Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating prognostic information regarding a component in a vehicle. The method includes receiving a first set of data for one or more parameters corresponding to the component. The first set of data is obtained from a degradation signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle at a first predetermined frequency. The method further includes executing, at a second predetermined frequency, a set of executable instructions for assessing a condition of the component in response to the first set of data. The method further includes obtaining a second set of data indicative of repair or replacement of the component and adjusting at least one of the first predetermined frequency and the second predetermined frequency responsive to the second set of data.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating prognostic information regarding a component in a vehicle. The method includes receiving a first set of data for one or more parameters corresponding to the component. The first set of data is obtained from a degradation signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle at a first predetermined frequency. The method further includes executing, at a second predetermined frequency, a set of executable instructions for assessing a condition of the component in response to the first set of data. The method further includes obtaining a second set of data indicative of repair or replacement of the component and adjusting at least one of the first predetermined frequency and the second predetermined frequency responsive to the second set of data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing call center emergency services to one or more occupants of a vehicle having a plurality of listening zones within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The method involves detecting a potential emergency condition, sending an emergency notification to a call center, receiving a listening zone control signal identifying at least one of a plurality of listening zones in the vehicle, and supplying audio received from the identified listening zones(s) to the call center via a voice call between the vehicle and call center.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicles in a captured test fleet that includes: receiving a call at a service center from a vehicle in the captured test fleet, wherein the call is triggered based on a condition detected at the vehicle; establishing a connection between the service center and the vehicle via the call; requesting a vehicle data upload (VDU) from the vehicle via the call; completing the VDU at the service center, and storing data received from the VDU in a captured test fleet database that manages data for a plurality of vehicles included in the captured test fleet.

Abstract: A method of communicating with a vehicle is provided. The method includes: initiating a communication with a vehicle activation application of a vehicle using a personal handheld device; authenticating, using a processor, the personal handheld device based on the communication; and selectively activating one or more components of a vehicle network based on the authenticating.

Abstract: Speech recognition in a vehicle through an extrinsic device includes detecting, via the vehicle, a presence of a mobile communications device that is configured with a speech recognition component. A vehicle processor encodes data lists stored in the vehicle and transmits the data lists and a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device. In response to receiving a request to initiate a voice recognition session, the vehicle transmits the request and the vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device that causes activation of the speech recognition component. The mobile communications device retrieves the data lists via the identifier. In response to a voice command received by the speech recognition component, the speech recognition component interprets the voice command, determines an action by evaluating the voice command in view of the data lists, and transmits an instruction to the vehicle processor directing the vehicle to implement the action.

Abstract: A system for and method of speech processing for a vehicle. Speech is received from at least one vehicle occupant via a plurality of microphones corresponding to the plurality of zones in the vehicle, wherein the microphones convert the speech into speech signals. At least one active communication zone is determined in which the at least one vehicle occupant corresponding to the active communication zone is speaking Speech processing is modified in response to the determined active communication zone.

Abstract: Speech recognition in a vehicle through an extrinsic device includes detecting, via the vehicle, a presence of a mobile communications device that is configured with a speech recognition component. A vehicle processor encodes data lists stored in the vehicle and transmits the data lists and a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device. In response to receiving a request to initiate a voice recognition session, the vehicle transmits the request and the vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device that causes activation of the speech recognition component. The mobile communications device retrieves the data lists via the identifier. In response to a voice command received by the speech recognition component, the speech recognition component interprets the voice command, determines an action by evaluating the voice command in view of the data lists, and transmits an instruction to the vehicle processor directing the vehicle to implement the action.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to control climate in multiple zones of a passenger cabin of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a control unit having a receiving unit configured to receive signals from a plurality of microphones associated with each zone of the multiple zones. A determining unit is configured to determine an active microphone from the plurality of microphones based on from which microphone a strongest of the signals was received and to determine an active zone as the zone with which the active microphone is associated. The control unit further includes a fan operating unit configured to control a plurality of fans of the climate control system and to reduce a speed of the at least one fan associated with the active zone in response to the signal received from the active microphone.

Abstract: A method and system for providing call center emergency services to one or more occupants of a vehicle having a plurality of listening zones within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The method involves detecting a potential emergency condition, sending an emergency notification to a call center, receiving a listening zone control signal identifying at least one of a plurality of listening zones in the vehicle, and supplying audio received from the identified listening zones(s) to the call center via a voice call between the vehicle and call center.

Abstract: Speech processing for a vehicle, including receiving speech from a user via at least one speech microphone that converts the speech into a speech signal, receiving vehicle noise via at least one active noise control microphone that converts the noise into a vehicle noise signal, and processing the speech signal in response to the vehicle noise signal to reduce vehicle noise in the speech signal.

Abstract: A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements.

Abstract: A method of communicating with a vehicle is provided. The method includes: initiating a communication with a vehicle activation application of a vehicle using a personal handheld device; authenticating, using a processor, the personal handheld device based on the communication; and selectively activating one or more components of a vehicle network based on the authenticating.

Abstract: A system for and method of speech processing for a vehicle. Speech is received from at least one vehicle occupant via a plurality of microphones corresponding to the plurality of zones in the vehicle, wherein the microphones convert the speech into speech signals. At least one active communication zone is determined in which the at least one vehicle occupant corresponding to the active communication zone is speaking Speech processing is modified in response to the determined active communication zone.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring trigger parameters for captured test fleet vehicle data collection. The method includes selecting at least one vehicle identifier from a captured test fleet database, associating at least one trigger condition with the at least one selected vehicle identifier in the database, associating at least one vehicle parameter to be collected at an occurrence of the at least one associated trigger condition with the selected vehicle identifier in the database, and sending the at least one associated trigger condition and the at least one associated vehicle parameter from the database to a telematics unit of at least one test vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier via a wireless connection.

Abstract: A method for establishing communication with a mobile vehicle includes determining whether the mobile vehicle is within a predetermined geographic region and initiating a time trigger based on the determination. The method further includes initiating communication between the mobile vehicle and a central node via a wireless connection based on the time trigger.

Abstract: A method of managing communications for an in-vehicle telematics system includes substantially simultaneously receiving requests for communicating first and second audio signals via a vehicle audio system. The signals respectively correspond to interactive voice services (provided via a menu dialogue) from a first in-vehicle system and to a first audio messaging from a second in-vehicle system. An arbitration control selects one of the signals as a priority output and the other as a subordinate output. The priority output is provided over the audio system. A queue manager maintains the subordinate output in a queue for outputting over the audio system after priority output completion. If the first signal is the subordinate output, then the queue manager maintains a state of the menu dialogue, as of a time the priority output is selected, for continuation of the menu dialogue from the maintained state after priority output completion.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the state of health of vehicle components, sub-systems and systems on board the vehicle and/or remotely, and use collected information and data about the vehicle to establish a database for the vehicle as to the state of health of the various components, sub-systems and systems. When a customer brings a vehicle to a service center or dealership complaining about a particular problem, and the service center wishes to replace a part associated with that problem, the OEM or manufacturer can authorize or reject the replacement of the part based on review of the database as to the known state of health of the part. Therefore, only parts which may not be healthy will typically be authorized for replacement. Also, the database can be made available to customers for customer concern resolving.

Abstract: Information associated with vehicle components and sub-systems is monitored by an on-board module, and associated data, either processed or raw, is telematically transmitted to a remote data center by wireless communications. The remote data center archives the received data in a database for each separate vehicle that is part of the system. The remote data center analyzes the data to ascertain whether the data indicates a usage pattern and/or vehicle condition that may have a detrimental effect on certain vehicle components, sub-systems and systems, such as excessive component wear. For example, the data center runs pattern detection algorithms on the data to identify known usage patterns that may potentially impact normal vehicle operation. If such a usage pattern is detected, the remote data center may issue a warning to the vehicle operator, or other designated person, that such usage may have a detrimental effect on the vehicle or vehicle components.

Abstract: A method of realizing a preferred in-vehicle chime includes the steps of selecting the preferred in-vehicle chime from an Internet-enabled program or a call center, transmitting the preferred in-vehicle chime from the Internet-enabled program to a telematics unit operatively disposed within the vehicle, and transmitting the preferred in-vehicle chime from the telematics unit to a vehicle chime module disposed within the vehicle.