Patent ID: 8050815
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A method for selectively monitoring one or more vehicle systems, the method comprising: selecting, for an activation device, a limitation for the one or more vehicle systems, wherein the limitation is selected from a maximum vehicle speed, a maximum audio system volume, restricted radio stations, restricted audio system functions, restricted telecommunications functions, and combinations thereof; configuring the activation device to trigger the limitation in a vehicle; recognizing, at the vehicle, the activation device; in response to recognizing, transmitting a signal to the one or more vehicle systems to reconfigure a setting of the one or more vehicle systems to the selected limitation; transmitting, from a vehicle telematics unit to a secure server, a second signal that is indicative of the fact that the activation device is in use; selectively enabling access to the secure server for monitoring the one or more vehicle systems via an Internet-enabled program in response to the second signal; recognizing, within the vehicle, that the limitation has been exceeded; and transmitting a third signal to the Internet-enabled program, the third signal being indicative of the exceeded limitation.