A networked device includes a network input/output and an access control list with a plurality of different available levels of access for entities communicating with the networked device through the network input/output. An access manager is configured to update the access control list from a blockchain via communication with the blockchain through the network input/output.

A method for controlling access to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a communication subsystem of the vehicle, a first request to authenticate a user requesting access to the vehicle; sending, to an electronic device associated with the vehicle, an instruction to perform a multiple-factor authentication of a first user of the electronic device; receiving, from the electronic device, a first message indicating that an identity of the first user of the electronic device has been verified based on at least the multiple-factor authentication; and in response to receiving the first message, sending, to the communication subsystem of the vehicle, a second message indicating successful authentication of the first user.

A system includes a mobile device and a fob, each having a short-range wireless transceiver. The mobile device is programmed to transmit a message to the fob indicating a fob action using the mobile device transceiver. The fob is programmed to, using the fob transceiver, receive the message and transmit a second message to a vehicle requesting the vehicle to perform the fob action.

A security system unlocks a locked state, which limits a use of a vehicle device attached to a vehicle, by inputting a preset genuine password. The security system may generate key information by converting the genuine password based on a predetermined rule. The key information is used for generating an alternative password that unlocks the locked state instead of the genuine password. The security system may generate the alternative password based on the key information. The security system may unlock the locked state when the alternative password is input.

An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicular door includes a base portion and a handle portion. The base portion is configured to mount at an exterior door handle region of the vehicular door and the handle portion is movable relative to the base portion to actuate a door opening latch mechanism. A pocket lighting and sensing module includes at least one LED and at least one light sensor. The LED, when energized, emits light to illuminate a pocket surface at the base portion. With the LED energized to emit light, the light sensor senses the light emitted by the LED and reflected off the pocket surface. Responsive to light sensed by the light sensor with the light emitting diode energized being below a threshold level, the pocket lighting and sensing module determines presence of a person's hand at the handle portion.

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 method for controlling access to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a communication subsystem of the vehicle, a first request to authenticate a user requesting access to the vehicle; sending, to an electronic device associated with the vehicle, an instruction to perform a multiple-factor authentication of a first user of the electronic device; receiving, from the electronic device, a first message indicating that an identity of the first user of the electronic device has been verified based on at least the multiple-factor authentication; and in response to receiving the first message, sending, to the communication subsystem of the vehicle, a second message indicating successful authentication of the first user.

A system for includes master and sniffer devices. The master device includes: first antennas with different polarized axes; a transmitter transmitting a challenge signal via the first antennas from the vehicle to a slave device, where the slave device is a portable access device; and a receiver receiving a response signal in response to the challenge signal from the slave device. The sniffer device includes: second antennas with different polarized axes; and a receiver receiving, via the second antennas, the challenge signal from the transmitter and the response signal from the slave device. The sniffer device measures when the challenge signal and the response signal arrive at the sniffer device to provide arrival times. The master or sniffer device estimates at least one of a distance from the vehicle to the slave device or a location of the slave device relative to the vehicle based on the arrival times.

A method of communicating with a portable access device includes iteratively performing an algorithm via an access module of a vehicle. The algorithm includes a series of operations including: selecting a frequency from multiple frequencies; selecting an antenna pair from multiple possible antenna pairs, where antennas of the possible antenna pairs include antennas with different polarized axes; transmitting a packet to the portable access device via the selected antenna pair; receiving a first RSSI and a response signal from the portable access device, the first RSSI corresponds to the transmission of the packet; and measuring a second RSSI of the response signal; based on the first RSSIs and the second RSSIs. A best one of the frequencies and a best antenna pair of the possible antenna pairs are selected. One or more additional packets are transmitted using the selected best frequency and the selected best antenna pair.

A system for detecting a range extension type relay attack includes a transmitter, a receiver and a module. The transmitter transmits a RF signal from one of a vehicle and a portable access device to the other one of the vehicle and the portable access device. The receiver receives a response signal in response to the RF signal. The module: generates a parameter associated with the transmission of the RF signal and the reception of the response signal; based on the parameter, detects the range extension type relay attack performed by an attacking device, where at least one of (i) the RF signal is relayed via the attacking device from the vehicle to the portable access device, or (ii) the response signal is relayed via the attacking device from the portable access device to the vehicle; and perform a countermeasure in response to detecting the range extension type relay attack.