Voxx International Corporation

Robert Andre Lacroix

Geoff Weathersby

Elie Issa

Aravind Warrier

Sylvain Jalbert

In selected examples, a vehicle control system (VCS) includes Bluetooth beacons and an app running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a key fob equipped with movement sensors and a Bluetooth® transceiver. Passive keyless entry capability of the system uses received signal strength indications (RSSIs) together with movement-related indications of the movement sensors to determine when the mobile device moves away from the vehicle beyond a predetermined departure distance, and/or approaches the vehicle to within a predetermined arrival distance. When the user approaches the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits an arrival notification to the VCS, which automatically performs arrival actions, e.g., unlocking doors and disarming security features of the VCS/vehicle. When the user moves away from the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits a departures notification to the VCS, which performs departure actions, e.g., locking the vehicle and arming the security features of the VCS/vehicle.

Multi-sensor passive keyless functionality

An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth® VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth® transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth® link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identify smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to the communications.

Vehicle control system and mobile device used as vehicle key fob

In selected examples, a vehicle control system (VCS) includes Bluetooth beacons and an app running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a key fob equipped with movement sensors and a Bluetooth&#xae; transceiver. Passive keyless entry capability of the system uses received signal strength indications (RSSIs) together with movement-related indications of the movement sensors to determine when the mobile device moves away from the vehicle beyond a predetermined departure distance, and/or approaches the vehicle to within a predetermined arrival distance. When the user approaches the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits an arrival notification to the VCS, which automatically performs arrival actions, e.g., unlocking doors and disarming security features of the VCS/vehicle. When the user moves away from the vehicle, the mobile device automatically transmits a departures notification to the VCS, which performs departure actions, e.g., locking the vehicle and arming the security features of the VCS/vehicle.

An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth&#xae; VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth&#xae; transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth&#xae; link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identity smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to live communications.

An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth&#xae; VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth&#xae; transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth&#xae; link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identify smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to the communications.

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Lachine, Canada

Robert Andre Lacroix