A vehicle wireless communication system includes: a vehicle including an output circuit; and first and second communication devices configured to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. In a case in which the first communication device is positioned in a first area including one point located inside the vehicle, the use of the vehicle is permitted. In a case in which the first communication device is positioned in a second area including the one point and the second communication device is not positioned in a third area including the one point, the output circuit outputs a notification that there is a possibility of failure to carry the second communication device. In a case in which the first communication device is positioned in the second area and the second communication device is positioned in the third area, the output circuit of the vehicle does not output the notification.

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 handle for a motor vehicle opening, equipped with an ultra-high-frequency antenna having a device for transmitting and receiving a signal at a predetermined wavelength, with a device for detecting the approach of and/or contact by a user, with a printed circuit board and with at least one connecting cable intended for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to an electronic control unit. The at least one connecting cable has a section either projecting from the remainder of the at least one connecting cable or surrounded by an electromagnetically insulating coating coaxial with the at least one connecting cable, a length of the projecting section or a length of the coaxial coating being equal to one quarter of said predetermined wavelength with a tolerance of +/−20%.

A vehicle control method is provided, applied to a vehicle-mounted apparatus, including: The vehicle-mounted apparatus establishes a first communication connection to a mobile terminal, predicts a first movement track or a second movement track of the mobile terminal, and performs a first operation when a first condition is met, or performs a second operation when a second condition is met. The first condition includes: the first movement track enters a first region, and the mobile terminal enters a second region; the second condition includes: the second movement track leaves a third region, and the mobile terminal leaves the second region; and the second region includes the first region, and the third region includes the first region.

A method for providing temporary access to a vehicle includes receiving a vehicle access request at a vehicle, transporting the vehicle from a storage space to a user originating the vehicle access request using the at least one of the semi-autonomous mode and the fully autonomous mode, providing the user access to the vehicle via a smartlock system, and transporting the vehicle from the user to the storage space subsequent to the user's access. The vehicle includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of a semi-autonomous mode and a fully autonomous mode.

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.

A method of operating an access system for a vehicle, the method comprising: 5 scanning for a first communication signal from a first communications device using a first communication channel; and initiating a vehicle access process in dependence on detecting the first communication signal from the first communications device; wherein the vehicle access process comprises: comparing a received signal strength indication, RSSI, of the received first communication signal to a predetermined 10 threshold signal strength value; sending a challenge signal for a second communications device using a second communication channel in the event that the RSSI of the received first communication signal exceeds the threshold signal strength value; and controlling the vehicle access system in dependence on a response signal received from the second communications device, the response signal having been 15 sent in response to the challenge signal.

A number of techniques are disclosed for making it more convenient and efficient for customers to conduct various rental vehicle transactions. As an example, a technique for performing an automated pickup of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for performing an automated return administration of a rental vehicle using a mobile device is disclosed. As another example, a technique for permitting customer to select a particular rental vehicle for a rental vehicle transaction using a mobile device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a technique for permitting a customer to keylessly start a rental vehicle using a machine-sensible item such as his/her mobile device without requiring the customer to possess a smart key.

A power door system for a vehicle including a plurality of power-operated doors is provided. The system includes a passive remote entry device configured to emit a signal to one or more cooperating vehicle receivers and a controller configured to cause the power door system to open the at least one power-operated door when the passive remote entry device signal is received and an individual is detected in a predefined activation zone for a predetermined period of time. The system further includes a vehicle-mounted user detection device. The passive remote entry device may be selected from the group consisting of a key fob, a smart key, a key card, a cellular telephone or smartphone configured with a phone-as-a-key function, a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized cellular telephone, a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized smartphone, and a Bluetooth®-activated and vehicle-recognized smartwatch. Methods for controlling a power door system for a vehicle are described.

A UHF communication method for activating a motor vehicle function with a portable item of user equipment, based on the presence of the portable item of equipment in predetermined areas around the vehicle. The portable item transmitting a first signaling event at a predetermined period on at least one signaling channel. The first event including at least one signaling frame having a data block. The method including: a predetermined number of additional signaling events transmitted to the vehicle during the period; a request signal received from the vehicle, for each signaling frame of each event received by the vehicle; sending a response frame upon receipt of the request signal by the portable item; determining the presence of the portable item in one of the predetermined areas based on the strength values of the received signal; activating a vehicle function based on the determined presence of the portable item of equipment.