Providing vehicle services and control over a cellular data network

Abstract

Providing vehicle services and control over a cellular data network is disclosed. Vehicle maintenance and operation information may be provided to a vehicle. An instruction to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle based on security levels and other criteria is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A management system comprising:
 circuitry configured to send, via a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP) to a vehicle, vehicle maintenance and operation information;   the circuitry is further configured to send, via the cellular data network using IP, an instruction to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle; and   wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The management system of  claim 1 , wherein the management system is capable of contacting law enforcement. 
     
     
         3 . The management system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 circuitry configured to receive, from the vehicle, a notification of an unauthorized operator accessing the vehicle; and 
 wherein the accessing of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen. 
 
     
     
         4 . The management system of  claim 1  wherein a connection to the internet over the cellular data network is provided to the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . A vehicle computer configured in a vehicle, the vehicle computer comprising:
 the vehicle computer configured to receive, via a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP), vehicle maintenance and operation information;   the vehicle computer is further configured to receive an instruction, via the cellular data network using IP, to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle; and   wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle computer of  claim 5 , wherein the vehicle computer is capable of contacting law enforcement. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle computer of  claim 5 , wherein unauthorized access of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle computer of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 the vehicle computer is configured to connect to the internet over the cellular data network.   
     
     
         9 . A method performed by a management system, the method comprising:
 sending, by the management system to a vehicle via a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP), vehicle maintenance and operation information;   sending, by the management system via the cellular data network using IP, an instruction to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle; and   wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the management system is capable of contacting law enforcement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 receiving, by the management system from the vehicle, a notification of an unauthorized operator accessing the vehicle; and 
 wherein the accessing of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a connection to the internet over the cellular data network is provided to the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A method performed by a vehicle computer configured in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the vehicle computer via a cellular data network using internet protocol (IP), vehicle maintenance and operation information;   receiving, by the vehicle computer via the cellular data network using IP, an instruction to remotely control locks or a horn of the vehicle; and   wherein the instruction is provided based on a plurality of security levels and based on a request for permission of control of the vehicle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle computer is capable of contacting law enforcement. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein unauthorized access of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle was stolen. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 connecting, by the vehicle computer, to the internet over the cellular data network.