MXPA00000804A - Wireless fleet communications system for providing separable communications services - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing personal and business mobile wireless communications service is described. A message (40) is received having a message type (44). Message separability and cost allocation is performed based on the message type. The message (40) is processed when the message (40) is a fleet message, and the message (40) is forwarded to a message management center (20a) when the message is a personal message. Once the message is forwarded, it is deleted. In one embodiment of the invention, the messages are transmitted via a wireless satellite link between a mobile communications terminal (10) and a network management system (16). A fleet computer (18a) receives the messages from the network management system (16) and, after determining whether they are personal or fleet messages, processes them accordingly.

Description

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR FLOTILLA TO PROVIDE SEPARABLE COMMUNICATION SERVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to mobile communication. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel and improved method and apparatus for providing mobile and separable personal and business wireless communications service utilizing a wireless communication system for a fleet. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE The wireless communications systems for flotilla allow vehicles in a fleet of commercial vehicles (usually cargo tractors) to remain in communication with a central management office using highly mobile wireless satellite links. The wireless links are formed by radiofrequency (RF) signals relayed between mobile communication terminals (MCT - mobile Communications terminates) and a link concentrator that uses a satellite of Earth orbit. A system and method for implementing a wireless system for managing fleets is described in the Patent of P1055 / 00MX United States 4,979,170 entitled "ALTERNATING SEQUENTIAL HALF DUPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM" assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which is incorporated herein by reference. MCTs are usually located within the fleet vehicles (cargo truck tract) and are usually composed of a digital computer combined with an RF transceiver system. An MCT typically includes a keypad or other input device for the user and a display system such as an LCD (liquid crystal display). In general, business-related communications are conducted using a wireless communication system for a fleet. Business-related communications include a state of charge, location and condition of the vehicle or fleet unit and instructions for the fleet unit regarding the next destination. This information allows a central management office to control and better assess the status of their vehicle fleet to better utilize fleet resources. Normally, transmitting this type of information in a mobile mode reduces the need for vehicle drivers to stop and, therefore, increases the efficiency of the use of the fleet. While conducting communications related to business using a system of P1055 / 00MX wireless communication for fleet reduces the number of stops needed to make business-related calls, fleet drivers must also stop on occasion to make important personal calls. For example, a flotilla driver may need to take care of the family's financial or health issues, or ask about family news. Making these personal calls reduces the time "on the road" and, therefore, decreases the use of the fleet. In addition, it is difficult for the driver's family to reach him or her if something emerges that requires immediate contact. Sometimes the family should contact the flotilla dispatcher and ask the dispatcher to contact the driver to ask the family to call. This is a distraction for the flotilla operations personnel and is disturbing for the family due to the lack of privacy caused by the involvement of the dispatcher. While fleet drivers could transmit a personal message to the central management office using the wireless fleet management system, these personal communications will have to be viewed and retransmitted by the management personnel. This is undesirable both from the perspective of the flotilla driver, due to considerations of privacy, as from the P1055 / 00MX perspective of the fleet manager, while processing and retransmitting the message represents time consumption. Also, since the personal communications of the drivers are not separated from the communications of the flotilla, the flotilla could support the cost of the messages of the drivers or it would need to create an administrative system to deduct the costs of the driver's salary or to collect from some another way of the drivers. In this way, the present invention is directed to the additional increase of the use of the flotilla, as well as to provide additional convenience to the drivers of the flotilla, without significantly increasing the cost for fleet management, provided communication services both private as well as business in a wireless communication system for flotilla.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a novel and improved method and apparatus for providing separable, mobile and wireless personal and business communication services using a wireless system for fleet management. A message is received that has a designation of a certain "type", which is used to associate it with billing rules and with a level of message privacy.

P1055 / 00MX The type designation is preferably provided in a bit field within the message. For example, the type could be specified by the selection of a particular macro number. The message is processed within the wireless fleet management system when the message is a flotilla message, and in a message handling center when the message is a personal message. The message is preferably deleted after being sent to the message handling center. Also, the costs of transmission of personal type messages are billed to the driver or the message handling center. In one embodiment of the invention, the messages are transmitted via a wireless satellite link between a mobile communications terminal and a network management system. A fleet computer receives messages from the network management system and, after determining whether they are personal or fleet messages, processes them as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the drawings through which reference numbers are used consistently and where: P1055 / 00MX Figure 1 is a block diagram of a fleet management system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a flotilla computer when configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the wireless communication system for a flotilla, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system for a flotilla configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The mobile communications terminal (MCT) 10 is coupled in bidirectional communication with the network management center (NMC) 16 retransmitting RF signals via satellite 14. The NMC 16 is preferably composed of a computer or computers coupled to an RF transceiver system. Although only one MCT 10 is shown, the wireless communication system for flotilla is usually composed of many MCTs 10, generally located within a flotilla vehicle 12. The retransmission of the RF signals via satellite 14 allows communications to take place between the P1055 / 00MX MCT 10 and the NMC 16 without a site connection line and therefore, over a large geographical area. While the use of a satellite link is preferred due to the large coverage area provided, other wireless links may also be used, such as the links provided in a cellular telephone system. The NMC 16 is coupled to the 18a and 18b computers for flotilla, as well as other flotilla computers not shown to facilitate drawings. The connections can be formed in various ways, including: a periodic manual dialing connection, dedicated wireline link, local air network or other wireless links. The flotilla computers 18 are preferably conventional computer systems such as PC compatible computers or mini or macrocomputer systems configured with software to process messages from the NMC 16. Additionally, the flotilla computers 18 are normally located in the office of the corresponding flotilla, while the NMC 16 is located in the provider of the wireless communication service for flotilla. Fleet management is normally a client of the wireless communication service provider for flotilla. Computer 18a for flotilla is P1055 / 00MX connected to the message handling centers (MMC) 20a and 20b by means of dedicated connection or dial-up. The MMCs 20 are preferably managed by a third communication service provider, such as an Internet service provider (ISP), radio location or other telecommunications service provider. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the MMC 20a is a telephone service provider, for example, a local exchange carrier (LEC) coupled to the home telephone 22 via a public switched telephone network. (PSTN-public switch telephone network) 24. The MMC 20b is an internet service provider coupled to a home computer 26 using the internet 28. During the operation, the MCT 10 transmits both personal and business messages to the NMC 16, as selected by the entry of a driver of the flotilla. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the MCT 10 displays a set of message views or "macros", which can be selected by the flotilla driver by entering a keyboard that is part of the MCT 10. One of the macros it specifies the transmission of a personal message and if it is selected it requests the address to which the personal message is sent. Other macros select business messages. A P1055 / 00MX once selected, the message is transmitted to the NMC 16 via the wireless link. Preferably, the type of message that is transmitted is indicated within that message. That is, if the message is a personal or business message, it is indicated within the same message, using a field for message type or other information indicating the type of message. Information that includes message type provides ability to separate messages between business-related fleet messages and personal messages. In one embodiment of the invention, the type of message is preferably indicated, within a macro number field contained in the message. Certain macro numbers are designated for personal messages and other macro numbers are designated for business messages. The message also preferably contains a field for identification of the flotilla that indicates, or that allows the identification of the particular flotilla with which the message is associated. If the message is a personal message, the identification of the flotilla driver is preferably indicated in a field for the driver ID. The flotilla driver can be implicitly indicated by specifying the serial number or other identifying information of an MCT 10 assigned to a particular conductor. The message may also contain a personal identification number (PIN - P1055 / 00MX personal identification number) known only to the flotilla driver to ensure that it is the true and correct flotilla driver that transmits the message. Various other methods to indicate the type of message, the identification of the flotilla and the identification of message originator (driver) will be evident. Additionally, the destination is indicated within the message by using one or more destination fields. The NMC 16 receives a message and determines the associated flotilla using the fleet indication field and the message type using the field for message type. In a first exemplary process, when the message is associated with the flotilla corresponding to the flotilla computer 18a, the message is transmitted to the flotilla computer 18a. In addition, messages are separated based on the type of message. If the message is a flotilla message, then the cost of transmitting the message is invoiced to the fleet management corresponding to the flotilla computer 18a. If the message is a personal message, the cost of transmitting the message is invoiced to the flotilla driver, or to the communication service providers selected by the flotilla driver. In this way, the ability to separate messages is provided using the field for the type of message.

P1055 / 00MX Upon receipt of the message, the flotilla computer 18a also examines the field for message type to determine whether the message is a flotilla message or a personal message. The messages are then separated and processed based on the type of message. If the message is a flotilla message, preferably, it is processed by means of the flotilla computer 18a. The processing may include the notification that the message has been received, the display of the message, so that the management personnel can see it, the storage of the message for recording purposes, or a combination thereof. If the message is a personal message, the flotilla computer 18a performs a service provider search whereupon the corresponding service provider of the corresponding flotilla driver is determined based on the field for the driver ID. Preferred service providers for a particular group of drivers are preferably stored in a database maintained within the 18th fleet computer (not shown), although other methods and locations for storage are consistent with the use of the present invention. Once the preferred service provider is determined, the message is transmitted to the associated MMC 20, and the message is then deleted from the computer for flotilla 18a.

P1055 / 00MX The flotilla computer also performs a message format conversion between the message format used by the flotilla communication system and the message format used by the internet and the MMC 20 (eg TCP / IP) before transmit the message. If the mobile communications terminal 10 provides voice communication service, the service provider can be a local telephone exchange carrier (LEC) corresponding to the MMC 20a. In general, an LEC is the local telephone service provider. Upon receiving the voice message from the fleet computer 18a, the MMC 20a stores the voice message until the voice mail box is checked using the home telephone 22. In this way, the personal voice message has been delivered using the MCT 10 without requiring the flotilla driver to stop the flotilla vehicle 12. Thus, the number of necessary stops is reduced, which in turn increases the efficiency of use of the flotilla. Similarly, if the MCT 10 provides data message transmission service, such as e-mail, the service provider can be an internet service provider as shown by the MMC 20b. In this case, the flotilla computer 18a sends the data message to the MMC 20b and then suppresses the P1055 / 00 X message. Upon receipt of the message from the flotilla computer 18a, the MMC 20b either transmits the message to the home computer 26 via internet 28, or stores the message until the home computer 26 is online. The home computer 28 can also access the MMC 29b using a dial-up connection through the PSTN 24. Once the personal message has been delivered again using the wireless link and, therefore, without requiring the flotilla driver to stop the vehicle 12, while maintaining the confidentiality of the message at the same time and correctly assigning the cost of that message transmission. In this way, the flotilla driver has been provided with additional convenience and value and at the same time a minimum charge is placed on fleet management. In an alternative method for message processing is illustrated by the processing associated with messages from a flotilla vehicle associated with the flotilla computer 18b. Upon determining that a message is associated with the flotilla computer 18b, the NMC 16 further determines the type of message. If the message is a flotilla message, it is transmitted to the flotilla computer 18b, and the cost of the message is billed to the flotilla handling P1055 / 00MX creating a billing record in a billing database. If the message is a personal message, it is transmitted directly to the MMC 20c, which can be of various types of systems including an internet service provider or an LEC, as described above. In addition, the cost of the message is invoiced to the flotilla driver through the entry of a billing record in the billing database. The MMC 20 stores the message and routes it to a home computer 28 as long as the home computer 28 is online. The home computer 28 may also register directly in the message handling center 20c via the PSTN 24 in alternative embodiments of the invention. The billing can be done through a debit account with which the flotilla driver maintains a balance either with the fleet management, with the wireless communication service provider or with the message handling center. When a personal message is processed, the debit account is decreased by the cost of the message. A credit account can be replaced by the debit account. When a personal message is transmitted, an entry is made in the credit account. At the end of a month or some other period of time, the tickets are added and an invoice is sent to the flotilla driver. also can P1055 / 00 X an online funds transfer is made, where the funds are transferred from an account located remotely in response to the transmission of a personal message. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the management of the flotilla pays the cost of the transmission of personal messages, and the flotilla driver reimburses the management of the flotilla. Of course, the flotilla driver could be billed directly by the wireless telecommunications service provider that operates the network management center, or the network service provider could be billed by the wireless telecommunications service provider. Also, the determination of the appropriate billing does not have to be made at the same location where the message routing takes place. Having transmitted the NMC 16 personal messages directly to the MMC 20c, rather than to the flotilla computer as performed by the flotilla computer 18a, the ability to transmit both fleet and personal messages using the wireless link is provided, without consuming resources of additional processing of the 18b fleet computer and at the same time the cost of the message is allowed to be invoiced correctly. This also reduces the charge placed on fleet management. Additionally, P1055 / 00MX by preventing the transfer of personal message messages to the flotilla computer 18b, the privacy of the messages is increased over the messages transmitted by means of the flotilla computer 18b and then suppressed. The present invention may also incorporate the use of address lock or address selection. For address lock, computer 18a or network management center 16 maintains a list of addresses for each flotilla driver. Any requests to communicate with a flotilla driver from an address on the block list are then rejected. For address selection, the addresses are stored within the fleet computer 18a or in the network management center 16 and are invoked by means of labels or "nicknames" provided by the flotilla driver during transmission of the message. Another possible method to distinguish between personal and private messages is by means of the address of the telephone number to which the message is addressed, or from which the message originates. This method is less desirable, however, because the type of service provided to each address must be predetermined. The use of a message type allows processing and processing of different messages to be carried out for each address and P1055 / 00MX telephone number, thus providing more flexibility on the use of address and telephone number to determine the correct processing of the message. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the flotilla computer 18a configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The data message 40 is received by the flotilla computer 18b via the wireless link and the NMC 16, and includes message content 42, driver ID 41 and field for message type 44. Within the flotilla computer 18b, the message routing inner unit 46 receives data message 40 and examines the privacy field 44. If the field 44 for message type indicates a flotilla message, the data message 40 is passed to the flotilla message processing system 48 where it is processed in accordance with normal practice including deployment and storage. If the field 44 for message type indicates a personal message, the message routing indoor unit 46 passes the data message 40 to the external message server system 50. The external message router system 50 examines the driver ID 41 and determines the preferred service provider by performing a search within the database 52 of the driver ID. Based on the service provider P1055 / 00MX preferred, the outdoor unit 50 for message routing transmits the data message 40 to a particular MMC. Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the MCT 10 and the flotilla computer 18a when transmitting a message in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Processing begins within the MCT 10 in step 70 and in step 72 the MCT 10 determines whether the message is a flotilla message based on the keypad or other input of the flotilla driver. If so, the field for message type is set for flotilla message in step 74, and the message is transmitted in step 76. If the message is not a flotilla message and, therefore, a message has been selected personal, the field for message type is set for personal message in step 78, and the message is transmitted in step 76. Processing for the message within MCT 10 ends later in step 78. Processing within the The float computer 18b starts at step 80 and at step 82 the message is received from the MCT 10 via the wireless link and the NMC 16 of Figure 2. In step 84, the flotilla computer 18b determines whether the message it is a flotilla message, and if so, the message is stored and, furthermore, it is processed in the flotilla computer 18a. If the message is not P1055 / 00MX flotilla message, the message is transmitted to a message handling center selected based on the flotilla driver ID in step 86, since in the two-level mode described the message is a personal message or flotilla. Affirmative tests for a type of personal message may be performed in alternative embodiments of the invention, and it is required that the embodiments of the invention have more than two types of messages. In step 88 the message is deleted from the flotilla computer 18a, and the processing of the message ends in step 92. In this way, communication systems that provide separable personal and business communication services that increase the use of flotillas. Providing an MCT 10 that transmits messages that include a field for message type and a field for driver ID, and a flotilla computer that transmits the message to a message handling center if the message is a personal message, the services of Both fleet and personal communications are provided using the same wireless communication system for flotilla. The different processing also provides message privacy and correct cost allocation. The provision of communication services, both fleet message and personal message P1055 / 00MX using the same wireless communication for flotilla minimizes the number of stops made by a flotilla driver, and therefore increases the efficiency of fleet use. The above description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The various modifications to these modalities will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other modalities without the use of the inventive faculty. In this way, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the modalities shown herein, but that it be interpreted according to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features set forth herein.

P1055 / 00MX

Claims (20)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A method to provide service of communications of flotilla messages and personal messages, for a fleet of vehicles using a communications system for a flotilla having a wireless link, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a message transmitted via the wireless link and having a message type; process the message when the message type corresponds to a flotilla message; and transmit the message to a message handling center when the type of message corresponds to a personal message. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of storing the message. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of generating the notification of the message. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of processing comprises the step of displaying the message. 5. The method according to claim 1, in P1O55 / O0MX where the message also has a driver ID, and the transmit step is further composed of the step of selecting a message handling center based on the driver ID. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of suppressing the message after the transmit step is performed. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message handling center is an internet service provider. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message handling center is a local telephone exchange carrier. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message handling center is a provider of the locator service. 10. A wireless communication system for a fleet comprising: a mobile communication terminal for transmitting a message having a field for the type of message through a wireless link; and a flotilla computer to transmit the message to a message handling center where the field for message type is set for personal message and to process the message when the field for message type is set for flotilla message. 11. The communications system P1055 / 00MX wireless for flotilla according to the claim 10, which also comprises a system for managing the network to route the message to the computer for a fleet based on a driver ID contained in the message. 12. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to the claim 11, where the flotilla computer also serves to suppress the message after sending the message to the message handling center. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to claim 11, wherein the network management system is an internet service provider that sends the message to a home computer. 14. A wireless communication system for a fleet comprising: a mobile communication terminal for transmitting a message having a field for the type of message through a wireless link; and a network management center to receive the message, and to send the message to a message handling center when the field for message type is set for personal message, and to a flotilla computer when the field for message type is set for flotilla message. 15. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to the claim P1055 / 00MX 14, wherein the message has a driver ID, and the network management center also serves to route the message to one of a set of centers for handling messages based on the driver's ID. 16. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to claim 14, wherein the message handling center is an Internet service provider. 17. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to claim 14, wherein the message handling center is a locator service. 18. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to the claim 14, wherein the message handling center is a voice message service. 19. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to claim 10, wherein the message handling center also serves to invoice the handling of the fleet when the field for type of message is set for personal message and to bill a driver of flotilla when the field for message type is set for personal message. 20. The wireless communication system for flotilla according to claim 10, wherein the type of message is selected by P1055 / 00MX means of power in the mobile terminal for communications. P1055 / 00MX