Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting private data on a vehicle. The method comprises receiving a first signal generated by a user of the vehicle and, in response to the first signal, deleting predetermined data stored on the vehicle to prevent the private data from being accessed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for selectively communicating from a remote system to a subset of a plurality of vehicles. Each of the vehicles is equipped with a first wireless communications device and a second wireless communication device. The method comprises broadcasting a common message from the remote system to the vehicles via the first wireless communication device. A subset of the plurality of vehicles is selected based upon the common message. A communications link is established between the remote system and the second wireless communication device of each of the selected subset of vehicles to transmit formatted electronic data therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for verifying that a remote device is a trusted entity. The method comprises receiving a first digital certificate from a first certificate authority, wherein the first certificate authority is a trusted entity, receiving a second digital certificate from the remote device during a first handshake procedure for establishing a secure connection, the second digital certificate corresponding to a second certificate authority, determining if the second digital certificate was issued by the first certificate authority based on at least a portion of the contents of the first digital certificate, and storing the second digital certificate to enable subsequent authentication of additional digital certificates received from the remote device, if the second digital certificate was issued by the first certificate authority.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for establishing a secure connection with a mobile device that is configured to store a first private key that mathematically corresponds to a first public key. The method comprises receiving a quasi-public key from a trusted entity, wherein the quasi-public key mathematically corresponds to a quasi-private key that is stored on the mobile device, receiving a first digital certificate from the mobile device, the first digital certificate comprising the first public key and a first digital signature generated with the quasi-private key, and authenticating the first digital certificate using the first digital signature and the quasi-public key.

Abstract: Methods and a vehicle are provided for initiating a short range radio frequency (RF) connection between the vehicle and an access point. The vehicle includes transceiver circuitry comprising receiver circuitry and transmitter circuitry, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for receiving GPS coordinates, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the GPS receiver for determining a location of the vehicle in response to the GPS coordinates. The controller is also coupled to the transmitter circuitry for providing a probe request thereto for transmission to the access point in order to initiate the short range RF connection in response to the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing autonomous and remote vehicle maintenance and repair. The system employs an on-board diagnosis and prognosis module that monitors one or more vehicle buses to identify trouble codes and other information indicating a vehicle problem. The on-board module causes a telematic device on the vehicle to broadcast a message including a problem code that identifies the problem the vehicle is having. A remote repair center may receive the message and may identify a software upgrade patch associated with the problem that can be transmitted to the vehicle to upgrade its software to correct the problem. Also, the message may be received by another vehicle that is part of a broadcast network that has previously received the software upgrade patch to fix a problem on that vehicle, where the receiving vehicle may transmit the software upgrade patch to the vehicle having the problem.

Abstract: A device, such as a vehicle, and a method within the device are provided for protecting the privacy of device specific information. The method includes the steps of detecting a beacon transmitted by an association requestor, determining whether the association requestor is an authorized requester by determining whether a present parameter falls within a range of authorized parameters associated with the association requester, and transmitting the device specific information to the authorized requester only if the present parameter falls within the range of authorized requester parameters.

Abstract: A method for providing location based security for communication between a remote device and a mobile device having a global positioning system receiver for determining its current position. The method comprises receiving geographic data from the remote device, determining if the mobile device is within a predetermined geographic region based on the geographic data and the current position, and enabling subsequent communication with the remote device when the current position is within the predetermined geographic region.

Abstract: A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a forward communication link with an energizer coupled to a transmission cable. The energizer is adapted to provide radio frequency signals intended for the plurality of radio frequency sensors to the transmission cable. The transmission cable is adapted as a leaky waveguide antenna selectively slotted and routed within the predefined area for effective air linking of leaked radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless sensors.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for confirming that a user of an electronic device is an authorized user of a vehicle. The method comprises receiving a request regarding the vehicle from the electronic device in response to a user action, verifying that the user is able to cause the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation, and permitting the request to proceed only if the vehicle performs the predetermined operation.

Abstract: A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a wiring system with conductors distributed in proximity to the plurality of sensors for providing at least one of electrical power and ground distribution, and a forward communication link with an energizer air link coupled to the wiring system. The method for wireless sensor interrogation includes providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a wiring system with conductors in proximity to the plurality of sensors for providing at least one of electrical power and ground distribution, transmitting radio frequency signals through the wiring system and air linking transmitted radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors through the conductors.

Abstract: A wireless vehicular sensing system is disclosed. The wireless sensing system may include a radio frequency access control system including a plurality of antennas distributed within the vehicle and at least one radio frequency transceiver coupled to the plurality of antennas for effecting radio frequency interrogations of radio frequency access permission devices via the plurality of antennas in response to operator invoked interrogation requests, and a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within the vehicle and associated with systems other than vehicle access control. The at least one radio frequency transceiver effects radio frequency interrogations of the plurality of radio frequency sensors via the plurality of antennas in response to system invoked interrogation requests.

Abstract: A method of managing a code module that generates output information for a computer system is provided. The method comprises searching for the output information in the computer system, if the output information is not detected by the searching step, executing the code module, generating the output information in response to executing the code module, and removing the code module from the computer system in response to generating the output information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing an asymmetric key exchange between a vehicle and a first remote device. The method comprises storing predetermined cryptographic information on the vehicle, generating a first public key and a first private key that correspond to the vehicle, storing the first private key on the vehicle, and providing the first public key and descriptive data associated with the vehicle to a trusted entity, wherein the trusted entity is configured to store the first public key and the descriptive data in a location that is accessible to the first remote device.

Abstract: A method for secure communication. The method includes receiving a request at a first device to communicate with a second device. The method also includes determining if an encryption key exists between the first device and the second device. Creation of the encryption key is initiated in response to a determination that that encryption key does not exist. The initiation of the creation of the encryption key occurs without user input. The method further includes communicating with the second device using the encryption key and performing user authentication of the communication.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The communication system comprises a portable wireless device comprising a first manual interface device, the portable wireless device adapted to transmit an activation signal in response to manipulation of the first manual interface device, and an onboard wireless communication device for a vehicle. The onboard wireless communication device can be adapted to transmit Wi-Fi Protected Setup initiation signals in response to receiving the activation signal.

Abstract: A system and method for producing cryptographic keys for use by an embedded processing device within a manufactured product. A pseudo random number generator is seeded with entropy data gathered by the embedded device, and the result is used to generate a public-private key pair. The process can be carried out during manufacturing so that the public key of each manufactured product can be stored in a database along with a unique identifier for the embedded device associated with the key. In one particular example, a vehicle having an installed telematics unit uses the key generating process to self-generate keys using entropy data available to the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a portable wireless device comprising first and second manual interface devices and adapted to transmit a wireless network security protocol confirmation signal in response to manipulation of the first and second manual interface devices, and an onboard wireless communication device for the vehicle, adapted to accept a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) session outcome in response to receiving the wireless network security protocol confirmation signal.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method for controlling access to, and especially protecting against unauthorized requests to provide input to, e.g., program, or elicit output from, a vehicular or other mobile device, such as an electronic control unit (ECU), adapted for use with the system, wherein said system, in a preferred embodiment, is configured to receive the request within a safe-zone, block its execution by the vehicle, send an objection message back to the source, and send a report to a law enforcement agency, based on the location of the source of the request.

Abstract: A method and communications system for generating and using compact digital certificates for secure wireless communication. Each compact certificate includes a digital signature and only a portion of the data used in generating the signature. The remaining certificate data is pre-stored on one or more wireless devices for which secure communication is desired. Upon receiving a compact certificate, the wireless device authenticates the certificate using its digital signature along with both the data contained in the certificate and the data pre-stored on the wireless device. This approach permits secure connections to be established between wireless devices using relatively small digital certificates.