Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for reducing latency in a passive entry system of a vehicle. In an exemplary method, a computer detects a presence of a passive entry device inside a passive entry zone of the vehicle. The passive entry device may be a phone-as-a-key (PaaK) device or a key fob, and the passive entry zone is an area around the vehicle that is monitored by a wireless detection system of the vehicle. The computer authenticates the passive entry device, which can include determining an identity of an individual authorized to use the passive entry device. Upon successful authentication, the computer may unlock a door of the vehicle and provide a visual prompt to the individual to unlatch the unlocked door. The visual prompt can include an unlatch icon displayed upon a door access panel of the vehicle.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to a vehicle inhibitor with an enhanced user interface and a system and method for overriding a vehicle inhibitor. This disclosure may be useful for providing an emergency override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems that have wireless user interface modules, and that have become lost or inoperable when needed to generate an emergency override signal. Further, the present disclosure addresses this problem while mitigating additional system cost and additional components. This disclosure includes a method of providing an emergency override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems that have wireless user interface modules, and that have become lost or inoperable when needed to generate an emergency override signal. Further this disclosure includes a method of providing a disablement override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems, wired or wireless, that allows vehicle operation past the grace period in those locations where complete disablement may be limited.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a key fob. In one embodiment, a key fob, associated with a vehicle, includes an antenna, a control circuit including one or more processors and a memory communicably connected to the one or more processors, and a disable switch connected to the antenna and to the control circuit. The disable switch connects the antenna with the control circuit in a first state and disconnects the antenna from the control circuit in a second state.

A controller is integrated into a vehicle with the controller coupled to a fob detector and also coupled to a vehicle disabler. Examples of vehicle disablers include a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI), a transmission shift interlock (TSI) and an air brake or electric parking brake of the vehicle. The fob detector can be provided along with the controller and separate from a mechanical key ignition of the vehicle, or can be a fob detector associated with a keyless ignition of the vehicle. A mobile fob is used as part of the system, carried on the person of an authorized driver of the vehicle. This fob can be provided separately from the vehicle, along with the controller, or can be a fob associated with a keyless entry of the vehicle. The controller causes the vehicle disabler to not be disengaged unless presence of the fob is detected by the fob detector.

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for reducing latency in a passive entry system of a vehicle. In an exemplary method, a computer detects a presence of a passive entry device inside a passive entry zone of the vehicle. The passive entry device may be a phone-as-a-key (PaaK) device or a key fob, and the passive entry zone is an area around the vehicle that is monitored by a wireless detection system of the vehicle. The computer authenticates the passive entry device, which can include determining an identity of an individual authorized to use the passive entry device. Upon successful authentication, the computer may unlock a door of the vehicle and provide a visual prompt to the individual to unlatch the unlocked door. The visual prompt can include an unlatch icon displayed upon a door access panel of the vehicle.

A validity of a user input is determined by determining the user input (a) matches an identifier string and is valid or (b) does not match the identifier string and is invalid. Access to a vehicle is authorized based on the user input being valid. A number of invalid attempts are determined based on the user input being invalid. Based on the number of invalid attempts being less than a lockout number, a risk level of the user input is evaluated to adjust the lockout number. Then, upon determining the validity of a secondary user input, (a) access to the vehicle is authorized based on the secondary user input being valid or (b) a lockout of the vehicle is activated based on the secondary user input being invalid and the number of invalid attempts equaling the adjusted lockout number.

A system and method of controlling a surrounding lamp system of a vehicle are provided. The method includes sensing an approach of the user to the vehicle acquiring an image of the user with respect to a vehicle body, when the user approaches the vehicle body. A motion of the user, the motion having directionality with respect to the vehicle body is determined from the image and a surrounding lamp is then operated based on the motion having directionality with respect to the vehicle body.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to a vehicle inhibitor with an enhanced user interface and a system and method for overriding a vehicle inhibitor. This disclosure may be useful for providing an emergency override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems that have wireless user interface modules, and that have become lost or inoperable when needed to generate an emergency override signal. Further, the present disclosure addresses this problem while mitigating additional system cost and additional components. This disclosure includes a method of providing an emergency override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems that have wireless user interface modules, and that have become lost or inoperable when needed to generate an emergency override signal. Further this disclosure includes a method of providing a disablement override function for vehicle loan repayment enforcement systems, wired or wireless, that allows vehicle operation past the grace period in those locations where complete disablement may be limited.

Trailer localizing systems and methods include a trailer to be coupled to the tow vehicle for towing and comprising solar panels and a tracking device communicatively coupled with a location determination device to transmit a current real time position of the trailer when active. The system is configured to determine whether the trailer is electronically connected to the tow vehicle, whether the solar panels are active upon a determination that the trailer is not electrically connected to the tow vehicle, activate the tracking device along with the location determination device upon a determination that the trailer is electronically connected to the tow vehicle, the plurality of solar panels are active, or both, generate an alert that the tracking device is active upon activation of the tracking device, and transmit the current real time position of the trailer with the alert to track the trailer.

A detector, system and method for detecting vehicle lock status are provided. The detector comprises a motion sensor configured to sense vehicle door open and close movement; a microphone configured to record sound patterns generated with targeted events; a wireless communication module; a memory for storage; a battery for supplying power; and a controller connected to the motion sensor, microphone, wireless communication module, memory and battery respectively and configured to switch on or off the microphone and the wireless communication module according to signals provided by the motion sensor, and control the wireless communication module to transmit sound files wirelessly. The detector is designed and sized to be attached to the vehicle door. The detector is easy to use, easy to install, yet affordable for detecting the lock status of the vehicle and show the lock status on the driver's smart phone even if he/she has walked away.