A vehicle control apparatus includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to determine whether or not a position of a key device is located within a predetermined area, and in a case where the position of the key device is located within the predetermined area, stop a smart key function of a vehicle or transmit a first signal requesting setting of a remote immobilizer function of the vehicle.

A portable device, including: an unlocking portion configured to enable an operation for unlocking a door of a vehicle; and a processor, wherein, when the unlocking portion is operated in a case in which a reception sensitivity of a predetermined signal that is transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle is a first sensitivity, the processor is configured to change the reception sensitivity to a second sensitivity that is a higher reception sensitivity than the first sensitivity.

A portable access device for wirelessly gaining access to a vehicle includes a transceiver, receive and transmit queues, and a control module. The transceiver, during a current connection event, receives first notification messages from a PaaK system of the vehicle and in response thereto transmits second notification messages to the PaaK system. The first notification messages and the second notification message are transmitted to establish a communication link between the portable access device and the PaaK system. The receive queue receives the first notification messages. The transmit queue stores the second notification messages. The control module, based on a first one of the first notification messages, determines what data was transmitted during a last connection event prior to the current connection event and generates one or more of the second notification messages to include data not previously received during the last connection event.

A door locking mechanism and a seat forward tilt locking mechanism are installed in a vehicle. When a user moves away from the vehicle, a door lock and a seat forward tilt lock are engaged. A signal for unlocking the door lock and a signal for releasing the seat forward tilt lock are differentiated from each other, to thereby protect the vehicle against theft.

An affixable device can include a locking mechanism, a force-limiting mechanism, and a sensing mechanism. The locking mechanism can include an engagement component configured to disable the locking mechanism. The force-limiting mechanism can be configured to limit a locking force of the locking mechanism. The sensing mechanism can be coupled to the engagement component, and can be configured to determine that the force-limiting mechanism has limited the locking force of the locking mechanism. In response to determining the force-limiting mechanism limiting the locking force, the sensing mechanism can cause the engagement component to disable the locking mechanism.

A lock control apparatus for a vehicle includes anchors to receive a signal transmitted from a terminal; a communication module to communicate using controller area network (CAN) communication; a detector installed on a door to input a detection signal; and a processor to receive the signal transmitted from the terminal from at least one of the anchors through the communication module, calculate a position of the terminal based on the signal transmitted from the terminal, determine whether to unlock the door in response to the position of the terminal and the detection signal, and control an engine to start. The processor controls the anchors to enter a sleep mode in response to waiting times of the anchors and resets the anchors to release the sleep mode and controls the anchors to enter a waiting mode in response to the number of anchors transmitting the signal from the terminal.

A transportation vehicle having a BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE) system to send and receive BLE advertising signals, BLE connection request signals and BLE data signals via at least one antenna, a central locking system to lock or unlock at least one vehicle door of the transportation vehicle, and a control unit to activate the BLE system and to activate the central locking system based on the BLE data signals. Also disclosed is an electronic vehicle radio key and a system for passive access to a transportation vehicle including a transportation vehicle, an electronic vehicle radio key and a smartphone. The system allows a user passive access to the transportation vehicle, both with the aid of the electronic vehicle radio key and with the aid of the smartphone.

Electronic key for a motor vehicle having a containment casing, which houses:

at least one processing and/or control unit,

at least one memory unit where at least one recognition data is stored to control at least one function and/or system of a motor vehicle,

at least one transmitter and/or transceiver unit to communicate with at least one control unit which is mounted in/on said motor vehicle and which is configured to command, following the receipt of the recognition data, at least one functionality and/or system of the vehicle,

at least one receiver/transceiver which is connected to the processing and/or control unit and is configured to receive at least one command signal directly from the outside. The processing and/or control unit is configured so that, upon receipt of the command signal directly from the outside, intervenes on at least one of the components of the key itself

In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed towards techniques for using a computing device to perform the functionality of a vehicle key, so that the computing device may be used to automatically unlock the doors of a vehicle and/or to activate a previously-deactivated keyless ignition system. The computing device may be associated with a vehicle, including sending an identifier associated with the computing device to the vehicle via short-range communication. The computing device may also send to the vehicle, via short-range communication, at least one unlock door signal including an access code verifiable by the vehicle, and wherein receipt of the at least one unlock door signal by the vehicle enables the vehicle to unlock one or more of its doors without further user intervention.

The present application generally relates to battery powered door unlock mechanisms. More specifically, the application teaches an unlock system including a door unlock mechanism, a capacitive circuit having a first time response, a resistive-capacitive circuit having a second time response wherein the second time response is longer than the first time response, a battery for coupling a battery charge to the capacitive circuit and the resistive capacitive circuit in response to a door unlock authentication signal, and a relay for coupling a first charge from the capacitive circuit to the door unlock mechanism in response to the relay being activated by a second charge from the resistive-capacitive circuit after the second time response.