Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Steven S Sauerbrey

Wahaj Ahmed

Matt C Videtich

Huong T Chim

Kier M Mathieson

Lawrence Daniel Cepuran

Mark S Frye

Charles Allen Everhart

Steven Swanson

Kevin W Owens

Jonathan L Gerlach

Shuxian Huang

Gerald S McLean

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.

Remotely controlling a vehicle telematics unit

A system and method of communicating using a vehicle telematics unit and an in-vehicle audio system includes detecting a vehicle event at the vehicle telematics unit; terminating any existing short-range wireless connections between the vehicle telematics unit and wireless devices carried by a vehicle occupant; establishing a short-range wireless connection between the vehicle telematics unit and the in-vehicle audio system; and providing communications between the vehicle occupant and a central facility using the short-range wireless connection established between the vehicle telematics unit and the in-vehicle audio system.

Controlling a short-range wireless connection between a vehicle telematics unit and an in-vehicle audio system

An aftermarket device is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the aftermarket device includes, but is not limited to, a housing that is configured to be mounted to an internal surface of a vehicle. The aftermarket device further includes, but is not limited to a processor that is mounted within the housing. The aftermarket device still further includes, but is not limited to, a mounting sensor that is associated with the housing and that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The mounting sensor is configured to detect a mounting status of the housing and to provide a signal to the processor. The signal contains information indicative of the mounting status of the housing. The processor is configured to determine that the housing is improperly mounted to the internal surface of the vehicle based on the mounting status.

Mounting sensor and aftermarket device equipped with mounting sensor

An aftermarket telematics unit is disclosed herein. The aftermarket telematics unit includes, but is not limited to a housing that is configured to be mounted to an internal surface of a vehicle. The aftermarket telematics unit further includes an angle detection unit that is associated with the housing and that is configured to detect a mounting angle of the housing. The aftermarket telematics unit still further includes a processor that is associated with the housing. The processor is configured to perform an initial configuration procedure and is further configured to discontinue the initial configuration procedure when the mounting angle is out of a target range.

Aftermarket telematics unit and method for detecting a target mounting angle thereof

A bi-directional bypass lever assembly for activating an automotive liftgate lock mechanism includes a resetable spring-biased lever that is coupled to an automotive liftgate locking mechanism. The spring-biased lever resets itself automatically upon completion of both the locking mode and unlocking mode by the liftgate lock mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Steven S Sauerbrey