Telematics unit and method for operating

Abstract

A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.

1 . A method of operating a telematics unit within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode that utilizes a first set of operations that assists in remote tracking of the vehicle containing the telematics unit and that tracks the vehicle prior to a sale of the vehicle to a customer;   second operating the telematics unit in a separate customer service mode that utilizes a second set of operations that supports a customer associated with the vehicle and that provides support after the sale of the vehicle to the customer; and   activating a customer account and triggering a change from operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode to a customer service mode.   
     
     
         2 . A method of operating a telematics unit within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 (a) operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the logistical support mode tracks the position of the vehicle as the vehicle moves from a manufacturing facility to a sales destination;   (b) disabling the logistical support mode; and   (c) operating the telematics unit in a subscriber support mode after the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the subscriber support mode supports the customer by providing the customer with one or more telematics services.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode takes a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading includes a vehicle position, a vehicle identification, and a time and/or date. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of readings further includes at least one piece of warranty-related data that is provided by a vehicle control module and is selected from the group consisting of: a diagnostic code, a battery voltage, and a security system status. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of readings is taken in response to at least one internal or external event that is selected from the group consisting of: a timer interrupt, an ignition cycle, a door handle access, and a security system stimulus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a first vehicle position from a first reading is compared to a second vehicle position from a second reading, and the comparison of the first and second vehicle positions is used to determine the status of the vehicle as it moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time a software timer expires. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time an ignition cycle occurs. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode reports a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to a remotely located entity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of readings is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to at least one remotely located entity that is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics service provider, a vehicle tracking and monitoring facility, a manufacturing facility, a vehicle dealership, and a data collection center. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode continues to track the position of the vehicle after the vehicle arrives at a vehicle dealership. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (b) further comprises disabling the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (b) further comprises activating a customer account, and activation of the customer account causes the telematics unit to stop operating in the logistical support mode and begin operating in the subscriber support mode. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a telematics unit associated with a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 (a) operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the logistical support mode collects data as the vehicle moves from a manufacturing facility to a sales destination and wirelessly reports the collected data to a remotely located entity; and   (b) operating the telematics unit in a subscriber support mode after the vehicle is delivered to a customer, wherein the subscriber support mode is enabled following activation of a customer account and provides the customer with one or more telematics services.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode takes a plurality of readings as the vehicle moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination and each reading includes a vehicle position, a vehicle identification, and a time and/or date. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of readings further includes at least one piece of warranty-related data that is provided by a vehicle control module and is selected from the group consisting of: a diagnostic code, a battery voltage, and a security system status. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of readings is taken in response to at least one internal or external event that is selected from the group consisting of: a timer interrupt, an ignition cycle, a door handle access, and a security system stimulus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a first vehicle position from a first reading is compared to a second vehicle position from a second reading, and the comparison of the first and second vehicle positions is used to determine the status of the vehicle as it moves from the manufacturing facility to the sales destination. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time a software timer expires. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein if the logistical support mode is unable to successfully take one of the plurality of readings, then the logistical support mode automatically attempts to acquire the unsuccessful reading the next time an ignition cycle occurs. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the collected data is wirelessly transmitted from the telematics unit to at least one remotely located entity that is selected from the group consisting of: a telematics service provider, a vehicle tracking and monitoring facility, a manufacturing facility, a vehicle dealer, and a data collection center. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the telematics unit in the logistical support mode before the vehicle is delivered to the customer, wherein the logistical support mode continues to collect and report data after the vehicle arrives at a vehicle dealership. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein activation of the customer account disables the logistical support mode and enables the subscriber support mode.