Part 2
OnStar Description and Operation - continued
OnStar(R) Personal Calling
The hands free, OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) cellular phone feature is an additional option to the OnStar(R) system. This feature is already embedded within the vehicle communication interface module (VCIM), however, it must be activated by an OnStar(R) advisor. This is done most often during the initial OnStar(R) configuration, if the home location of the vehicle is in a geographic area where OnStar(R) personal calling is available. In the event this feature is not enabled, customers may connect to the OnStar(R) Call Center by pressing the blue OnStar(R) button, and asking an advisor if OPC is available in their area. Users of the Generation 6.1 OnStar(R) system can verify the system has been configured for OnStar(R) Personal Calling by pressing the answer/end call button, waiting for the system to respond "OnStar Ready" then speaking the word "dial." If the system responds with a failure message, the system has not been configured for OPC. All other responses confirm that OPC has been enabled.
Operation of the Hands Free Cellular Phone
OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) operates similar to most hand held cellular phones in that the availability for its usage is based on minutes or units. The customer must have a current OnStar(R) subscription, as this feature cannot be utilized without it. To use OPC, the customer must also purchase units as outlined in the owner's guide provided with the OnStar(R) system. When the customer purchases minutes, an OnStar(R) advisor loads these minutes into the vehicle communication interface module (VCIM) over the airwaves at the time of the request, or through a discrete cellular call to the vehicle at a later time. Once loaded into the module, the units may be used for non-international, outbound cellular phone calls, and connection with the OnStar(R) virtual advisor. Units begin to deplete, 1 unit is equal to 1 minute, as the customer makes outbound phone calls, answers inbound phone calls, or while connected to the OnStar(R) virtual advisor. In addition, units also have an expiration date, depending upon the type of units purchased. This date is established when the download is performed, and any remaining units expire when the date within the VCIM, which is based on current date and the time transmitted by global positioning system (GPS) satellites, has passed. At any time, the user can press the answer/end call button, say "Units" and verify the number of units remaining.
During a hands free call, the microphone and audio system operate the same way as a standard OnStar(R) call. When the answer/end call button is pressed, the audio system will mute; the OnStar(R) system will then return the prompt "OnStar Ready." At this point there are specific commands set to initiate a cellular call. If the vehicle receives a call when the radio is ON, the audio system will mute and an audible ring will be heard though the speakers. The call will be answered when the answer/end call button is pressed.
The VCIM interprets all of the voice-activated commands. A complete list of these commands is supplied in the information provided to the customer. If the information is not available to reference, at any command prompt the caller can say "HELP" and the VCIM will return an audible list of available commands. If the customer concern is not being understood or not being heard by the OnStar(R) system, the user should place a call to the OnStar(R) call center to verify proper operation of the microphone. Following this description is an example of the commands and the OnStar(R) system responses. A complete list of commands is supplied in the information provided to the customer with the OnStar(R) system.
OnStar(R) Steering Wheel Controls
Some vehicles equipped with the OnStar(R) system have the capability of accessing voice mailboxes and other automated phone systems by means of the steering wheel controls, while the OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) feature is in use. If the Talk or Mute button, depending upon the vehicle, on the steering wheel controls are depressed during an OPC call, the vehicle communication module (VCIM) receives the message on the class 2 serial data bus from either the radio, the driver information module, or the body control module (BCM). This message is interpreted as a request to turn any spoken numbers into dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones to be delivered over the airwaves to the phone system the user is communicating with. Complete instructions for operation of these features can be found in the information provided to the customer with the OnStar(R) system.
The steering wheel controls are a resistor network that consist of multiple momentary contact switches and a series of resistors. The switches and resistor network are arranged so that each switch has a different resistance value. When a switch is pressed, a voltage drop occurs in the resistor network, which produces a specific voltage value unique to the switch selected, to be interpreted by either the radio, driver information module, or BCM.
OPC Features
The following is an abbreviated list of features that may have an impact for the technician when servicing or diagnosing an OnStar(R) system. For a full list of OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) features, consult the owner's guide provided to the customer with the OnStar(R) system.
Voice Feedback
The OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) system has the capability of responding to the user with either an automated voice response or with a tone or beep. These 2 types of responses can be switched back and forth by pressing the answer/end call button, waiting for the system to respond "OnStar Ready" and speaking the phrase "voice feedback." The system will then respond, "voice feedback is now ON/OFF."
OPC Security/System Lock
Customers have the capability to lock their OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) system by pressing the answer/end call button, speaking "security" and entering a 4-digit code. Once this process is complete, the user must enter the code before OnStar(R) personal calling is available. In the event the customer cannot remember their code and is unable to use their system, they can press the blue OnStar button and speak to an advisor to unlock the system by means of a discrete cellular call to the vehicle.
Nametags
Customers have the ability to store telephone numbers within the module, referenced by a nametag for the convenience of frequently dialed numbers. This process is initiated by pressing the answer/end call button, waiting for the system response, then speaking the response "store". The system will respond with "number please" at which time the user should enter the number desired to be stored. Once complete, saying the word "store" again lets the system know you are finished entering the number. At this time, the system will elicit the user to assign a nametag to that number. From this point forward, the user can dial this number by initiating the OnStar(R) personal calling (OPC) feature, speaking the word "call," and repeating the nametag assigned. To delete a nametag, the user should initiate OPC, say "delete" then speak the nametag to be removed. In the event a nametag cannot be deleted in spite of repeated attempts from several speakers, the OnStar(R) module will require replacement.
Mobile Identification Number and Mobile Directory Number
The Generation 6.1 vehicle communication interface module (VCIM) utilizes 2 numbers for cellular device identification, call routing and connection, a mobile identification number (MIN) and a mobile directory number (MDN). The MIN represents the number used by the cellular carrier for call routing purposes while the MDN represents the number dialed to reach the cellular devise. Although technicians have the capability to change these numbers by means of the scan tool, this should ONLY be done at the direction of and with explicit instruction from General Motors Technical Assistance Center (GM TAC).
Placing a Call
After 3 unsuccessful tries, or if you simply like it better, you can use the "Digit Dial" command to input digits one at a time. Digit Dial is set up to dial phone numbers like previous OnStar Personal Calling Systems.
Operation of the OnStar(R) Speech Recognition Systems
OnStar(R) Generation 6.1 users communicate with 2 speech recognition systems. Speech recognition allows the user to speak to one computer in the vehicle, and one reached over a phone line. The computer tries to understand the users command, and responds by speaking back, or by taking the appropriate action, e.g. dialing the phone.
* Personal Calling uses a speech recognition system that resides in the vehicle. When the user presses the dot button, the system states, Ready, and listens for the user's command. The user can speak commands to control the hands-free phone.
* Virtual advisor is a remote speech recognition system that the caller access by making a phone call. The user connects to virtual advisor by requesting it during personal calling use. The user is then transferred to the virtual advisor server and talks to it via a cellular connection.
The OnStar(R) speech recognition systems use speech technology that is designed to understand a wide range of American English speakers. Although there is no one right way to speak English, the system will work best when users try to modify their pronunciation should they encounter difficulty. Users who do not obtain good results are advised to try the tips and workarounds found.
