Abstract: An apparatus and method that detects and remedies a battery health condition are provided. The method includes receiving data including one or more of vehicle sensor information, dealer information and vehicle characteristic information, analyzing the received data to determine whether one or more battery health alerts are required, and outputting or transmitting the one or more determined battery health alerts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that detects and remedies a battery health condition are provided. The method includes receiving data including one or more of vehicle sensor information, dealer information and vehicle characteristic information, analyzing the received data to determine whether one or more battery health alerts are required, and outputting or transmitting the one or more determined battery health alerts.

Abstract: A method of controlling access at a vehicle to information communicated over a vehicle bus includes: storing one or more electronic control unit (ECU) identities in a central gateway module (CGM) that is communicatively linked with a vehicle bus; associating one or more message permissions for receiving messages via the vehicle bus with one of the ECU identities in the CGM that represents an ECU communicatively linked with the vehicle bus; wirelessly receiving a computer-readable instruction at the vehicle directing the CGM to change one or more message permissions associated with the ECU identity; and storing the changed message permissions in the CGM.

Abstract: A system and method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver.

Abstract: A system and method of authenticating purchases made with a handheld wireless device using a vehicle includes: transmitting a first security token and a second security token to a merchant via a short-range wireless connection between the handheld wireless device and the merchant; wirelessly transmitting a copy of the first security token from the handheld wireless device to a third party credit issuer; and transmitting a copy of the second security token from the handheld wireless device to the vehicle via a separate short-range wireless connection between the handheld wireless device and the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for alerting a driver to a condition of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a telematics unit that is mounted to the vehicle and that is configured to receive a fault notification from a subsystem on board the vehicle when a fault in the subsystem is detected. A call center is remotely located from the vehicle and is communicatively connected to the telematics unit. The telematics unit is configured to provide the fault notification to the call center. The call center is configured to initiate communication with the driver if the fault falls within a first category of faults and to set a trigger in the telematics unit to initiate contact with the call center upon a next ignition actuation of the vehicle if the fault falls within a second category of faults.

Abstract: A method of controlling access at a vehicle to information communicated over a vehicle bus includes: storing one or more electronic control unit (ECU) identities in a central gateway module (CGM) that is communicatively linked with a vehicle bus; associating one or more message permissions for receiving messages via the vehicle bus with one of the ECU identities in the CGM that represents an ECU communicatively linked with the vehicle bus; wirelessly receiving a computer-readable instruction at the vehicle directing the CGM to change one or more message permissions associated with the ECU identity; and storing the changed message permissions in the CGM.

Abstract: A method of managing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in a vehicle includes generating at a vehicle a plurality of DTCs output from one or more diagnostic subtasks; assigning an ordinal number to each DTC independent of time based on the order in which the DTC occurred at the vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting to a central facility the plurality of DTCs along with the ordinal numbers assigned to each DTC.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for notification to network applications by a telematics unit in standby mode of when the telematics unit is switching away from standby mode and will be come unavailable for communication with the network applications. The network application may include mobile applications for mobile devices (such as smartphones) and web applications accessible through web pages. The telematics unit may communicate with the back office(s) of the network applications. If the vehicle is a plug-type vehicle, the telematics unit or network application may further extend the standby period of the telematics unit or vehicle when the vehicle is plugged in.

Abstract: A system and method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver.

Abstract: A method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver.

Abstract: A method for detecting an unauthorized programming or installation of software on an electronic module on a vehicle. The method obtains information regarding programming of the electronic module. The information may be obtained by detecting a programming session of the electronic module or after the module has been programmed. The obtained information is compared with information identifying whether programming of the electronic module is authorized or unauthorized. A determination whether the programming is authorized or unauthorized is made based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for disabling a vehicle. An exemplary system includes, but is not limited to an antenna that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. The antenna is configured to transmit and receive communication transmissions. A telematics unit is communicatively connected to the antenna. The telematics unit is adapted for attachment to the vehicle and is configured to communicatively connect to a necessary sub-system of the vehicle, to receive telecommunications from a user through the antenna, and to disable the necessary sub-system in response to receiving an instruction from the user to disable the vehicle.

Abstract: A pre-filling vehicle data check method and system are disclosed herein. One example of the method includes receiving, at a financial institution, an authorization request from a filling station for initiating a filling event, where the authorization request includes a financial code. Via a computing device at the financial institution, the financial code is recognized as being associated with at least one of a vehicle identification number or a station identification associated with a vehicle, thereby identifying the vehicle. At least one parameter of the vehicle is identified via a computing device at a data center in selective communication with the vehicle and the financial institution, and an authorization or denial of the at least one filling event based at least upon the at least one parameter is transmitted from the computing device at the data center.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an electronic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a vehicle. According to one embodiment, an electronic VIN request is generated at the vehicle through a vehicle user interface, such as a visual display, a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, or an electronic control or button. According to another embodiment, the electronic VIN request is generated at an entity, such as a remote call center, that is remotely located from the vehicle. In either case, the electronic VIN request causes the vehicle hardware to query one or more vehicle electronic module(s) for electronic VIN(s) stored therein, so that output related to the electronic VIN(s) can be provided.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for notification to network applications by a telematics unit in standby mode of when the telematics unit is switching away from standby mode and will be come unavailable for communication with the network applications. The network application may include mobile applications for mobile devices (such as smartphones) and web applications accessible through web pages. The telematics unit may communicate with the back office(s) of the network applications. If the vehicle is a plug-type vehicle, the telematics unit or network application may further extend the standby period of the telematics unit or vehicle when the vehicle is plugged in.

Abstract: A system for alerting a driver to a condition of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a telematics unit that is mounted to the vehicle and that is configured to receive a fault notification from a subsystem on board the vehicle when a fault in the subsystem is detected. A call center is remotely located from the vehicle and is communicatively connected to the telematics unit. The telematics unit is configured to provide the fault notification to the call center. The call center is configured to initiate communication with the driver if the fault falls within a first category of faults and to set a trigger in the telematics unit to initiate contact with the call center upon a next ignition actuation of the vehicle if the fault falls within a second category of faults.

Abstract: A pre-filling vehicle data check method and system are disclosed herein. One example of the method includes receiving, at a financial institution, an authorization request from a filling station for initiating a filling event, where the authorization request includes a financial code. Via a computing device at the financial institution, the financial code is recognized as being associated with at least one of a vehicle identification number or a station identification associated with a vehicle, thereby identifying the vehicle. At least one parameter of the identified vehicle is identified via the computing device at a data center in selective communication with the vehicle and the financial institution, and an authorization or denial of the at least one filling event based at least upon the at least one parameter is transmitted from the computing device at the data center.

Abstract: In examples of the invention, a vehicle diagnostics update mechanism provides a frequent connection to a vehicle telematics unit. In this way, large amounts of vehicle data that are available when the vehicle is on or cached, i.e., when the vehicle is off, can be pulled and used to provide a vehicle update to the user. In one example, a “vehicle dashboard” application running on a vehicle owner's computer in the form of a tool bar provides diagnostics updates in a quick and easy to use format. The tool bar also provides a means for executing user selections and commands and for providing alerts to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for disabling a vehicle. An exemplary system includes, but is not limited to an antenna that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. The antenna is configured to transmit and receive communication transmissions. A telematics unit is communicatively connected to the antenna. The telematics unit is adapted for attachment to the vehicle and is configured to communicatively connect to a necessary sub-system of the vehicle, to receive telecommunications from a user through the antenna, and to disable the necessary sub-system in response to receiving an instruction from the user to disable the vehicle.