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 couple to a plurality of sensors and a wireless transceiver. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense measurements proximate to a vehicle. The at least one computing device can be configured to read a plurality of first measurements of a first sensor of the plurality of sensors. Based on the plurality of first measurements from the first sensor, the at least one computing device can determine that a key fob moved outside of a range of the first sensor. In response to the key fob moving outside of the range of the first sensor, the at least one computing device can transition to an armed state. The at least one computing device can read a plurality of second measurements from a subset of the plurality of sensors. Based on the plurality of second measurements, the at least one computing device can determine that a person has entered the vehicle.

A vehicle, including: a first antenna module located inside the vehicle and including a communication antenna and a communication module; a second antenna module located outside the vehicle and including a communication antenna and a communication module; and a controller configured to control the first antenna module and the second antenna module to wirelessly communicate with each other, identify a distance from the vehicle to a digital key through a communication between the second antenna module and the digital key to control the vehicle, and identify whether the digital key is inside the vehicle by scanning the inside of the vehicle by the first antenna module to control the vehicle.

Disclosed are a vehicle access system and method with at least two sets of a receiver and a transmitter, each set configured to receive a type of wireless communication signal from a corresponding transmitter of a user device, and the type of wireless communication signal received by a set is different from that received by at least another set; a signal module communicating with each set, each signal module configured to process the wireless communication signals received from the set to determine an initial location of the user device relative to the vehicle; a localization module communicating with the signal modules and configured to determine a final location of the user device relative to the vehicle, based on the initial locations determined by the signal modules; and a controller configured to lock or unlock a door of the vehicle based on the determined final location of the user device.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for passenger authentication and entry for autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A vehicle receives information over a first communication channel from a first mobile device. The information specifies a geographical location. The information causes the vehicle to arrive at the geographical location. The vehicle transmits a first message to a second mobile device indicating that the vehicle has arrived at the geographical location. The first message includes a graphical icon representing the vehicle. The graphical icon is for display on a user interface of the second mobile device. The vehicle receives a second message from the second mobile device over a second communication channel. The second message indicates that the graphical icon was dragged across the user interface into a graphical receptacle displayed on the user interface. Responsive to receiving the second message, at least one door of the vehicle is unlocked.

A smart key system of a vehicle that notifies a user that a fob battery needs to be replaced, including a fob configured to transmit information that the battery needs to be replaced to an in-vehicle communication module configured to transmit the information to an identification authentication unit (IAU); and the IAU configured to transmit the information to an integrated body unit (IBU) configured to notify a user of the information. A smart key system includes: a fob configured to transmit failure information to a BLE module when UWB communication fails due to battery voltage drop; the BLE module configured to receive the failure information, and measure a distance for positioning the fob using a BLE signal; and an IBU configured to transmit an operation signal to a controller configured to control at least one function among vehicle door opening and closing, vehicle start, remote parking, and vehicle door locking.

Disclosed herein is a vehicle theft prevention device. The device can include a data store including event configuration data. The device can include one or more sensors that can sense various types of measurements proximate to a vehicle. The device can include a computing device in communication with the sensors. The computing device can read measurements from the sensors and determine that a particular event has occurred. The computing device can analyze the measurements to determine the particular event occurred based on the event configuration data. When the particular event occurs, the computing device can perform one or more remedial actions.

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.

Systems and methods for localization and passive entry/passive start (PEPS) systems for vehicles are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle configured to establish a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication connection with a portable device. Sensors are configured to measure signal information about a communication signal sent from the portable device. A localization module is configured to receive the signal information from the sensors and determine a location of the portable device based on the signal information. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system is configured to receive the location of the portable device from the localization module and perform a vehicle function including at least one of unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, and allowing the vehicle to be started based on the location of the portable device. Each of the plurality of sensors are synchronized.

A vehicle includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to determine whether or not a communication interface is malfunctioning, the communication interface being configured to perform communication for confirming that a device, which holds a digital key for activation, is inside a vehicle cabin, and in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is malfunctioning, perform processing that enables activation based on a result of authentication of the device.