Abstract: A method of assisting recovery of a communication connectivity impaired vehicle includes detecting, by a remote vehicle service provider, a loss of the vehicle's global positioning system (GPS) connectivity. The method also includes identifying, via the remote vehicle service provider, the vehicle as having been stolen. The method additionally includes sending, by the remote vehicle service provider, a long-lived short message service (SMS) communication to a mobile communication provider in response to the identified vehicle theft. The method also includes attaching, by the mobile communication provider, the long-lived SMS communication to a network of cellular towers. The method additionally includes transmitting, via one of the cellular towers, the long-lived SMS communication to a vehicle's electronic controller when the vehicle is within transmitting range of the subject tower.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle control systems and logic for provisioning remote vehicle services (RVS), methods for making/using such systems, and wireless-enabled vehicles executing RVS operations governed by such systems. A method of controlling an RVS operation of a vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving, either directly or indirectly, a request to activate the RVS operation. Responsive to receiving the RVS activation request, wireless signal data is collected to determine wireless signal states of the subject vehicle and of multiple crowd-sourced vehicles proximal to the subject vehicle. Using the host vehicle's and crowd-sourced vehicles' wireless signal states, a signal state heatmap is generated with a spatial mapping of signal state magnitudes as a map overlay. The heatmap visualizes a signal state magnitude in an area surrounding the host vehicle.

Abstract: Herein, a technology is discussed that facilitates the reduction of vehicle-related crime by disabling the use of a vehicle's engine when the vehicle is parked in a high-risk crime zone. The technology includes a method that sends a parked location of the vehicle to a data center and receives, from the data center, an indication to enable remote ignition block (RIB) of the vehicle when the parked location is part of a high-risk crime zone. In response, the vehicle enables RIB so that its engine will not start.