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, the vehicle including a display element, the method comprising: 
 receiving a message delivered over a communications network outside the vehicle based on a destination address associated with the vehicle, the message including information concerning a faulty condition of the vehicle;    indicating a receipt of the message;    allowing a user to view, on the display element, the information concerning the faulty condition of the vehicle in the message; and    providing a selectable option pertaining to the message.    
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the communications network comprises a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the information comprises a recall notice.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the destination address is identified based on data concerning the vehicle.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the data comprises a vehicle model.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the data comprises a vehicle year.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the data comprises at least part of a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the receipt of the message is indicated by an indicator shown on the display element.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 61  further comprising allowing a user to postpone viewing the information.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the selectable option is provided on the display element.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the selectable option comprises an option to delete the message.  
   
   
       72 . A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the vehicle including a display element, the method comprising: 
 receiving a message delivered over a communications network outside the vehicle based on a destination address, the destination address being searchable using data concerning the vehicle, the message including information concerning a campaign initiated by a manufacturer of the vehicle;    allowing a user to view, on the display element, the information concerning the campaign in the message; and    providing a selectable option pertaining to the message.    
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the campaign concerns a service of the vehicle.  
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the campaign comprises a recall.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the data comprises a vehicle model.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the data comprises a vehicle year.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the data comprises at least part of a VIN of the vehicle.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 72  wherein a receipt of the message is indicated by an indicator shown on the display element.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 72  further comprising allowing a user to postpone viewing the information.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selectable option is provided on the display element.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 72  wherein the selectable option includes an option to delete the message.  
   
   
       83 . A system for use in a vehicle, comprising: 
 an interface for receiving a message delivered over a communications network outside the vehicle based on a destination address associated with the vehicle, the message including information concerning a faulty condition of the vehicle, an indication of a receipt of the message being provided;    a display element for showing thereon the information concerning the faulty condition of the vehicle in the message; and    a processor configured to provide a selectable option pertaining to the message.    
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the communications network comprises a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the information comprises a recall notice.  
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the destination address is identified based on data concerning the vehicle.  
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86  wherein the data comprises a vehicle model.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 86  wherein the data comprises a vehicle year.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 86  wherein the data comprises at least part of a VIN of the vehicle.  
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the indication comprises an indicator shown on the display element.  
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 83  wherein a second selectable option is provided to postpone viewing the information.  
   
   
       92 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the selectable option is provided on the display element.  
   
   
       93 . The system of  claim 83  wherein the selectable option comprises an option to delete the message.  
   
   
       94 . A system for use in a vehicle, comprising: 
 an interface for receiving a message delivered over a communications network outside the vehicle based on a destination address, the destination address being searchable using data concerning the vehicle, the message including information concerning a campaign initiated by a manufacturer of the vehicle;    a display element for showing thereon the information concerning the campaign in the message; and    a processor configured to provide a selectable option pertaining to the message.    
   
   
       95 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the communications network includes a wireless communications network.  
   
   
       96 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the campaign concerns a service of the vehicle.  
   
   
       97 . The system of  claim 96  wherein the campaign comprises a recall.  
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the data comprises a vehicle model.  
   
   
       99 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the data comprises a vehicle year.  
   
   
       100 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the data comprises at least part of a VIN of the vehicle.  
   
   
       101 . The system of  claim 94  wherein a receipt of the message is indicated by an indicator shown on the display element.  
   
   
       102 . The system of  claim 94  wherein a second selectable option is provided to postpone viewing the information.  
   
   
       103 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selectable option is provided on the display element.  
   
   
       104 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the selectable option includes an option to delete the message.