Abstract: A method for remote starting a motor vehicle includes collecting cabin temperature over a period of time during a remote start of the motor vehicle, developing a temperature vs. time profile for the motor vehicle based on the collection of the cabin temperature over the period of time in a back office, and notifying a user of the motor vehicle when to initiate subsequent remote starts to obtain a desired cabin temperature of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of carrying out a teletypewriter (TTY) call at a vehicle, the method being carried out by vehicle electronics of the vehicle, wherein the method includes: receiving a TTY configuration request at the vehicle electronics of the vehicle; configuring the vehicle to operate based on the TTY configuration request, wherein the configuring includes storing TTY configuration data at the vehicle; receiving a telephone call initiation request at the vehicle, the telephone call initiation request corresponding to a telephone call with an end user; determining whether TTY functionality is enabled or disabled at the vehicle, wherein the determination of whether the TTY functionality is enabled or disabled at the vehicle includes inspecting the TTY configuration data; and when it is determined that the TTY functionality is enabled at the vehicle, carrying out a TTY call at the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transmitting video data from a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment, a vehicle processor receives a video transmission command that has been generated in response to a user selection of a video transmission input device, and the vehicle processor transmits video data captured by one or more vehicle cameras in response to the received video transmission command, wherein transmission of video data is at least partly over a telecommunications network to a remote server.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transmitting video data associated with a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment, a vehicle processor determines a vehicle safety event based on one or more safety sensors, activates one or more vehicle cameras that capture video data in response to the determined vehicle safety event, records the video data in a vehicle data storage device, and, if the vehicle processor determines that a suitable connection to a telecommunications network is available when the video data is being captured, then transmits the video data over the telecommunications network in substantially real time.

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 motor vehicle has an engine kill device that can automatically stop the engine. The vehicle has components for determining the engine may have been errantly left running, in which case the vehicle sends a notice to the user. The vehicle is capable of receiving a response from the user with instructions to leave the engine running. If no response is received, the vehicle can activate the engine kill device and stop the engine, or the vehicle can leave the engine running if a response is received from the user indicating the engine should remain running.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a power line of a telematics unit is incorrectly wired. In one example, a system includes a first module that evaluates at least one of a validity of a global positioning system and a powered on status of the telematics unit. A second module determines that the power line of the telematics unit is incorrectly wired based on the at least one of the validity of a global positioning system and the powered on status.

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 method of controlling a Wi-Fi service provided by a vehicle includes detecting at the vehicle that an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off; wirelessly receiving at the vehicle a message that controls the operation of the Wi-Fi service while the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off; and activating or deactivating the Wi-Fi service provided by the vehicle in response to the wirelessly-received message while the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.

Abstract: An aftermarket telematics system for use with a vehicle having a vehicle bus is disclosed herein. The aftermarket telematics system includes, but is not limited to, an aftermarket telematics unit that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle, to communicate with the vehicle bus, and to detect when the vehicle has been turned off. The aftermarket telematics system also includes a vehicle communication interface device configured to connect to the vehicle bus, to be communicatively coupled with the aftermarket telematics unit, and to facilitate communication between the aftermarket telematics unit and the vehicle bus. The aftermarket telematics unit is further configured to send a sleep command to the vehicle communication interface device when the aftermarket telematics unit detects that the vehicle has been turned off. The vehicle communication interface device is configured to sleep in accordance with the sleep command.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling calls in a vehicle during an emergency situation that includes identifying an emergency situation and placing a voice call or a data call to the vehicle in response to the emergency situation. If the placed call cannot be connected because the vehicle has another call in progress, then an SMS message is sent to the vehicle which contains a command used by the vehicle to interrupt the in-progress call. This enables a call center or public safety personnel to obtain remote access in emergency situations, such as when the vehicle location needs to be determined or an occupant of the vehicle is contacted.

Abstract: A system employing a vehicle module, and an intelligent connector in communication with the vehicle module implements a method for controlling the vehicle module. First, the intelligent connector receives a wireless transmission of a command signal. Second, the intelligent connector determines one or more control actions responsive to the command signal. Finally, the intelligent connector communicates one or more control signals indicative of the control action(s) to the vehicle module.

Abstract: An automated system and method for detecting and responding to bulb outages on a vehicle. The method carried out by the system utilizes a telematics unit installed onboard the vehicle and includes the steps of: (a) receiving bulb status information at the telematics unit indicating the failure of a bulb on the vehicle and providing the telematics unit with bulb data for identifying the bulb; (b) obtaining bulb replacement information using the bulb data; and (c) providing the bulb replacement information to a recipient associated with the vehicle. The bulb replacement information can be emailed or otherwise sent electronically to the recipient and can include a replacement part number or other ordering and installation information.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling police pursuing a vehicle to slow the vehicle down via short range wireless communication with the vehicle. The process can be carried out with or without involvement of a call center that provides telematics services to the vehicle. The method involves configuring the vehicle to accept a slowdown command, confirming the target vehicle at a pursuing police vehicle, establishing the short range connection between the police vehicle and target vehicle, and slowing the target vehicle by sending it the slowdown command over the wireless connection. The call center can enable or disable the slowdown service according to the vehicle owner's wishes.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling calls in a vehicle during an emergency situation that includes identifying an emergency situation and placing a voice call or a data call to the vehicle in response to the emergency situation. If the placed call cannot be connected because the vehicle has another call in progress, then an SMS message is sent to the vehicle which contains a command used by the vehicle to interrupt the in-progress call. This enables a call center or public safety personnel to obtain remote access in emergency situations, such as when the vehicle location needs to be determined or an occupant of the vehicle is contacted.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.

Abstract: In-vehicle tire gauge system and methods are disclosed herein. The in-vehicle tire gauge system includes a user activated system operatively positioned in a vehicle. The user activated system includes at least one of preset voice prompts or audible tones for guiding a tire pressure check routine, a monitoring system for detecting a tire filling event, and a module for converting tire pressure data into audible feedback. At least one tire pressure monitoring sensor is operatively positioned at each tire of the vehicle and is configured to collect the tire pressure data and transmit such data to the module. An audio system is in operative communication with the user activated system, and is configured to output, via in-vehicle speakers associated with the audio system, the at least one of preset voice prompts or audible tones, the audible feedback, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling police pursuing a vehicle to slow the vehicle down via short range wireless communication with the vehicle. The process can be carried out with or without involvement of a call center that provides telematics services to the vehicle. The method involves configuring the vehicle to accept a slowdown command, confirming the target vehicle at a pursuing police vehicle, establishing the short range connection between the police vehicle and target vehicle, and slowing the target vehicle by sending it the slowdown command over the wireless connection. The call center can enable or disable the slowdown service according to the vehicle owner's wishes.