Abstract: A method and system for preventing replay-type attacks on a vehicle communications system that sends short message service (SMS) messages between a call center and a fleet of vehicles. The method uses separate sequence counters maintained at the call center and at each of the vehicles in the fleet to help prevent or at least minimize the effects of unauthorized third party interference; such as replay-type attacks. Each wireless message is embedded with a sequence counter that is provided by the sender and is compared by the recipient with a separate sequence counter for purposes of validation. Some optional features that can be used in conjunction with the sequence counters include a tolerance window feature, a consecutive message feature, and a proximity feature, to name but a few.

Abstract: A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a plurality of energizers within the predefined area for transmitting radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors, and at least one reader within the predefined area physically independent from the energizers for receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors wherein the number of energizers exceeds the number of readers.

Abstract: A method for providing a secure communications link between a home PC and a vehicle through a wireless access point. The method includes providing a wireless connection between a vehicle communications system and the wireless access point and causing a user of the PC to initiate a communication with the vehicle communications system through the wireless access point so as to allow the user to send information to the vehicle from the home PC. The method also includes causing the vehicle communications system to send an authentication challenge to the PC, such as identifying a user name and password, to authorize the user to communicate with the vehicle communications system, and establishing a secure communications link between the vehicle communications system and the PC if the user responds to the challenge with a correct response.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for secure over-the-air modification of vehicular options by a vehicle user. The system includes a vehicle and a secure server. The vehicle includes receiver circuitry for receiving and demodulating wireless signals and a controller coupled to the receiver. The secure server is accessible by the vehicle user and generates a vehicular option modification package for provision to the vehicle by generating option parameter modification instructions in response to user parameter modification requests from the vehicle owner and generating authentication information in response to unique server authentication information associated with the secure server.

Abstract: A method for controlling remote access to a module of a vehicle includes the steps of determining whether the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and permitting remote access to the module only on the condition that the vehicle is in the predetermined state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data from remote server device to a computer module in a vehicle. A request for data is transmitted from the computer module over an in-vehicle network to an in-vehicle communications gateway module. The request for data from the computer module is destined for a remote server device. A request for a software component is transmitted from a standard port of the in-vehicle communications gateway module to the remote server device. The software component comprises a non-standard transfer protocol module. The in-vehicle communications gateway module loads the non-standard transfer protocol module, and the remote server device transmits the requested data to the in-vehicle communications gateway module according to the non-standard transfer protocol. The in-vehicle communications gateway module then transmits the requested data (provided from the remote server device) to the computer module over the in-vehicle network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data to a client device from a computer module in a vehicle. Data is transmitted from the computer module over an in-vehicle network to an in-vehicle communications gateway module. The data from the computer module is destined for the client device. A request for a software component is transmitted to the client device from a standard port of the in-vehicle communications gateway module. The software component comprises a non-standard transfer protocol module. The in-vehicle communications gateway module loads the non-standard transfer protocol module, and the data is exchanged between the in-vehicle communications gateway module and the client device according to the non-standard transfer protocol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data between a client device and a vehicle. A server hosted at an in-vehicle communications gateway module sends a software component comprising a non-standard transfer protocol module to a browser application hosted at the client device in response to a request from the client device. Standard ports at the in-vehicle communications gateway module and the client device are closed, and data is exchanged between the server and the browser application according to the non-standard transfer protocol. Optionally, the received data can then be transmitted from the in-vehicle communications gateway module to a computer module in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling extra-vehicle communications to a device of a mobile platform. The method comprises establishing a policy comprising attributes for permitting communications to the device, the attributes having selectable states. Access to communicate with the device is authorized based upon a least privilege of the selectable states of the attributes.

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: There is provided a method and system for facilitating communications between a remote access point and a mobile platform during a shutdown period. The mobile platform is equipped with a first receiver and a wireless communications receiver. A wake-up signal is wirelessly transmitted from a remote wireless device to the first receiver of the mobile platform. The communications receiver is activated based upon the wake-up signal. The remote access point is controlled to communicate with the communications receiver subsequent to the activation of the communications receiver.

Abstract: A method of communicating information between an object and an information collection point via a short-range wireless network while protecting the privacy of a user of the object. Initially, a prompt is sent from the information collection point via the wireless network. The object detects the prompt and establishes a session by generating a random identifier for temporarily identifying the object, and sending the random identifier to the information collection point. The same random identifier is used throughout the session. No information permanently identifying the object is communicated to the information collection point until the information collection point is successfully authenticated to the object. Once this occurs, the object authenticates itself to the information collection point and communicates the information.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to, and especially protecting against unauthorized attempts to provide input to, e.g., program, or elicit output from, a vehicular or other mobile device (14), such as an electronic control unit (ECU), wherein a determined location of the device (14) or an inputted user acknowledgment provides a basis or an additional basis for allowing or denying the attempt at access.