Vehicle communication device

Abstract

An example vehicle communication device includes a vehicle installed unit and a portable unit in communication with the vehicle installed unit. The portable unit communicates a message through the vehicle installed unit to a remote location, and the vehicle installed unit adds information to the message.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A vehicle communication device, comprising:
 a vehicle installed unit; and   a portable unit in communication with the vehicle installed unit, wherein the portable unit communicates a message through the vehicle installed unit to a remote location and the vehicle installed unit adds information to the message.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable unit includes an emergency switch, the vehicle installed unit communicating information to a remote location when the emergency switch is activated. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle installed unit executes an emergency profile when the emergency switch is activated. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 3 , wherein the emergency profile includes establishing a voice connection between the portable unit and a remote location. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable unit communicates a text-based message to the remote location. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 5 , wherein the vehicle installed unit adds location information to the text-based message. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle installed unit establishes a telephonic connection between the portable unit and the remote location. 
     
     
         8 . A vehicle communication device, comprising:
 a vehicle installed unit;   a vehicle interface module within the vehicle installed unit for connecting to a vehicle system; and   a portable unit in communication with the vehicle installed unit, wherein the portable unit communicates with the vehicle interface module to obtain information from the vehicle system.   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 8 , wherein portable unit controls functions of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the vehicle system is an OBDII system or a CANBUS system. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the vehicle installed unit and the portable unit includes storage location for storing historical data. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle installed unit includes a controller for running a program that compares historical data with newly acquired data. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle communication method, including the steps of:
 linking a portable unit to a vehicle based on the driver;   operating the vehicle; and   storing vehicle information based on the driver.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle communication method of  claim 13 , including identifying discrepancies between vehicle information stored within the portable unit and vehicle information stored within the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle communication method of  claim 13 , gathering the vehicle information wirelessly.