Thomas P. Grau

Bio: Thomas P. Grau is an academic researcher from General Motors. The author has contributed to research in topics: Telematics & Satellite radio. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 12 publications receiving 250 citations.

Method and system for programmable mobile vehicle hotspots

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes generating at least one personal route profile, comparing predetermined GPS hotspots to the personal route profiles, detecting real-time traffic updates associated with the predetermined GPS hotspots, identifying GPS hotspots corresponding to the personal route profile and based on the real-time traffic updates, and providing information relating to selected identified GPS hotspots based on the real-time traffic updates. The personal route profile may be generated from a user interface. The predetermined GPS hotspots may be created based on user interface input. The selected GPS hotspots may include all identified GPS hotspots within a predetermined geographic area of the personal route profile. The selected GPS hotspots may include GPS hotspots in the forward path of a vehicle including the telematics device.

Method for making vehicle-related data available to an authorized third party

Abstract: A method for obtaining vehicle-related data from a vehicle equipped with a telematics unit and making that data temporarily available to a third party that has been approved by an authorized user, such as the vehicle owner. This enables the authorized user to decide which third parties, if any at all, are to receive vehicle-related data so that they may take advantage of any promotions or other services that are offered by the third parties. The vehicle-related data is preferably maintained on a temporary basis so that after the occurrence of an event, such as the expiration of a predetermined period of time or after the authorized third party has already accessed the vehicle-related data, the data is deleted.

Method and system for providing vehicle data to third party authorized recipients

Abstract: A system and method that reports vehicle data to one or more third parties using an onboard telematics unit. The method includes the steps of selecting a type of data to be reported and identifying a third party to receive the selected type of data. The onboard telematics unit receives a portion of the data that is classified as the type of data to be received by the third party. The vehicle information is then associated with the received data to create a report. The report is then transmitted to the third party using the onboard telematics unit allowing the third party to analyze the report. Several reports for various types of data may be generated to be disseminated to various third parties.

Method and system for setting user preference satellite radio music selections in a mobile vehicle

Abstract: A system and method is directed to setting user preference satellite radio music selections in a mobile vehicle. The method provides creating at least one vehicle preference selection list utilizing a user interface, transferring the vehicle preference selection list into a mobile communication unit, monitoring a satellite radio system broadcast, requesting the vehicle preference selection list from the mobile communication unit, and extracting a selection from the broadcast based on the vehicle preference selection list. The system provides a means for creating a vehicle preference selection list utilizing a user interface, a means for transferring the vehicle preference selection list into a mobile communication unit, a means for monitoring a satellite radio system broadcast, a means for requesting the vehicle preference selection list from the mobile communication unit, and a means for extracting a selection from the broadcast based on the vehicle preference selection list.

Method and system for scheduling user preference satellite radio station selections in a mobile vehicle

Abstract: A system and method is directed to scheduling user preference satellite radio station selections in a mobile vehicle. The method provides creating at least one vehicle preference selection schedule utilizing a user interface, transferring the vehicle preference selection schedule into a mobile communication unit, monitoring a satellite radio system broadcast, requesting the vehicle preference selection schedule from the mobile communication unit, and extracting a radio station selection from the broadcast based on the vehicle preference selection schedule. The system further provides a means for creating a vehicle preference selection schedule utilizing a user interface, a means for transferring the vehicle preference selection schedule into a mobile communication unit, a means for monitoring a satellite radio system broadcast, a means for requesting the vehicle preference selection list from the mobile communication unit, and a means for extracting a selection from the broadcast based on the vehicle preference selection schedule.

Monitoring customer-selected vehicle parameters

Abstract: Vehicle insurance customers select parameters for monitoring using one or more telematics devices. The parameters may comprise an operating characteristic associated with at least one vehicle associated with an insurance product. In one embodiment, an apparatus causes, based on a user selection of at least one of a plurality of menu-selectable options, a remotely programmable memory of at least one monitoring device to store an indication of the monitoring parameters represented by the user selection.

On board vehicle networking module

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable remote control module operable to receive, via a remote node, a command from a vehicle owner to configure and/or alter and/or determine a state of a selected vehicle component and, when the vehicle owner is authenticated successfully by the remote control module, to configure and/or alter and/or determine a state of the selected vehicle component.

System And Method For The Collection And Monitoring Of Vehicle Data

Abstract: A communications hub for a vehicle includes a telematics device including a first communications interface to an external wireless network, a second communications interface to a plurality of vehicle sensors, and a global positioning system (GPS) interface. The telematics device is configured to (i) identify the driver of a vehicle; (ii) retrieve a profile for the driver including a profile permissions log; (iii) establish communications with the wireless network; (iv) establish communications with the vehicle sensor; (v) gather location information from the GPS interface; (v) collect data from a plurality of vehicle sensors; and (vi) send the collected data to an external recipient based on the profile permissions log.

On board vehicle media controller

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable media controller operable to receive a media stream from a remote node, the received media stream being for an occupant associated with an on board vehicle input/output system, identify which on board vehicle input/output systems are restricted due to operator command and/or as a result of a governing law, and provide the media stream, in compliance with any restriction, to a selected input/output system associated with the occupant