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.

A radio frequency (RF) circuit is provided and includes an antenna, a printed circuit board and a RF chip. The printed circuit board includes a stack of layers. The stack of layers includes a grounded layer. The grounded layer includes a slit, a dielectric area, a first grounded area and a second grounded area. The dielectric area includes dielectric material and is disposed between the first grounded area and the second grounded area. The antenna is edge mounted to the ground layer adjacent the dielectric area and offset from a centerline of the ground layer. The second grounded area is disposed between the dielectric area and the slit. The RF chip is mounted to the stack of layers and connected to the antenna via a transmission line and configured to transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna.

The present invention relates to a transport system with a fleet of self-driving vehicles for transporting persons and/or parcels within a delimited area, a self-driving vehicle for use within such a transport system and a control method of a transport system with a fleet of self-driving vehicles. In order to create a transport system that facilitates low-cost and individual mobility for persons and/or parcels in city traffic in particular, a vehicle control system is proposed according to the invention with an onboard unit associated with the individual vehicle and a central computer, which is connected to all vehicles of the fleet, wherein the vehicle dynamics of an individual vehicle are regulated by the onboard unit and the navigation as well as the integration of an individual vehicle into the traffic is controlled both by the onboard unit and by the central computer.

The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for transmitting radio frequency signals. The system includes a controller in communication with a first device fixed within a first housing attached to an exterior of a vehicle. The system also includes a second device fixed within a second housing attached to the exterior of the vehicle. The controller determines whether the first housing and the second housing are in a first position or in a second position. When the first housing and the second housing are in the first position, the controller transmits first radio frequency signals via the first device and via the second device. When the first housing and the second housing are in the second position, the controller transmits second radio frequency signals via the first device and via the second device. The system improves an antenna coverage area of the first device and second device.

A wire-management module is configured to be installable to a vehicle having an operable system configured to be energized in response to operative connection between a first wire and a second wire. A user-authentication module is configured to transmit a wire-management signal including a wire-inhibit signal configured to indicate lack of authorization to use the operable system of the vehicle. The wire-management module is configured to be operatively coupled to the first wire and the second wire. The wire-management module has a signal input port configured to receive the wire-inhibit signal that is transmittable from the user-authentication module. The wire-management module is also configured to inhibit operative connection between the first wire and the second wire.

A vehicle-mounted device includes vehicle information detecting unit for detecting an on/off state of vehicle power, relay input/output unit for controlling an external relay configured to make a switch between a starting-disabled state and a starting-enabled state of a vehicle, and vehicle information-associated control unit for controlling the external relay based on a relay control command. The vehicle information-associated control unit controls the external relay based on an elapsed time since a change in the on/off state of vehicle power detected by the vehicle information detecting unit.

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 vehicle and a method are configured to prevent malfunction of a touch sensor in a vehicle door. The vehicle includes a transceiver for transmitting a searching signal to a smart key located outside the vehicle and receiving a response signal to the searching signal, at least one touch sensor mounted in a door of the vehicle to sense a touch input of a user in a capacitive scheme, and a controller that determines an approach direction of the smart key based on the response signal and controls to operate only a touch sensor installed in a door mapped to the approach direction among the at least one touch sensor.

A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.