Abstract: A vehicle tracking system includes a remote portable wireless device. The system also includes a wireless transceiving device included in each of a plurality of vehicles, the wireless transceiving device in communication with a GPS device. The system further includes a server, capable of communicating with both the remote portable wireless device and each wireless transceiving device. The at least one server may receive a plurality of vehicle selections from the remote portable wireless device. The server may also determine a vehicle that corresponds to each of the plurality of selections, including a cellular phone number for each determined vehicle. The server may further transmit tracking instructions to each determined vehicle and receive GPS coordinates from each vehicle. The server may compare the received coordinates from each vehicle and report a deviance beyond a predetermined threshold to the remote portable wireless device.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and system for enabling an authorized vehicle driveaway. A vehicle driveaway authorization code for authorizing a vehicle to be driven and a user authorization code that corresponds to the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be generated. The codes may be generated by, for example, at least one server configured to generate the authorization codes. The at least one server may be communicating with a nomadic device and a vehicle driveaway authorization system. A vehicle driveaway request signal may be received. In response to a receipt of the vehicle driveaway request signal, the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be transmitted to the vehicle driveaway authorization system and the user authorization code may be transmitted to the nomadic device for input to the vehicle driveaway authorization system in order to enable the vehicle to be driven.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and systems for authorizing a vehicle driveaway. A vehicle driveaway authorization code may be received by, for example, a computer system and circuit configured to receive the vehicle authorization code. The vehicle driveaway authorization code may have a corresponding user authorization code. Input may be received at the vehicle that defines the user authorization code. An identifying signal may also be wirelessly received to identify a wireless nomadic device in a vicinity of the vehicle. It may be determined whether the nomadic device was previously wirelessly paired with the vehicle based on the identifying signal. The vehicle driveaway authorization code may be compared to the user authorization code. If the nomadic device was previously wirelessly paired with the vehicle and if the vehicle driveaway authorization code corresponds to the user authorization code, a vehicle drive may be enabled.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include detecting an unauthorized use of a vehicle in the absence of GPS location information. Vehicle component condition data may be received for one or more vehicle components. Historical vehicle component condition data for the one or more vehicle components may also be received. A comparison between the vehicle component condition data and the historical vehicle component condition data may be performed in order to determine if an inconsistency exists between the vehicle component condition data and the historical vehicle component condition data based on the comparison. Upon determining the inconsistency, an alert signal signifying an unauthorized use may be generated. At least one of the vehicle component condition data and the alert signal may be transmitted to a remote terminal to alert a user of the unauthorized use.

Abstract: A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected.

Abstract: A method for remotely performing vehicle service functions may include receiving at a computer a request signal including at least one instruction for diagnosing a vehicle component. The method may also include retrieving one or more threshold parameters stored for determining a diagnosis of the vehicle component. A diagnostic signal together with the threshold parameters and the diagnostic instruction may be transmitted to a vehicle receiver. The determination as to whether the threshold parameters have been met is made at a vehicle. If the one or more threshold parameters are met, a return signal including diagnostic status identifiers identifying a diagnostic status of the vehicle component may be received. A message including at least one diagnostic status of the vehicle component based on the one or more diagnostic status identifiers may generated and displayed on a graphical display for vehicle diagnosis and service.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting a working condition of one or more vehicle components includes communicating with a cellular communication module in a vehicle over a telecommunications network. A vehicle component characteristic or identifier for the vehicle components is received over the telecommunication network. One or more operation status identifiers for the one or more vehicle components based on data from the vehicle is also received. A location for servicing or purchasing the one or more vehicle components based on the vehicle component characteristic or identifier is determined. A service status of the one or more vehicle components based on the one or more operation status identifiers is also determined. Based on the service status, a message including an identification of the vehicle components and a service or purchase location for the vehicle components is generated. The message is transmitted to a terminal for display.

Abstract: A method for remotely controlling one or more vehicle components includes receiving over a telecommunications network signals originating from a remote terminal. The signals include remote operation instructions for remotely operating a vehicle entertainment system component. The remote operation instructions are executed. Operation status identifiers transmitted over a vehicle data bus are received from the vehicle entertainment system component. Based on the operation status identifiers, an operating status of the vehicle entertainment system component is determined. A return signal including an operation status message and an instruction for displaying the operation status message at the remote terminal is generated. The signal is transmitted to the remote terminal for display.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for generating a speed alert with an electronic device in a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating the speed at which the vehicle is traveling on a road and receiving a speed limit signal indicating the posted speed limit for the road traveled by the vehicle. The method further comprises adding a predetermined speed buffer to the posted speed limit and comparing the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer to the vehicle speed signal. The method further comprises generating an alert if the vehicle speed signal is greater than the posted speed limit and the predetermined speed buffer.

Abstract: An upwardly extending sectional candle is provided. The candle includes adjacent upper and lower wax sections stacked vertically relative to each other, each wax section having a thickness. The candle also includes a spacer formed from a non-flammable material. The spacer has a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness, wherein the first and second surfaces have a non-flat shape. The spacer contacts the upper wax section at the first surface and the lower wax section at the second surface. Each adjacent upper and lower wax section has a wick embedded in, and extending vertically through each wax section. The adjacent upper and lower wax sections are configured to be separated into individual wax sections at the spacer, thus exposing a like-new clean wax surface of the at least one of the upper and lower individual wax sections after the candle is separated.

Abstract: The invention comprises a sectional candle apparatus. The candle is made in a plurality of sectional candle wax portions. A plurality of thin non combustable wafers separate each of the candle portions or sections from one another with openings centrally of each wafers or spacers so that one continues wick may extend through the candle portions and through the spacer. The candle can be turned by the wick down to one of the spacers and then the remaining unburned portion of one uppermost candle sectional portion broken off evenly across the spacer to provide an even top surface to the candle.

Abstract: The invention comprises a log supporting apparatus for a fireplace having three supporting legs converging upward at an angle toward one another to form a tripod. The apparatus has an upper and lower bracket fitted within the confines of the legs with the legs at 120 degree intervals about a circle and with the brackets having pins projecting outward into bores in the legs to support the legs and brackets with the legs at their inclined angle. The lower bracket is spaced above the bottom of the legs and acts to support the bottoms of the logs with the upper portions of the logs resting at an inclined angle toward one another against the upper bracket whereby ignitable material may be placed beneath the logs and the logs may be easily burned.