unit  26 . At block  72 , the telematic control unit presents the received results, which includes a digest of information about the broadcast requested, confirmation results of any monetary transaction, and directions to a requested site or any other information generated by main system  22 . The digest of information can be displayed on the telematic control unit&#39;s display, or the vehicle radio&#39;s display. The telematic control unit can also present results aurally. 
     In one example, a user in a vehicle listening to music wishes to request more information about the music, or wishes to purchase a CD of the playing music. For instance, the song “Candy” is playing on the radio. The display on telematic control unit  26  shows “Candy Everybody . . . ” after related information is received from main system  22  via the network and the gateway. The user can request more information, by either pressing a button or uttering a keyword or phrase. For example, the user says “song information.” The microphone receives these words, after which telematic control unit  26  digitizes the received words and delivers them to main system  22  for voice processing. Alternatively, the content may have already been downloaded and is simply played to the user. The telematic control unit either responds aurally and/or displays the textual information: “Candy Everybody Wants by 10,000 Maniacs, CD $7.00, in stock” that is received from main system  22 . The user can further request to purchase the CD by either pressing a button or uttering a keyword. Once the user says “Purchase,” the telematic control unit sends a request to the server via the network. The server processes the request to purchase the CD by contacting the CD production company using the user&#39;s financial service company to complete the transaction. The telematic control unit verbally responds or displays a confirmation, for example: “Your confirmation code is CM1234. The CD will be sent to your address on file.” In another example, a user listens to an advertisement for a sandwich restaurant, the user can purchase a sub from the sandwich restaurant by either pressing a button or uttering a keyword, for example: “Buy jumbo club.” The request is sent to the server via the Internet, and telematic control unit  26  responds or displays: “The nearest subway location is about 0.7 miles off exit 167 and has a drive-through. Would you like to buy your club sandwich at that location for $1.99?” The user can then purchase the sandwich, by either pressing a button or uttering “Purchase.” Once the user selects to purchase the sandwich, a request is sent to the server via network  12 , which processes the request and returns an order number. The telematic control unit displays or responds: “Your order number is 57.” 
     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , at block  72 , telematic control unit  26  displays results of a request or a confirmation of a monetary transaction. At block  74 , main system  22  determines if the user selected a request for more information or a monetary transaction. As previously described, a user can request for more information or a monetary transaction related to the broadcast by either pressing a button or uttering a keyword or phrase. If it is determined that a user selected a request for a transaction (whether monetary or for more information) at block  74 , the request is sent over a wireless communication link to main system  22  for processing. If, at block  74 , it is determined the user did not select to process any requests, then the logic continues to decision block  76  to determine if the user has turned off the telematic control unit. If it is determined that the user wishes to continue receiving radio broadcast signals, then the logic returns to the beginning, where another radio broadcast signal is received and processed accordingly. If, at block  76 , it is determined the user has turned off the telematic control unit, the process ends at block  78 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the vehicle is equipped with a TV receiver and the broadcast content is television. In this embodiment, the vehicle user or passenger can interact with the system in a similar manner as outlined above. 
     In still another embodiment, the processor in the vehicle performs voice recognition processing of the voice request to generate textual representation of the recorded request. The processor in the vehicle then sends the textual representation of the recorded request to the server. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.