Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth® sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth® or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.

Abstract: A vehicle system may include a plurality of wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one indicator carried by the vehicle, and a portable device moveable relative to the vehicle and configured to receive the wireless signals from the plurality of wireless transmitters. The system may further include a controller carried by the vehicle and configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable device, and determine a predicted zone the portable device is located in adjacent to the vehicle based upon the received wireless signals, with the predicted zone being one of a plurality of different zones adjacent the vehicle having respective vehicle functions associated therewith. The controller may be further configured to cause the at least one indicator to provide an indication that the portable device has entered the predicted zone, and enable the respective vehicle function associated with the predicted zone.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth® interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: 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 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.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.

Abstract: A vehicle system may include a plurality of wireless transmitters carried by a vehicle and configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one indicator carried by the vehicle, and a portable device moveable relative to the vehicle and configured to receive the wireless signals from the plurality of wireless transmitters. The system may further include a controller carried by the vehicle and configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable device, and determine a predicted zone the portable device is located in adjacent to the vehicle based upon the received wireless signals, with the predicted zone being one of a plurality of different zones adjacent the vehicle having respective vehicle functions associated therewith. The controller may be further configured to cause the at least one indicator to provide an indication that the portable device has entered the predicted zone, and enable the respective vehicle function associated with the predicted zone.

Abstract: A speaker assembly may be for being resiliently mounted to spaced apart frame members of a vehicle. The speaker assembly may include an elongate housing having a respective retention chamber at each opposing end, and audio speakers and associated wireless receiver circuitry carried by the housing. The speaker assembly may also include a respective inboard elastomeric body within each retention chamber, and a respective vehicle frame mounting bracket at each end of the elongate housing and to be mounted to an adjacent frame member of the vehicle. The assembly may further include respective fasteners coupling each vehicle frame mounting bracket to the elongate housing via a corresponding inboard elastomeric body so that each vehicle frame mounting bracket is resiliently coupled to the elongate housing.

Abstract: A method for detecting relay attacks between two communication platforms, the method including: receiving, at a first communication platform, a first signal sent via a first communication channel from a second communication platform, the first signal including information about a challenge; receiving, at the first communication platform, a second signal sent via a second communication channel from the second communication platform, the second signal being a start clock; receiving, at the first communication platform, a third signal sent via the second communication channel from the second communication platform, the third signal including the challenge; outputting, from the first communication platform, a response to the challenge via the first communication channel to the second communication platform; and determining, at the second communication platform, whether a relay attack has occurred based on a time elapsed from when the start clock began to when the response is received at the second communication p

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is for use with wireless headphones, with each wireless headphone being operable via a respective paired wireless connection. The vehicle entertainment system may include video entertainment displays for a vehicle, and a controller for the vehicle. The controller may be configured to establish respective paired wireless connections with the wireless headphones, and provide selectable access to a plurality of different audio/video (A/V) entertainment content streams. Each of the A/V entertainment content streams may include a respective video entertainment stream and an associated audio entertainment stream. The controller may be further configured to send selected video entertainment content streams for viewing at the video entertainment displays, and send selected audio entertainment content streams over the respective paired wireless connections for hearing at the wireless headphones.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system may include at least one vehicle video monitor configured to be mounted in the vehicle and including a monitor display and a monitor control interface permitting an adjacent user to control video content for the monitor display. The system may further include a mobile wireless device (MWD) to be carried by a remote user within the vehicle comprising an MWD display and circuitry associated therewith configured to obtain sampled video content being displayed on the monitor display, display the sampled video content on the MWD display, and provide a remote MWD control interface to permit the remote user to remotely control the video content on the monitor display.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) includes external communication interfaces, such as a Bluetooth interface, for communicating with a user communication and control device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. The user is enabled to operate certain features of the vehicle, such as the remote start, power locks/trunk, climate control, and security features, through the smart phone. The VCS may also communicate with a remote server via the user's smartphone, for example, providing telematics data and receiving service reminders for display to the user on the smartphone, the VCS, or a display built into the vehicle. The VCS may be custom installed in the vehicle using the user's or the installer's smartphone, without a physical connection from the VCS to the smartphone.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.