Extending the range of vehicular cellular communications
US8755764B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W4/90
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for extending the cellular range of communications using a vehicle telematics unit. The system includes the vehicle telematics unit which is connected with other vehicle hardware and includes wireless cellular capability for communicating from the vehicle to a call center or other facilities via a wireless communication system. The method carried out by the system includes identifying a cellular base station in wireless communication with a vehicle telematics unit; attempting an emergency call via the identified cellular base station using the vehicle telematics unit; determining that a forward link portion of a cellular signal between the vehicle telematics unit and the identified cellular base station lacks sufficient strength to place the attempted emergency call; and transmitting emergency communications via the identified cellular base station using a reverse link portion of the cellular signal based on the determination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.