Abstract: A vehicle-based system includes a processor configured to receive policy table updates issued from a remote server. The processor is further configured to update a local policy table based on the updates. The processor is additionally configured to receive a request from a remote application for data access. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the local policy table, if the data access requires user consent. The processor is also configured to determine if required consent is stored in the local policy table and provide data access to the remote application based on stored required consent.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.

Abstract: In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a mobile device processor configured to communicate wirelessly with both a remote server and a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is further configured to query the VCS for a module version, relay the module version to a remote system and receive information relating to an updated module version and module. The processor is also configured to query the VCS for vehicle battery information, inform a user of battery sufficiency for a recommended installation of the updated module, and, responsive to a user instruction to proceed with installation, instruct the VCS to download and install the updated module.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving a request for payment-related information at a wireless device. The method also includes communicating between the wireless device and a paired vehicle computing system (VCS) to verify the presence of a known vehicle. Further, the method includes transmitting requested payment-related information, responsive to the verification of the presence of the known vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented authentication method includes receiving a request to access one or more features of a vehicle computing system (VCS) from an application running on a wireless device in communication with the VCS. The method further includes preparing a secure access rights request to a remote server including one or more characteristics associated with the application and sending the secure request from the VCS, through the wireless device to the remote server. The method additionally includes receiving a response to the request having been sent from the remote server through the wireless device. The method includes verifying the authenticity of the received response and updating a policy table including information from the received response, the information including at least an expiration trigger and access rights for the application. Also, the method includes validating the application for usage based at least on the information included in the updated policy table.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle computer system for establishing in-vehicle wireless connectivity to remote computer network, e.g., the Internet. The system may include a processor in communication with a human machine interface (HMI) for control by a user. The processor may also be in communication with one or more wireless transceivers for wireless data communication. The processor may be capable of being paired to a pneumatic commuting device (e.g., cellphone, PDA, etc.) having wireless Internet connectivity. The processor may be configured to wirelessly connect to one or more personal computing devices in the vicinity of the vehicle, and provide a wireless Internet access point to the one or more personal computing devices based on the wireless connection and the Internet connectivity.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a software provisioning system and method for a vehicle infotainment computer. Software provisioning of the vehicle infotainment computer may occur during vehicle assembly. A software provisioning request may be received for custom installing software to the vehicle infotainment computer. The custom install may be based on a customization schedule which may include a location identifier (such as uniform resource identifiers or file paths) for locating the software. In response to the request, the software may be located on a provisioning server or a portable memory device based on the customization schedule. The software may be transmitted to memory of the vehicle infotainment computer and custom installed on the vehicle infotainment computer.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, two or more devices may interface with a computing system over multiple communication channels. A connection may be established between a computing system and two or more devices communicating data using different communication protocols. The communication protocol of the two or more devices may be determined and a general transport protocol for communicating data with the two or more devices based on the respective communication protocols may be imposed on the communication protocol of the two or more devices. Data may be communicated with the two or more devices based on the general transport protocol. An event may be performed at the vehicle computing system or the two or more devices based on the data.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a vehicle resource usage control system includes a vehicle computer having security policies that define usage rules for one or more vehicle resources. One or more devices communicating with the vehicle computer may have installed in memory software applications that use one or more vehicle resources for operation. Programmed instructions may be received that define which of the one or more vehicle resources the software applications use for operation. These programmed instructions may be associated with the one or more security policies. The security policy associated with the software applications may be determined based on the programmed instructions. Operation of the software applications may be permitted according to the security policy.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a method and system for queuing messages for transmission to/from a vehicle. One or more messages from one or more applications for performing one or more vehicle-related events may be received. The one or more messages may include a message identifier for each of the one or more vehicle applications to correlate the one or more messages with the one or more applications. The messages may be queued for transmission. A vehicle's connectivity to a wireless network is determined and, if the vehicle is connected to the wireless network, the one or more queued messages are transmitted. The one or more vehicle-related events based on the one or more messages are performed.

Abstract: A reliable protocol is provided for transporting messages between a vehicle-based system and a service delivery network. The protocol is a request/response protocol and can be passed over half duplex or full duplex lines, using a data over voice communication method through a nomadic device such as a PDA or cell-phone. The protocol can also be passed over a data connection such as a dial-up or broadband connection on a nomadic device having a data plan.