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 system and method of regulating access to a short-range wireless communications network using an ultrasonic audible signal includes: receiving a handheld wireless device identifier at a short-range wireless network from a handheld wireless device that is within a communication range of the short-range wireless network; determining that the handheld wireless device is authorized to access the short-range wireless network using the handheld wireless device identifier; and broadcasting an audio signal at an ultrasonic frequency through an audio system, wherein the audio signal includes information used by the handheld wireless device for authentication to the short-range wireless communications network in response.

Abstract: Methods, autonomous vehicles, and servers for passenger service in an autonomous vehicle are provided. A method includes receiving at least one signal indicating a status of at least one passenger of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes processing the at least one signal to determine whether the at least one passenger has taken action consistent with completion of the passenger service reservation in the absence of an action that is inconsistent with completion of the passenger service reservation. The method yet further includes completing the reservation based on the processing the at least one signal. A server includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that configure the server for performing the method.

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: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.

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 selecting a modem carrier type for data transmission over a wireless communication system. An incoming call is received from a mobile vehicle and then an initial carrier tone is sent to a mobile vehicle in response to the incoming call. A modem response signal is received from a vehicle modem in response to the initial carrier tone. The modem response signal is determined to be either an analog modem response signal or a digital modem response signal, and then the call is connected to either the analog modem or digital modem based on the modem response signal determination.

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: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.