Technique for effective communications with, and provision of global positioning system (GPS) based advertising information to, automobiles

Abstract

In an automobile, communications to and from the automobile are in the form of messages. Such messages are referred to as “electronic car-mail” or “C-mail”, messages as each message has a destination or origination address which includes an identifier, e.g., a vehicle identification number (VIN), identifying the automobile. The messages may be delivered to the automobile from a remote server through a communications network, e.g., the Internet. One such message may contain a recall notice to the automobile. Another message may contain just-in-time map information for navigation, depending on the current location of the automobile. Yet another message may contain advertising information concerning selected entities, e.g., restaurants, gas stations, department stores, etc., also depending on the current location of the automobile. The messages transmitted from the automobile to the remote server may contain, e.g., GPS information identifying the location of the automobile, dynamic data furnished by sensors in the automobile for analysis, an odometer reading and a speedometer reading for records, etc.

1 - 60 . (canceled)  
   
   
       61 . A method for use in a system in a vehicle, comprising: 
 providing data concerning statuses of one or more components of the vehicle, the data being provided by one or more sensors associated with the one or more components;    determining a notable condition of the vehicle based on the data;    informing a user of the notable condition;    generating, after the notable condition is determined, a message which includes at least part of the data and second data identifying the vehicle; and    sending the message to one or more servers outside the vehicle over a communications network.    
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the message also includes time information.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the message also includes information concerning mileage of the vehicle.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the one or more components include a battery.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the one or more components include a brake.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the one or more components include an engine.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the one or more components include a vehicle safety device.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the vehicle safety device includes an air-bag.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the vehicle safety device includes a restraint device.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the one or more components include a tire.  
   
   
       72 . A method for use in a system in a vehicle, comprising: 
 determining an irregularity of an operation of the vehicle based on data provided by one or more sensors, which are associated with one or more components of the vehicle;    issuing an alert regarding the irregularity;    sensing a current location of the vehicle;    generating, after the irregularity is determined, a message which includes at least first data concerning a condition of a selected component of the vehicle, and second data concerning the current location of the vehicle; and    sending the message to one or more servers over a communications network.    
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the message also includes time information.  
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the message also includes information concerning mileage of the vehicle.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selected component includes a battery.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selected component includes a brake.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selected component includes an engine.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selected component includes a vehicle safety device.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the vehicle safety device includes an air-bag.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the vehicle safety device includes a restraint device.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selected component includes a tire.  
   
   
       83 . A system for use in a vehicle, comprising: 
 an interface for receiving data concerning statuses of one or more components of the vehicle from one or more sensors associated with the one or more components;    a processor configured to determine a notable condition of the vehicle based on the data;    an output device for informing a user of the notable condition; and    a mechanism for generating, after the notable condition is determined, a message which includes at least part of the data and second data identifying the vehicle, the message being sent to one or more servers outside the vehicle over a communications network.    
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the message also includes time information.  
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the message also includes information concerning mileage of the vehicle.  
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the one or more components include a battery.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the one or more components include a brake.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the one or more components include an engine.  
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the one or more components include a vehicle safety device.  
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 90  wherein the vehicle safety device includes an air-bag.  
   
   
       92 . The system of  claim 90  wherein the vehicle safety device includes a restraint device.  
   
   
       93 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the one or more components include a tire.  
   
   
       94 . A system for use in a vehicle, comprising: 
 a processor configured to determine an irregularity of an operation of the vehicle based on data provided by one or more sensors, which are associated with one or more components of the vehicle;    an output device for issuing an alert regarding the irregularity;    a location device for sensing a current location of the vehicle; and    a mechanism for generating, after the irregularity is determined, a message which includes at least first data concerning a condition of a selected component of the vehicle, and second data concerning the current location of the vehicle, the message being sent to one or more servers outside the vehicle over a communications network.    
   
   
       95 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       96 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the message also includes time information.  
   
   
       97 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the message also includes information concerning mileage of the vehicle.  
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selected component includes a battery.  
   
   
       99 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selected component includes a brake.  
   
   
       100 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selected component includes an engine.  
   
   
       101 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selected component includes a vehicle safety device.  
   
   
       102 . The system of  claim 101  wherein the vehicle safety device includes an air-bag.  
   
   
       103 . The system of  claim 101  wherein the vehicle safety device includes a restraint device.  
   
   
       104 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selected component includes a tire.