Abstract: A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them.

Abstract: A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emmission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them.

Abstract: A cable positioner is formed integrally with a connector and/or a plug, or is shaped and sized to matingly engage a connector and/or a plug. The connector cable positioner can define at least one groove. The groove is sized to secure the cable in a desired position and direct it in a desired direction. The positioner may define at least one retaining tab, or lip, at the extent of at least one groove wall to produce an interference fit with the cable when pushed through the retaining tab, while surrounding the groove enough to effectively create a groove wall more than 180 degrees around the grove to retain the cable in the groove. The at least one tab can pinch, or otherwise secure, at least a portion of the cable to hold the cable in desired position and direction.

Abstract: A telematics device or a mobile wireless device, or a computer server remote from a vehicle, receives data related to the vehicle battery's open circuit and cranking voltages, temperature, and usage. The device compares the received data to predetermined corresponding criteria and also computes a battery health value based on the received data according to an algorithm. If the received data falls outside the corresponding criteria, the device can generate and send an alert to a user device. The battery health value can be sent to the user device to indicate remaining battery life, and to correlate temperature and vehicle usage with impact on battery life. The received data can also be used to generate a customized charging current profile that a charging device can use to regulate charging current from the vehicle's alternator to the battery. The vehicle can use an internal combustion engine, or be all-electric.

Abstract: An asset's TCU, or a mobile device coupled thereto, receives and stores geographical boundary definitions to a memory. A processor uses the boundary definition to determine an initial-location boundary based on the definition and the current location of the TCU at the time it received the boundary request message. As the TCU's GPS unit generates location information, the processor retrieves the initial-location boundary definition from the memory and compares the current location from the GPS receiver to it according to an algorithm. If the processor determines that the current location of the vehicle has crossed the boundary, the processor generates an alert message, which may be an e-mail, SMS, telephonic, interne, IM, or other electronic message indicating that an asset crossed the boundary, and sends it wirelessly using a transceiver to a central computer for further processing, or directly to another device, according to a notification destination identifier.

Abstract: A cable positioner is formed integrally with a connector and/or a plug, or is shaped and sized to matingly engage a connector and/or a plug. The connector cable positioner can define at least one groove. The groove is sized to secure the cable in a desired position and direct it in a desired direction. The positioner may define at least one retaining tab, or lip, at the extent of at least one groove wall to produce an interference fit with the cable when pushed through the retaining tab, while surrounding the groove enough to effectively create a groove wall more than 180 degrees around the grove to retain the cable in the groove. The at least one tab can pinch, or otherwise secure, at least a portion of the cable to hold the cable in desired position and direction.

Abstract: Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN to following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU.

Abstract: A user interface to an electronic unit, such as a telematics unit, couples with the unit. The interface can also provide access to audio, computer, communications, navigation, and other units besides telematics device units. A user can secure the interface to a rear view mirror of a vehicle using clips; a securing means that exerts force against the interface and a roof, or other surface, of the vehicle that the user wishes to fix the interface in; or other methods of attaching devices to one another. A housing of the interface may locate the biasing means so that the biasing means forces the housing against the rearview mirror. The interface may couple to a telematics, or other electronics, unit located, or installed, in the vehicle via a cable link, including wire and optical, or via a wireless link.

Abstract: A telematics device coupled to vehicle onboard computer system calculates carbon dioxide output of the vehicle. The device uses inputs from existing vehicle performance and parameter sensors, such as speed, fuel efficiency, mass air flow and oxygen present in the vehicle's exhaust, to calculate carbon dioxide output. Speed divided by fuel efficiency results in gallons per hour. An emmission factor, EF, multiplied by the gallons per hour results in weight of carbon dioxide produced by the vehicle per hour. Dividing EF by the efficiency results in pounds per mile. Using input from the mass air flow and oxygen sensors, with an approximation of gasoline molecular weight may produce more accurate results without using EF. If the sensors do not provide values in the units needed, a calibration curve for the mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor may be used. The telematics device can display the results or upload them.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for aftermarket telematics. In one aspect, provided is an apparatus comprising a telematics control unit configured for consumer installation, consumer use, and the like. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle. In another aspect, provided are systems and methods for operation of the apparatus.