Abstract: A communication system for intra-vehicle communication in a host vehicle includes a master control system including a master controller and a master transceiver, the master control system being configured to receive an input signal to control an on-board vehicle system. The communication system has a slave control system associated with the on-board vehicle system, the slave control system comprising a slave controller and a slave transceiver. The master transceiver and the slave transceiver are configured to establish wireless communication between the master control system and the slave control system. The master control system is configured to receive the input signal and to generate an output signal based on the input signal; and to transmit the output signal to the slave control system to control operation of the on-board vehicle system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system (1) having one or more controller (21) for controlling a lock mechanism (2-n) associated with an aperture closure member (7-n) of a vehicle (3). The control system (1) is configured to communicate with two or more portable devices (4-n). The control system (1) identifies a change in the operating state of an aperture closure member (7-n), and communicates with the two or more portable devices (4-n) to determine a location of the two or more portable devices (4-n) in dependence on identification of the change in the operating state of the aperture closure member (7-n). The control system (1) classifies a first one of the two or more portable devices (4-n) located within a target zone (TZ-n) as a confirmed portable device (4-n); and tracks the location of the confirmed portable device (4-n).

Abstract: An access control system (53) for a vehicle (10) having at least one access system associated with a closure (19) of the vehicle (10), the access control system (53) comprising one or more controllers (22), the access control system configured to receive a first signal (34) from an associated user device (12), the first signal (34) being indicative that the user device (12) is beyond a threshold distance from the vehicle (10); receive a second signal (30) indicative of a user request to change a lock mode of the access control system (53); operate in a lock mode selected from a plurality of lock modes in dependence on receipt of the second signal (30); and generate a control signal to activate the at least one access system (51) into a lock state in dependence on the selected lock mode and in response to the first signal (34) indicating that the proximity of the user device (12) to the vehicle (10) exceeds the threshold distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller (20) for controlling operation of an access control device (2) for a vehicle (3). The access control device (2) is selectively operable in a first operating mode (P1) and a second operating mode (P2). The access control device (2) is in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode (P1). The controller (20) includes a processor (24) and a memory means (23). The processor (24) is configured to determine a position of the access control device (2) and to generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode (P1). The control signal is generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device (2). The controller (20) may be provided in the access control device (2). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling operation of an access control device (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system (100) for a vehicle, for determining a range from the vehicle to a portable control device associated with the vehicle. The control system comprises a signal input (106) for receiving a range request signal; a scan output (110) for triggering emission of a scan signal; a scan input (112) for receiving a scan response signal originating from the portable control device in response to the scan signal; a signal output (108) for transmitting data to the electronic control unit; where in dependence on receipt of the range request signal, the scan signal is sent; in dependence on the scan response signal, range data indicative of the range from the vehicle to the portable control device is determined; and the range data is output. The control system may operate with an existing access control system such that the key fob of the access control system may operate as the portable control device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system (1) for controlling at least one handle deployment mechanism (9-n) associated with an aperture closure member (7-n) of a vehicle (3). The system (1) includes a transceiver (29) for communicating with at least one device (33); and a control unit (20). The control unit (20) has one or more controller (21) configured to identify one of the at least one device (33) as an authorised device (33). The control unit (20) may determine a location of the or each authorised device (33) in relation to the vehicle (3). The determined location of the or each authorised device (33) is compared to one or more target zone (Zn). The control unit (20) is configured to actuate the handle deployment mechanism (9-n) to deploy a handle (11-n) in dependence on a determination that the or each authorised device (33) is located within the target zone (Zn) or one of the target zones (Zn).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller (20) for controlling operation of an access control device (2) for a vehicle (3). The access control device (2) is selectively operable in a first operating mode (P1) and a second operating mode (P2). The access control device (2) is in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode (P1). The controller (20) includes a processor (24) and a memory means (23). The processor (24) is configured to determine a position of the access control device (2) and to generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode (P1). The control signal is generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device (2). The controller (20) may be provided in the access control device (2). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling operation of an access control device (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller (20) for controlling operation of an access control device (2) for a vehicle (3). The access control device (2) is selectively operable in a first operating mode (P1) and a second operating mode (P2). The access control device (2) is in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode (P1). The controller (20) includes a processor (24) and a memory means (23). The processor (24) is configured to determine a position of the access control device (2) and to generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode (P1). The control signal is generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device (2). The controller (20) may be provided in the access control device (2). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling operation of an access control device (2).

Abstract: N The present disclosure relates to a control system (1) for a vehicle (3) to enable communication with a moveable barrier (2)? The control system (1) includes one or more controller (12) arranged to communicate with the moveable barrier (2). The controller (12) determines a current distance (BVD) of the vehicle (3) from the moveable barrier (2). A control signal (CS-n) is generated in dependence on the current distance (BVD). The control signal (CS-n) is configured to control movement of the moveable barrier (2). Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to a moveable barrier (2); a vehicle (3) and a related method.

Abstract: A communication system for intra-vehicle communication in a host vehicle includes a master control system including a master controller and a master transceiver, the master control system being configured to receive an input signal to control an on-board vehicle system. The communication system has a slave control system associated with the on-board vehicle system, the slave control system comprising a slave controller and a slave transceiver. The master transceiver and the slave transceiver are configured to establish wireless communication between the master control system and the slave control system. The master control system is configured to receive the input signal and to generate an output signal based on the input signal; and to transmit the output signal to the slave control system to control operation of the on-board vehicle system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system (1) having one or more controller (21) for controlling a lock mechanism (2-n) associated with an aperture closure member (7-n) of a vehicle (3). The control system (1) is configured to communicate with two or more portable devices (4-n). The control system (1) identifies a change in the operating state of an aperture closure member (7-n), and communicates with the two or more portable devices (4-n) to determine a location of the two or more portable devices (4-n) in dependence on identification of the change in the operating state of the aperture closure member (7-n). The control system (1) classifies a first one of the two or more portable devices (4-n) located within a target zone (TZ-n) as a confirmed portable device (4-n); and tracks the location of the confirmed portable device (4-n).

Abstract: An access control system (53) for a vehicle (10) having at least one access system associated with a closure (19) of the vehicle (10), the access control system (53) comprising one or more controllers (22), the access control system configured to receive a first signal (34) from an associated user device (12), the first signal (34) being indicative that the user device (12) is beyond a threshold distance from the vehicle (10); receive a second signal (30) indicative of a user request to change a lock mode of the access control system (53); operate in a lock mode selected from a plurality of lock modes in dependence on receipt of the second signal (30); and generate a control signal to activate the at least one access system (51) into a lock state in dependence on the selected lock mode and in response to the first signal (34) indicating that the proximity of the user device (12) to the vehicle (10) exceeds the threshold distance.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller (20) for controlling operation of an access control device (2) for a vehicle (3). The access control device (2) is selectively operable in a first operating mode (P1) and a second operating mode (P2). The access control device (2) is in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode (P1). The controller (20) includes a processor (24) and a memory means (23). The processor (24) is configured to determine a position of the access control device (2) and to generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode (P1). The control signal is generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device (2). The controller (20) may be provided in the access control device (2). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling operation of an access control device (2).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a key (101) for operating a lock mechanism (L). The key (101) includes a shank (105); and a blade (107) having a lock operating bit portion (111). The blade (107) is movable relative to the shank (105) between an operative position and a non-operative position. The blade (107) is disposed alongside the shank (105) in said non-operative position. The present disclosure also relates to key (101) in combination with a key fob; and a kit comprising a key (101) and a lock mechanism (L).

Abstract: A communication system for facilitating control over a function of a vehicle (102) comprises a base station (104) positioned in the vehicle (102) and a mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) comprises a first transmitter for transmitting a signal to the mobile communication unit (122) and a first receiver for receiving a signal from the mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) is configured to determine a location of the mobile communication unit (122) relative to the vehicle (102) and to cause the mobile communication unit (122) to operate in accordance with a limited-response mode when the location of the communication unit relative to the vehicle (102) remains substantially unchanged for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an access unit for communicating with a further access unit to control access to a vehicle. The access unit comprises at least a first transmitter for transmitting a polling signal; and at least a first receiver for receiving an authentication signal from the further access unit in response to the polling signal. At least the first transmitter is a first ultra-wideband transmitter and at least the first receiver is a first ultra-wideband receiver. The invention also relates to a vehicle access system which is a combination of the access and further access units. The invention also relates to methods of operating a vehicle access system and a vehicle access unit.

Abstract: A communication system for facilitating control over a function of a vehicle (102) comprises a base station (104) positioned in the vehicle (102) and a mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) comprises a first transmitter for transmitting a signal to the mobile communication unit (122) and a first receiver for receiving a signal from the mobile communication unit (122). The base station (104) is further configured to cause the mobile communication unit (122) to operate in accordance with a limited-response duty cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle imaging apparatus (2) having a location determining module (10) for determining the relative location of a remote imaging apparatus (3). The location determining module (10) is configured to receive a tracking signal (S2) from a remote transmitter (16) associated with the remote imaging apparatus (3). An image receiver module (7) is provided to receive image data (DT) transmitted by the remote imaging apparatus (3). At least one image processor (5) is provided to process the image data (DT) in dependence on the determined location of the remote imaging apparatus (3). The present disclosure also relates to a remote imaging apparatus (3) for mounting to a trailer (T). The remote imaging apparatus (3) having a camera (CT); and an image transmitter (14) for transmitting image data (DT) generated by the camera (CT). A tracking module (15) is disposed on the remote imaging apparatus (3) to enable the relative location of the remote imaging apparatus (3) to be determined.