Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle using a key fob, including the steps of: establishing an association between the key fob and the vehicle; receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the key fob for use with the vehicle; in response to the activation request, activating the key fob for use with the vehicle; receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal from the key fob at a passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle; after receiving the RF signal, sending information included in or derived from the RF signal to a vehicle system module (VSM) of the vehicle; determining that the key fob is authorized based at least in part on the information at the VSM; and carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination that the key fob is authorized.

Abstract: A system and method of activating and using an auxiliary key fob with a vehicle, including the steps of: pairing the auxiliary key fob and the vehicle; receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the auxiliary key fob for use with the vehicle; activating the auxiliary key fob in a particular access mode for use with the vehicle; receiving a SRWC credentials signal from the auxiliary key fob at a SRWC passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle; after receiving the SRWC credentials signal, sending information included in or derived from the SRWC credentials signal to the VSM of the vehicle; determining that the auxiliary key fob is authorized at the VSM based at least in part on the information sent to the VSM; and carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maximizing the proportion of renewable energy relative to the total energy used during the charging of electrically powered vehicles are described. The methods and systems contemplate the acquisition, by a TSP, of data pertaining to the renewable energy mixture, i.e. the ratio of energy produced from renewable sources to energy produced from non-renewable sources, of the energy provided by one or more utility companies. Renewable energy mixture forecasts and information pertaining to charging and use of one or more vehicles are used to generate schedules for charging one or more electrically powered vehicles such that the use of renewable energy in vehicle charging is optimized.

Abstract: In an example of an ordering method, an application receives an order for a product. The application may be an in-vehicle application resident on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit of a vehicle or a mobile-device application resident on a memory of a mobile device. Without contacting a merchant of the product, the application determines a preparation time for the product. The application dynamically determines an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle or the mobile device at a location of the merchant. The application holds the order for the product until the estimated time of arrival is equal to or less than the preparation time for the product.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communication infrastructure represented by a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider (TSP) to implement procedures designed to curtail the load placed on electricity suppliers by electric vehicles during periods of critically high demand for electricity. The present invention contemplates monitoring charging related information for multiple electric vehicles through the telematics units in those vehicles. The invention further contemplates a request from an energy utility for a response to a critically high demand for electricity and the execution of a demand response program (DRP). The DRPs involve aggregating information from a fleet of the electrically powered vehicles, processing the aggregated information, and issuing instructions to one or more vehicles in the fleet that cause the one or more vehicles to reduce the load they are placing on electricity suppliers through their charging activities.

Abstract: In an example of an ordering method, an application receives an order for a product. The application may be an in-vehicle application resident on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit of a vehicle or a mobile-device application resident on a memory of a mobile device. Without contacting a merchant of the product, the application determines a preparation time for the product. The application dynamically determines an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle or the mobile device at a location of the merchant. The application holds the order for the product until the estimated time of arrival is equal to or less than the preparation time for the product.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communication infrastructure represented by a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider (TSP) to implement procedures designed to curtail the load placed on electricity suppliers by electric vehicles during periods of critically high demand for electricity. The present invention contemplates monitoring charging related information for multiple electric vehicles through the telematics units in those vehicles. The invention further contemplates a request from an energy utility for a response to a critically high demand for electricity and the execution of a demand response program (DRP). The DRPs involve aggregating information from a fleet of the electrically powered vehicles, processing the aggregated information, and issuing instructions to one or more vehicles in the fleet that cause the one or more vehicles to reduce the load they are placing on electricity suppliers through their charging activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maximizing the proportion of renewable energy relative to the total energy used during the charging of electrically powered vehicles are described. The methods and systems contemplate the acquisition, by a TSP, of data pertaining to the renewable energy mixture, i.e. the ratio of energy produced from renewable sources to energy produced from non-renewable sources, of the energy provided by one or more utility companies. Renewable energy mixture forecasts and information pertaining to charging and use of one or more vehicles are used to generate schedules for charging one or more electrically powered vehicles such that the use of renewable energy in vehicle charging is optimized.