Abstract: A method and system for controlling a marine vessel is configured to operate a lanyard system to detect at least one fob worn by an individual present on the marine vessel and determine that a missing fob of the at least one fob is no longer detected, wherein the missing fob is either an operator fob or a passenger fob. A man overboard event is generated based on the missing fob, wherein the man overboard event is an operator overboard event if the missing fob includes the operator fob or a passenger overboard event if the missing fob is the passenger fob. One or more search assistance functions are automatically activated based on the man overboard event, wherein the search assistance functions activated depend on whether the man overboard event is the operator overboard event or the passenger overboard event.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes: determining that a vehicle needs servicing at a service facility; notifying a primary operator of the vehicle of the need for a servicing of the vehicle; receiving an authorization from the primary operatory for servicing of the vehicle during a time window; in response to receiving the authorization, wirelessly providing secure access credentials that enable operation of the vehicle during the time window without the primary operator; moving the vehicle to the service facility without the primary operator by accessing the vehicle using the access credentials and operating the vehicle either manually or autonomously along one or more roadways until it arrives at the service facility; and returning the vehicle after the servicing using the access credentials by operating the vehicle either manually or autonomously so as to drive it to a return location.

Abstract: The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system. In an implementation, an intuitive remote interface allows the user to create, modify, save and select profiles. The user may select a profile to apply at a current time as well as optionally at a later time. A profile may have a date limitation or day of week limitation in addition to a time limitation. In an implementation, the user may opt to apply a selected profile to a plurality of vehicles. A linkage with utility data allows for the use of rate-based criteria in an implementation.

Abstract: The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system so as to be able to forgo the use of an auxiliary power unit to great extent. The method, also implemented by the system, comprises identifying charging locations for the vehicle, and prompting the user to charge the vehicle when the vehicle is at a charging location and a charge is need to avoid the use of the auxiliary power unit for a learned or planned journey. The charge reminder my be visible and/or audible within the vehicle and may optionally be remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: A notification method involves creating a template via a web server interface, where the template includes a statement having at least one tag, and triggering a transmission of raw data from a mobile communications device to the web server interface. The method further involves completing the template via the web server interface using the raw data transmitted to the mobile communications device. The template is completed by substituting the tag(s) with an alphanumeric expression deduced from the raw data. The method also involves uploading the completed template onto a remotely accessible social networking page.

Abstract: A method of re-manufacturing a shaft-hub assembly to be used in a transfer case, the method including the steps of: determining an initial diameter of a journal bearing of a main shaft that has been used in the transfer case; comparing the determined initial diameter to a predetermined minimum threshold, and discarding the main shaft if the determined initial diameter is below the predetermined minimum threshold; if the determined initial diameter is above the predetermined minimum threshold, preparing the bearing surface of the journal bearing for a thermal spray process; thermally spraying an aluminum bronze material onto the bearing surface; and machining the aluminum bronze material to achieve an outside diameter that provides a desired running clearance with a corresponding finished inside diameter of a central bore for a hub to which the main shaft will be assembled in the transfer case.

Abstract: A method for conducting a vehicle-related survey that gathers information regarding a specific area of interest from a vehicle user or vehicle hardware. In general, this method utilizes vehicle data to generate a survey having a variety of questions and instructions that are generally directed towards the area of interest. The instructions can be designed to place the vehicle into a predetermined configuration in an attempt to recreate a known vehicle problem or condition. Once the survey is generated, it is wirelessly sent from a call center or other remote facility to one or more vehicles over a wireless carrier system, and is then presented to the vehicle user. The responses provided can be stored locally, sent back to the call center for further analysis, or processed in a variety of different ways to find out more information regarding the area of interest.

Abstract: A method and system of providing a reminder message to a vehicle user, comprising the steps of establishing a short-range wireless communication between a vehicle and a mobile phone or other handheld communications device carried by the user; determining a vehicle trip initiation or termination involving the vehicle user; and providing a reminder message to the vehicle user via the handheld communications device in response to that determination. In addition, the method may comprise the step of transmitting an instruction from the handheld communications device comprising the execution of an auxiliary vehicle function.

Abstract: The described method and system provide a reminder to an electric vehicle user to charge a battery of the electric vehicle to optimize electric-only driving opportunities. The electric vehicle includes a telematics unit, and the vehicle user is associated with a mobile communications device remote from the vehicle. The described technique includes determining a location of the vehicle, comparing the location to a home location of the vehicle user, and retrieving vehicle battery charge state and expected electric only range. If certain conditions are met, the user is prompted via the remote device to plug in the vehicle for charging and/or to alter the vehicle charge profile to achieve full charge in the time remaining.

Abstract: Managing subscriber vehicle data in a vehicle data management system includes receiving and storing vehicle data, associating at least one client class with at least one corresponding targeted data format, receiving a client data request from a client, determining a client identity based on the client data request; and providing targeted data to the client responsive to the data request. The targeted data format is based on the determination of the identified client requesting the client data. An article for managing subscriber vehicle data in a vehicle data management system is described having a computer readable modulated carrier wave embodying means embedded in the modulated carrier wave for storing received vehicle data, means for associating at least one client class with at least one corresponding targeted data format, means for determining a client identity based on a received client data request and means for providing targeted data to the client responsive to the data request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a system that provides information to an operator of a vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a call center that configured to provide the operator with route guidance to a location. The system also includes a plurality of internet websites. Each internet website relates to a vehicle lifecycle event and is configured to permit the operator to electronically transmit a location associated with the vehicle lifecycle event to the call center.

Abstract: A system serving a remotely accessible page includes a server and the remotely accessible page operatively connected to the server. The remotely accessible page includes a first activation option for initiating a navigation function utilizing no starting point or a starting point entered by a user, and a second activation option for initiating a navigation function utilizing a starting point obtained by the system from a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of adaptively communicating between a telematics unit of a vehicle and a call center based on acoustic conditions. A communication session is initiated between a telematics unit and a call center and vehicle sensors are monitored for acoustics-related parameters. The acoustics-related parameters are analyzed, and it is determined if one or more of the acoustics-related parameters are indicative of an unacceptably noisy condition. The communication session is established as a live communication session between the telematics unit and a live advisor at the call center, if one or more of the acoustics-related parameters are indicative of an unacceptably noisy condition.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for quickly and intuitively presenting users with a variety of detailed vehicle information through a mobile application on a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is preferably a mobile phone having at least a camera, a display, a processor, and a tangible non-transient computer-readable medium for storing appropriate programming and vehicle information. By pointing a camera at a vehicle, the mobile computing device receives images of the vehicle and may identify various objects or features of the vehicle. The mobile computing device then overlays these identifications on top of images of the vehicle displayed to a user corresponding to the location of the identified objects or features in the images. The user can then select the various objects or features to receive further detailed vehicle information regarding the selection.

Abstract: The described method and system for providing navigation assistance to a user of a mobile navigation system includes presenting a web interface to the user, the web interface having one or more user-selectable fields including a destination field. Through the interface, the user can identify a desired destination and download data associated with the destination to a database associated with a call center. Later, the user may download the data to their mobile navigation device, e.g., their vehicle telematics unit, for navigational assistance. In an implementation, such assistance is provided in the form of turn-by-turn directions.

Abstract: A method of re-manufacturing a shaft-hub assembly to be used in a transfer case, the method including the steps of : determining an initial diameter of a journal bearing of a main shaft that has been used in the transfer case; comparing the determined initial diameter to a predetermined minimum threshold, and discarding the main shaft if the determined initial diameter is below the predetermined minimum threshold; if the determined initial diameter is above the predetermined minimum threshold, preparing the bearing surface of the journal bearing for a thermal spray process; thermally spraying an aluminum bronze material onto the bearing surface; and machining the aluminum bronze material to achieve an outside diameter that provides a desired running clearance with a corresponding finished inside diameter of a central bore for a hub to which the main shaft will be assembled in the transfer case.

Abstract: The described method and system provide a reminder to an electric vehicle user to charge a battery of the electric vehicle to optimize electric-only driving opportunities. The electric vehicle includes a telematics unit, and the vehicle user is associated with a mobile communications device remote from the vehicle. The described technique includes determining a location of the vehicle, comparing the location to a home location of the vehicle user, and retrieving vehicle battery charge state and expected electric only range. If certain conditions are met, the user is prompted via the remote device to plug in the vehicle for charging and/or to alter the vehicle charge profile to achieve full charge in the time remaining.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring trigger parameters for captured test fleet vehicle data collection. The method includes selecting at least one vehicle identifier from a captured test fleet database, associating at least one trigger condition with the at least one selected vehicle identifier in the database, associating at least one vehicle parameter to be collected at an occurrence of the at least one associated trigger condition with the selected vehicle identifier in the database, and sending the at least one associated trigger condition and the at least one associated vehicle parameter from the database to a telematics unit of at least one test vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier via a wireless connection.

Abstract: The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system. In an implementation, an intuitive remote interface allows the user to create, modify, save and select profiles. The user may select a profile to apply at a current time as well as optionally at a later time. A profile may have a date limitation or day of week limitation in addition to a time limitation. In an implementation, the user may opt to apply a selected profile to a plurality of vehicles. A linkage with utility data allows for the use of rate-based criteria in an implementation.

Abstract: The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system so as to be able to forgo the use of an auxiliary power unit to great extent. The method, also implemented by the system, comprises identifying charging locations for the vehicle, and prompting the user to charge the vehicle when the vehicle is at a charging location and a charge is need to avoid the use of the auxiliary power unit for a learned or planned journey. The charge reminder my be visible and/or audible within the vehicle and may optionally be remote from the vehicle.