METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY MONITORING VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE SYSTEM PARAMETERS

• US 20080275604A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Ginn, Anne, Perry, Jeffrey W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers

Abstract

A method for selectively monitoring one or more vehicle systems is disclosed. The method includes recognizing, at the vehicle, an activation device that is configured to trigger predetermined setting(s) for the one or more vehicle systems. The telematics unit transmits to a secure server a signal indicative of the fact that the activation device is in use. Access to the secure server for monitoring the one or more vehicle systems via an Internet-enabled program is selectively enabled. A system for monitoring one or more vehicle systems is also disclosed. Further, a method for controlling vehicle system parameters is disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for selectively monitoring one or more vehicle systems, the method comprising:

recognizing, at the vehicle, an activation device that is configured to trigger predetermined settings for the one or more vehicle systems;

transmitting, from a vehicle telematics unit to a secure server, a signal indicative of the fact that the activation device is in use; and

selectively enabling access to the secure server for monitoring the one or more vehicle systems via an Internet-enabled program.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein prior to enabling access, the method further comprises:

transmitting, from the secure server to the telematics unit, an encrypted identifier;

comparing the encrypted identifier with a unique identifier stored in the telematics unit; and

enabling access to the secure server if the encrypted identifier matches the stored identifier.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, further comprising maintaining restricted access to the secure server if the encrypted identifier does not match the stored identifier.

4. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein access is enabled, and wherein the method further comprises:

requesting, from a user via the Internet-enabled program, access to the enabled secure server;

verifying that identification information input by the user is accurate; and

granting the user access to the enabled secure server if the identification information is accurate, or denying the user access to the enabled secure server if the identification information is not accurate.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein access is granted, and wherein the method further comprises:

monitoring a vehicle location with a location detection system operatively disposed in the telematics unit;

transmitting the vehicle location to the secure server; and

retrieving, via the Internet-enabled program, the location of the vehicle.

6. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein access is granted, and wherein the method further comprises:

requesting, via the Internet-enabled program, a change to at least one of the predetermined settings for the one or more vehicle systems;

receiving the request at the telematics unit; and

implementing the change to the at least one of the predetermined settings for the one or more vehicle systems.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein, prior to recognizing the activation device, the method further comprises:

selecting the predetermined settings for the activation device; and

configuring the activation device to trigger such settings in the vehicle.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein predetermined settings are selected from vehicle speed, audio system volume, radio stations, audio system functions, telecommunications functions, and combinations thereof.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

recognizing that the activation device has been disengaged; and

restricting access of the secure server.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein restricting access includes reconfiguring the secure server whereby access is limited to a call center service advisor.

11. A method for selectively monitoring a vehicle, the method comprising:

requesting, from a user via the Internet-enabled program, access to vehicle location information via a secure server;

transmitting, from the secure server to a telematics unit in the vehicle, an encrypted identifier associated with a particular activation device;

comparing the encrypted identifier with an activation device unique identifier that is registered with the telematics unit; and

enabling the user access to the secure server if the encrypted identifier matches the unique identifier.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein access is enabled, and wherein the method further comprises:

requesting, via the Internet-enabled program, a change to at least one predetermined setting for one or more vehicle systems;

receiving the request at the telematics unit; and

implementing the change to the at least one predetermined setting.

13. A selective monitoring system, comprising:

a vehicle;

an activation device recognizable by the vehicle and configured to trigger at least one predetermined setting for one or more vehicle systems;

a telematics unit operatively disposed in the vehicle;

a secure server operatively connected to the telematics unit; and

an Internet-enabled program selectively operatively connected to the secure server, wherein when the Internet-enabled program is operatively connected, it enables a verified user to access the secure server for monitoring the one or more vehicle systems.

14. The selective monitoring system as defined in claim 13 wherein the secure server is configured to transmit an encrypted identifier to the telematics unit, wherein the telematics unit is configured to compare the encrypted identifier with a unique identifier stored therein, and wherein the Internet-enabled program is operatively connected to the secure server if the encrypted identifier matches the stored identifier or the Internet-enabled program is not operatively connected to the secure server if the encrypted identifier does not match the stored identifier.

15. The monitoring system as defined in claim 13 wherein the Internet-enabled program includes a database of user accounts that are accessible when identification information provided by the user is verified as being accurate.

16. The selective monitoring system as defined in claim 13 wherein the telematics unit has a vehicle detection system operatively disposed therein, and wherein when the Internet-enabled program is operatively connected to the secure server, a user may retrieve a position of the vehicle that is transmitted from the vehicle detection system.

17. The selective monitoring system as defined in claim 13 wherein the activation device is a key or a key fob.

18. The selective monitoring system as defined in claim 13, further comprising a call center service advisor in communication with the secure server.

19. The selective monitoring system as defined in claim 13, further comprising an Internet-enabled program interface in operative communication with the Internet-enabled program.

20. A method for controlling vehicle system parameters, the method comprising:

selecting vehicle system parameter limitations; and

configuring an activation device with the selected vehicle system parameter limitations, such that when the activation device is recognized by a vehicle, the vehicle system parameter limitations are activated within the vehicle.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the vehicle parameter limitations are selected from a maximum vehicle speed, a maximum audio system volume, restricted radio stations, restricted audio system functions, restricted telecommunications functions, defined geographic operating range, and combinations thereof

22. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein selecting is performed using an Internet-enabled program.