A vehicle access control system configured to estimate, based on received message, at least one of distance, position, or direction of a target to the vehicle prior to initiating the engine of the vehicle, the vehicle access control system comprises a master node and at least one slave node. The target is in communication with the master node and the slave node via a communication link having low energy consumption.

A vehicle access control system configured to estimate, based on received message, at least one of distance, position, or direction of a target to the vehicle prior to initiating the engine of the vehicle, the vehicle access control system comprises a master node and at least one slave node. The target is in communication with the master node and the slave node via a communication link having low energy consumption.

A driver circuit, a method for operating an inductor coil and an active transmission system, wherein a capacitor is charged by means of a charging current to a reference voltage and the charged capacitor is discharged in an oscillating manner via the inductor coil. The inductor coil is short-circuited when the voltage on the capacitor or a current flowing in the inductor coil has passed through at least one complete oscillating period.

A driver circuit, a method for operating an inductor coil and an active transmission system, wherein a capacitor is charged by means of a charging current to a reference voltage and the charged capacitor is discharged in an oscillating manner via the inductor coil. The inductor coil is short-circuited when the voltage on the capacitor or a current flowing in the inductor coil has passed through at least one complete oscillating period.

A system to control turning on an engine of a vehicle includes a relay and a detect circuit. The detect circuit is configured to detect a client device and, upon detection of a client device, to assert a signal indicating that a client device has been detected. Responsive to detection of the client device, the detect circuit generates a signal to cause the relay to close upon activation of a starter control in the vehicle to thereby cause current to flow to a starter motor in the vehicle.

A system to control turning on an engine of a vehicle includes a relay and a detect circuit. The detect circuit is configured to detect a client device and, upon detection of a client device, to assert a signal indicating that a client device has been detected. Responsive to detection of the client device, the detect circuit generates a signal to cause the relay to close upon activation of a starter control in the vehicle to thereby cause current to flow to a starter motor in the vehicle.

An anti-distracted driver system comprises an interrupt device and a client device detector. The system may be installed in a vehicle. The client device detector may be installed in, for example, the glove box and may detect whether a client device (e.g., smart phone) is present (also in the glove box). If a client device is detected, an identifier (ID) is extracted from the client device and compared to a set of valid client device IDs provided by an administrator. If no match is found or no client device is detected, a relay is, or remains, disengaged thereby electrically disconnecting the starter control (e.g., ignition switch) from a solenoid of the starter motor thereby preventing the vehicle's engine from being started. Thus, the engine cannot be started unless the vehicle operator places his or her phone in the glove box of the vehicle (or wherever the client device detector is otherwise located).

A keyless vehicle entry and start system for motor vehicles includes an input device such as a keypad and a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon receiving a signal from a mobile phone, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch if an authorized code is input via the keypad. The system is configured to communicate with a portable wireless device such as a smartphone utilizing various frequency bands. The system permits entry and operation of a vehicle utilizing only a smartphone.

A keyless vehicle entry and start system for motor vehicles includes an input device such as a keypad and a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon receiving a signal from a mobile phone, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch if an authorized code is input via the keypad. The system is configured to communicate with a portable wireless device such as a smartphone utilizing various frequency bands. The system permits entry and operation of a vehicle utilizing only a smartphone.

A carrier wave is selected based on a state of a target device such as a vehicle. A polling signal is generated using the selected carrier wave for transmission from the target device for receipt by a portable controller. A sinusoidal carrier wave is selected when the target device is in a state that is more sensitive to electrical noise interference caused by the polling signal being generated using the carrier wave than to electrical energy consumed in generating the polling signal using the carrier wave. A non-sinusoidal periodic carrier wave is selected when the target device is in a state that is more sensitive to electrical energy consumed in generating the polling signal using the carrier wave than to electrical noise interference caused by the polling signal being generated using the carrier wave.