Telematics system
Some embodiments of the invention concern a novel and interactive way to deliver telematics solutions by separating the delivery of the hardware and software component of a telematics device. The software telematics application is selected and delivered to the customer's telematics device by in-application purchases via the customer's mobile device. The mobile device contains a user interface that is adapted to control and configure the telematics device. The customers may upgrade their telematics applications using their mobile devices. A retailer may also request the upgrade of a customer's telematics application using the retailer's mobile device. The user interface also provide a customer profiler tool to provide individualized search results and recommend telematics applications based on the customer's profile.
1. A telematics device system for vehicles, comprising:
an aftermarket telematics device adapted to be installed in a vehicle, said aftermarket telematics device compatible with a plurality of telematics applications;
a first user interface installed on a mobile device adapted to communicate with said aftermarket telematic device, said first user interface configurable to be associated with said aftermarket telematics device through a first authentication process;
a second user interface adapted to communicate with said aftermarket telematic device, said second user interface configurable to be associated with said aftermarket telematics device through a second authentication process;
a data source adapted to store said plurality of telematics applications, communicate with said first and second user interfaces, and authenticate said first and second authentication processes;
wherein said data source is adapted to receive user information regarding said aftermarket telematics device from said first user interface including a first-user-requested update for said aftermarket telematics device, said first-user-requested update may be new applications from said plurality of telematics applications;
said second user interface is adapted to receive said user information from said data source;
said second intermediary user interface is capable of adapted to select a second-user-accepted update from said plurality of telematics applications for said aftermarket telematics device and instruct said data source to transmit said second-user-accepted update to said first user interface on said mobile device; and,
said first user interface is adapted to receive said second-user-accepted update and to control and configure said aftermarket telematics device with said second-user-accepted update via said short-ranged protocol after said first and second authentication processes.
2. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said aftermarket telematics device can be adapted to different telematics application features.
3. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said first user interface is adapted to collect information from a user and, based on the information collected, said first user interface is adapted to generate a profile that recommend telematics applications to said user.
4. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said first user interface is adapted to communicate with a third party data source that is associated with a developer application program interface that allows developers to develop telematics applications that are compatible with said aftermarket telematics device.
5. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said first user interface is adapted to cause said mobile device to transmit said particular telematics application to said aftermarket telematics device via said short-ranged protocol when said mobile device is in a proximity to said aftermarket telematics device.
6. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said authentication process that associates said first user interface with said aftermarket telematics device can only be initiated when said aftermarket telematics device has detected that a door of said vehicle is open and an ignition of said vehicle is turned on.
7. The telematics device system of claim 1 , wherein said first user interface is used by an intermediary, after said particular telematics application is delivered, said first user interface is adapted to generate a transaction record that is associated with the intermediary.