Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Huong T Chim

Eric T Hosey

Matthew Edward Gilbert-Eyres

Matt Neely

Russell A Patenaude

Wahaj Ahmed

Steven S Sauerbrey

Esteban Camacho

Matthew C Neely

James Doherty

Dexter C Lowe

Kier M Mathieson

In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate detecting when a user is disposed within the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate: identifying the user; retrieving, from a memory, a sequence of inputs that is associated with the identified user as a trigger for a customized silent alarm feature for the user; monitoring for the sequence of inputs while the user is disposed within the vehicle; and providing instructions for taking an action when the sequence of inputs is detected while the user is disposed within the vehicle.

Custom vehicle alarm based on electronic device identifier

One general aspect includes a system to responsively send vehicle information to a data center, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the steps of: receiving vehicle identification information; sending the vehicle identification information to the data center; capturing an image of one or more third-party-vehicle identifying features in response to a request from the data center; and sending the image to the data center.

System and method to responsively send vehicle information to a data center

A system and method for triggering a silent alarm notification in the event the vehicle occupant comes under attack and needs to discretely signal for help. The system includes an integrated silent vehicle alarm that is triggered by the vehicle occupant by entering a pre-programmed silent alarm sequence. The silent alarm sequence is entered using OEM-installed manually actuatable devices such as door or steering wheel switches located within the vehicle. These manually actuatable devices have dual functions: a primary vehicle related function (such as opening/closing a window) and a secondary function as input devices for the silent alarm sequence. In this way the silent alarm signal utilizes devices already present in the vehicle and requires no new installation or placement of new devices. The silent alarm notification is wirelessly sent to a remote facility for vehicle tracking and emergency response.

Integrated silent vehicle alarm

One general aspect includes a method to transmit one or more over-the-air software updates, the method including: (a) receiving, via a controller, a software update; (b) receiving, via a controller, a vehicle command request; (c) in response to the vehicle command request, via the controller, generating a communication package including update callback information based on the software update and a vehicle command based on the vehicle command request; and (d) transmitting, via the controller, the communication package to a vehicle. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

System and method to transmit queued over-the-air software updates

One general aspect includes a method of activating vehicle operations, the method including: (a) receiving, via a controller, a sequence of input signals from a plurality of device interfaces to define an activation attempt, where each device interface is configured to control operation of a corresponding vehicle aspect; (b) determining, via the controller, if the activation attempt matches an activation sequence key; and (c) activating vehicle operations, via the controller, when it is determined the activation attempt matches the activation sequence key.

System and method to securely activate a vehicle

One general aspect includes a telematics unit including: a memory configured to include a program and a processor configured to execute the program, where the program enables the processor to: sense a disconnection event; in response to the disconnection event being sensed, gather telematics unit location data, transmit the location data to a remote facility, and transmit a theft alert to a remote facility.

System and method to detect telematics unit disconnection

A system and method for performing remote vehicle commands such as opening and closing doors and windows. The method is carried out by the system and includes the steps of: receiving a first signal at a vehicle from a remote application via a wireless communication device installed in the vehicle as a part of the vehicle electronics; in response to receiving the first signal, transmitting a camera feed from one or more vehicle cameras on the vehicle to the remote application; receiving a remote command signal at the vehicle from the remote application; in response to receiving the remote command signal, performing one or more vehicle commands at the vehicle while continuing to transmit the camera feed from the vehicle to the remote application; and ending the transmission of the camera feed from the vehicle to the remote application after completing the one or more remote vehicle commands.

Performing remote vehicle commands using live camera supervision

In an example of a method for enabling after-hours vehicle pick up, a server recognizes that a service payment request is outstanding for a serviced vehicle. In response to the recognizing, the server transmits an ignition block command to the serviced vehicle. The ignition block command triggers a powertrain control module of the serviced vehicle to enter a disengaged state that electrically prohibits the powertrain control module from providing tractive power to a vehicle drive wheel. At the server, a notification of a payment acceptance is received from an infotainment unit of the serviced vehicle or a mobile communications device associated with the serviced vehicle. In response to receiving the notification, the server transmits an ignition enabling command triggering the powertrain control module to enter an engaged state that electrically enables the powertrain control module to provide tractive power to the vehicle drive wheel.

Method and system for enabling after-hours vehicle pick up

A method and a system for providing control of a vehicle telematics unit using a mobile device. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: determining a mobile device is configured to control a vehicle telematics unit; receiving at a call center a vehicle telematics unit (VTU) command from the mobile device instructing the telematics unit to provide vehicle data using short range wireless communication (SRWC); sending the VTU command from the call center to the telematics unit; and transmitting via SRWC the vehicle data.

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Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Huong T Chim