A process for detecting a portable user device in a predetermined zone on the inside or outside of a vehicle by a detection device onboard the vehicle. The high-frequency, BLE type communication includes a first signaling mode and a second communication mode, the first mode including: positioning the portable device at a predetermined fixed distance from the detection device, transmitting a signal by the detection device with predetermined transmission power on a channel. As long as the detection device is receiving a response signal from the portable device, repeating transmission of the signal at the same transmission power on other channels, otherwise, repeating transmission of the signal on a channel with reduced transmission power, and if the detection device no longer receives a response signal, comparing the transmission power to a predetermined threshold transmission power, and applying a correction to the transmission power during the second mode.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining a location of a device using multiple antenna switching. A method for determining a location of a device using multiple antenna switching according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a first determination step of determining whether a device enters a target proximity zone or a target zone on the basis of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value received through a second antenna having a first coverage; a step of connecting a third antenna through antenna switching if it is determined that the device has entered the target proximity zone or the target zone in the first determining step; a second determination step of determining whether the device enters the target zone on the basis of a RSSI value received through the third antenna having a second coverage; and a step of confirming that the device has entered the target zone if it is determined that the device has entered the target zone in the second determination step.

Passive entry systems, such as passive entry-passive start vehicle systems, using short-range wireless communication signals to determine a distance between nomadic devices and unlockable devices based on a round trip time of flight (TOF) measurement.

An on-board device in a control system in which frequencies used for transmitting and receiving a signal between the on-board device and an electronic key are known, and the electronic key transmits a response signal to a desired signal within a specified period when completing reception of the desired signal from the on-board device, the on-board device transmits the desired signal on a first frequency included in a specified frequency band; transmits a dummy signal on a second frequency included in the specified frequency band and different from the first frequency; receives the response signal to the desired signal from the electronic key; and controls to transmit the dummy signal in a period from before stopping transmitting the desired signal to after starting reception of the response signal.

The disclosure relates to a method performed by a within-vehicle-confirming system on-board a vehicle for establishing that a key device is within an interior of the vehicle. The system determines that there is a secure communication link between the vehicle and the key device. The system further provides a vehicle sound signal within the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, the system receives from the key device a key device signal via the secure communication link, which key device signal is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors associated with the key device. The system further compares the vehicle sound signal with the key device signal, and enables a start of the vehicle when the key device signal matches the vehicle sound signal. The disclosure also relates to a within-vehicle-confirming system in accordance with the foregoing, and to a vehicle at least partly comprising such a system.

A vehicle authentication system and a vehicle authentication method based on BLE and fingerprint are provided. The vehicle authentication system includes an audio/video/navigation/telematics (AVNT) smart interconnection device, a driver-side door handle fingerprint identification device, a vehicle starting button fingerprint identification device, a fingerprint authentication controller, and a central control processor.

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 sensing device can include an accelerometer, a transceiver, and a computing device in communication with the accelerometer and transceiver. The computing device can transmit a first set of signals at a first power level to a remote device. The computing device can determine, via the accelerometer, a movement of the sensing device. The computing device can increase a power level for transmission from the first power level to a second power level in response to the movement. The computing device can transmit future signals at the second power level to the remote device.