Abstract: A system and method of providing an immersive media experience to a user through utilizing one or more vehicle system modules (VSMs) included in a vehicle, wherein the method includes: establishing a connection with a media control device, wherein the media control device includes a display; determining whether the media control device is authorized to control the one or more VSMs as a part of the immersive media experience; receiving an immersive media control request from the media control device, wherein the immersive media control request includes a request from the media control device to perform one or more vehicle functions using the VSMs during playback of immersive media content, and wherein the playback of the immersive media content includes visually perceptible media content that is displayed using the display of the media control device; and controlling the one or more VSMs according to the received VSM control requests.

Abstract: A system and method of activating and using an auxiliary key fob with a vehicle, including the steps of: pairing the auxiliary key fob and the vehicle; receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the auxiliary key fob for use with the vehicle; activating the auxiliary key fob in a particular access mode for use with the vehicle; receiving a SRWC credentials signal from the auxiliary key fob at a SRWC passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle; after receiving the SRWC credentials signal, sending information included in or derived from the SRWC credentials signal to the VSM of the vehicle; determining that the auxiliary key fob is authorized at the VSM based at least in part on the information sent to the VSM; and carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination.

Abstract: A system and method of enabling an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) device to augment image or video data using a virtual vehicle skin, wherein the method is carried out by vehicle electronics included within a vehicle, the method including: establishing a connection to the AR/VR device using a wireless communications device included in the vehicle electronics of the vehicle; and sending a virtual vehicle skin response to the AR/VR device via the established connection, wherein the AR/VR device is configured to obtain background video and to display the virtual vehicle skin over the obtained background video so that the virtual vehicle skin overlays a portion of the vehicle, and wherein the virtual vehicle skin response includes the virtual vehicle skin or virtual vehicle skin access information that can be used by the AR/VR device to derive or obtain the virtual vehicle skin.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomously navigating a vehicle toward a passenger route endpoint using a telematics unit installed in the vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of determining that the vehicle is approaching the passenger route endpoint and remotely navigating the vehicle by identifying a passenger endpoint location near the passenger route endpoint using at least a remote facility separate from the vehicle. The passenger endpoint location may be determined from at least a current or real-time status of a passenger endpoint condition at the passenger route endpoint.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle using virtual vehicle controls, wherein the method includes: capturing image or video data from an area within an interior of the vehicle; sending a virtual vehicle control graphics request to a vehicle; receiving virtual vehicle control graphics response from the vehicle, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics response includes virtual vehicle control graphics; and presenting the captured image or video data and the virtual vehicle control graphics on a display of the AR/VR device such that the virtual vehicle control graphics are presented over the captured image or video data, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics includes one or more vehicle-user interface components.

Abstract: A system and method to obtain vehicle positional information as it is traveling. The method of generating a vehicle path includes obtaining a first position of a vehicle; monitoring an occurrence of a positional trigger event; after the occurrence of the positional trigger event, obtaining a second position of the vehicle; and transmitting the first and second positions to a storage device wherein the first and second positions form the path. The disclosure also provides for a system to generate the path of the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system module configured to perform the various steps described herein.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an immersive media experience to a user through utilizing one or more vehicle system modules (VSMs) included in a vehicle, wherein the method includes: establishing a connection with a media control device, wherein the media control device includes a display; determining whether the media control device is authorized to control the one or more VSMs as a part of the immersive media experience; receiving an immersive media control request from the media control device, wherein the immersive media control request includes a request from the media control device to perform one or more vehicle functions using the VSMs during playback of immersive media content, and wherein the playback of the immersive media content includes visually perceptible media content that is displayed using the display of the media control device; and controlling the one or more VSMs according to the received VSM control requests.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle using virtual vehicle controls, wherein the method includes: capturing image or video data from an area within an interior of the vehicle; sending a virtual vehicle control graphics request to a vehicle; receiving virtual vehicle control graphics response from the vehicle, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics response includes virtual vehicle control graphics; and presenting the captured image or video data and the virtual vehicle control graphics on a display of the AR/VR device such that the virtual vehicle control graphics are presented over the captured image or video data, wherein the virtual vehicle control graphics includes one or more vehicle-user interface components.

Abstract: A system and method of enabling an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) device to augment image or video data using a virtual vehicle skin, wherein the method is carried out by vehicle electronics included within a vehicle, the method including: establishing a connection to the AR/VR device using a wireless communications device included in the vehicle electronics of the vehicle; and sending a virtual vehicle skin response to the AR/VR device via the established connection, wherein the AR/VR device is configured to obtain background video and to display the virtual vehicle skin over the obtained background video so that the virtual vehicle skin overlays a portion of the vehicle, and wherein the virtual vehicle skin response includes the virtual vehicle skin or virtual vehicle skin access information that can be used by the AR/VR device to derive or obtain the virtual vehicle skin.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB) port configured to receive a plug of a wired connection to an external system for the transfer of at least one of power or data. The system further includes a processor coupled to the USB port and configured to at least facilitate the transfer of the at least one of power or data between the vehicle and the external system via the USB port.

Abstract: A system and method of presenting vehicle information to a user at a handheld mobile device, the method including: receiving a request from a user for vehicle information; sending a vehicle information request to a remote server, wherein the vehicle information request includes a location associated with the user; receiving a vehicle information response at the handheld mobile device, wherein the vehicle information response includes information pertaining to one or more vehicles within a predetermined distance of the location associated with the user; displaying a camera feed on a visual display of the handheld mobile device; based on the information pertaining to the one or more vehicles, generating one or more graphics representing at least part of the information pertaining to the one or more vehicles; and displaying the one or more graphics over the camera feed on the visual display of the handheld mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method of presenting vehicle information to a user at a handheld mobile device, the method including: receiving a request from a user for vehicle information; sending a vehicle information request to a remote server, wherein the vehicle information request includes a location associated with the user; receiving a vehicle information response at the handheld mobile device, wherein the vehicle information response includes information pertaining to one or more vehicles within a predetermined distance of the location associated with the user; displaying a camera feed on a visual display of the handheld mobile device; based on the information pertaining to the one or more vehicles, generating one or more graphics representing at least part of the information pertaining to the one or more vehicles; and displaying the one or more graphics over the camera feed on the visual display of the handheld mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method of enabling a user to select a location for vehicle pickup, wherein the method is carried out by a handheld mobile device, and wherein the method includes: obtaining vehicle reservation information pertaining to a vehicle reservation, wherein the vehicle reservation information includes a reservation start location; displaying a camera feed on a visual display of the mobile device, wherein the camera feed is video data that is obtained by a camera included on the mobile device; receiving a vehicle pickup selection from a user, wherein the vehicle pickup selection is generated by a user selecting an area for pickup that is within a field of view of the camera; and sending a vehicle pickup selection message to the remote server, wherein the vehicle pickup selection message includes the vehicle pickup selection.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a key fob for use in a car sharing vehicle access system, including the steps of: authenticating the key fob for use with a specific vehicle; receiving a key fob activation command; obtaining an authorization to control, using the vehicle commands, at least some vehicle functions on the vehicle; in response to obtaining the authorization, enabling transmissions of any one or more of the vehicle commands from the key fob; receiving a user input requesting that one of the vehicle commands be sent to the vehicle; sending the requested one of the vehicle commands to the vehicle; and subsequently removing the authorization such that the key fob is disabled from further controlling the vehicle functions.

Abstract: A system and method to obtain vehicle positional information as it is traveling. The method of generating a vehicle path includes obtaining a first position of a vehicle; monitoring an occurrence of a positional trigger event; after the occurrence of the positional trigger event, obtaining a second position of the vehicle; and transmitting the first and second positions to a storage device wherein the first and second positions form the path. The disclosure also provides for a system to generate the path of the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system module configured to perform the various steps described herein.

Abstract: A method for determining vehicle location via a mobile computing device includes: determining, by an application of the mobile computing device, a first signal strength corresponding to a communications component of a vehicle and a first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength; detecting, by the application, a signal drop event corresponding to a loss of the signal corresponding to the communications component of the vehicle; determining, by the application, in response to detecting the signal drop event, the first mobile device location corresponding to the first signal strength as the vehicle location based on the first mobile device location being the most recent location at which a recorded signal strength was at a highest level; and providing, by the application, a notification indicating the vehicle location to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method of performing vehicle navigation services in coordination with a handheld wireless device that involves determining a vehicle location at a vehicle using a vehicle telematics unit of the vehicle; identifying a plurality of points-of-interest (POIs) within a predetermined range of the vehicle location; detecting a vehicle occupant has exited the vehicle; sending an instruction from the vehicle that directs a handheld wireless device associated with the vehicle occupant or the vehicle to begin generating location data; and receiving the location data from the handheld wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method of performing vehicle navigation services in coordination with a handheld wireless device that involves determining a vehicle location at a vehicle using a vehicle telematics unit of the vehicle; identifying a plurality of points-of-interest (POIs) within a predetermined range of the vehicle location; detecting a vehicle occupant has exited the vehicle; sending an instruction from the vehicle that directs a handheld wireless device associated with the vehicle occupant or the vehicle to begin generating location data; and receiving the location data from the handheld wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method of regulating access to a short-range wireless communications network using an ultrasonic audible signal includes: receiving a handheld wireless device identifier at a short-range wireless network from a handheld wireless device that is within a communication range of the short-range wireless network; determining that the handheld wireless device is authorized to access the short-range wireless network using the handheld wireless device identifier; and broadcasting an audio signal at an ultrasonic frequency through an audio system, wherein the audio signal includes information used by the handheld wireless device for authentication to the short-range wireless communications network in response.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB) port configured to receive a plug of a wired connection to an external system for the transfer of at least one of power or data. The system further includes a processor coupled to the USB port and configured to at least facilitate the transfer of the at least one of power or data between the vehicle and the external system via the USB port.