Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a user profile of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method comprises: generating data for displaying a selection screen of a graphical user interface in the vehicle; receiving profile personalization data based on a user interacting with the selection screen; creating a user profile based on the profile personalization data; and storing the user profile in a user profile datastore of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating navigation information to a user. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a trip that is performed by a vehicle; determining a time and a route associated with the trip; and sending the time and the route associated with the trip from the vehicle to a wireless electronic device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving image data that is captured from an occupant of the vehicle; determining a focus of the occupant of the vehicle based on the image data; and generating a user command to control the vehicle system based on the focus of the occupant.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing notification at a vehicle that a pre-paired consumer electronics device (CED) has been left inside the vehicle. The vehicle includes a processor and a vehicular system controllable via the processor. The processor can receive an alert signal that indicates that a pre-paired CED has been left inside the vehicle during a time period after a trigger event has occurred. The processor is further configured to control activation of the vehicular system, in response to receiving the alert signal, to cause the vehicular system to generate another signal that is perceptible outside the vehicle to indicate that the pre-paired CED has been left inside the vehicle.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing a notification when a vehicle has been accessed by an unauthorized person. An onboard computer system of a vehicle is activated in response to a trigger event indicating that the vehicle has been accessed. It is determined whether an authorized consumer electronics device (CED), that is associated with an authorized person, is connected to a wireless communication interface of an onboard computer system. When an authorized CED has not connected to the wireless communication interface, a notification message is communicated that indicates that the vehicle has been accessed and that an authorized CED has not connected to the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a portable communication device for communicating with a vehicle is provided. The portable communication device includes memory that stores vehicle specific information. The portable communication device further includes at least one processor that executes instructions that cause the portable communication device to enable a secure communication between a wireless end device and the vehicle based on the vehicle specific information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating with a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes memory that stores vehicle specific information and one or more vehicle instructions. At least one processor executes instructions that cause the portable communication device to securely communicate the one or more vehicle instructions from the portable communication device to the vehicle based on the vehicle specific information.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing notification at an automotive head unit (AHU) of a vehicle that a pre-paired consumer electronics device (CED), such as a wireless communication device, is outside a vehicle. When it is determined that the pre-paired CED is not connected to a wireless communication interface of the AHU, a notification can be provided to the AHU indicating that the pre-paired CED is not connected. Positional data from a location message, provided from the pre-paired CED, can then be processed to generate location data and provide the location data to the AHU.

Abstract: Mobile device-activated vehicle functions are implemented by authenticating a vehicle with a device via wireless signals transmitted between a low frequency antenna of the device and a low frequency antenna of the vehicle when the vehicle is in communicative range of the device. The mobile device-activated vehicle functions are further implemented by receiving, via computer processor embedded in the device, a selection from one of a plurality of input components embedded in the device, the selection associated with a vehicle function, and transmitting a request to implement the vehicle function via the low frequency antenna coupled to the computer processor and the low frequency antenna of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle user control system includes an interactive pad providing tactile feedback to a user and disposed on an exterior portion of a steering wheel. Also included is a controller in operable communication with the interactive pad and at least one vehicle component, wherein the controller is configured to perform at least one vehicle command associated with the at least one vehicle component.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting whether a driver of a vehicle detected an object outside of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving external sensor data that indicates a scene outside of the vehicle; receiving internal sensor data that indicates an image of the driver; determining whether the driver detected the object based on the external sensor data and the internal sensor data; and selectively generating a control signal based on whether the driver detected the object.

Abstract: A vehicle collision warning system and method that alerts a driver of an impending collision by displaying enhanced video of an upcoming road segment, where the enhanced video includes an in-path object that is highlighted so that it stands apart. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method receive video of an upcoming road segment from a forward-looking vision system, obtain certain collision data for an in-path object, and then use the video and the collision data to provide enhanced video to a visual display that is seen by the driver. The enhanced video may include an in-path object that is highlighted according to the collision data (e.g., highlighted with a color-coded scheme where the in-path object changes color based on time-to-collision data) so that it stands apart from the rest of the upcoming road segment.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide feedback system and a method of providing carbon dioxide feedback in a computer system is provided. The method includes computing an amount of carbon dioxide generation avoided by a vehicle at a processor, calculating a number of equivalent trees based on the computation, and displaying the number of equivalent trees on a display device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving image data that is captured from an occupant of the vehicle; determining a focus of the occupant of the vehicle based on the image data; and generating a user command to control the vehicle system based on the focus of the occupant.

Abstract: Remote application of vehicle control settings includes detecting a vehicle in proximity of the mobile communication device, authenticating the vehicle via a secured pairing between an identifier of the vehicle and an identifier of the mobile communication device, retrieving driver preference settings assigned to the identifier of the vehicle and the identifier of the mobile communication device, and transmitting the driver preference settings to the vehicle.

Abstract: Remote application of vehicle control settings includes detecting a vehicle in proximity of the mobile communication device, authenticating the vehicle via a secured pairing between an identifier of the vehicle and an identifier of the mobile communication device, retrieving driver preference settings assigned to the identifier of the vehicle and the identifier of the mobile communication device, and transmitting the driver preference settings to the vehicle.

Abstract: A connectivity device is provided. The connectivity device includes at least one network transceiver that communicates with a vehicle network. At least one wireless communication module communicates with a remote device. A message manager module manages communications between the at least one network transceiver and the at least one wireless communication module.

Abstract: A method of remotely starting a vehicle using a remote device is provided. The method includes: receiving a first temperature associated with the vehicle; evaluating the first temperature at the remote device; and initiating the starting of the vehicle by generating a signal to the vehicle based on the start request and the first temperature.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide feedback system and a method of providing carbon dioxide feedback in a computer system is provided. The method includes computing an amount of carbon dioxide generation avoided by a vehicle at a processor, calculating a number of equivalent trees based on the computation, and displaying the number of equivalent trees on a display device.

Abstract: A vehicle communication method is provided. The method includes receiving a first wireless communication that is transmitted from a remote device; and managing a transmission of the first wireless communication over a vehicle network using a configurable message list.