Abstract: A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.

Abstract: A method of determining location of a vehicle includes receiving a wheel speed measurement and receiving a rough road parameter. A rough road weighting factor is determined based on the rough road parameter, and vehicle location is determined based on the determined rough road weighting factor and the wheel speed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for system control includes inputs for an input device which may take the form of switches or sensors. Input device states are related to identification keys. The identification keys are communicated wirelessly or through hard-wired means to a system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.

Abstract: A method for controlling mobile communications involves establishing an RFID connection between an RFID tag disposed on or at a predefined location inside a cabin area of a vehicle and an RFID reader attached to a mobile communications device. Upon breaking the RFID connection, an application resident on the device recognizes that the device is no located in the predefined location. A message is automatically sent to an entity outside of the vehicle, where the message indicates that the device is no longer located at the predefined location inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for servicing a subscriber vehicle involves establishing a connection, via a telematics unit, with a communications device at a third party facility. A packet data message is sent from the telematics unit to a telematics service center. The packet data message includes identification information of the vehicle, and is sent using an internet protocol address of the third party facility. Via a processor associated with the telematics service center, the subscriber vehicle is identified from the identification information, and the third party facility is identified from the internet protocol address. A notification message is sent from the telematics service center to the third party facility, where the message indicates that the subscriber vehicle is available for servicing. Also disclosed herein are systems for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing multiple Bluetooth or other wireless electronic devices in a network. Multiple Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tags are places in a vehicle or other defined space, such that users of NFC-enabled electronic devices can pass their device near one of the NFC tags, which then transfers encryption key data to the user's device, allowing that device to be automatically joined to a small, secure wireless network. Various embodiments are disclosed for establishing and controlling the network, and applications are suggested for using the ad-hoc network—such as for the control of a vehicle's entertainment system.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing Bluetooth devices in a vehicle. A Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tag is placed in the vehicle such that a user can pass an NFC-enabled Bluetooth device near the tag, which then transfers encryption key data for the vehicle's Bluetooth device to the user's Bluetooth device. Various embodiments are disclosed for initiating the pairing process with the vehicle's Bluetooth device, which ordinarily remains in a silent mode for security reasons. Once the pairing process has been initiated, and the user's Bluetooth device has been passed near the NFC tag, the pairing process is completed with no further action required by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing two Bluetooth devices. A Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tag is placed in a first Bluetooth device such that a user of a second Bluetooth device can pass the second device near the tag, which then transfers encryption key data for the first Bluetooth device to the second Bluetooth device. An algorithm is employed for initiating the pairing process with the first Bluetooth device, which can ordinarily remain in a silent mode for security reasons. Once the pairing process has been initiated, and the second Bluetooth device has been passed near the NFC tag, the pairing process is completed with no further action required by the users.

Abstract: A method for controlling mobile communications involves establishing an RFID connection between an RFID tag disposed on or at a predefined location inside a cabin area of a vehicle and an RFID reader attached to a mobile communications device. Upon breaking the RFID connection, an application resident on the device recognizes that the device is no located in the predefined location. A message is automatically sent to an entity outside of the vehicle, where the message indicates that the device is no longer located at the predefined location inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing two Bluetooth devices. A Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tag is placed in a first Bluetooth device such that a user of a second Bluetooth device can pass the second device near the tag, which then transfers encryption key data for the first Bluetooth device to the second Bluetooth device. An algorithm is employed for initiating the pairing process with the first Bluetooth device, which can ordinarily remain in a silent mode for security reasons. Once the pairing process has been initiated, and the second Bluetooth device has been passed near the NFC tag, the pairing process is completed with no further action required by the users.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing multiple Bluetooth or other wireless electronic devices in a network. Multiple Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tags are places in a vehicle or other defined space, such that users of NFC-enabled electronic devices can pass their device near one of the NFC tags, which then transfers encryption key data to the user's device, allowing that device to be automatically joined to a small, secure wireless network. Various embodiments are disclosed for establishing and controlling the network, and applications are suggested for using the ad-hoc network—such as for the control of a vehicle's entertainment system.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and securely pairing Bluetooth devices in a vehicle. A Near Field Communication (NFC) read-only tag is placed in the vehicle such that a user can pass an NFC-enabled Bluetooth device near the tag, which then transfers encryption key data for the vehicle's Bluetooth device to the user's Bluetooth device. Various embodiments are disclosed for initiating the pairing process with the vehicle's Bluetooth device, which ordinarily remains in a silent mode for security reasons. Once the pairing process has been initiated, and the user's Bluetooth device has been passed near the NFC tag, the pairing process is completed with no further action required by the user.

Abstract: A mobile platform is equipped with a transceiver to receive a broadcast message and to execute two-way wireless communications. The mobile platform is also equipped with an electronic memory storage device, a processor, and a human-machine interface. A first message is formed at the communications source, broadcasted, and received at the mobile platform by way of the transceiver. A portion of the first message is selectively cached in the electronic memory storage device and selectively communicated to the human-machine interface. A second message is formed and wirelessly communicated between the communications source and the mobile platform by way of the two-way wireless communications device.

Abstract: A mobile platform is equipped with a broadcast signal receiver to receive a broadcast signal and with a two-way wireless communications device. Messages within the broadcast signal are received. Other messages between the communications source and the mobile platform are wirelessly communicated via the two-way wireless communications device.

Abstract: A method and system for making payments from a vehicle using onboard wireless communication systems. A Near Field Communication (NFC) reader is placed a vehicle, such that a customer can pass an NFC-enabled phone or credit card near the reader to provide a source of funding for a purchase. A Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) radio onboard the vehicle communicates with a seller of products or services, such as a fast food restaurant, a parking garage, or a toll booth. The seller communicates to the vehicle the amount of a pending payment, the customer approves the payment within the vehicle, and the vehicle sends the authorization to the seller. The entire transaction is handled wirelessly, without the customer having to leave the vehicle or roll down a window. Pre-approval accounts can also be established for certain types of payments, thus making those payment transactions automatic.

Abstract: A method for producing data frames by the optimal placement of mobile sensitive data packets in the data frame that has particular application for transmitting mobile data to be received by portable consumer electronics devices and/or moving vehicles. The method includes forming the data frame by inserting the mobile data in the data frame just after a frame sync and before the broadcast data.

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: 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.