A key fob, comprising an electronic communication circuit, a processor, and a battery configured to power the electronic communication circuit and the processor, further comprises: a communication module for exchanging data with an external electronic communication device, an access control module for exchanging access control data with an external electronic access control device, and a user activatable operating element which activates the communication module, or the access control module, depending on actuation of the operating element by a user.

Systems and methods for remotely locking and unlocking vehicle accessory locks of vehicle accessories positioned on a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes main doors with locks that are remotely lockable and unlockable using main door lock actuators. Vehicle includes a vehicle controller that receives a user signal from a user, first determines a main door actuation command based on the first signal, and first transmits, based on the main door actuation command, a first actuation command signal to the main door lock actuators. The system includes accessory lock actuator(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock(s), accessory lock controller(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock actuator(s), and a gateway controller operably coupled to the vehicle controller. Gateway controller second determines an accessory lock actuation command based on the first actuation command signal, and second transmits, based on the accessory lock actuation command, a gateway signal to the accessory lock controller.

Systems and methods for cloud-based keyless entry are generally described. In some examples, a first number is received from a vehicle. A first computing device of the vehicle may be configured to control an electronic door lock. A first unlock code may be generated using the first number. In some examples, a notification is sent to a remote entry device associated with the vehicle. A response to the notification may be received from the remote entry device. In some examples, the first number may be retrieved from a messaging service based at least in part on the receiving the response to the notification. A second unlock code may be generated using the first number. A determination may be made that the first unlock code matches the second unlock code. An instruction may be sent to the first computing device, the instruction effective to cause unlock of the electronic door lock.

An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth® VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth® transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth® link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identify smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to the communications.

A vehicle subscribed to an authentication system includes a wireless transceiver; and a controller, configured to responsive to receiving a wireless signal from a device identified as a key fob via the wireless transceiver, obtain history data reflecting time and location of the key fob associated with the vehicle detected via one or more entities subscribed to the authentication system, calculate a sanity value using the history data, such that a distant detection location from the vehicle location at a time before present time results in a lesser sanity value and a nearby detection location from the vehicle location at substantially the same time before the present time results in a greater sanity value, calculate a sanity threshold using at least one of the present time and the vehicle location, and responsive to the sanity value being greater than the sanity threshold, unlock a door of the vehicle.

It is provided a protection device for being provided inside a key fob to selectively inactivate the key fob. The protection device comprises: a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; an insulator layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the insulator layer preventing conductive contact between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and a switch conductively coupled between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the switch being wirelessly controllable to be in a conductive state or a blocking state.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a slip clutch mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a cylindrical body including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotate about the second portion. The locking mechanism can be configured to engage based on rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a first direction, and disengage based on a rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a second direction. The slip clutch mechanism can be configured to prevent the locking mechanism from further engaging from rotation in the first direction relative to the second portion based on a magnitude of force applied.

Communication with a key fob of a vehicle can be controlled based on a key fob jamming condition. One or more sensors can be configured to detect the key fob jamming condition. In response to the key fob jamming condition being detected, a jamming device can be activated to cause one or more jamming signals to be emitted. The one or more jamming signals can prevent the key fob from receiving and responding to other signals.

Systems and methods for cloud-based keyless entry are generally described. In some examples, a first number is received from a vehicle. A first computing device of the vehicle may be configured to control an electronic door lock. A first unlock code may be generated using the first number. In some examples, a notification is sent to a remote entry device associated with the vehicle. A response to the notification may be received from the remote entry device. In some examples, the first number may be retrieved from a messaging service based at least in part on the receiving the response to the notification. A second unlock code may be generated using the first number. A determination may be made that the first unlock code matches the second unlock code. An instruction may be sent to the first computing device, the instruction effective to cause unlock of the electronic door lock.

The invention relates to automotive electronic technologies, and in particular, to an automobile remote control key, a vehicle control method using an automobile remote control key, and a computer-readable storage medium for implementing the method. According to an aspect of the invention, a vehicle remote control key includes: a sensor configured to obtain movement data of the automobile remote control key; a control unit coupled to the sensor and configured to recognize a motion pattern of a user based on the movement data; and a wireless communication module coupled to the control unit and configured to send a message about the motion pattern to a vehicle control system, so that the vehicle control system generates a corresponding control command.