Control of wireless communication channels for a vehicle telematics unit

摘要

A vehicle telematics system and a method for controlling access to a plurality of wireless communication channels between the telematics system and on-board vehicle systems and mobile communications devices is provided. The telematics system includes one network interface connected to a telecommunications network and another network interface connected to one or more on-board vehicle systems and mobile communications devices to permit the on-board vehicle systems and communications devices to access the telecommunications network. The telematics system further includes a controller that receives a request by an on-board vehicle system to establish a communication channel, determines whether all of the channels are in active use, and, if so, identifies a low priority application of one of the on-board vehicle systems or communications devices using one of the active channels and then severs the channel and establishes the communication channel between the telematics system and requesting vehicle system.

主权项

1. A vehicle telematics system, comprising:
a first network interface configured for connection to a telecommunications network; a second network interface that communicates with the first network interface and that is configured for wireless connection to one or more of a plurality of on-board vehicle systems and one or more of a plurality of mobile communications devices to permit the one or more of the plurality of on-board vehicle systems and the one or more of the plurality of mobile communications devices to access the telecommunications network via the first network interface; and, a controller configured to:
receive a request by a first on-board vehicle system of the plurality of on-board vehicle systems to establish a first communication channel between the second network interface and the first on-board vehicle system;determine a number of communication channels between the second network interface and the plurality of on-board vehicle systems and between the second network interface and the plurality of mobile communications devices that are in active use;identify, if the number meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined number, a low priority application of one of a second on-board vehicle system of the plurality of on-board vehicle systems and a first mobile communications device of the plurality of mobile communications devices connected to the second network interface through a second communication channel;sever the second communication channel; and,establish the first communication channel between the second network interface and the first on-board vehicle system.