Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes an event detection system, one or more sensors, a processor, and a transceiver. The one or more sensors are configured to generate sensor data. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: receiving a first indication of a possible event having occurred for a vehicle, based at least in part on a loss of communications with the event detection system; upon receiving the first indication, determining whether the vehicle is moving, based at least in part on the sensor data; and providing instructions for transmitting an emergency call from the vehicle to a remote server, when both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: the first indication has been received; and the vehicle is not moving. The transceiver is coupled to the processor, and is configured for transmitting the emergency call in accordance with the instructions from the processor.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to responsively send vehicle information to a data center, 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 carry out the steps of: receiving vehicle identification information; sending the vehicle identification information to the data center; capturing an image of one or more third-party-vehicle identifying features in response to a request from the data center; and sending the image to the data center.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to responsively send vehicle information to a data center, 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 carry out the steps of: receiving vehicle identification information; sending the vehicle identification information to the data center; capturing an image of one or more third-party-vehicle identifying features in response to a request from the data center; and sending the image to the data center.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to prompt a user for information upon being in proximity to a vehicle, the method including: realizing a user account requires vehicle information from the user; determining whether the user is within proximity of the vehicle; and prompting the user to provide the vehicle information based on the determination of whether the user is within proximity of the 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: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate detecting when a user is disposed within the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate: identifying the user; retrieving, from a memory, a sequence of inputs that is associated with the identified user as a trigger for a customized silent alarm feature for the user; monitoring for the sequence of inputs while the user is disposed within the vehicle; and providing instructions for taking an action when the sequence of inputs is detected while the user is disposed within the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automobile vehicle remote-start operation includes linking a personal communication device of a user to an automobile vehicle. Data directed to initiation of an automobile vehicle remote start operation is collected on the personal communication device. The data is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is met, a screen prompt is generated and displayed on the personal communication device of the user requesting the user to initiate the remote-start operation. The remote-start operation is initiated by the user from the personal communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for triggering a silent alarm notification in the event the vehicle occupant comes under attack and needs to discretely signal for help. The system includes an integrated silent vehicle alarm that is triggered by the vehicle occupant by entering a pre-programmed silent alarm sequence. The silent alarm sequence is entered using OEM-installed manually actuatable devices such as door or steering wheel switches located within the vehicle. These manually actuatable devices have dual functions: a primary vehicle related function (such as opening/closing a window) and a secondary function as input devices for the silent alarm sequence. In this way the silent alarm signal utilizes devices already present in the vehicle and requires no new installation or placement of new devices. The silent alarm notification is wirelessly sent to a remote facility for vehicle tracking and emergency response.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a location of a vehicle while the vehicle is in a primary propulsion off state. The method includes: obtaining an initial vehicle location of the vehicle; detecting a vehicle trigger condition while the vehicle is in the primary propulsion off state; determining whether the vehicle has moved more than a first predetermined threshold distance from the initial vehicle location while the vehicle is in the primary propulsion off state; determining a vehicle activity factor and a vehicle location classification factor; and when it is determined that the vehicle has moved more than the first predetermined threshold distance from the initial vehicle location, carrying out a vehicle location tracking process while the vehicle is in the primary propulsion off state based on the vehicle activity factor and the vehicle location classification factor.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method of activating vehicle operations, the method including: (a) receiving, via a controller, a sequence of input signals from a plurality of device interfaces to define an activation attempt, where each device interface is configured to control operation of a corresponding vehicle aspect; (b) determining, via the controller, if the activation attempt matches an activation sequence key; and (c) activating vehicle operations, via the controller, when it is determined the activation attempt matches the activation sequence key.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a telematics unit including: a memory configured to include a program and a processor configured to execute the program, where the program enables the processor to: sense a disconnection event; in response to the disconnection event being sensed, gather telematics unit location data, transmit the location data to a remote facility, and transmit a theft alert to a remote facility.

Abstract: A method of connecting a vehicle telematics unit with a public safety access point (PSAP) includes wirelessly calling a central facility using the vehicle telematics unit that generates a reason to contact the PSAP; determining a reason to contact the PSAP during the wireless call; and receiving a computer-readable command at the vehicle telematics unit from the central facility that directs the vehicle telematics unit to end the wireless call and locally place an emergency call.

Abstract: A vehicle telematics device for a vehicle that includes an electronic processor, a wireless chipset for wireless communication to and from the vehicle, and a bus interface for receiving bus messages from a communications bus in the vehicle. The vehicle telematics device includes computer readable memory storing program code that, upon execution by the processor, causes the vehicle telematics device to: (a) monitor for messages received by the bus interface from the communications bus; (b) detect a communication failure of the communication bus based on the monitoring; (c) determine a vehicle movement that is indicative of a vehicle crash; and (d) initiate a communication with a remote facility in response to both the detection of the communication failure and the determination of the vehicle movement that is indicative of a crash a notification.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamically selecting regional network settings at a wireless device includes: determining a geographic location or a wireless carrier system identifier at the wireless device; accessing, at the wireless device, a database of regional network settings associated with geographic locations or wireless carrier system identifiers; selecting one or more regional network settings at the wireless device based on the determined geographic location or wireless carrier system identifier via a search of the database of regional network settings; and wirelessly transmitting the selected regional network setting(s) to a cell tower of a wireless carrier system.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating user-controlled vehicle settings with a remote location includes: detecting a change to one or more vehicle preference settings made by a vehicle user at a vehicle; wirelessly transmitting the vehicle preference setting(s) from the vehicle to a remote location; altering one or more default services provided to the vehicle user based on the change to the vehicle preference setting(s) made by the vehicle user; and providing the altered default service(s) to the vehicle user.

Abstract: A system to access an emergency contact during a critical event is presented herein. The system includes a memory, controller, display, and sensor. The memory includes one or more executable instructions. The controller is configured to read and execute the executable instructions. The display is configured to exhibit information. The sensor the configured to send at least one critical event signal. Moreover, the executable instructions enable the controller to: receive an emergency contact; store the emergency contact in the memory; receive (from the sensor) a critical event signal; determine the status of a critical event; transmit the emergency contact from the memory to the display; and command the display to exhibit the emergency contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting low vehicle battery charge and responding appropriately to prevent complete vehicle battery drainage. One method includes: monitoring the charge of the vehicle battery; determining, by a telematics unit, that the charge of the vehicle battery has reached a low battery charge threshold while the vehicle engine is off; and providing, by the telematics unit, a notification to a telematics subscriber that the vehicle battery has low charge. Another method includes: monitoring the charge of the vehicle battery; determining, by a telematics unit, that the charge of the vehicle battery has reached a low battery charge threshold while the vehicle engine is off; and in response to determining that the low battery charge threshold has been reached, disabling at least one load draining the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A method of connecting a vehicle telematics unit with a public safety access point (PSAP) includes wirelessly calling a central facility using the vehicle telematics unit that generates a reason to contact the PSAP; determining a reason to contact the PSAP during the wireless call; and receiving a computer-readable command at the vehicle telematics unit from the central facility that directs the vehicle telematics unit to end the wireless call and locally place an emergency call.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an engine kill device that can automatically stop the engine. The vehicle has components for determining the engine may have been errantly left running, in which case the vehicle sends a notice to the user. The vehicle is capable of receiving a response from the user with instructions to leave the engine running. If no response is received, the vehicle can activate the engine kill device and stop the engine, or the vehicle can leave the engine running if a response is received from the user indicating the engine should remain running.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a power line of a telematics unit is incorrectly wired. In one example, a system includes a first module that evaluates at least one of a validity of a global positioning system and a powered on status of the telematics unit. A second module determines that the power line of the telematics unit is incorrectly wired based on the at least one of the validity of a global positioning system and the powered on status.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an engine kill device that can automatically stop the engine. The vehicle has components for determining the engine may have been errantly left running, in which case the vehicle sends a notice to the user. The vehicle is capable of receiving a response from the user with instructions to leave the engine running. If no response is received, the vehicle can activate the engine kill device and stop the engine, or the vehicle can leave the engine running if a response is received from the user indicating the engine should remain running.