Patent Publication Number: US-2006003762-A1

Title: Method and system for telematically deactivating satellite radio systems

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to a telematics and satellite digital audio radio systems in a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a method, computer usable medium and system for deactivating and reactivating a satellite radio system in vehicles equipped with a telematics system and a satellite digital audio radio system.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The opportunity to personalize features in a mobile vehicle is ever increasing as the automobile is being transformed into a communications and entertainment platform as well as a transportation platform. Many new vehicles will be installed with some type of telematics unit to provide wireless communication and location-based services. These services may be accessed through interfaces such as voice-recognition computer applications, touch-screen computer displays, computer keyboards, or a series of buttons on the dashboard or console of a vehicle.  
      Currently, telematics service call centers, in-vehicle compact disk (CD) or digital video display (DVD) media, web portals, and voice-enabled phone portals provide various types of location services, including driving directions, stolen vehicle tracking, traffic information, weather reports, restaurant guides, ski reports, road condition information, accident updates, street routing, landmark guides, and business finders.  
      For example, traffic and driving directions are accessible through a voice portal that uses incoming number identification to generate location information based on the area code or prefix of the phone number, or to access location information stored in a user&#39;s profile associated with the phone number. In some embodiments, users are prompted to enter more details through a voice interface. Other examples are web and wireless portals that offer location-based services such as maps and driving directions where the user enters both a start and end addresses. Some of these services have a voice interface.  
      Some telematics service users elect to establish a mobile vehicle satellite radio service account, such as Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS), as well as a telematics system account. The SDARS system provides continuous radio broadcast reception for vehicles across locations which otherwise would be discontinuous across geographic regions.  
      Currently when a SDARS account expires or is cancelled the satellite deactivation server within the mobile vehicle satellite radio service system triggers the satellite to broadcast a periodic deactivation signal.  
      If the SDARS satellite radio receiver is powered ON, the deactivation signal is received and hardware within the satellite radio receiver is modified to prevent it from receiving any signal other than the preview channel signal over the SDARS system. The former SDARS subscriber is potentially unaware that their SDARS account is deactivated. This may cause an increase in customer complaints at the SDARS call center, as a user can be confused by being unable to receive radio signals. The user may then communicate with the call center of the telematics system to complain that they are not able to receive all radio signals. An advisor in the SDARS call center is unaware of the deactivation of the SDARS account and is required to initiate communication with the deactivation server of the SDARS system to confirm deactivation of service for the former SDARS subscriber. Once the deactivation server confirms that the SDARS is deactivated, the advisor informs the user. This confirmation call takes time for the user and the call center  
      The SDARS satellite will continue to transmit the deactivation signal for the few days, even after the satellite radio receiver is modified to prevent it from receiving all radio signals, since the SDARS system does not know if and/or when the deactivation signal was implemented. This periodic broadcast wastes bandwidth for the telematics unit and the satellite.  
      If the SDARS satellite radio receiver is not powered ON, the deactivation signal is not received and the hardware within the satellite radio receiver is not modified to prevent it from receiving all transmitted signals. The SDARS deactivation server is unaware that the satellite radio receiver is not deactivated and a subscriber with an expired account may continue to use the satellite radio receiver until the SDARS system receives a deactivation signal.  
      It is desirable to provide a method, computer usable medium and system to overcome the limitations described above. It is desirable that a user of a telematics system be informed when their SDARS account is deactivated and that the call center receive confirmation that the SDARS user was notified when the SDARS account was deactivated in order to prevent confusion and a waste of system bandwidth and to provide a renewal option.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the present invention provides a method for confirming deactivation of a mobile vehicle satellite radio service. The method includes receiving a satellite radio termination signal at a call center, sending a termination notification from the call center to a telematics unit via a wireless interface responsive to the termination signal and sending a termination confirmation from the telematics unit to the call center responsive to the termination notification.  
      A second aspect of the invention provides a system to confirm deactivation of a mobile vehicle satellite radio service. The system includes means for receiving a satellite radio termination signal at a call center, means for sending a termination notification from the call center to a telematics unit via a wireless interface responsive to the termination signal and means for sending a termination confirmation from the telematics unit to the call center responsive to the termination notification.  
      A third aspect of the invention provides a computer readable medium storing a computer program. The medium includes computer readable code for receiving a satellite radio termination signal at a call center, computer readable code for sending a termination notification from the call center to a telematics unit via a wireless interface responsive to the termination signal and computer readable code for sending a termination confirmation from the telematics unit to the call center responsive to the termination notification.  
      The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a system for data transmission over a wireless communication system integrated with a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) system, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart representative of one embodiment of a method to confirm deactivation of a mobile vehicle satellite radio service in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart representative of one embodiment of a method to activate a customer termination confirmation process in accordance with the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart representative of one embodiment of a method to renew a mobile vehicle satellite ratio service in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a system for data transmission over a wireless communication system integrated with a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) system, in accordance with the present invention. Mobile vehicle communication system (MVCS)  100  includes a mobile vehicle communication unit (MVCU)  110 , a vehicle communication network  112 , a telematics unit  120 , a satellite radio receiver  136 , one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , one or more land networks  144 , one or more satellite radio service uplink facilities  181 , one or more terrestrial radio transmitters  185 , one or more satellite radio service geostationary satellites  190 , one or more client, personal or user computers  150 , one or more web-hosting portals  160 , and one or more call centers  170 . In one embodiment, MVCU  110  is implemented as a mobile vehicle equipped with suitable hardware and software for transmitting and receiving voice and data communications. In one embodiment, MVCS  100  includes additional components not relevant to the present discussion. Mobile vehicle communication systems, telematics units and satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) are known in the art.  
      MVCU  110  is also referred to as a mobile vehicle throughout the discussion below. In operation, MVCU  110  may be implemented as a motor vehicle, a marine vehicle, or as an aircraft. In one embodiment, MVCU  110  includes additional components not relevant to the present discussion.  
      MVCU  110 , via a vehicle communication network  112 , sends signals to various units of equipment and systems (detailed below) within MVCU  110  to perform various functions such as unlocking a door, opening the trunk, setting personal comfort settings, and calling from telematics unit  120 . In facilitating interactions among the various communication and electronic modules, vehicle communication network  112  utilizes network interfaces such as controller-area network (CAN), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9141, ISO Standard 11898 for high-speed applications, ISO Standard 11519 for lower speed applications, and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard J1850 for high-speed and lower speed applications.  
      MVCU  110 , via telematics unit  120 , sends and receives radio transmissions from wireless carrier system  140 . Wireless carrier system  140  is implemented as any suitable system for transmitting a signal from MVCU  110  to communication network  142 .  
      Telematics unit  120  includes a processor  122  connected to a wireless modem  124 , a global positioning system (GPS) unit  126 , an in-vehicle memory  128 , a microphone  130 , one or more speakers  132 , and an embedded or in-vehicle mobile phone  134 . In other embodiments, telematics unit  120  may be implemented without one or more of the above listed components, such as, for example GPS unit  126  or speakers  132 . In some embodiments, telematics unit  120  includes additional components not relevant to the present discussion.  
      In one embodiment, processor  122  is a digital signal processor (DSP). In one embodiment, processor  122  is implemented as a microcontroller, microprocessor, controller, host processor, or vehicle communications processor. In an example, processor  122  is implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In another embodiment, processor  122  is implemented as a processor working in conjunction with a central processing unit (CPU) performing the function of a general purpose processor. GPS unit  126  provides longitude and latitude coordinates of the vehicle responsive to a GPS broadcast signal received from a one or more GPS satellite broadcast systems (not shown). In-vehicle mobile phone  134  is a cellular-type phone, such as, for example an analog, digital, dual-mode, dual-band, multi-mode or multi-band cellular phone.  
      Processor  122  executes various computer programs that control programming and operational modes of electronic and mechanical systems within MVCU  110 . Processor  122  controls communications (e.g. call signals) between telematics unit  120 , wireless carrier system  140 , terrestrial radio transmitter  185  or a satellite radio geostationary satellite  190  and call center  170 . In one embodiment, processor  122  can translate human voice input through microphone  130  to digital signals. In another embodiment, processor  122  includes voice-recognition software to parse the speech and/or identify the user. Software to parse speech and/or identify a use may also be resident at call center  170 . Processor  122  generates and accepts digital signals transmitted between telematics unit  120  and a vehicle communication network  112  that is connected to various electronic modules in the vehicle. In one embodiment, these digital signals activate the programming mode and operation modes, as well as provide for data transfers. In this embodiment, signals from processor  122  are translated into voice messages and sent out through speaker  132 . Processor  122  directs communications between in-vehicle mobile phone  134  and satellite radio receiver  136  as well as communications from the telematics unit  120  through in-vehicle mobile phone  134 .  
      Satellite radio receiver  136  is any suitable hardware for receiving satellite radio broadcast signals in MVCU  110 . Satellite radio receiver  136  receives digital signals from a terrestrial radio transmitter  185  or a satellite radio geostationary satellite  190 . Satellite radio receiver  136  includes a radio receiver for receiving broadcast radio information over one or more channels. In one embodiment, satellite radio receiver  136  generates an audio output in response to received signals. In another embodiment, satellite radio receiver  136  receives data communications from the satellite service provider.  
      Satellite radio receiver  136  is separate from telematics unit  120  in one embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, satellite radio receiver  136  is electronically connected to telematics unit  120  with a cable or over the vehicle communication bus, or with a wireless communication protocol. In another embodiment, satellite radio receiver  136  is embedded within the telematics unit  120 . Satellite radio receiver  136  provides channel and signal information to telematics unit  120 . Telematics unit  120  monitors, filters and sends signals that are received from satellite broadcast, radio broadcasts or other wireless communication systems to output devices such as speaker  132  and visual display devices. In one embodiment, signals from satellite radio receiver  136  are sent directly to in-vehicle mobile phone  134  without the intervening telematics unit  120 .  
      In one embodiment, in-vehicle mobile phone  134  is integral with telematics unit  120  and coupled electronically with satellite radio receiver  136 . In an alternative embodiment, in-vehicle mobile phone  134  is separated from telematics unit  120  and coupled electronically to telematics unit  120  as well as satellite radio receiver  136 .  
      As part of a satellite broadcast system, a satellite radio uplink facility  181  sends and receives radio signals to a geostationary satellite  190 . Satellite radio uplink facility  181  uplinks information necessary to initiate in-vehicle wireless communications from the SDARS call center to one or more terrestrial radio transmitters  185 . In one embodiment, satellite radio uplink facility  181  also sends information necessary to initiate in-vehicle wireless communications to geostationary satellite  190 .  
      Terrestrial radio transmitter  185  and geostationary satellite  190  transmit radio signals to satellite radio receiver  136  in MVCU  110 . In one embodiment, terrestrial radio transmitter  185  and geostationary satellite  190  broadcast over a spectrum in the S band (2.3 GHz) that has been allocated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for nationwide broadcasting of Satellite Based Digital Radio Service (SDARS). An exemplary broadcast has a 120 kilobyte per second portion of the bandwidth designated for command signals from telematics service call center  170 .  
      In addition to broadcasting music and entertainment, traffic information, road construction information, advertisements, news and information on local events, the satellite radio broadcast system can send a Mobile Identification Number (MIN), satellite radio subscriber identifier and wireless communication parameters to satellite radio receiver  136  to initiate an in-vehicle mobile phone  134  to call telematics service call center  170 .  
      Telematics unit  120  monitors satellite radio system broadcast signals received by satellite radio receiver  136  for a signal with this information on wireless communication initiation. When such a signal is detected, the satellite radio identifier and associated information are extracted from the broadcast channel. Telematics unit  120  stores or retrieves data and information from the audio signals of satellite radio receiver  136 .  
      In one embodiment, the signal includes a satellite radio subscriber identifier, which identifies the unique number assigned by the manufacturer of the satellite radio receiver  136 , a MIN that has been assigned to the in-vehicle mobile phone  134 , wireless communication parameters, or any combination thereof. The parameters comprise a home system identifier, a mobile identification number, a call number, a preferred roaming list, a preferred roaming list flag, a configuration flag, a configuration parameter or a combination thereof.  
      The signal from the satellite radio system could include a request for the telematics unit  120  to call the telematics call center  170 . In response, telematics unit  120  places a call with in-vehicle mobile phone  134  via a wireless telephony service provider.  
      Communication network  142  includes services from one or more mobile telephone switching offices and wireless networks. Communication network  142  connects wireless carrier system  140  to land network  144 . Communication network  142  is implemented as any suitable system or collection of systems for connecting wireless carrier system  140  to MVCU  110  and land network  144 .  
      Land network  144  connects communication network  142  to client computer  150 , web-hosting portal  160 , and call center  170 . In one embodiment, land network  144  is a public-switched telephone network (PSTN). In another embodiment, land network  144  is implemented as an Internet protocol (IP) network. In other embodiments, land network  144  is implemented as a wired network, an optical network, a fiber network, other wireless networks, or any combination thereof. Land network  144  is connected to one or more landline telephones. Communication network  142  and land network  144  connect wireless carrier system  140  to web-hosting portal  160  and call center  170 .  
      Client, personal or user computer  150  includes a computer usable medium to execute Internet browser and Internet-access computer programs for sending and receiving data over land network  144  and optionally, wired or wireless communication networks  142  to web-hosting portal  160 . Personal or client computer  150  sends user preferences to web-hosting portal through a web-page interface using communication standards such as hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), and transport-control protocol and Internet protocol (TCP/IP). In one embodiment, the data includes directives to change certain programming and operational modes of electronic and mechanical systems within MVCU  110 . In operation, a client utilizes computer  150  to initiate setting or re-setting of user-preferences for MVCU  110 . User-preference data from client-side software is transmitted to server-side software of web-hosting portal  160 . User-preference data is stored at web-hosting portal  160 .  
      Web-hosting portal  160  includes one or more data modems  162 , one or more web servers  164 , one or more databases  166 , and a network system  168 . Web-hosting portal  160  is connected directly by wire to call center  170 , or connected by phone lines to land network  144 , which is connected to call center  170 . In an example, web-hosting portal  160  is connected to call center  170  utilizing an IP network. In this example, both components, web-hosting portal  160  and call center  170 , are connected to land network  144  utilizing the IP network. In another example, web-hosting portal  160  is connected to land network  144  by one or more data modems  162 . Land network  144  sends digital data to and from modem  162 , data that is then transferred to web server  164 . In one embodiment, modem  162  resides inside web server  164 . Land network  144  transmits data communications between web-hosting portal  160  and call center  170 .  
      Web server  164  receives user-preference data from user computer  150  via land network  144 . In alternative embodiments, computer  150  includes a wireless modem to send data to web-hosting portal  160  through a wireless communication network  142  and a land network  144 . Data is received by land network  144  and sent to one or more web servers  164 . In one embodiment, web server  164  is implemented as any suitable hardware and software capable of providing web services to help change and transmit personal preference settings from a client at computer  150  to telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110 . Web server  164  sends to or receives from one or more databases  166  data transmissions via network system  168 . Web server  164  includes computer applications and files for managing and storing personalization settings supplied by the client, such as door lock/unlock behavior, radio station preset selections, climate controls, custom button configurations and theft alarm settings. For each client, the web server potentially stores hundreds of preferences for wireless vehicle communication, networking, maintenance and diagnostic services for a mobile vehicle.  
      In one embodiment, one or more web servers  164  are networked via network system  168  to distribute user-preference data among its network components such as database  166 . In an example, database  166  is a part of or a separate computer from web server  164 . Web server  164  sends data transmissions with user preferences to call center  170  through land network  144 .  
      Call center  170  is a location where many calls are received and serviced at the same time, or where many calls are sent at the same time. In one embodiment, the call center  170  is a telematics call center, facilitating communications to and from telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110 . In an example, the call center  170  is a voice call center, providing verbal communications between an advisor in the call center and a subscriber in a mobile vehicle. In another example, the call center  170  contains each of these functions. In other embodiments, call center  170  and web-hosting portal  160  are located in the same or different facilities.  
      Call center  170  contains one or more voice and data switches  172 , one or more communication services managers  174 , one or more communication services databases  176 , one or more communication services advisors  178 , and one or more network systems  180 .  
      Switch  172  of call center  170  connects to land network  144 . Switch  172  transmits voice or data transmissions from call center  170 , and receives voice or data transmissions from telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110  through wireless carrier system  140 , communication network  142 , and land network  144 . Switch  172  receives data transmissions from and sends data transmissions to one or more web-hosting portals  160 . Switch  172  receives data transmissions from or sends data transmissions to one or more communication services managers  174  via one or more network systems  180 .  
      Communication services manager  174  is any suitable hardware and software capable of providing requested communication services to telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110 . Communication services manager  174  sends to or receives from one or more communication services databases  176  data transmissions via network system  180 . Communication services manager  174  sends to or receives from one or more communication services advisors  178  data transmissions via network system  180 . Communication services database  176  sends to or receives from communication services advisor  178  data transmissions via network system  180 . Communication services advisor  178  receives from or sends to switch  172  voice or data transmissions.  
      Communication services manager  174  provides one or more of a variety of services, including enrollment services, navigation assistance, directory assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential assistance, information services assistance, emergency assistance, and communications assistance. Communication services manager  174  receives service-preference requests for a variety of services from the client via computer  150 , web-hosting portal  160  and land network  144 . Communication services manager  174  transmits user-preference and other data to telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110  through wireless carrier system  140 , communication network  142 , land network  144 , voice and data switch  172 , and network system  180 . Communication services manager  174  stores or retrieves data and information from communication services database  176 . In some embodiments, communication services manager  174  is operable to provide requested information to communication services advisor  178 .  
      In one embodiment, communication services advisor  178  is implemented as a real advisor. In an example, a real advisor is a human being in verbal communication with a user or subscriber (e.g. a client) in MVCU  110  via telematics unit  120 . In another embodiment, communication services advisor  178  is implemented as a virtual advisor. In an example, a virtual advisor is implemented as a synthesized voice interface responding to requests from telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110 .  
      Communication services advisor  178  provides services to telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110 . Services provided by communication services advisor  178  include enrollment services, navigation assistance, real-time traffic advisories, directory assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential assistance, information services assistance, emergency assistance, and communications assistance. Communication services advisor  178  communicate with telematics unit  120  in MVCU  110  through wireless carrier system  140 , communication network  142 , and land network  144  using voice transmissions, or through communication services manager  174  and switch  172  using data transmissions. Switch  172  selects between voice transmissions and data transmissions.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart representative of one embodiment of a method to confirm deactivation of a mobile vehicle satellite radio service in accordance with the present invention. The following discussion of flowchart  200  is related to exemplary mobile vehicle communication system (MVCS)  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      During stage S 202 , the communication service manager  174  in call center  170  receives a satellite termination signal. A deactivation server of a mobile vehicle satellite radio system sends the satellite radio termination signal to the call center  170  responsive to a deactivation command being transmitted from the deactivation server to a satellite radio receiver  136  of a telematics equipped vehicle  110 .  
      In one embodiment, the deactivation command and the resulting termination signal are transmitted when a SDARS account expires or alternatively, when a SDARS subscriber cancels an account. The account expires after the account duration has elapsed or after an account payment is delinquent. In another embodiment, the termination signal is sent upon changes to the SDARS service, or for any other reason that may be appropriate to terminate SDARS service.  
      The deactivation server sends the deactivation command over the satellite radio service network, which comprises the radio service uplink facilities  181 , one or more terrestrial radio transmitters  185 , one or more satellite radio service geostationary satellites  190  to the satellite radio receiver  136 . In one embodiment, the deactivation server transmits the satellite termination signal over one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142  or one or more land networks  144  to the call center  170 . In another embodiment, the deactivation server transmits the satellite termination signal from the satellite radio service uplink facility  181  to the call center  170 .  
      The satellite radio service geostationary satellite  190  broadcasts the deactivation command signal periodically. When a satellite radio receiver  136  is powered ON and receives the deactivation command signal, the hardware of the satellite radio receiver  136  is modified to prevent reception of any satellite broadcast signals. In one embodiment, the satellite radio receiver  136  is modified to allow reception of one satellite broadcast signal at a frequency for a preview channel. The preview channel advertises the SDARS, for example.  
      During stage S 204 , a termination notification is sent from communication service manager  174  in call center  170  to a telematics unit  120  via a wireless interface connection in response to the termination signal. The wireless interface is between the wireless modem  124  and the wireless system. The wireless system comprises one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , and one or more land networks  144 . The processor  122  connected to the wireless modem  124  receives the termination confirmation. The memory  128  connected to the processor  122  has a computer readable medium for storing a computer program to recognize the termination notification and to generate a termination confirmation in response to the termination notification. The processor  122  utilizes software in memory  128  to generate a termination confirmation in response to the termination notification.  
      During stage S 206 , the termination confirmation is sent from the telematics unit  170  to the communication service manager  174  in response to the termination notification. The termination confirmation is transmitted via the wireless modem  124  to the wireless system.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart  300  representative of one embodiment of a method to activate a customer termination confirmation process in accordance with the present invention. During stage S 302 , the communication service manager  174  receives a satellite termination signal. The satellite termination signal is transmitted to the communication service manager  174  as described for stage S 202  in flowchart  200 .  
      During stage S 304 , the communication service manager  174  opens a communication channel between a communication services advisor  178  and the mobile vehicle satellite radio service user in the telematics equipped vehicle MVCU  110 . The communication channel is over the network comprising one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , one or more land networks  144 .  
      During stage S 306 , the advisor  178  communicates with the user of mobile vehicle  110  and determines if the user will renew the recently deactivated subscription for SDARS. During stage S 308 , the advisor determines whether the user requested renewal in response to the advisor&#39;s question.  
      If the user requests renewal, the flow proceeds to stage S 314 . During stage S 314 , in response to the users renewal request, the advisor  178  sends a renewal notification from the call center  170  to a renewal server of a mobile vehicle satellite radio system. The renewal server is located in the satellite radio service uplink facility  181 . The renewal notification is transmitted over one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , one or more land networks  144 .  
      In one embodiment, the user provides a credit card number to pay for the renewal of service. In another embodiment, the user is billed by the mobile vehicle satellite radio system for the renewal of service. In another embodiment, the method of payment is encoded in the renewal notice.  
      If the user does not request renewal of their subscription to the mobile vehicle satellite radio system, the flow proceeds to stage S 310  and a confirmation of deactivation of a mobile vehicle satellite radio service commences according the process described in flowchart  200  of  FIG. 2 . During stage S 310 , a termination notification is sent from communication service manager  174  in call center  170  to a telematics unit  120  via a wireless interface in response to the termination signal. Stage  310  is identical to stage S 204  described in flowchart  200  of  FIG. 2 . During stage S 312 , the termination confirmation is sent from the telematics unit  170  to the communication service manager  174  in call center  170  in response to the termination notification. Stage  312  is identical to stage S 206  described in flowchart  200  of  FIG. 2 .  
      In one embodiment, the customer termination confirmation processes is initiated by a vehicle data upload trigger from the call center  170  to the telematics unit  120 .  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart  400  representative of one embodiment of a method to renew a mobile vehicle satellite ratio service in accordance with the present invention. During stage S 402 , a user input is received at a deactivated satellite radio receiver  136 . When a user attempts to activate the satellite radio receiver  136 , such as by pushing a button, the user input is received. Alternatively, the button push may occur if the user does not recall termination of the SDARS. In an alternative embodiment, the button push occurs if the user remembers the service for the mobile vehicle satellite radio system was deactivated but wants to re-subscribe to the service. The processor  122  of telematics unit  120  recognizes that a user input was made on a deactivated satellite radio receiver  136 .  
      During stage S 404 , a notification of subscriber deactivation is sent to a user of a deactivated satellite radio receiver in response to a user input to the satellite radio receiver. Processor  122  generates the notification of subscriber deactivation after communicating with the memory  128  to confirm the deactivation. The notification of subscriber deactivation is a verbal communication to the user over in-vehicle mobile phone  134  or speakers  132  in the MVCU  110 . In another embodiment, a message is displayed on a visual display in the MVCU  110  to notify the user about the deactivation. In another embodiment, the notification of subscriber deactivation is both a message displayed on the display in the MVCU  110  and a verbal communication to the user.  
      During stage S 406 , a communication channel is opened between an advisor  178  and the user in the MVCU  110 . The communication channel is opened over the wireless system comprising one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , one or more land networks  144 . The processor  122  triggers the telematics unit  120  to open a communication channel between an advisor  178  and the user in the MVCU  110  in response to the notification of the subscriber deactivation.  
      During stage S 408 , the advisor  178  communicates with the user to determine whether the user wishes to renew the subscription for SDARS. During stage S 410 , the advisor determines whether the user requested renewal in response to the advisor&#39;s question.  
      If the user requests renewal, the flow proceeds to stage S 412 . During stage S 412 , in response to the users renewal request, the advisor  178  sends a renewal notification from the call center  170  to a renewal server of a mobile vehicle satellite radio system. The renewal server is in communication with the satellite radio service uplink facility  181 . In one embodiment, the renewal server is located in the satellite radio service uplink facility  181 . The renewal notification is transmitted over one or more wireless carrier systems  140 , one or more communication networks  142 , one or more land networks  144 .  
      In one embodiment, the user provides a credit card number to pay for the renewal of service. In another embodiment, the user is billed by the mobile vehicle satellite radio system for the renewal of service. In one embodiment, the method of payment is encoded in the renewal notice.  
      If the user does not request renewal of their subscription to the mobile vehicle satellite radio system, the flow proceeds to stage S 414 . During stage S 414 , the flow is terminated since the user did not elect to re-subscribe to service with the mobile vehicle satellite radio system. The flow described in flowchart  400  ensures that the user is provided the opportunity to re-subscribe if they try to use the satellite radio receiver  136 . The user will not be confused about why the satellite radio receiver  136  does not work.  
      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.