Abstract: A method for controlling a telecommunications system of a vehicle, the system including a mobile telecommunications module embedded in the vehicle, includes determining whether the embedded mobile telecommunications module is better able to communicate with a mobile telecommunications network than is a portable mobile telecommunications device located in the vehicle, using one or more criteria. If the embedded mobile telecommunications module is better able to communicate with a mobile telecommunications network than is the portable mobile telecommunications device based on the one or more criteria, a new call is placed with a mobile telecommunications network from the embedded mobile telecommunications module.

Abstract: An interaction monitoring system for a subject vehicle includes: a spatial monitoring system including a video camera, a microphone, and an audio speaker; a telematics system; a vehicle monitoring system; and a controller. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to periodically determine, via the vehicle monitoring system, operating parameters for the subject vehicle, and detect occurrence of a vehicle stopping event being commanded by a security person. The operating parameters are captured for a predetermined period of time immediately preceding the vehicle stopping event. During the stopping event, the video camera and the microphone monitor an interaction between a vehicle operator and the security person. The interaction between the vehicle operator and the security person is evaluated, and a third-party advisor is engaged based upon the interaction between the vehicle operator and the security person.

Abstract: Methods of mapping buildings for first responders, include using a smart device app to identify data related to entrances and exits in the building; storing the data in a centralized location or smart device app; and providing the data from the centralized location to the first responders in emergency situations. The methods may include recognizing patterns of the entrances and exits with the smart device app, the smart device app collects images, such that important objects recognizing in the collected images with the smart device app. A drone may be used to assist in mapping the building and measurements, such that the images collected by the drone are subject to important object recognition. The data to create augmented reality maps that are provided to first responders in emergency situations. Third-party devices may contribute to mapping the building and external factors mapped, including type of access to house, driveway, elevation.

Abstract: A system for obtaining vehicle status data includes a location sensor configured to obtain location data for one or more connected devices in or around the vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of seats, including at least one seat without an occupant sensor. The location data is obtained based at least partially on radiofrequency waves. A command unit is adapted to receive the location data. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to obtain the vehicle status data in real time based in part on the location data of the one or more connected devices, the vehicle status data including a total number of occupants in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle has been proposed that is equipped with a processing system coupled to different sensors that may anticipate and mitigate risks leading to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. In some aspects, the processing system identifies, using a plurality of sensors and external vehicle sources over a wireless network, data elements indicating that the vehicle is a potential hazard to a pedestrian. Using the elements, the processing system may determine values of a pedestrian hazard level (PHL) that correspond to successively increasing risks. Where the PHL meets a threshold, the system may employ countermeasures to proactively mitigate the risks of pedestrian incidents.

Abstract: A system for enhanced satellite communication coverage via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system may include a satellite configured for orbiting Earth, a vehicle configured for ground transportation on Earth, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operable for relaying communication signals between the vehicle and the satellite. The system may be configured for transmitting control instructions to the UAV for controlling aerial positioning of the UAV relative to the vehicle and the satellite. The control instructions may specifying a roll, a pitch, and a yaw for orientating the UAV to point towards the satellite.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is an incapacitated state. Responsive to the incapacitation of the host vehicle, the controller detects the host vehicle being towed by a tow vehicle and identifies a wireless-enabled portable computing device (PCD) within a predefined range of the host vehicle. Responsive to the host vehicle being towed, the controller determines if the wireless-enabled PCD is on the tow vehicle while towing the host vehicle. Upon detection of a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the host vehicle's battery system while the host vehicle is being towed, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the thermal event.

Abstract: Securing package delivery via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, robots, etc. is contemplated. The package delivery may include assigning a provenance certificate to a package scheduled for drone delivery, determining a plurality of vehicles to be used in transporting the package to an autonomous receiver, determining credentials assigned to each of the vehicles, pairing the credentials with the package to generate a delivery pairing, the delivery pairing identifying the credentials of the vehicles authorized to transport the package, and transporting the delivery pairing to each of the vehicles to prevent vehicles having certificates omitted from the delivery pairing from transporting the package.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a controller adapted to selectively execute an alternative periodic connectivity mode for communication between a user of the vehicle and a remote assistance unit. The vehicle is not connected to a wireless plan. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The alternative periodic connectivity mode is activated based in part on at least one automatic trigger and/or a request from the user. The controller is adapted to assign a distinct identifier to the vehicle during execution of the alternative periodic connectivity mode. The distinct identifier is defined by a plurality of parameters, including a connection time interval, an internet protocol address range and a host port. The internet protocol address range and the host port may be dynamically configured to remain disengaged unless given a system clearance.

Abstract: A process and system to detect and provide notification of a potential effect of a thermal event related to a vehicle and a process for updating thermal event probability of a specific area based on an effect of a vehicle are provided. Identifying potential vehicle thermal events and determining their potential effect in order to provide information related to the risk to both vehicle occupants and the proper authorities facilitates providing alerts and possible evacuation routes, and facilitates authorities providing the proper response. A vehicle is identified and information related to the identified vehicle, as well as information related to an area and an existing thermal event, are obtained and probability of a thermal event starting or potential spread of an existing thermal event is determined based on the obtained information and the potential is addressed before a thermal event starts or an existing thermal event spreads.

Abstract: A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a priority of a call in an on-hold queue is presented. Determining a priority of a call is based on information received by an enterprise from a call from a vehicle with an integrated communication device where the call is placed into an on-hold queue to be answered based on its priority. Data from the vehicle with the integrated communication device includes at least a type of call, an account information associated with the vehicle, a vehicle data, and a location of the vehicle. The enterprise determines the priority of the call in the on-hold queue based on the data received from the vehicle with the integrated communication device.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing communication between a vehicle and remote assistance unit includes a telematics unit connected to the vehicle. The telematics unit is engaged in a subscription service with the remote assistance unit. A command unit is in communication with the telematics unit, the command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to determine if one or more deactivation conditions for the subscription service are met. Respective severity values for the deactivation conditions are determined. The command unit is adapted to calculate a cumulative severity index based in part on the respective severity values. An automated deactivation module is executed for the subscription service when the cumulative severity index exceeds a predefined severity threshold.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation for enclosed vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is stationary; if stationary, the controller detects a predicted onset or occurrence of a thermal event in at least one cell in the vehicle's battery system. Responsive to the detected thermal event, the controller calculates a vehicle parked in enclosed space (VPES) confidence value predictive of the host vehicle being at least partially enclosed, and determines if this VPES confidence value is greater than a preset minimum confidence level. Responsive to the detected thermal event and the VPES confidence value exceeding the minimum confidence level, the controller transmits a command signal to a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a vehicle control operation that mitigates the thermal event.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is an incapacitated state. Responsive to the incapacitation of the host vehicle, the controller detects the host vehicle being towed by a tow vehicle and identifies a wireless-enabled portable computing device (PCD) within a predefined range of the host vehicle. Responsive to the host vehicle being towed, the controller determines if the wireless-enabled PCD is on the tow vehicle while towing the host vehicle. Upon detection of a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the host vehicle's battery system while the host vehicle is being towed, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the thermal event.

Abstract: A system includes a main power unit providing power, user interfaces providing an indication of an event requiring communication with an external location, a telematics system providing communications related to telematics services, and a communication interface initiating communication between a vehicle and the location in response to the indication.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor, a computer memory, and a processor. The sensor is configured to be disposed on a vehicle, and is configured to obtain sound or vibration data for the vehicle. The computer memory is configured to store a plurality of known signatures pertaining to a plurality of different types of vehicle theft events. The processor is configured to: compare a signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures stored in the computer memory; and determine whether a vehicle theft event is occurring based on the comparing of the signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures.

Abstract: A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.