Abstract: A method to operate a virtual assistant for a motor vehicle includes one or more of the following: determining if the virtual assistant is dormant; activating the virtual assistant if dormant; and accomplishing an action by the virtual assistant.

Abstract: A system to manage parking violation risk including a memory, controller, vehicle, mobile computing device, and geocoded parking data module. The memory includes executable instructions. The controller can execute the instructions. The vehicle includes a vehicle system. The vehicle system can generate vehicle location data. The vehicle can also communicate the vehicle location data. The mobile computing device can receive transmissions. The geocoded parking data module can produce parking restriction data for a select location.

Abstract: A system to manage the routine maintenance of a vehicle incorporated in a vehicle-share system is presented herein. The maintenance management system includes a vehicle having a vehicle sensor, vehicle communication platform (VCP), and remote entity. The VCP is located within the vehicle and communicates with the vehicle sensor. The VCP is configured to generate and communicate a data transmission. The remote entity has at least one database and is configured to receive the VCP data transmission. Moreover, the VCP collaborates with the vehicle sensor to generate at least one routine maintenance notice and subsequently transmits the routine maintenance notice to the remote entity. Upon review and analysis of the routine maintenance notice, the remote entity will predict future maintenance of the vehicle and modify the vehicle registration status in the database to allow for a maintenance event.

Abstract: A system to manage the routine maintenance of a vehicle incorporated in a vehicle-share system is presented herein. The maintenance management system includes a vehicle having a vehicle sensor, vehicle communication platform (VCP), and remote entity. The VCP is located within the vehicle and communicates with the vehicle sensor. The VCP is configured to generate and communicate a data transmission. The remote entity has at least one database and is configured to receive the VCP data transmission. Moreover, the VCP collaborates with the vehicle sensor to generate at least one routine maintenance notice and subsequently transmits the routine maintenance notice to the remote entity. Upon review and analysis of the routine maintenance notice, the remote entity will predict future maintenance of the vehicle and modify the vehicle registration status in the database to allow for a maintenance event.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicles in a captured test fleet that includes: receiving a call at a service center from a vehicle in the captured test fleet, wherein the call is triggered based on a condition detected at the vehicle; establishing a connection between the service center and the vehicle via the call; requesting a vehicle data upload (VDU) from the vehicle via the call; completing the VDU at the service center, and storing data received from the VDU in a captured test fleet database that manages data for a plurality of vehicles included in the captured test fleet.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle design and manufacture. The method includes designing a vehicle, building a pilot vehicle of the designed vehicle, installing a telematics units in the pilot vehicle, configuring the telematics unit to monitor systems of the pilot vehicle during vehicle operation, operating the pilot vehicle in a captured test fleet, obtaining data from the telematics unit during the operating in a captured test fleet, altering vehicle design data in response to the obtained data and, building a production vehicle with the design influenced by the altered vehicle design data.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for selective vehicle component control. Receiving a speech recognition engine activation signal activates a speech recognition engine in an in-vehicle telematics unit. A voice command is then received at the speech recognition engine of the in-vehicle telematics unit. A vehicle component control command is sent to a control entity from the in-vehicle telematics unit based on the voice command received. Another aspect of the invention provides a computer usable medium that includes a program for selective vehicle component control.

Abstract: A vehicle maintenance event reporting system and method that utilizes a vehicle email notification system in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. The notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information. Maintenance service events such as an oil change reset are detected and used to trigger email reporting to the subscriber as well as to transmit the oil change reset event back to a central data system where it is included in a vehicle maintenance record.

Abstract: A method and system for in-vehicle notification of a failed message delivery for use with a vehicle email notification system in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. The notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed. If delivery of the email fails, a call is placed to the vehicle to inform the driver or other occupant of the failed attempt so that corrective action can be taken.

Abstract: A method of automatically communicating subscription-specific messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: a) establishing a trigger and a message associated with the trigger; b) setting the trigger; c) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and d) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; e) accessing the message associated with the trigger; and f) playing the message.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) for tailoring a survey to a vehicle having a telematics unit operatively disposed therein are disclosed. The system(s) and method(s) include the steps of receiving vehicle data, analyzing the vehicle data, and automatically selecting an appropriate survey based upon automatic recognition and analysis of the vehicle data.

Abstract: A method for identifying an appropriate public safety answering point for a mobile unit includes establishing communication between a telematics service provider and the mobile unit. Mobile unit data is received at the telematics service provider. The data includes at least the speed of the mobile unit. The telematics service provider, upon recognition and analysis of the data, predicts a position of the mobile unit during a planned conversation with a public safety answering point. An appropriate public safety answering point is identified based on the predicted position of the mobile unit. Communication with the identified public safety answering point is established from the telematics service provider.

Abstract: An email-based interface to a telematics-equipped vehicle which allows a subscriber to send an email command to the vehicle to obtain vehicle information by return email or to carry out a vehicle function. The email-based interface method uses a vehicle email notification system and method in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. Upon occurrence of a trigger, the notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed.

Abstract: A vehicle email notification system and method in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a 30 day trigger to provide the subscriber with a monthly vehicle status report), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. Upon occurrence of a trigger, the notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating and realizing communication via a multi-mode system is disclosed. The method and system include realizing a preferred mode of communication. A signal indicating the preferred mode of communication is transmitted and followed by a response signal in the preferred mode. In response, the multi-mode system is adapted to provide for communication in the preferred mode.

Abstract: A display, a method of controlling contrast of a liquid crystal display, and a liquid crystal display. The display includes a liquid crystal panel and a controller for controlling contrast voltage to the liquid crystal panel. The display further includes a temperature sensor operably attached to the controller. A display contrast of the liquid crystal panel is based on the contrast voltage. The contrast voltage is based on a sensed temperature of the temperature sensor. The method includes sensing a temperature. A contrast voltage to the liquid crystal display is controlled based on the sensed temperature. The liquid crystal display includes means for sensing a temperature; and means for controlling contrast voltage to the liquid crystal display based on the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A telematics method comprising the steps of: using a device in a vehicle, obtaining data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer; transmitting the data to a remote station for processing; conditionally communicating an alert for the vehicle responsive to the device parameter; and conditionally communicating, response to the device parameter and additional device parameters from additional vehicles, an alert for at least one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.

Abstract: A method for displaying routing instructions includes receiving routing instructions from a call center at a telematics unit via a wireless network, the received route comprising at least one voice instruction. The method further includes converting the at least one voice instruction to text, and displaying the routing instructions including the text using a display device. Additionally, a method for displaying routing instructions includes receiving a TTY communication at a telematics unit from a call center using a wireless network and determining at least one routing instruction contained within the TTY communication. The method further includes displaying the at least one routing instruction using a display device.

Abstract: A method for producing navigation instructions is disclosed. The method includes generating a navigation route. The generated navigation route is translated from textual instructions and/or audio prompts to sign language symbols, and the sign language symbols are provided to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of customizing vehicle services includes receiving at least one telecommunication profile parameter at a telematics unit and indexing the received telecommunication profile parameters to a user identification. A user identification signal is received, and at least one vehicle service is customized based on the telecommunication profile parameters corresponding to the user identification signal.