Abstract: A system includes a vehicle, a vehicle communications platform (VCP), and an in-vehicle biometric system. The VCP is programmed to recognize a sequence of events. The sequence of events includes a transmission of the vehicle shifting from drive to park, an engine of the vehicle is on, and the transmission of the vehicle shifting back from park to drive. The VCP is further programmed to, in response to the sequence of events, monitor a distance that the vehicle travels or monitor a time since an occurrence of the sequence of events, and to instruct the in-vehicle biometric system to enter an authentication mode after a set time has passed since the occurrence of the sequence of events or after the vehicle has traveled a set distance since the occurrence of the sequence of events. The in-vehicle biometric system is responsive to instructions from the VCP and initiates an authentication routine.

Abstract: A method and system for providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device includes receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device; linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; and communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device via the interface device.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle, a vehicle communications platform (VCP), and an in-vehicle biometric system. The VCP is programmed to recognize a sequence of events. The sequence of events includes a transmission of the vehicle shifting from drive to park, an engine of the vehicle is on, and the transmission of the vehicle shifting back from park to drive. The VCP is further programmed to, in response to the sequence of events, monitor a distance that the vehicle travels or monitor a time since an occurrence of the sequence of events, and to instruct the in-vehicle biometric system to enter an authentication mode after a set time has passed since the occurrence of the sequence of events or after the vehicle has traveled a set distance since the occurrence of the sequence of events. The in-vehicle biometric system is responsive to instructions from the VCP and initiates an authentication routine.

Abstract: A system and method for reminding a user to dock a mobile device in a docking apparatus within a vehicle are provided. A docking apparatus includes: one or more sensors for determining whether an object is present in the docking apparatus; and at least one of speakers, a vibration mechanism, and one or more display indicators for reminding a user to place the mobile device in the docking apparatus when the one or more sensors determine that an object is not present in the docking apparatus. A system includes the docking apparatus and a mobile device. The method includes receiving an indication that the vehicle ignition is turned on; determining whether the mobile device is in a docking apparatus; and reminding the user to dock the mobile device in the docking apparatus.

Abstract: Vehicle-related messaging methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one of the methods, a telematics unit disposed in a vehicle detects that the vehicle is no longer in operation. Upon making the detection, the telematics unit automatically transmits a message to a device, where the message includes a suggestion, a recommendation, an indication, or a notification pertaining to a vehicle utility. An application resident on the device, or on a cloud computing system in communication with the device, presents the message on the device by displaying i) the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification and ii) a plurality of actionable items associated with the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification.

Abstract: A method is provided for energy management for a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes: determining, by a processor, that a mobile device is co-located with the telematics unit while vehicle ignition of the vehicle is on, wherein the mobile device is registered as being associated with the telematics unit; determining, by the processor, that the vehicle ignition has been turned off; determining, by the processor, a location of the vehicle corresponding to where the vehicle ignition was turned off and determining, by the processor, a location of the mobile device; and implementing, by the processor, situation-specific energy management based on the determined location of the vehicle and the determined location of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for local broadcasting of messages from a wireless mobile device to many others located within the same geographic area. This can be done using SMS messaging wherein a message to be broadcast is addressed to a particular designated address and, when received by a wireless carrier system, is checked to determine that it came from an authorized sender, and then is broadcasted by the wireless carrier system to a geographically-limited area within which the sending wireless mobile device is located.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for synchronizing a mobile application on a mobile device with a DRx (discontinuous receive) schedule of a vehicle. When the vehicle ignition is turned off, a telecommunications unit on the vehicle sends a synchronization message to the mobile device, which allows the mobile application to synchronize with the DRx schedule of the vehicle. The DRx schedule includes a standby mode, a cyclic mode, and a powered down mode for the vehicle, and user requests inputted into the mobile application will be processed according to the mobile application's determination of vehicle availability during those modes. The mobile application is thus able to inform the user of the vehicle status at any point during the vehicle's DRx schedule without requiring any further information from the vehicle after the synchronization message.

Abstract: A method of collecting vehicle operating information using a wireless device includes the steps of communicatively linking a wireless device located within a vehicle to a vehicle telematics unit; receiving vehicle data at the wireless device from the vehicle telematics unit using the link; recording the received vehicle data at the wireless device; detecting that the wireless device is no longer present in the vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting the recorded vehicle data to a central facility using the wireless capabilities of the wireless device based on the detection.

Abstract: A method is provided for energy management for a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes: determining, by a processor, that a mobile device is co-located with the telematics unit while vehicle ignition of the vehicle is on, wherein the mobile device is registered as being associated with the telematics unit; determining, by the processor, that the vehicle ignition has been turned off; determining, by the processor, a location of the vehicle corresponding to where the vehicle ignition was turned off and determining, by the processor, a location of the mobile device; and implementing, by the processor, situation-specific energy management based on the determined location of the vehicle and the determined location of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method is provided for user customization and context-based adjustment of a discontinuous reception (DRx) schedule for a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a telematics unit of the vehicle, user input of DRx schedule information; determining, by the telematics unit, that ignition of the vehicle has been switched off; determining, by the telematics unit, an applicable DRx schedule from a plurality of DRx schedules, wherein the plurality of DRx schedules are based on the user input DRx schedule information; and executing, by the telematics unit, the applicable DRx schedule. The method further includes adjustment of the applicable DRx schedule based on a contextual parameter.

Abstract: An in-vehicle controller recognizes that a predetermined driver is operating a vehicle, and, based upon the driver, denies access to an in-vehicle reward feature set. The in-vehicle controller receives data from at least one vehicle system, the data being indicative of driving behavior of the driver, and compares the data with i) positive metrics and ii) negative metrics to categorize the driving behavior. The in-vehicle controller recognizes, from the comparison, that the data matches a predetermined number of the positive metrics, and categorizes the driving behavior as positive driving behavior. In response to the positive driving behavior, a signal is provided; and responsive to the signal, the driver is rewarded by granting access to at least one member of the previously denied in-vehicle reward feature set.

Abstract: A method and a system for in-vehicle function control are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, an in-vehicle controller recognizes that a predetermined driver is operating a vehicle. The in-vehicle controller receives data from at least one vehicle system, the data being indicative of a driving behavior of the predetermined driver. The in-vehicle controller compares the data with any of i) positive metrics or ii) negative metrics to categorize the driving behavior. In response to the categorized driving behavior, a signal is provided. In response to the signal, access is granted to any of (i) an infotainment function or (ii) an increased number or range associated with an infotainment function, if the categorized driving behavior is associated with a predetermined number of the positive metrics.

Abstract: An aftermarket device is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the aftermarket device includes, but is not limited to, a housing that is configured to be mounted to an internal surface of a vehicle. The aftermarket device further includes, but is not limited to a processor that is mounted within the housing. The aftermarket device still further includes, but is not limited to, a mounting sensor that is associated with the housing and that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The mounting sensor is configured to detect a mounting status of the housing and to provide a signal to the processor. The signal contains information indicative of the mounting status of the housing. The processor is configured to determine that the housing is improperly mounted to the internal surface of the vehicle based on the mounting status.

Abstract: The described system and method provides for the auctioning of radio presets in a vehicle and loading radio preset information into radio preset slots of the vehicle including different types of presets and different sets of preset information corresponding to different preset zones. Multiple auctions may be conducted for each vehicle or group of vehicles, and the auctions may be based on a variety of factors such as different types of presets, different preset zones, number of vehicles, type of vehicles, etc. Once the auction or auctions are won, radio preset slots corresponding to the results of the auctions may be loaded into vehicles at the manufacturer, dealership, or upon the occurrence of a geobox trigger when a vehicle is determined to be inside a particular preset zone.

Abstract: An enhanced vehicle key fob includes a controller that is coupled to a power source, an antenna, and an accelerometer that measures the acceleration of the enhanced vehicle key fob and outputs the measurement to the controller, wherein the enhanced vehicle key fob controls a vehicle function of a vehicle using the output of the accelerometer.

Abstract: An enhanced vehicle key fob includes a controller that is coupled to a power source, an antenna, and an accelerometer that measures the acceleration of the enhanced vehicle key fob and outputs the measurement to the controller, wherein the enhanced vehicle key fob controls a vehicle function of a vehicle using the output of the accelerometer.

Abstract: A method and system of selectively permitting access to a vehicle Wi-Fi network includes establishing a plurality of vehicular Wi-Fi access levels each of which provide access to different features at a vehicle; generating a short-range wireless signal that provides Wi-Fi network access at the vehicle; associating a wireless device with one of the established vehicular Wi-Fi access levels; receiving an identity of the wireless device at the vehicle via the short-range wireless signal; determining the level of Wi-Fi access associated with the received identity using the vehicle telematics unit; and controlling access to the different features according to the determined level of Wi-Fi access level associated with the received identity.

Abstract: A collision sensor, a collision sensing system, and a method of mounting a collision sensor to a vehicle are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the collision sensor includes, but is not limited to, a processor and a three-axis accelerometer that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The three-axis accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration experienced by a vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of the acceleration. The processor is configured to obtain the signal from the three-axis accelerometer and to determine when the vehicle has experienced a collision based, at least in part, on the signal.

Abstract: An aftermarket module arrangement for installation into a vehicle having a vehicle bus and an electric power source is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a module configured to communicatively couple with the vehicle bus and to electrically couple with the electric power source via a first electric power line, and further configured to engage in power line communications over the first electric power line. The arrangement further includes an aftermarket module configured to electrically couple with the electric power source over a second electric power line and to engage in power line communications over the second electric power line. The aftermarket module is further configured to communicatively couple with the module via power line communications and to communicate over the vehicle bus through the module.