Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle using a key fob, including the steps of: establishing an association between the key fob and the vehicle; receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the key fob for use with the vehicle; in response to the activation request, activating the key fob for use with the vehicle; receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal from the key fob at a passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle; after receiving the RF signal, sending information included in or derived from the RF signal to a vehicle system module (VSM) of the vehicle; determining that the key fob is authorized based at least in part on the information at the VSM; and carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination that the key fob is authorized.

Abstract: A system and method of activating and using an auxiliary key fob with a vehicle, including the steps of: pairing the auxiliary key fob and the vehicle; receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the auxiliary key fob for use with the vehicle; activating the auxiliary key fob in a particular access mode for use with the vehicle; receiving a SRWC credentials signal from the auxiliary key fob at a SRWC passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle; after receiving the SRWC credentials signal, sending information included in or derived from the SRWC credentials signal to the VSM of the vehicle; determining that the auxiliary key fob is authorized at the VSM based at least in part on the information sent to the VSM; and carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination.

Abstract: According to one example, a key fob for peer-to-peer vehicle sharing is provided. The key fob includes a communications module and a remote enablement module. The communications module is configured to obtain a remote enablement command indicating a rental period for a vehicle associated with the key fob. The remote enablement module is configured to enable one or more functions of the key fob during the rental period based on the remote enablement command.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a key fob for use in a car sharing vehicle access system, including the steps of: authenticating the key fob for use with a specific vehicle; receiving a key fob activation command; obtaining an authorization to control, using the vehicle commands, at least some vehicle functions on the vehicle; in response to obtaining the authorization, enabling transmissions of any one or more of the vehicle commands from the key fob; receiving a user input requesting that one of the vehicle commands be sent to the vehicle; sending the requested one of the vehicle commands to the vehicle; and subsequently removing the authorization such that the key fob is disabled from further controlling the vehicle functions.

Abstract: A method for determining vehicle location via a mobile computing device includes: determining, by an application of the mobile computing device, a first signal strength corresponding to a communications component of a vehicle and a first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength; detecting, by the application, a signal drop event corresponding to a loss of the signal corresponding to the communications component of the vehicle; determining, by the application, in response to detecting the signal drop event, the first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength as the vehicle location based on the first mobile device location being the most recent location at which a recorded signal strength was at a highest level; and providing, by the application, a notification indicating the vehicle location to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication system and method utilizing the communication system. The method includes performing a vehicle function based on a proximity of two wireless devices to a vehicle. The steps of method include: establishing a short-range wireless communication (SRWC) link between a SRWC system on the vehicle and a first wireless device; establishing another SRWC link between the SRWC system and a second wireless device, wherein the first and second wireless devices are associated with a common user; receiving a wireless signal at the SRWC system from each of the first and second wireless devices; determining a proximity of the two wireless devices based on receiving the wireless signals; and performing a vehicle function based on the determined location.

Abstract: A communication system and method utilizing the communication system. The method includes performing a vehicle function based on a proximity of two wireless devices to a vehicle. The steps of method include: establishing a short-range wireless communication (SRWC) link between a SRWC system on the vehicle and a first wireless device; establishing another SRWC link between the SRWC system and a second wireless device, wherein the first and second wireless devices are associated with a common user; receiving a wireless signal at the SRWC system from each of the first and second wireless devices; determining a proximity of the two wireless devices based on receiving the wireless signals; and performing a vehicle function based on the determined location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communication and identifying a request type based on the received request. The method further includes associating the identified request type with at least one service type within a service type table, wherein the service type table maps one or more request types to a corresponding service type within the service type table. The method additionally includes determining a service type number based on the corresponding service type. The method may further include providing the determined service type number and out-pulsing the provided service type number. The method may additionally include determining the identified request type does not map to the corresponding service type and out-pulsing the received request to initiate communication.

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: The invention provides a method of transitioning between voice and data communications with a mobile vehicle. A switch-to-voice command signal is sent from a call center modem pool to the mobile vehicle, and a vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal is received at the call center. A call from the call center modem pool is switched to a call center advisor in response to the vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: A system and method provides secure authentication of a wireless communication channel for a vehicle telematics device that includes detecting a wireless access point within radio range of a telematics device, requesting authentication information for the access point through a first secure communication channel to a call center, receiving authentication information for the wireless access point from the call center through the first secure communication channel, and providing authentication information for the telematics device to the wireless access point through a second secure communication channel. A computer readable medium storing a computer program is described for implementing one or more steps of the method.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of deploying disaster alerts to a mobile vehicle. The method includes determining disaster area coordinates of a disaster area and calculating buffer coordinates of a buffer region based on the disaster area coordinates. The method further describes a vehicle circle based on a radius of at least one location coordinate of the mobile vehicle and compares the vehicle circle with the buffer region coordinates. The disaster area coordinates are compared with the vehicle circle. The method then deploys at least one disaster alert based on the comparison of the vehicle circle and buffer region coordinates and disaster area coordinates.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining an internet connection. The method provides for sending an internet connection request from a call center to a vehicle telematics unit and for providing an IP address and server call in parameters to the vehicle telematics unit. The method also receives an internet connection at the provided IP address with the server call in parameters from the telematics unit at the call center.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of initiating a telematics service to a mobile vehicle. A service initiation is received from a call center. A caller identification number of the service initiation is determined. A vehicle service function is determined based on the caller identification number.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reestablishing wireless communications for a mobile vehicle. After a communication link failure on a first communication link is detected, it is determined whether to reconnect on the first communication link based on at least one communication condition factor, and then an attempt is made to establish a second communication link based on the communication condition factor determination.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of transitioning between voice and data communications with a mobile vehicle. A switch-to-voice command signal is sent from a call center modem pool to the mobile vehicle, and a vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal is received at the call center. A call from the call center modem pool is switched to a call center advisor in response to the vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for accessing a quiescent mobile vehicle using a wireless communication system. A vehicle communication device is placed into a discontinuous-receive mode. The vehicle communication device is periodically awakened to a service-ready mode based on the discontinuous-receive mode. A determination is made whether a short message service communication is waiting to be delivered during the service-ready mode. A short message service communication is received in response to the short message service communication determination, and an operation is performed based on the received short message service communication.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of transitioning between voice and data communications with a mobile vehicle. A switch-to-voice command signal is sent from a call center modem pool to the mobile vehicle, and a vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal is received at the call center. A call from the call center modem pool is switched to a call center advisor in response to the vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of initiating a telematics service to a mobile vehicle. A service initiation is received from a call center. A caller identification number of the service initiation is determined. A vehicle service function is determined based on the caller identification number.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reestablishing wireless communications for a mobile vehicle. After a communication link failure on a first communication link is detected, it is determined whether to reconnect on the first communication link based on at least one communication condition factor, and then an attempt is made to establish a second communication link based on the communication condition factor determination.