Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate utilizing the communicative connections between a telematics service provider (TSP), a communication device, and a telematics unit in a vehicle to interactively provide information pertaining to various components of a vehicle. Implementations contemplate that an image capture device is communicatively connected to the telematics unit in a vehicle and an operations control center of the TSP. Image data pertaining to an image captured by the image capture device is analyzed and vehicle components included in the image are identified. Once vehicle components in the image have been identified, information pertaining to the identified components is presented as an overlay of the originally captured image.

Abstract: A system and method for using data that is external to a vehicle in vehicular applications. The system and method include determining data that is external to the vehicle is available for use, comparing the external data to data that is available from a vehicle system, and determining whether the external data has a higher utility function compared to data that is available from a vehicle system. The system and method further include using the external data to enhance a vehicular application if the external data has a higher utility function.

Abstract: A method for notifying parties in close proximity to a vehicle of a potential vehicle hazard includes detecting that the vehicle has been in a collision, determining the type of propulsion system used by the vehicle, generating a warning or other notification relating to the propulsion system, and communicating the notification to a party located within a predetermined range of the vehicle. Communication of the notification can be carried out by renaming the telematics unit with a device name corresponding to a hazard associated with the propulsion system, and then broadcasting the device name according to an established wireless protocol.

Abstract: A method of managing short-range wireless links between a primary wireless device and a plurality of secondary wireless devices includes initiating a short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and a secondary wireless device configured to communicate using a traditional Wi-Fi protocol; providing the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device using a Wi-Fi direct protocol, wherein the primary wireless device acts as a group owner and the secondary wireless device acts as a group member; detecting the presence of an additional secondary wireless device, acting as a server, using the primary wireless device; ending use of the Wi-Fi direct protocol over the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device; and beginning use of the traditional Wi-Fi protocol over the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vehicle occupant with hands-free usage of text messaging services over a mobile phone via a vehicle telematics unit. The method enables a vehicle occupant to send and receive communication messages such as text messages in a hands-free manner. For sending text messages, a spoken communication message is received from the occupant at the vehicle and sent to a call center for conversion to a text message using a speech to text server. The converted text message is then sent to the mobile phone for texting to the intended recipient. Received text messages can be sent from the mobile phone to the telematics unit, converted to speech and played audibly to the occupant in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing control of a vehicle telematics unit using a mobile device. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: determining a mobile device is configured to control a vehicle telematics unit; receiving at a call center a vehicle telematics unit (VTU) command from the mobile device instructing the telematics unit to provide vehicle data using short range wireless communication (SRWC); sending the VTU command from the call center to the telematics unit; and transmitting via SRWC the vehicle data.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing vehicle data services to communication devices located at a remote vehicle. The method includes the steps of: establishing data communication between a telematics backend system and one of a plurality of communication devices located at the remote vehicle; determining at the telematics backend system an access point name (APN) for at least one of the plurality of communication devices, a type of vehicle services data for the at least one of the plurality of communication devices, or both; and based on the determined APN, the type of vehicle services data, or both, transmitting from or receiving at the telematics backend the vehicle services data according to a network traffic shaping scheme.

Abstract: A method of controlling wireless voice and data communications includes identifying a radio access technology (RAT) in use at a vehicle telematics unit; establishing a wireless connection between the vehicle telematics unit and a central facility; wirelessly transmitting the identity of the RAT from the vehicle telematics unit to the central facility; receiving a message at the vehicle telematics unit from the central facility based on the identity of the RAT causing the vehicle telematics unit to: carry out simultaneous voice and data communications over a single wireless connection with the central facility when the identified RAT supports simultaneous voice and data communications; and establish a voice call with the central facility and receive data via short message service (SMS) messages when the identified RAT does not support simultaneous voice and data communications.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a handheld communication device (HCD) is located inside a vehicle includes: receiving at a central facility a request to locate the HCD; sending a message to the vehicle with an instruction to determine if the HCD is present in the vehicle; receiving a response from the vehicle that indicates whether or not the HCD is present in the vehicle; and transmitting a message to a user of the HCD indicating whether the HCD is located inside of the vehicle.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communication infrastructure represented by a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider (TSP) to implement procedures designed to curtail the load placed on electricity suppliers by electric vehicles during periods of critically high demand for electricity. The present invention contemplates monitoring charging related information for multiple electric vehicles through the telematics units in those vehicles. The invention further contemplates a request from an energy utility for a response to a critically high demand for electricity and the execution of a demand response program (DRP). The DRPs involve aggregating information from a fleet of the electrically powered vehicles, processing the aggregated information, and issuing instructions to one or more vehicles in the fleet that cause the one or more vehicles to reduce the load they are placing on electricity suppliers through their charging activities.

Abstract: A navigation server as part of a vehicle navigation system provides a set of turn-by-turn directions to a vehicle driver from the vehicle's current location to a destination chosen by the driver. Further, a navigation server receives new route requests because a vehicle driver disregards a previous a maneuver contained in a previous set of turn-by-turn directions. The navigation server tracks vehicle locations whereat new routes have been requested. If a large number of new route requests occur in a given location, the system analyzes this location to determine whether the location is one where poor directions are given. Improved directions may thus be generated and provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for energy management for a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes: determining, by a processor, that a mobile device is co-located with the telematics unit while vehicle ignition of the vehicle is on, wherein the mobile device is registered as being associated with the telematics unit; determining, by the processor, that the vehicle ignition has been turned off; determining, by the processor, a location of the vehicle corresponding to where the vehicle ignition was turned off and determining, by the processor, a location of the mobile device; and implementing, by the processor, situation-specific energy management based on the determined location of the vehicle and the determined location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting low vehicle battery charge and responding appropriately to prevent complete vehicle battery drainage. One method includes: monitoring the charge of the vehicle battery; determining, by a telematics unit, that the charge of the vehicle battery has reached a low battery charge threshold while the vehicle engine is off; and providing, by the telematics unit, a notification to a telematics subscriber that the vehicle battery has low charge. Another method includes: monitoring the charge of the vehicle battery; determining, by a telematics unit, that the charge of the vehicle battery has reached a low battery charge threshold while the vehicle engine is off; and in response to determining that the low battery charge threshold has been reached, disabling at least one load draining the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A processing system and method for controlling the distribution of certain types of electronic messages, such as SMS messages, instant messages, emails, etc., that are wirelessly sent to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a messaging application installed on a communication device diverts to a call center outgoing messages destined for the vehicle. Once the electronic message is properly checked and authenticated at the call center, it is wirelessly forwarded on to the vehicle where its contents can be displayed to the passengers. By controlling the distribution of these types of electronic messages to the vehicle, the processing method can reduce or mitigate the effects of unauthorized third party communications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for unauthorized base station detection are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, an in-vehicle controller of a vehicle or an application of a mobile communications device scans a cellular radio environment to identify an available base station. By a signal detection unit in operative communication with the in-vehicle controller or the application, a strength of a signal of the available base station is detected. The in-vehicle controller or the application recognizes that the signal strength is out of the expected signal strength range, and determines that the available base station is the unauthorized base station. While in connection with the unauthorized base station, the in-vehicle controller or the application determines a location of the unauthorized base station. Other examples of the method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for implementation at a processor of a vehicular telematics unit is described. The method allows data structures formatted to store one or more wireless network communication parameters to be updated in response to a swap of a subscription with one network service provider for a subscription with a different network service provider. The method includes receiving, from a network access device of the vehicular telematics unit, a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) identifier corresponding to a wireless network service provider corresponding to an active subscription. The method also includes identifying, in a set of one or more access point name (APN) data structures each having a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier field, a matching APN data structure having the HPLMN identifier stored at its PLMN element and designating the matching APN data structure as active.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating position using an integrated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/dead reckoning (DR) (GNSS/DR) navigation system in a vehicle. The method includes: determining a current environment of the vehicle from a plurality of environments based on at least one parameter; calculating a Kalman filter-related parameter based on the determined current environment, wherein the Kalman filter-related parameter corresponds to a representation of weight given to GNSS navigation and DR navigation relative to one another; and estimating a position of the vehicle based on the calculated Kalman filter-related parameter utilizing a Kalman filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for odometer monitoring are disclosed herein. One example method includes storing an odometer value and a vehicle position in response to an initial triggering event, and determining a second odometer value and a second vehicle position in response to a subsequent triggering event. The odometer value is compared with the second odometer value to detect any odometer value change from the initial triggering event to the subsequent triggering event. The vehicle position is compared with the second vehicle position to detect any vehicle position change from the initial triggering event to the subsequent triggering event. From the comparisons, it is determined whether odometer tampering has occurred.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a vehicle service to a vehicle based on the location data of a mobile device. The method carried out by the system includes a step of receiving at a call center vehicle location data from a vehicle. After receiving vehicle location data, the method may then include receiving at the call center mobile device location data from the mobile device. The method may include determining whether the mobile device is located within the vehicle based upon the vehicle location data and the mobile device location data. And if the mobile device is located within the vehicle, the method may include initiating at least one vehicle service from the call center in response to the determination.

Abstract: An input to increase or decrease a system setting in a vehicle interior is received, and the setting is adjusted. In one example, an in-vehicle ambient light color is controlled during the adjusting so an ambient light changes from a primary color setting to a first feedback color during setting increase and to a second feedback color during setting decrease; and the ambient light color is returned to the primary color setting at a time after completing the adjusting. In another example, the ambient light color is controlled during the adjusting so the ambient light transitions from a then-current color setting towards a first feedback color during setting increase and towards a second feedback color during setting decrease; and upon reaching an increased or decreased setting value, the ambient light remains at a new then-current color until another setting input is received or until the ambient light is turned off.