Introduction
Introduction
General
Volvo On Call Plus is a system developed by Volvo in which the owner can receive different services within the field of safety and service.
The vehicle's technical equipment is used in conjunction with technologies in the infrastructure of society in what is known as the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).
The system is based on the driver/passenger being rapidly able to get in contact, by telephone, with a Service Center established by Volvo. Staff at the Service Center decide on the appropriate action to be taken depending on the situation.
Through the information provided by the Volvo On Call Plus system, for example, the precise location of the vehicle, the Service Center can direct an ambulance, the police, a recovery vehicle to the vehicle quickly.
The different services which are provided can be divided into two groups: safety and service.
Safety
If an accident occurs, and the SRS system is activated, contact is automatically established with the Service Center via the telephone unit.
Depending on the situation, the Service Center will, for example, call an ambulance, the fire department or the police.
By activating the telephone SOS button himself, the driver can contact the Service Center in other emergency situations. It is also possible to establish SOS calls by menu selection.
Services
Examples of services provided by the Service Center:
- Roadside assistance. For example, obtaining help with punctured tires or when the vehicle runs out of fuel.
- Towing.
- Unlocking vehicle.
- Identification that the alarm has been tripped, that is, the Service Center has been contacted automatically if the alarm has been tripped.
- Tracking of vehicle at customer request.
The driver/owner can establish contact with the Service Center through:
- the On Call button,
- menu selection,
- telephone call from a telephone other than the vehicle phone.
Infrastructure
The following technology and services are included in Volvo On Call Plus:
- Telecommunication.
- Data communication by satellite.
- Position location by satellite.
- Service Center.
- Dealers.
Communication
Communication between the vehicle and the Service Center takes place through:
- Telecommunication via AMPS.
- Satellite communication where AMPS has no coverage.
- The vehicle position is determined by GPS technology.
The Service Center
The task of the Service Center is to receive calls from the vehicle and to carry out different safety and other services.
- Calls are established manually by using the SOS or On Call button or by menu selection.
- Calls are established automatically if any component in the SRS system is activated or if the alarm is tripped. The Service Center is established in accordance with Volvo specifications and requirements.
The Service Center is manned day and night throughout the year and:
- establishes contact, if necessary, with the local emergency center/rescue service,
- is connected to a Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database,
- is in direct verbal contact with the vehicle via the Volvo On Call Plus service.
With all Volvo On Call services, data on vehicle status and location are sent from the vehicle to the Service Center.
The Service Center collects data about the owner and vehicle from the Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database.
The task of the Service Center is to:
- compile data on the owner and the vehicle together with the current status and location of the vehicle,
- provide relevant data to the local emergency center/rescue service, based on this information. Contact between the Service Center and local emergency center/rescue service takes place verbally.
Dealer
The dealer is in contact with a web server connected to the Customer Database via the Internet.
The dealer registers different customer data concerning the Volvo On Call Plus service on the web server.
For example, a password is required to access the web server.
Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database
Stores data about the owner and vehicle.
Data about the vehicle is sent from VITaL via an FTP server to the Customer Database.
Data about the owner which is registered by the dealer.
When the Volvo On Call Plus service is established, the Service Center obtains information from the Customer Database about owner data and vehicle data.