Abstract: A system and method are described for managing nested sharing of vehicles. A shared vehicle server registers, in a shared vehicle database, a primary reservation by a primary borrower for a shared vehicle, that specifies a primary time period. The server receives an indication that the shared vehicle is to be made available for nested sharing during a portion of the primary time period. The server creates a nested sharing availability record, for the shared vehicle, that specifies a sub-period of the primary time period. The shared vehicle server matches the nested sharing availability record to a shared vehicle request for a secondary borrower. The shared vehicle server registers, in the vehicle database, a secondary reservation by the secondary borrower for the shared vehicle that specifies a secondary time period within the sub-period. The server tracks status of the shared vehicle during the secondary time period.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing an EHPE (estimated horizontal positioning error) timer for reducing route calculation failures. By utilizing an EHPE timer, a GPS unit may continue to check for GPS signal until the EHPE timer expires before reporting route calculation failure to the user. Thus, in situations where GPS signal is only temporarily lost and current location information is only temporarily degraded, user route requests will not necessarily result in route calculation failure. In preferred implementations, the system and method are implemented within the context of a telematics unit in a vehicle or in the context of a call center.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for managing personalization information used to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. In particular, the method performed by the system includes establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that enable a vehicle user to establish, store (in a limited access storage location), and restore personalization information for the vehicle user on a vehicle. In particular the system manages personalization information to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. The system is configured to carry out the method including establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that enable a vehicle user to establish, store (in a limited access storage location), and restore personalization information for the vehicle user on a vehicle. In particular the system manages personalization information to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. The system is configured to carry out the method including establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for managing personalization information used to configure settings for a registered vehicle user in a vehicle including a telematics unit. In particular, the method performed by the system includes establishing, for the registered vehicle user, a personalization information dataset within a networked vehicle user database. The system is further configured to submit a request to download the personalization information dataset from the networked vehicle user database, the request identifying the registered vehicle user and the vehicle. The system is also configured to download in accordance with the request to download, via a mobile wireless link to the telematics unit, values from the personalization information dataset to the telematics unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location.

Abstract: A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location.

Abstract: A demonstration method and module for demonstrating various features of a vehicle navigation system without activating the system at a back-end facility, such as a remote call center. The demonstration module comes with a variety of pre-established navigation demonstrations, each of which is designed for a particular geographic area. The demonstration module obtains a vehicle position reading from the vehicle navigation system, and then utilizes this reading to select the most appropriate demonstration experience for that area. The selected navigation demonstration is then played through one or more output devices in the vehicle, such as speakers and a graphical display. This enables a prospective customer to experience a local or familiar navigation demonstration, without taking the steps and incurring the expenses associated with activating the vehicle navigation system at the call center.

Abstract: A method is described for using a telematics system to monitor compliance with a vehicle use agreement. Monitoring is facilitated by vehicle sensors and GPS components. The method includes receiving information from onboard vehicle sensors, applying the vehicle data received from onboard vehicle sensors with pre-stored information pertaining to the vehicle use agreement, and determining whether the information acquired from onboard vehicle sensors indicates potential non-compliance with the use agreement. Information pertaining to the use agreement is stored in an onboard telematics unit or in a database maintained by a Telematics Service Provider. Upon identification of potential non-compliance with the vehicle use agreement, the telematics system notifies an interested party. Furthermore, interested parties are provided with options for addressing the detected potential non-compliance with the vehicle use agreement.

Abstract: Maintaining an electricity powered vehicle recharging database is described where updating is based on recharging information provided by a subscriber via a telematics unit on the electric vehicle relating to a recharge event. Maintaining the database is carried out by receiving an indication that a recharge event has occurred, receiving additional information pertaining to the recharge event, comparing the recharge event information with recharge information for a previous recharge event stored in the database. Based upon the received information and comparison to existing information stored in the database, the received, information is used to conditionally update the information maintained in the database maintained by the telematics service provider.

Abstract: A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing an EHPE (estimated horizontal positioning error) timer for reducing route calculation failures. By utilizing an EHPE timer, a GPS unit may continue to check for GPS signal until the EHPE timer expires before reporting route calculation failure to the user. Thus, in situations where GPS signal is only temporarily lost and current location information is only temporarily degraded, user route requests will not necessarily result in route calculation failure. In preferred implementations, the system and method are implemented within the context of a telematics unit in a vehicle or in the context of a call center.

Abstract: A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Abstract: A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Abstract: A method of activating a device involves establishing communication between the device and another device and receiving, at the other device, a message including activation information from a third party facility. The activation information includes a header and a mobile dialing number. The method further includes using the header to identify the message as an activation message for the device and, via the device, retrieving the identified message from the other device. The mobile dialing number is stored in a memory associated with the device, where the mobile dialing number enables the third party facility to initiate communication with the device.

Abstract: A method of navigating a plurality of vehicles includes receiving vehicle identifications from the plurality of vehicles at a central location. A travel group is formed based on the received vehicle identifications. Global positioning information is received from at least one vehicle associated with the travel group at the central location. The received global positioning information is transmitted from the central location to at least one vehicle associated with the travel group.

Abstract: A method of demonstrating navigation in a vehicle includes receiving a navigation demonstration mode request and global positioning information at a call center. A destination prompt is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle. A point-of-interest category is received at a call center. A point-of-interest destination is determined based on the point-of-interest category. A route is determined based on the received global positioning information and the point-of-interest destination. The route is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for remotely managing a module of a vehicle includes the steps of determining a position of the vehicle, and implementing a remote management request for the module on the condition that the position of the vehicle is approved for remote management.

Abstract: A pre-connection readiness system employs a telematics unit and a telematics call center. The telematics unit receives and stores pre-connection user information prior to a connection between the telematics unit and the telematics call center. The telematics unit and the telematics call center exchange the pre-connection user information subsequent to the connection between the telematics unit and the telematics call center.