Telematics method and system
A telematics method comprising the steps of: using a device in a vehicle, obtaining data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer; transmitting the data to a remote station for processing; conditionally communicating an alert for the vehicle responsive to the device parameter; and conditionally communicating, response to the device parameter and additional device parameters from additional vehicles, an alert for at least one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.
1. A telematics method comprising the steps of:
using an in-vehicle telematics device on a vehicle, obtaining a vehicle data set including at least location and time and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer;
first comparing the data set to first criteria;
responsive to the first comparing, issuing a service report for the vehicle with at least one recommended action for the vehicle before delivery to the retail customer;
second comparing the data set along with additional data sets from additional vehicles to a second criteria; and
responsive to the second comparing, issuing a service practices report with at least one recommended action for one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is tracked during shipment and delivery prior to sale of the vehicle to the retail customer.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the data set comprises at least one of vehicle module diagnostic codes, battery voltage, vehicle bus signals, vehicle security system status, an analog signal from a vehicle device and a digital signal from the vehicle device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one device parameter includes voltage of a battery in the vehicle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first criteria is a threshold value for the at least one device parameter, and wherein the second criteria is a statistical norm for the at least one device parameter.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second comparing further comprises:
correlating the at least one device parameter and device parameters received from the additional vehicles with logistical locations; and
identifying whether a specific device parameter deviation is common to a specific location selected from the vehicle assembly plant, the vehicle dealer, the vehicle distribution center, and the vehicle logistical support center.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the service report for the vehicle to one of i) a location having control of the vehicle or ii) a logistical support system that maintains records of the vehicle's location.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the telematics device is in a logistical support program mode, and wherein the method further comprises:
preparing the vehicle for customer delivery; and
switching the logistical support program mode to a subscriber support program mode.
9. A telematics method comprising the steps of:
using a device installed in a vehicle, obtaining data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer;
transmitting the data to a remote station for processing;
conditionally communicating a first alert for the vehicle responsive to a comparison of the at least one device parameter with first criteria; and
conditionally communicating, in response to a comparison of the at least one device parameter and additional device parameters from additional vehicles with second criteria, a second alert including a service practices report to at least one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one device parameter includes voltage of a battery in the vehicle.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first alert contains at least one recommended action for the vehicle.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the comparison of the at least one device parameter and the additional device parameters from additional vehicles with the second criteria includes:
correlating the at least one device parameter and device parameters received from the additional vehicles with logistical locations; and
identifying whether a specific device parameter deviation is common to a specific location selected from the vehicle assembly plant, the vehicle dealer, the vehicle distribution center, and the vehicle logistical support center;
wherein the second alert is based upon identification of the specific device parameter being common to the specific location.
13. A telematics system comprising:
a device; and
a remote station,
wherein the device is installed in a vehicle and transmits to the remote station data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer, and
wherein, the remote station conditionally communicates a first alert for the vehicle responsive to a comparison of the device parameter with first criteria, and conditionally communicates, in response to a comparison of the device parameter and additional device parameters from additional vehicles with second criteria, a second alert including a service practices report to at least one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.