Abstract: A telematics unit incorporating an antenna for receiving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals from GNSS signal sources, and a GNSS receiver supporting over-the-air configuration is described herein. The telematics unit is configured with a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for facilitating the over-the-air configuration of the GNSS receiver by acquiring GNSS status information relating to multiple supported GNSS signal sources. Thereafter, the telematics unit forwards GNSS selection information, including at least GNSS requirements information and the GNSS status information, to a GNSS control center. In response, the GNSS receiver receives a GNSS type selection notification message from the GNSS control center. The GNSS receiver applies information contained within the GNSS type selection notification to configure GNSS type-specific components to operate according to a GNSS type-specific mode.

Abstract: In a messaging system, computer readable instructions are executable by a processor of a communications server to: detect a vehicle remote start attempt that is initiated by a mobile communications device, transmit a remote start request to the vehicle, and receive a notification corresponding to success and/or failure of the attempt. If the attempt fails, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a cause of the failure encoded in a dynamic error message, decode the dynamic error message, and construct a custom failure message that is indicative of the cause of the failure. If the attempt succeeds, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to generate a success message based upon the notification corresponding to the success of the attempt. The computer readable instructions are also executable by the processor to transmit the success or custom failure message to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method and a system of controlling a public land mobile network (PLMN) scan rate (PCR) in a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) determining a power condition that includes a powered mode, an unpowered mode, and a discontinuous reception (DRx) mode; (b) determining whether the telematics unit is scanning one or more home networks or one or more visitor networks; and (c) setting the PCR based on the determined power condition and the determined network, including: (c1) when in the powered mode and scanning a visitor network, the PCR is set to a first scan rate; (c2) when in the powered mode and scanning a home network, the PCR is set to a second scan rate that is slower than the first rate; and (c3) when in the DRx mode, the PCR is set to a third scan rate that is slower than the second rate.

Abstract: A trip plan is received at an in-vehicle application on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit or at an application on a mobile device memory. The trip plan includes an expected trip duration and/or an expected trip return. An in-vehicle bus facilitates monitoring for a return event, or a mobile device monitoring system facilitates monitoring for a return event. In an example, a notification that the return event has been recognized is received at one of the applications. The return event is identified as having occurred prior to or at the expiration of the expected trip duration and/or return. In another example, one of the applications recognizes that the expected trip duration and/or the return has expired and that no notification of the return event has been received, and a pending alert notification is transmitted to another party.

Abstract: A vehicle audio quality system for suppressing sudden vehicle cabin noise is provided, as well as methods of using the system. The system includes: an arrangement of heterogeneous microphones and a noise cancellation module (NCM). The microphone arrangement includes: a first microphone and a plurality of secondary microphones. The NCM includes a controller and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing application software executable by the controller to improve the quality of desired cabin audio received by the first microphone, the software performing the steps of: receiving a desired audio input from the first microphone; receiving supplemental audio input via the plurality of secondary microphones that includes a sudden cabin noise input; and applying a suppression procedure to the sudden cabin noise input.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a wireless carrier system presence at a vehicle telematics unit in a vehicle includes placing the vehicle telematics unit in a quiescent mode that suspends its signal transmitting functions; instructing the vehicle telematics unit to periodically exit the quiescent mode and transmit a query that determines if the wireless carrier system used by a telematics service provider has changed; when the wireless carrier system has changed, receiving a new wireless profile associated with a new wireless carrier system; and storing the new wireless profile in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) hardwired at the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of establishing an alternate communication channel between a telematics unit and a central facility that includes determining that a vehicle telematics unit is unable to communicate data over a voice call using a voice channel; initiating a data call from the vehicle telematics unit to a central facility based on that determination; sending information identifying the vehicle telematics unit to the central facility over the data call; establishing a voice call from the central facility to verbally communicate with the vehicle telematics unit based on the information identifying the vehicle telematics unit; and communicating data between the central facility and vehicle telematics unit via short messaging services (SMS) messages using the voice call from the central facility.

Abstract: A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility includes generating a vehicle service alert that includes vehicle operating data, sending the vehicle service alert to a vehicle telematics service subscriber, offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle service facilities for responding to the vehicle service alert, and if the vehicle owner chooses a vehicle service facility, providing turn-by-turn directions to the chosen vehicle service facility.

Abstract: A method of re-attempting to wirelessly connect a vehicle telematics unit with a wireless carrier system includes detecting that a primary retry method has failed; and carrying out a secondary retry method that: determines whether the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using a first radio access technology (RAT) or a second RAT; re-attempts a cellular connection with one or more base stations using a first RAT attachment procedure when it is determined that the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using the first RAT; and re-attempts a cellular connection with one or more base stations using a second RAT attachment procedure when it is determined that the vehicle telematics unit will communicate using the second RAT.

Abstract: A method of processing requests to establish wireless communication sessions in a mobile vehicle communications system. The method comprises receiving a request to establish a communication session between a telematics unit of a vehicle and a remote facility, wherein the request takes the form of one or more electrical signals. The method further comprises determining whether less than a predetermined number of requests to establish a communication session between the telematics unit and remote facility have been received from the sender of the request within a predetermined period of time. When it is determined that less than the predetermined number of requests have been received from the sender within the predetermined period of time, the method still further comprises establishing a communication session between the telematics unit and the remote facility. A system for performing or utilizing the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a method that detects a vehicle incident, and responds to the vehicle incident with (i) a communication to a remote advisor center that establishes a wireless connection between the remote advisor center and a vehicle associated with the vehicle incident and a conversation between an advisor at the remote advisor center and an occupant of the vehicle, and with (ii) a message to an emergency contact. With the improvement, call-in information associated with the vehicle incident is included in the message to the emergency contact. A call at the remote advisor center is received from the emergency contact using the call-in information. Information is provided by or through the call that is used to determine that the call is associated with the vehicle incident. The emergency contact is connected into the conversation between the advisor and the occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of generating anthropomorphic vehicle images for a vehicle owner is shown that includes providing a plurality of anthropomorphic vehicle images on a visual display for a vehicle owner to select; receiving a selection of an anthropomorphic vehicle image from the vehicle owner using a wireless device; obtaining vehicle data using one or more vehicle sensors located on the vehicle; altering at least a portion of the selected anthropomorphic vehicle image based on the accessed vehicle data; and displaying the altered anthropomorphic vehicle image on a wireless device to the vehicle owner.

Abstract: A system and a method implementing the method pertaining to securely providing a mobile device with a cryptographic key in a vehicle. The method includes generating a cryptographic key pair. The key pair may include at least a first cryptographic key and a second cryptographic key. The method may further include creating a label using a scannable image readable by a mobile device; the scannable image may be based on the second cryptographic key. And the method may include providing the label to the vehicle for displaying the scannable image.

Abstract: A method of managing short-range wireless communications settings applied at a vehicle includes detecting a plurality of short-range wireless communications settings used by an existing vehicle; storing the plurality of short-range wireless communications settings with a subscriber identity; detecting that a person associated with the subscriber identity has begun using a new vehicle; uploading the plurality of short-range wireless communications settings from the existing vehicle to the new vehicle; and applying the plurality of short-range wireless communications settings associated with the subscriber identity to the new vehicle.

Abstract: A system and a method using that system is provided for establishing a secure communication channel between a vehicle and a mobile device. The method may include providing at least one unique mobile device identifier and at least one unique vehicle telematics unit identifier associated with the mobile device identifier to a call center. At least one of the two identifiers may be provided to a wireless service provider. Two private keys may be generated—a first private key based on the at least one unique mobile identifier and a second private key based on the at least one unique vehicle telematics unit identifier. The first private key may be provided to the mobile device within a first cryptographic envelope signed with a first cryptographic key. And the second private key may be provided to the vehicle telematics unit within a second cryptographic envelope signed with a second cryptographic key.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing a telematics unit on a telematics-equipped vehicle as a register for ECU Critical Information (ECI) associated with the ECUs in the vehicle, which may include their serial numbers, configurations, software images, and other data includes the telematics unit querying ECUs within the telematics-equipped vehicle such as, for example, when the vehicle is started. The ECUs may then provide the telematics unit with the ECI associated with each ECU. The ECI may be encrypted, and the telematics unit may provide each module that it queries with a nonce used in the encryption process. The telematics unit may then decrypt the ECI received from each of the ECUs and compare the received ECI to previously stored ECI. If the received ECI is different from the previously stored ECI, the telematics unit may send the new ECI to a TSP call center.

Abstract: The described method and system selectively provide an instructional ring tone, configurable for both message content and frequency of playback, to aid a user in answering an incoming call via a hands free telecommunications device. The instructional ring in one aspect contains a message instructing a user as to a method of answering an incoming call. This message may be set to play the first time that an incoming call is encountered, and it may be set, e.g., by a service provider advisor, to play for a certain interval, i.e., a defined number of received calls. In this manner, the initially untrained user may become trained as to proper system operation. According to another aspect, the described system and method also improve the ease of use and operation of redundant controls for HFC or hand-held cell phone operation.

Abstract: A system and method(s) for conserving vehicle power when a primary power system of a vehicle is powered down during a voice call. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving an indication that the vehicle's primary power system is powered down during the voice call; (b) after a predetermined period of time, determining whether to power down a secondary power system associated with a vehicle telematics system; (c) when it is determined that the secondary power system should be powered down, powering down the secondary power system; and (d) when it is determined that the secondary power should not be powered down, waiting the predetermined period of time before again determining whether to power down the secondary power system. The determination of steps (b) and (d) include detecting an absence of voice activity during the predetermined period of time of steps (b) or (d).

Abstract: A system and method for managing emergency calls are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an emergency related call at a call center, and during the emergency related call, retrieving information related to i) a type of incident being reported, ii) a location of the incident being reported, and iii) a description of the incident being reported. A public safety answering point to notify of the incident is identified, where such identification is based upon at least some of the retrieved information. A database is searched for outgoing calls to the identified public safety answering point, and based upon results from the searching, a determination is made as to whether to contact the identified public safety answering point.

Abstract: A method of providing an alert that a portable electronic device has been left at a vehicle. The method comprises determining that an occupant has exited the vehicle. The method further comprises detecting that a portable electronic device is located at the vehicle. When it has been determined that the occupant has left the vehicle and that the electronic device has been left behind, the method still further comprises generating an alert to notify the occupant that the electronic device has been left at the vehicle. A system for performing or utilizing the above-described methodology is also provided.