Abstract: A method of notifying an owner of a fault associated with a vehicle system of a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a computing processor, one or more fault messages from a vehicle system of the vehicle. Each fault message includes a fault source identifying the vehicle system, a fault time identifying a time of the fault, and a fault description. The method also includes determining, by the computing processor, a fault value associated with the received one or more fault messages. The fault value indicative of a period of time or a number of events from an initial received fault message. The method also includes transmitting, from the computing processor to a third party in communication with the computing processor, the fault value. The method also includes receiving, from the third party, a service notification, and displaying, on a display in communication with the computing processor, the service notification.

Abstract: A method of notifying an owner of a fault associated with a vehicle system of a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a computing processor, one or more fault messages from a vehicle system of the vehicle. Each fault message includes a fault source identifying the vehicle system, a fault time identifying a time of the fault, and a fault description. The method also includes determining, by the computing processor, a fault value associated with the received one or more fault messages. The fault value indicative of a period of time or a number of events from an initial received fault message. The method also includes transmitting, from the computing processor to a third party in communication with the computing processor, the fault value. The method also includes receiving, from the third party, a service notification, and displaying, on a display in communication with the computing processor, the service notification.

Abstract: A method of notifying a driver of a fault associated with a vehicle system of a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a computing processor, one or more fault signals from a vehicle system of the vehicle. Each fault signal includes a fault source identifying the vehicle system, a fault time identifying a time of the fault, and a fault description. The method also includes determining, by the computing processor, a fault value associated with the received one or more fault signals. The fault value indicative of a period of time or a number of events from an initial received fault signal. The method also includes transmitting, from the computing processor to a third party in communication with the computing processor, the fault value. The method also includes receiving, from the third party, a service notification, and displaying, on a display in communication with the computing processor, the service notification.

Abstract: A method of notifying a driver of a fault associated with a vehicle system is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more fault signals from a vehicle system. Each fault signal includes a fault source, a fault time, and a fault description. The method includes determining a fault value associated with the received one or more fault signals. The fault value associated with a period of time or a number of events from an initial received fault signal. The method also includes executing on the computing processor a behavior system. The behavior system receives the fault signal and executes one or more behaviors from a first level of behaviors in response to the fault value being less than a first threshold value, and one or more behaviors from a second level of behaviors in response to the fault value being greater than the first threshold value.

Abstract: A method of determining compatibility between a hardware device and a software application includes the step of initializing a boot loader application. Initialization of the boot loader application includes verifying the presence and validity of a software application. Once the software application has been validated by the boot loader application, control is transferred to the software application. The software application determines compatibility by checking a hardware identifier stored in a substantially permanent memory location. If the hardware identifier matches the software application, the software application operates normally. If the hardware identifier does not match the software application, control of the hardware device is transferred back to the boot loader application for reprogramming with a compatible program.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection activation system includes a satellite sensor which communicates with a safety controller for controlling each safety system. If a heightened likelihood of a vehicle crash or roll-over condition exists, the satellite sensor sends a safing message to the safety controller. When the safing message is received by the safety controller, it responds to the satellite sensor with a safing response including a seed message therein. The seed message is temporarily stored in the safety controller and is also stored by the satellite sensor. If it is determined that the event requires deployment, the satellite sensor sends a deploy command to the safety controller that includes the seed message therein to authenticate the command. The safing controller is thus assured that the deploy command is authorized and inadvertent deployment due to a single point fault in the satellite sensor is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection activation system includes a satellite sensor which communicates with a safety controller for controlling each safety system. If a heightened likelihood of a vehicle crash or roll-over condition exists, the satellite sensor sends a safing message to the safety controller. When the safing message is received by the safety controller, it responds to the satellite sensor with a safing response including a seed message therein. The seed message is temporarily stored in the safety controller and is also stored by the satellite sensor. If it is determined that the event requires deployment, the satellite sensor sends a deploy command to the safety controller that includes the seed message therein to authenticate the command. The safing controller is thus assured that the deploy command is authorized and inadvertent deployment due to a single point fault in the satellite sensor is prevented.