Abstract: A system and method for detecting an error in the installation of an electrical component in a vehicle having a vehicle bus is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to a vehicle communication interface that is configured to be communicatively coupled with the vehicle bus and to detect a first power state of the vehicle. The system further includes an aftermarket telematics unit that is configured to be electrically connected to the vehicle and to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle communication interface. The vehicle communication interface is further configured to detect a second power state of the aftermarket telematics unit, to compare the first power state with the second power state, and to alert a third party when the first power state and the second power state do not correspond with one another.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.

Abstract: An aftermarket telematics unit (“ATU”) for use with a telematics service system having a call center is disclosed herein. The ATU is adapted for mounting to a vehicle and is configured for operation in an on-mode, a standby-mode, and an off-mode. The aftermarket telematics unit includes, but is not limited to, a memory unit and a processor that is operatively connected to the memory unit. The processor is configured to send a first notification to the call center when a number of transitions from the off-mode to the on-mode experienced by the ATU exceeds a predetermined number during a first predetermined length of time. The processor is further configured to send a second notification to the call center when the ATU has been continuously operating in the on-mode for greater than a second predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.

Abstract: Various examples of a method and a system for detecting theft of an item are disclosed herein. The method includes at least detecting with an aftermarket telematics unit a loss of electrical power being supplied to the aftermarket telematics unit and switching the aftermarket telematics unit to an alternate source of electrical power. The aftermarket telematics unit detects an occurrence of a second condition subsequent to detecting the loss of electrical power. The second condition may be a movement of the aftermarket telematics unit above a predetermined speed, or a diminution of strength of a wireless signal received from a component of the vehicle to below a predetermined threshold. The unit transmits a report containing information that is indicative of a theft event to a third party when the loss of electrical power and the occurrence of the second condition are detected.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an error in the installation of an electrical component in a vehicle having a vehicle bus is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to a vehicle communication interface that is configured to be communicatively coupled with the vehicle bus and to detect a first power state of the vehicle. The system further includes an aftermarket telematics unit that is configured to be electrically connected to the vehicle and to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle communication interface. The vehicle communication interface is further configured to detect a second power state of the aftermarket telematics unit, to compare the first power state with the second power state, and to alert a third party when the first power state and the second power state do not correspond with one another.

Abstract: A method for controlling a communicatively paired device for use with a vehicle (“ATU”) includes, but is not limited to, the steps of detecting a first power state of the vehicle using a vehicle communication interface (“VCI”) that is communicatively coupled to a communication bus on the vehicle, transmitting a wireless signal corresponding to the first power state from the VCI to the communicatively paired device, and altering a second power state of the communicatively paired device to correspond with the first power state.

Abstract: An aftermarket telematics unit (“ATU”) for use with a telematics service system having a call center is disclosed herein. The ATU is adapted for mounting to a vehicle and is configured for operation in an on-mode, a standby-mode, and an off-mode. The aftermarket telematics unit includes, but is not limited to, a memory unit and a processor that is operatively connected to the memory unit. The processor is configured to send a first notification to the call center when a number of transitions from the off-mode to the on-mode experienced by the ATU exceeds a predetermined number during a first predetermined length of time. The processor is further configured to send a second notification to the call center when the ATU has been continuously operating in the on-mode for greater than a second predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.