Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to initiate remote control of a vehicle, the method including: receiving, via a processor, an indication that a manual drive sequence should be initiated by a remotely located data center; and based on the indication, via the processor, initiating the manual drive sequence such that the data center can remotely control the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems and methods may generally provide navigation instructions in a vehicle. A navigation guidance session to a destination may be initiated at a telematics unit installed to the vehicle. Upon determination that the vehicle has been parked, example methods and systems may facilitate continuing the navigation guidance session when a park time duration is less than a pedestrian travel time associated with pedestrian travel from the vehicle parking location to the destination. Alternatively, terminating the navigation guidance session may be facilitated when the park time duration is at least equal to the pedestrian travel time.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to initiate remote control of a vehicle, the method including: receiving, via a processor, an indication that a manual drive sequence should be initiated by a remotely located data center; and based on the indication, via the processor, initiating the manual drive sequence such that the data center can remotely control the vehicle.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to tint at least a portion of a vehicle window, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: monitor ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment; and based on the ambient light, dim at least a portion of an OLED window located at a vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems and methods may generally provide navigation instructions in a vehicle. A navigation guidance session to a destination may be initiated at a telematics unit installed to the vehicle. Upon determination that the vehicle has been parked, example methods and systems may facilitate continuing the navigation guidance session when a park time duration is less than a pedestrian travel time associated with pedestrian travel from the vehicle parking location to the destination. Alternatively, terminating the navigation guidance session may be facilitated when the park time duration is at least equal to the pedestrian travel time.

Abstract: A system and method for causing a responsive vehicle action to be carried out at one or more affected vehicles in response to an emergency event. The method includes: identifying probe vehicle(s) in response to an emergency event indication, wherein the probe vehicle(s) are selected based on a proximity between an emergency event location and the vehicle(s) or a route of the vehicle(s); sending a data request to the probe vehicle(s); receiving a data response from the probe vehicle(s) at the remote server, wherein the probe data is based on onboard sensor data obtained from one or more onboard vehicle sensors; and sending a responsive vehicle action message to the affected vehicle(s), wherein the responsive vehicle action message specifies responsive vehicle action(s) to be carried out by the affected vehicle, and wherein at least one of the one or more responsive vehicle actions are determined based on the probe data.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to tint at least a portion of a vehicle window, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: monitor ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment; and based on the ambient light, dim at least a portion of an OLED window located at a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of managing short-range wireless communications (SRWC) at a vehicle, the method being carried out by vehicle electronics of the vehicle, wherein the method includes: detecting a vehicle SRWC initiation event; in response to the detection of the vehicle SRWC initiation event, sending a user data stream availability request to a remote facility; receiving a user data stream availability response from the remote facility; during a time between the detecting and receiving steps, operating a wireless communication device in an initial mode that suspends or forgoes transmission of SRWC connection message(s) pursuant to a SRWC service; determining whether to enable or disable use of the SRWC service at the wireless communications device based on the user data stream availability response; and when it is determined to enable use of the SRWC service at the wireless communications device, transmitting a SRWC connection message pursuant to the SRWC service.

Abstract: A system and method of managing short-range wireless communications (SRWC) at a vehicle, the method being carried out by vehicle electronics of the vehicle, wherein the method includes: detecting a vehicle SRWC initiation event; in response to the detection of the vehicle SRWC initiation event, sending a user data stream availability request to a remote facility; receiving a user data stream availability response from the remote facility; during a time between the detecting and receiving steps, operating a wireless communication device in an initial mode that suspends or forgoes transmission of SRWC connection message(s) pursuant to a SRWC service; determining whether to enable or disable use of the SRWC service at the wireless communications device based on the user data stream availability response; and when it is determined to enable use of the SRWC service at the wireless communications device, transmitting a SRWC connection message pursuant to the SRWC service.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to transmit one or more over-the-air software updates, the method including: (a) receiving, via a controller, a software update; (b) receiving, via a controller, a vehicle command request; (c) in response to the vehicle command request, via the controller, generating a communication package including update callback information based on the software update and a vehicle command based on the vehicle command request; and (d) transmitting, via the controller, the communication package to a vehicle. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to transmit one or more over-the-air software updates, the method including: (a) receiving, via a controller, a software update; (b) receiving, via a controller, a vehicle command request; (c) in response to the vehicle command request, via the controller, generating a communication package including update callback information based on the software update and a vehicle command based on the vehicle command request; and (d) transmitting, via the controller, the communication package to a vehicle. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Abstract: A system and method are described for managing nested sharing of vehicles. A shared vehicle server registers, in a shared vehicle database, a primary reservation by a primary borrower for a shared vehicle, that specifies a primary time period. The server receives an indication that the shared vehicle is to be made available for nested sharing during a portion of the primary time period. The server creates a nested sharing availability record, for the shared vehicle, that specifies a sub-period of the primary time period. The shared vehicle server matches the nested sharing availability record to a shared vehicle request for a secondary borrower. The shared vehicle server registers, in the vehicle database, a secondary reservation by the secondary borrower for the shared vehicle that specifies a secondary time period within the sub-period. The server tracks status of the shared vehicle during the secondary time period.

Abstract: A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location.

Abstract: A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location.

Abstract: A method is described for using a telematics system to monitor compliance with a vehicle use agreement. Monitoring is facilitated by vehicle sensors and GPS components. The method includes receiving information from onboard vehicle sensors, applying the vehicle data received from onboard vehicle sensors with pre-stored information pertaining to the vehicle use agreement, and determining whether the information acquired from onboard vehicle sensors indicates potential non-compliance with the use agreement. Information pertaining to the use agreement is stored in an onboard telematics unit or in a database maintained by a Telematics Service Provider. Upon identification of potential non-compliance with the vehicle use agreement, the telematics system notifies an interested party. Furthermore, interested parties are provided with options for addressing the detected potential non-compliance with the vehicle use agreement.

Abstract: Maintaining an electricity powered vehicle recharging database is described where updating is based on recharging information provided by a subscriber via a telematics unit on the electric vehicle relating to a recharge event. Maintaining the database is carried out by receiving an indication that a recharge event has occurred, receiving additional information pertaining to the recharge event, comparing the recharge event information with recharge information for a previous recharge event stored in the database. Based upon the received information and comparison to existing information stored in the database, the received, information is used to conditionally update the information maintained in the database maintained by the telematics service provider.