Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of selecting a communication profile for a vehicle telematics device to communicate over a vehicle electronics bus. The method includes receiving, at a server or a local computer, information identifying a vehicle to which the vehicle telematics device is to be connected. An indication of a communication profile to be loaded on the vehicle telematics device, or the communication profile itself, is sent from the server or local computer to the vehicle telematics device, wherein the communication profile includes communication related settings for the vehicle telematics device, the communication related settings corresponding to the vehicle electronics bus of the vehicle to which the vehicle telematics device is to be connected. The communication profile is then loaded on the vehicle telematics device, wherein the vehicle telematics device is field configurable to use one of multiple communication profiles.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of authenticating a vehicle telematics device. The method includes receiving, at a server, identifying information for a vehicle telematics device and receiving, at the server, information identifying an account to which the vehicle telematics device is to be associated. The method also includes authenticating the vehicle telematics device by finalizing an association between the vehicle telematics device and the account if data that is specified for authentication is received at the server from the vehicle telematics device and if that data is obtained by the vehicle telematics device within a time window that is specified for authentication.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an electronic device comprising a connector configured to connect to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver, one or more processing devices coupled to the connector and to the wireless transceiver, and storage media coupled to the one or more processing devices. The storage media including instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a content control device using the wireless transceiver, download content from the content control device, store the content on the storage media, and terminate communication with the content control device. The instructions also cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a mobile device, and provide the content to a mobile device via a wireless link.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of authenticating a vehicle telematics device. The method includes receiving, at a server, identifying information for a vehicle telematics device and receiving, at the server, information identifying an account to which the vehicle telematics device is to be associated. The method also includes authenticating the vehicle telematics device by finalizing an association between the vehicle telematics device and the account if data that is specified for authentication is received at the server from the vehicle telematics device and if that data is obtained by the vehicle telematics device within a time window that is specified for authentication.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for integrating vehicle-centric information with home-centric information. The method includes wirelessly transmitting a signal from a vehicle information device within a vehicle to a component of a home-centric system and receiving the signal at the component from the vehicle information device. The method also includes sending vehicle-centric information from the component to a command center for the home-centric system based on the signal received from the vehicle information device, and integrating the vehicle-centric information with home-centric information obtained by the home-centric system. The method also includes displaying information based on the vehicle-centric information along with the home centric information at an interface for a user.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an electronic device comprising a connector configured to connect to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver, one or more processing devices coupled to the connector and to the wireless transceiver, and storage media coupled to the one or more processing devices. The storage media including instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a content control device using the wireless transceiver, download content from the content control device, store the content on the storage media, and terminate communication with the content control device. The instructions also cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a mobile device, and provide the content to a mobile device via a wireless link.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for data management for insurance purposes. The method includes receiving, at a server, time-variant data from a retail module configured to obtain the time-variant data, wherein the time-variant data pertains to an item or intangible to be insured. Identification information is also received at the server from the retail module. The method includes determining a user account with which the retail module is associated based on the identification information, and receiving a selection from a user indicative of which one or more insurance providers to send the time-variant data to, wherein the user is associated with the user account. The time-variant data is provided, from the server, to the one or more insurance providers selected by the user.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for valuating a vehicle. The method includes obtaining operation data from an on-board diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle, the operation data pertaining to operation of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a measure of value for the vehicle based on the operation data, and generating a report including the measure of value.