Abstract: A system and method for executing vehicle tasks. The method carried out by the system includes: establishing one or more vehicle communication tasks, delaying execution of the one or more vehicle communication tasks; subsequently receiving a remote vehicle power activation command, and initiating at least one of the vehicle communication tasks in response to the remote vehicle power activation command prior to a vehicle drive event. An example system for executing vehicle tasks may include a remote server in communication with a vehicle. The remote server may be configured to communicate with the vehicle to implement one or more vehicle tasks, and to initiate at least one of the tasks in response to a user-initiated vehicle power activation command sent to the vehicle. The server may initiate the task(s) prior to a vehicle drive event.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle communications system and a method of using that system to provide over-the-air (OTA) data from a vehicle backend system to a target vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving wireless carrier system (WCS)-associated data from a plurality of vehicles that are associated with the backend system; in response to the receiving step, determining a preferred geographic communication region from among a plurality of geographic communication regions, wherein the determination includes determining that the preferred geographic communication region meets or exceeds a quality of service (QoS) threshold that at least some of the remaining plurality of geographic communication regions do not meet or exceed; and in response to the determining step, transmitting the OTA data from the backend system to the target vehicle when the target vehicle is within the preferred geographic communication region.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle communications system and a method of using that system to provide over-the-air (OTA) data from a vehicle backend system to a target vehicle. The method includes the steps of: receiving wireless carrier system (WCS)-associated data from a plurality of vehicles that are associated with the backend system; in response to the receiving step, determining a preferred geographic communication region from among a plurality of geographic communication regions, wherein the determination includes determining that the preferred geographic communication region meets or exceeds a quality of service (QoS) threshold that at least some of the remaining plurality of geographic communication regions do not meet or exceed; and in response to the determining step, transmitting the OTA data from the backend system to the target vehicle when the target vehicle is within the preferred geographic communication region.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of using the communication system to install a vehicle update in a vehicle system module (VSM) onboard a vehicle while enabling the vehicle to remain in a mobilized state during the installation of the vehicle update. The method includes the steps of receiving a vehicle update for a target VSM in the vehicle while the vehicle is in the mobilized state; performing a hand-off operation procedure between a proxy device and the target VSM so that the proxy device is granted permission to execute vehicle operating instructions as if the proxy device is the target VSM; thereafter, installing the vehicle update at the target VSM; and continuing operation of the vehicle in the mobilized state using the proxy device instead of the target VSM during the installing step.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an update to vehicle system modules, wherein the method includes generating a parts manifest identifying soft parts associated with an update for the vehicle system modules, the parts manifest including one or more download link(s) relating to the soft parts in the parts manifest, and wherein the one or more download link(s) provide a location from which content associated with each of the soft parts is downloaded to a vehicle and thereafter assembled by the vehicle into an update package, transmitting the parts manifest to the vehicle, and receiving an indication from the vehicle confirming installation of the update package to the vehicle system modules.

Abstract: In a messaging system, computer readable instructions are executable by a processor of a communications server to: detect a vehicle remote start attempt that is initiated by a mobile communications device, transmit a remote start request to the vehicle, and receive a notification corresponding to success and/or failure of the attempt. If the attempt fails, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a cause of the failure encoded in a dynamic error message, decode the dynamic error message, and construct a custom failure message that is indicative of the cause of the failure. If the attempt succeeds, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to generate a success message based upon the notification corresponding to the success of the attempt. The computer readable instructions are also executable by the processor to transmit the success or custom failure message to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: In a messaging system, computer readable instructions are executable by a processor of a communications server to: detect a vehicle remote start attempt that is initiated by a mobile communications device, transmit a remote start request to the vehicle, and receive a notification corresponding to success and/or failure of the attempt. If the attempt fails, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to: receive a cause of the failure encoded in a dynamic error message, decode the dynamic error message, and construct a custom failure message that is indicative of the cause of the failure. If the attempt succeeds, the computer readable instructions are executable by the processor to generate a success message based upon the notification corresponding to the success of the attempt. The computer readable instructions are also executable by the processor to transmit the success or custom failure message to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method of task management for a vehicle telematics unit, including the steps of receiving at a vehicle task manager (VTM) a requested vehicle telematics unit task; receiving at the task manager a first evaluation event for a first condition having a THEN relation with a second condition, the first evaluation event being associated with the requested task; providing the first evaluation event to the first condition; and THEN-blocking any evaluation of second evaluation events for the second condition until the first condition evaluates as TRUE.

Abstract: A method of managing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in a vehicle includes generating at a vehicle a plurality of DTCs output from one or more diagnostic subtasks; assigning an ordinal number to each DTC independent of time based on the order in which the DTC occurred at the vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting to a central facility the plurality of DTCs along with the ordinal numbers assigned to each DTC.

Abstract: A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for communicating the vehicle status determination to an outside entity.

Abstract: A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for communicating the vehicle status determination to an outside entity.

Abstract: A voltage sequencer includes an input terminal and an output terminal and a control element connected between the input an output terminals. A capacitive element is connected between the output terminal and a first voltage and a resistive element is connected between the output terminal and a second voltage. The control element selectively controls charging and discharging of the capacitive element such that, upon the voltage at the input terminal increasing from the first voltage to a nominal value, the output terminal voltage increases to a nominal value in a first predetermined period of time and upon the voltage at the input terminal decreasing from the nominal value to the first voltage, the output terminal voltage decreases to the first voltage value in a second predetermined period of time, the first predetermined period of time being different from, for example, substantially greater than, the second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A voltage sequencer includes an input terminal and an output terminal and a control element connected between the input an output terminals. A capacitive element is connected between the output terminal and a first voltage and a resistive element is connected between the output terminal and a second voltage. The control element selectively controls charging and discharging of the capacitive element such that, upon the voltage at the input terminal increasing from the first voltage to a nominal value, the output terminal voltage increases to a nominal value in a first predetermined period of time and upon the voltage at the input terminal decreasing from the nominal value to the first voltage, the output terminal voltage decreases to the first voltage value in a second predetermined period of time, the first predetermined period of time being different from, for example, substantially greater than, the second predetermined period of time.