VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

An apparatus and method for transmitting messages between a vehicle operator (90) using a private communication system (20) and a public communication system (12a, 12b). The private communication system (20) comprises a mobile communication terminal (60) disposed in each of a plurality of vehicles (48), a hub (32), and a fleet computer system (34) located at the hub (32). The hub (32) converts the messages from the private communication system (20) to a transmission format suitable to the public communication system (12a, 12b) and vice-versa. An interface (30), connected between the private communication system (20) and the public communication system (12a, 12b), comprises a public communication system interface (18) for receiving input from the public communication system user and for selecting one of a plurality of messages in response to the user input, a private communication system interface (35), a voice response unit (38) for creating the plurality of messages and for converting voice messages into text messages and vice-versa, a local management system (36) for ensuring that an account associated with the vehicle operator (90) has a sufficient balance prior to transmitting messages and for adjusting the account.