Various systems and methods are presented regarding incorporating connected/smart vehicle technology into a legacy system vehicle. A smart key can be communicatively coupled to a digital/electronic interface, wherein the key and the interface are co-located on a vehicle. One or more portable devices (e.g., one or more cellphones) can be configured to communicate with the interface and, accordingly, operate the vehicle in a manner similar to if the key was in the possession of an entity wanting to gain access/operate the vehicle. Prior to initiating operation of the vehicle, the respective portable devices can be synchronized/authenticated to enable the respective portable device to access and command operation of the interface and the co-located key.

A telematics system that includes a security controller is provided. The security controller is responsible for ensuring secure access to and controlled use of resources in the vehicle. The security measures relied on by the security controller can be based on digital certificates that grant rights to certificate holders, e.g., application developers. In the case in which applications are to be used with vehicle resources, procedures are implemented to make sure that certified applications do not jeopardize vehicle resources' security and vehicle users' safety. Relationships among interested entities are established to promote and support secure vehicle resource access and usage. The entities can include vehicle makers, communication service providers, communication apparatus vendors, vehicle subsystem suppliers, application developers, as well as vehicle owners/users. At least some of the entities can be members of a federation established to enhance and facilitate secure access and usage of vehicle resources.

A vehicle tracking unit is provided for a vehicle of a type comprising a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle and at least one operable vehicle device connected thereto. The at least one operable vehicle device may be responsive to at least one data bus code on the vehicle data bus. The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Moreover, the controller may generate the at least one data bus code on the vehicle data communications bus to control the at least one operable vehicle device based upon a command signal received by the wireless device.

A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle-mounted device and a portable device. In the vehicle communication system, a transmission unit transmits a first to third radio signals having intensities weaker in this order, a measurement unit measures an intensity of each of the radio signals, and a determination unit that determines whether an intensity difference between any two of the radio signals among the radio signals measured by the measurement unit is larger than a threshold value. Control of a target mounted on the vehicle is permitted if the intensity difference is larger than the threshold value.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device in which a processing system of a remote entry system selects a first circuit from a plurality of circuits of a key remote from the device; wirelessly transmits a first challenge signal to the key, the first challenge signal specifying the first circuit; and wirelessly receives a first response signal from the key, the first response signal having a first response signal power level and a first response signal delay with respect to the first challenge signal. The processing system analyzes the first response signal by comparing the first response signal power level and the first response signal delay respectively with a predetermined first signal power and predetermined first time delay associated with the first circuit; and, in accordance with the comparing, determines whether to enable the entry system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device in which a processing system of a remote entry system selects a first circuit from a plurality of circuits of a key remote from the device; wirelessly transmits a first challenge signal to the key, the first challenge signal specifying the first circuit; and wirelessly receives a first response signal from the key, the first response signal having a first response signal power level and a first response signal delay with respect to the first challenge signal. The processing system analyzes the first response signal by comparing the first response signal power level and the first response signal delay respectively with a predetermined first signal power and predetermined first time delay associated with the first circuit; and, in accordance with the comparing, determines whether to enable the entry system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A telematics system that includes a security controller is provided. The security controller is responsible for ensuring secure access to and controlled use of resources in the vehicle. The security measures relied on by the security controller can be based on digital certificates that grant rights to certificate holders, e.g., application developers. In the case in which applications are to be used with vehicle resources, procedures are implemented to make sure that certified applications do not jeopardize vehicle resources' security and vehicle users' safety. Relationships among interested entities are established to promote and support secure vehicle resource access and usage. The entities can include vehicle makers, communication service providers, communication apparatus vendors, vehicle subsystem suppliers, application developers, as well as vehicle owners/users. At least some of the entities can be members of a federation established to enhance and facilitate secure access and usage of vehicle resources.

The present invention relates to a method for securely connecting a vehicle and a Bluetooth key, a vehicle Bluetooth module and a Bluetooth key. The method comprises: when a vehicle Bluetooth module successfully establishes a Bluetooth communication connection with a mobile terminal installed with a Bluetooth key, the vehicle Bluetooth module receiving an authentication request from the Bluetooth key, wherein an authentication manner of the authentication request is simple authentication or common authentication; when the authentication manner of the authentication request is simple authentication, the vehicle Bluetooth module performing security authentication on the Bluetooth key according to the simple authentication manner, and sending an authentication result to the Bluetooth key; and when the authentication result indicates that authentication fails, or the authentication manner of the authentication request is common authentication, the vehicle Bluetooth module performing security authentication on the Bluetooth key according to the common authentication manner.

A telematics system that includes a security controller is provided. The security controller is responsible for ensuring secure access to and controlled use of resources in the vehicle. The security measures relied on by the security controller can be based on digital certificates that grant rights to certificate holders, e.g., application developers. In the case in which applications are to be used with vehicle resources, procedures are implemented to make sure that certified applications do not jeopardize vehicle resources' security and vehicle users' safety. Relationships among interested entities are established to promote and support secure vehicle resource access and usage. The entities can include vehicle makers, communication service providers, communication apparatus vendors, vehicle subsystem suppliers, application developers, as well as vehicle owners/users. At least some of the entities can be members of a federation established to enhance and facilitate secure access and usage of vehicle resources.

The invention relates to a radio key (54) for authenticating a user of a vehicle (12) with respect to a door unlocking system (14) of the vehicle (12) and/or a drive start device (14) of the vehicle (10). The radio key (54) comprises a transponder unit (44) which is designed to receive a query signal (50) transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle (12) and to transmit, depending on the received query signal (50), an authentication signal (52) based on an authentication code. The transponder unit (44) is arranged in a casing (42). The invention is based on the problem of designing the use of a radio key to be more convenient. An area (54) of the casing (42) has a shape of an insertion area of a standardized memory card for a mobile terminal (10), by means of which the memory card is to be stuck in accordance with the standard in an insertion slot (E) of the mobile terminal (10). The radio key can thus be integrated in a mobile terminal.