System and Method for Triggering Vehicle Functions
System and method for remotely activating a vehicle function, comprising receiving an incoming message including an identification code; identifying one or more vehicles using the identification code; and sending a command to one or more of the vehicles. The incoming message may be associated with a telephone call, and the identification code may be caller identification information from the telephone call. The incoming message may be a packet-based message, and the identification code may be an identification of a sender of the message, such as an origination address. The identification code may be uniquely associated with one vehicle or multiple vehicles on a single user account. The command may be a command to lock or unlock one or more of the vehicles, or a command to start one or more of the vehicles.
1 . A method for remotely triggering a vehicle function, comprising:
receiving an incoming message including an identification code;
identifying one or more vehicles using the identification code; and
sending a command to one or more of the vehicles.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the incoming message is associated with a telephone call; and
wherein the identification code is caller identification information.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the incoming message is a packet-based message; and
wherein the identification code is an identification of a sender of the message.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification code is uniquely associated with one or more vehicles.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification code is associated with a user account; and
wherein the one or more vehicles are associated with the user account.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the command is a command to lock or unlock one or more of the vehicles.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the command is a command to start one or more of the vehicles.
8 . A method for remotely triggering a vehicle operation, comprising:
receiving a message from a user;
identifying one or more vehicles associated with the user;
identifying a requested operation; and
transmitting a command to one or more vehicles to perform the requested operation.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the message is a telephone call; and
wherein the one or more vehicles are identified using a called number.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the message is a packet-based message; and
wherein the one or more vehicles are identified using a destination address for the message.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the message is a telephone call; and
wherein the requested operation is identified using a called number.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the requested operation is identified using a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the message is a packet-based message; and
wherein the requested operation is identified using a destination address for the message.
14 . A system for controlling operation of vehicle functions, comprising:
a receiver for receiving vehicle operation commands;
a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor determines which vehicle system is associated with the vehicle operation command; and
a vehicle system interface that allows the processor to trigger a function associated with the vehicle operation command.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a transmitter for sending vehicle status information to a remote server.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle system interface is an interface to an on-board diagnostic system for the vehicle.
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle system interface is an interface to an electrical system for the vehicle.
18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with a door lock or unlock function.
19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with an engine start or shutdown function.
20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle operation command is associated with a command to disable a vehicle.
21 . A method for remotely activating a vehicle function, comprising:
receiving, at a location remote from the vehicle, an incoming message including caller identification information;
identifying one or more vehicles using the caller identification information; and
sending a command to one or more of the vehicles, wherein the command activates the vehicle function.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the vehicle function is selected from the group consisting of:
opening or closing vehicle windows;
opening or closing a convertible vehicle roof;
turning on or off a vehicle ignition;
turning on or off a vehicle heater;
turning on or off a vehicle air conditioning system;
turning or off vehicle lights; and
honking a vehicle horn.
23 . A method for remotely deactivating a vehicle function, comprising:
receiving, at a location remote from the vehicle, an incoming message including caller identification information;
identifying one or more vehicles using the caller identification information; and
sending a command to one or more of the vehicles, wherein the command deactivates the vehicle function.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the vehicle function is selected from the group consisting of:
opening or closing vehicle windows;
opening or closing a convertible vehicle roof;
turning on or off a vehicle ignition;
turning on or off a vehicle heater;
turning on or off a vehicle air conditioning system;
turning or off vehicle lights; and
honking a vehicle horn.