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 vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a first sensor, a second sensor, and at least one computing device coupled to the first and second sensors. The first sensor and second sensors can be configured to sense a first type and a second type of measurement, respectively. The at least one computing device can be configured to read a plurality of measurements of the first type at a predetermined frequency from within a vehicle. In response to one of the plurality of measurements meeting a predetermined threshold, the at least one computing device can read, from the second sensor, at least one measurement of the second type from within the vehicle. The at least one computing device can be configured to determine, based on the at least one measurement from the second sensor, that the one of the plurality of measurements that met the predetermined threshold corresponds to a false positive.

A vehicle includes a keypad mounted to an exterior of the vehicle, the keypad having a plurality of buttons, each button representing both a first value and a second value. The vehicle further includes a body controller, programmed to receive an input sequence entered via the keypad, validate whether the input sequence matches a predefined keycode, assuming the input sequence correctly entered the first value or the second value according to indications of which values of the keycode are the first value and which are the second value, and confirm pairing a mobile device to the vehicle responsive to the input sequence matching the keycode.

A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.

A vehicle includes a keypad mounted to an exterior of the vehicle, the keypad having a plurality of buttons, each button representing both a first value and a second value. The vehicle further includes a body controller, programmed to receive an input sequence entered via the keypad, validate whether the input sequence matches a predefined keycode, assuming the input sequence correctly entered the first value or the second value according to indications of which values of the keycode are the first value and which are the second value, and confirm pairing a mobile device to the vehicle responsive to the input sequence matching the keycode.

A vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include a locking mechanism with an engagement component. The locking mechanism can be engaged via a first action to apply a force on the vehicle when in an engaged state. The locking mechanism can disengage, via a second action, to withdraw the force from the vehicle when in the engaged state. The locking mechanism can maintain a current state of the force in response to the first action and the second action when in a disengaged state. One or more computing devices can receive a command to enable or disable the locking mechanism. In response to receiving the command, the computing device can cause the engagement component to transition the locking mechanism from the disengaged state to the engaged state or from an engaged state to a disengaged state.

Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called primary antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.

The invention relates to a method for operating an anti-theft system of a motor vehicle, comprising a communication system for near field communication and a storage device within a transmission and reception zone of the communication system. The mobile terminal is deposited in a control area in the interior compartment of the motor vehicle, the control area being located outside the transmission and reception zone. The deposited mobile terminal is connected to the communication system by a connecting device, which may, e.g., take the form of a cable, and a wired data communication connection is established. A control unit detects whether the data communication connection has been established with the mobile terminal by the connecting device and detects whether the mobile terminal is authorised to operate the anti-theft system, and depending on whether the authorisation has been detected, activates and/or deactivates a function of the anti-theft system.

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 vehicle theft-prevention apparatus can include at least one computing device coupled to a first sensor and a second sensor that are configured to sense a first and a second type of measurement in a vehicle, respectively. The at least on computing device can be configured to read a plurality of measurements of the first type of measurement from the first sensor at a predetermined frequency. In response to one of the plurality of measurements exceeding a predetermined threshold, the at least one computing device can read at least one measurement from the second sensor. Based on the at least one measurement from the second sensor, the at least one computing device can determine that a person has entered the vehicle.