Abstract: This door locking device for a vehicle includes: an electronic key and an in-vehicle device. The electronic key stores a first threshold defining an extension of a first region in which an electric field intensity of a response request signal is strong and a second threshold for defining an extension of a second region in which an electric field intensity is weaker than the first region around the first region. The electronic key outputs, based on the electric field intensity of the response request signal and the first and second thresholds, a response signal including position information indicating whether the electronic key is in the first region, or is outside the first region but in the second region, or is outside the second region. Based on the received response signal, the in-vehicle device switches the door to an unlocked state or a locked state.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a portable device that include sending a predetermined number of LF polling signals from a vehicle to reach an entirety of a predetermined proximity of the vehicle. The system and method also include determining if at least one of the LF polling signals is received by the portable device located within the predetermined proximity of the vehicle. The system and method further include sending a wireless communication signal from the vehicle to reach the entirety of the predetermined proximity of the vehicle upon determining that the at least one of the LF polling signals is not received by the portable device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a vehicle finder card with a thin film battery. An example includes a finder card and a vehicle. The finder card includes a thin film battery, a mechanical button flush with a surface of the finder card, a passive near field communication module and an active wireless module. The active wireless module broadcasts a wireless message with a command based on a pattern of the button being pressed. The vehicle provides a plurality of audiovisuals alert based on the command in the wireless message.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating an electrically or electronically controlled appliance from an energy-saving passive state, especially a locking system for locking and/or unlocking, in particular for an access and/or authorization and/or for other services for a wireless remote control, for controlling of front doors, for motor vehicles, or the like comprising a first device in the appliance and an associated second device designed in the type of an electronic key, an ID-transponder, a chip card or the like, wherein both devices for the intended operation have transmitters and/or receivers for electromagnetic signals is suggested which allows a large operation distance and a long battery lifetime of the second device. This is achieved in that the first device transmits a first cyclic repeated signal for the activation and/or authentication of the second device with a first data protocol within a first transmission time interval and with a first cycle time.

Abstract: An on-vehicle device includes: a transmitter that transmits a request signal and a first measurement signal to a mobile device; and a receiver that receives a first response signal including information related to transmission strength of a second measurement signal from the mobile device that has received the request signal and the first measurement signal transmitted from the transmitter. The transmitter transmits to the mobile device the second measurement signal to which transmission strength has been set based on the information related to the transmission strength included in the first response signal received by the receiver. The receiver receives a second response signal. The second response signal is transmitted by the mobile device based on a result of determining the second measurement signal.

Abstract: A verification system for a vehicle latch is provided. The system includes a switch operable to determine if a vehicle door is ajar. The system also includes a cam operatively coupled to a power release mechanism that actuates movement of the vehicle latch between an opened and closed position, the cam in operable contact with the switch, the switch also determining if the vehicle latch is in a fully reset condition or an un-reset condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for initiation of vehicle liftgate actuation. An example vehicle includes a liftgate, a proximity sensor for monitoring an activation area of the liftgate, a camera to capture an image of the activation area upon the proximity sensor detecting an object within the activation area, and a liftgate controller. The liftgate controller is to determine, based on the image, whether the object is a leg of a user and actuate the liftgate responsive to determining that the object is the leg.

Abstract: A vehicular door operation detecting apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode mounted at a vehicle and positioned away from each other, a switch member switching the first electrode and the second electrode between a conductive state and an open state, and a control portion controlling the switch member and detecting an operation of the user relative to a door for the vehicle by sensing a total capacitance obtained by the first electrode and the second electrode in a first mode where the total capacitance is sensed each predetermined intermittent time and by sensing an individual capacitance of each of the first electrode and the second electrode in a second mode where the individual capacitance is sensed each detection time shorter than the predetermined intermittent time in a case where a presence of the user is determined because the total capacitance exceeds a detection threshold value.

Abstract: A terminal device that executes an authentication sequence through wireless communication with an external device includes a communication unit configured to transmit or receive a radio signal to be used for the authentication sequence, a first measurement unit configured to measure a change in a radio wave intensity for at least a part of the radio signal received by the communication unit; a second measurement unit configured to measure a change in a posture or a position of the terminal device, and a controller configured to determine whether there is a correlation between a measurement result of the first measurement unit and a measurement result of the second measurement unit, i) continue the authentication sequence when the controller determines that there is the correlation, and ii) interrupt the authentication sequence when the controller determines that there is no correlation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for selecting a terminal mode, and the method includes: reading configuration information when a screen wakeup instruction is obtained, where the configuration information includes information about a wearable device that is paired with the terminal; querying to determine whether a wearable device is connected to a terminal; and selecting a mode corresponding to the wearable device as the terminal model if the wearable device that is connected to the terminal as determined by the querying is the same as the paired wearable device. In this solution, a corresponding mode can be selected according to a connection status between a terminal and a wearable device, thereby enhancing an automation degree of the terminal and improving a user experience effect.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a mobile communication device operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a first, short-range, electromagnetic field within a first range of the mobile device and a hand-held communication device, such as a key fob, operative to produce an excitation signal in the form of a second, short-range, electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the first range. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The control logic is operative to detect when a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the first range and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the first range.

Abstract: A charger of a vehicle serving as a power supply controller includes, a power amount controller performing, (a) when a determiner determines that a high level device is available, a first control that determines a supply power amount to a storage battery according to an instruction value from the high level device, and, (b) when the determiner determines that the high level device is not available, a second control that determines the supply power amount according to information about a past power supply from an in-house power system (i.e., a power restriction value of the in-house power system), for an uninterrupted power supply between an outside-of-vehicle power system and the charger in the vehicle.

Abstract: A user identification system is provided, which includes an in-vehicle apparatus used by multiple users and a vehicular portable device carried by a user acting as a driver and associated with the in-vehicle apparatus. The vehicular portable device detects received signal strength of signals received from the portable terminals at multiple time points, and based on the received signal strength detected by the received signal strength detector, determines a driver terminal which is the portable terminal carried by the user acting as the driver. The vehicular portable device determines as the driver terminal the portable terminal that provides a smallest degree of change of the received signal strength detected multiple times.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for permitting a person to keylessly start a vehicle using a machine-sensible item such as his/her mobile device without requiring the person to possess a smart key.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request from a mobile device to utilize a vehicle resource. The processor is also configured to determine that a first key has been used to start a vehicle a first time. The processor is further configured to determine that a second key has been used to start the vehicle a second time and approve the request based on the determination that both the first key and the second key were used to start the vehicle a first time and a second time respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle unit. Said control device includes a capacitive sensing surface (2) configured so as to detect a manual command from a user. Said control device is characterized in that it also comprises a device for detecting objects having ferromagnetic properties, said detection device including:—at least one magnetic field generation device (3) configured so as to generate a magnetic field on the capacitive sensing surface (2);—at least one device (4) for measuring the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation device (3); and—a device for monitoring the control (5), that is connected to the measurement device (4) and to the capacitive sensing surface (2), and is configured so as to monitor the control signal emitted by the capacitive sensing surface (2) on the basis of the magnetic field measured by the measurement device (4) during detection of the command.

Abstract: A passive entry system of a vehicle includes relay attack prevention. The passive entry system includes a control module in the vehicle, at least one antenna at the vehicle and a key fob. A predetermined number of signals are transmitted via the at least one antenna with each signal having a different power strength. The key fob is determines a power strength of each signal that the key fob receives and generates a measurement report to transmit to the control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the measurement report contains received signal strength indicators for at least half of the predetermined number of signals and whether the received signal strength indicator for each signal contained in the measurement report correlates to the power strength of that signal as transmitted by the at least one antenna.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to vehicles in rental, loaner, shared-use, and other vehicle fleets. Some of the present systems, devices, and methods use encrypted virtual keys that can be relayed to a vehicle computing device via a user's mobile device. Such virtual keys can be command-specific such that successful use of a virtual key results execution of a predetermined command or group of commands, and further commands require one or more additional virtual keys with the additional commands. Others of the present systems, devices, and methods provide tools: for provisioning or initial pairing of vehicle computing devices with corresponding vehicles, identifying and permitting a user to select locally available vehicles, prompting vehicle computing devices to retrieve pending commands from a server, and/or various other functions described in this disclosure.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus, which communicates with vehicle control apparatuses that respectively control vehicles to achieve authentication with respect the vehicle control apparatuses, includes an authentication information change section and a post-change communication section. The authentication information change section communicates with a first vehicle control apparatus, by using a first communication technique, to change authentication information that is used in the first vehicle control apparatus to authenticate the portable communication apparatus. Upon receipt of a notice indicative of having changed the authentication information from the first vehicle control apparatus, the post-change communication section communicates with a second vehicle control apparatus, by using a second communication technique.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a keyless go system, and at least one key fob, said keyless go system being operatively connected to a locking/unlocking subsystem and an engine start subsystem, said vehicle further comprising at least one LF transmitter, at least one LF receiver, at least one HF transmitter and at least one HF receiver, said vehicle further comprising an aftermarket keyless go system interfacing with said keyless go system, wherein at least one of said at least one key fob is embedded into said vehicle, and wherein when a user sends a lock/unlock command, or a start command with a portable device, said aftermarket keyless go system interacts with said embedded key fob to selectively enable and disable low frequency communication between said embedded key fob and said keyless go system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method (PR) for detecting an identifier (Id) for starting a motor vehicle (V), said motor vehicle comprising a first antenna (A1) and said identifier (Id) comprising a second antenna (A2). The method (PR) is characterized in that it comprises: transmitting, by said first antenna (A1), a first Bluetooth Low Energy™ signal (Sg1) to said identifier (Id) at a nominal power (P1); measuring the power (P1?) of said corresponding signal (Sg1?) received by the second antenna (A2) of said identifier (Id); comparing said measured power (P1?) with a threshold power (Ps), said threshold power (Ps) corresponding to a threshold distance (ds) from said first antenna (A1) that is less than the radius (r1) of a circle (C1) inscribed within the passenger compartment (H) of the motor vehicle (V), said circle (C1) being centered on said first antenna (A1); authorizing the starting of the motor vehicle (V) if the measured power (P1?) is greater than or equal to said threshold power (Ps).

Abstract: A device for contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part. The device has a capacitive proximity sensor having a first elongated sensor electrode and a second elongated sensor electrode, as well as a carrier component for fastening the proximity sensor. The carrier component has a curved mounting surface on which the sensor electrodes are placed in such a way that the horizontal distance between the two sensor electrodes over the length of the sensor electrodes is exactly or at least approximately constant, the vertical distance between the sensor electrodes varying over the length of the sensor electrodes.

Abstract: A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.

Abstract: A vehicle door opening and closing control device opens or closes a door of a vehicle according to a kicking motion of a leg detected by a kick sensor. A threshold is set for output from the kick sensor. Motion duration time until the output from the sensor falls below the threshold after the output from the sensor exceeds the threshold in a kicking motion is measured. Motion completion estimated time until the kicking motion is completed is calculated according to the motion duration time, for example, by assuming that motion completion estimated time=motion duration time/2. When the elapsed time after the output from the sensor falls below the threshold reaches the motion completion estimated time, opening operation or closing operation of the door starts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in traversing a vehicle transportation network may include determining a codeword based on host vehicle information and remote vehicle information, and wherein the codeword indicates whether an expected path for the remote vehicle and an expected path for the host vehicle are convergent, and traversing a portion of the vehicle transportation network in response to the codeword. Determining the codeword may include determining an orientation sector based on a geodesic between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle, determining relative position information for the host vehicle and the remote vehicle based on the orientation sector, determining relative elevation information for the host vehicle and the remote vehicle based on the remote vehicle information and the host vehicle information, and determining relative heading information for the host vehicle and the remote vehicle based on the remote vehicle information and the host vehicle information.

Abstract: A wireless-based system is provided for opening the hood of a motor vehicle. That wireless-based system includes a wireless latch release actuator. Further, the wireless-based system also includes a controller. The controller is configured to release a secondary hood latch when (a) the wireless latch release actuator is activated, (b) a primary hood latch has already been released and (c) a motor vehicle wheel is stationary whereby the hood may be opened. A related hood opening method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A keyless entry assembly includes a vehicle opening movable between locked and unlocked positions, an electrical conductor (i.e., a capacitance sensor) mounted to the vehicle opening, and a controller. The conductor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to (or touching) the conductor while the conductor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the conductor changes due to the conductor capacitively coupling with the object. The conductor is in the shape of an emblem identifying a vehicle associated with the vehicle opening. The controller is operable for driving the conductor with the electrical charge and measuring the capacitance of the conductor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the conductor. The controller is further operable for controlling the vehicle opening to move the vehicle opening between the positions upon determining that the object is proximal to (or touching) the conductor.

Abstract: A subsystem for a vehicle includes a device management client for exchanging device, vehicle, and diagnostic as well as software update information, which is connected to a device management server of the back-end via an air interface, a download client for downloading a software update from the back-end into the vehicle, which is connected to a download server of the back-end via an air interface, software update clients for applying the software update, which are connected to the download client and a vehicle update client for coordinating the software update, which is connected to the download client and the software update clients.

Abstract: A remote controller for a vehicle includes: a communication module in communication with an external device; and a processor coupled to the communication module and configured to determine whether the remote controller is positioned outside of the vehicle or is positioned inside of the vehicle through communication with the external device, to provide a first function set when the remote controller is positioned outside of the vehicle, and to provide a second function set when the remote controller is positioned inside of the vehicle.

Abstract: Physical access to secure areas is automatically performed based on presence or detection of a wireless device. A unique identifier of a wireless cellular device, for example, may be pre-authorized for occupants, employees, and tenants of a building. Contractors and vendors may also have their wireless cellular devices pre-approved for access. When the wireless cellular device is detected by a network serving the secure area, its unique identifier may be compared to databases or lists of approved cellular devices. Physical access may thus be automatically granted, based on possession of a recognized cellular device.

Abstract: A system for remotely opening a land vehicle door is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle and operative to produce a first signal in the form of a first electromagnetic field defined by a field envelope. A hand-held communication device is operative to detect the first electromagnetic field and produce a second signal in the form of a second electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the field envelope. Control logic is coupled to the mobile device and is operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device. The control logic is operative to determine if a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the field envelope and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the field envelope for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A latch release backup system for a latch assembly of a motor-vehicle door is provided with a key cylinder configured to receive a vehicle key and which is rotatably mounted to the motor-vehicle door, and a mechanical coupling arrangement mounted within the motor-vehicle door and operable to convert a rotation of the key cylinder into actuation of an actuation group of the latch assembly for causing latch release. The key cylinder defines an electrical interface socket designed to receive the vehicle key. An electronic control unit is mounted within the motor-vehicle door and is electrically connected to the electrical interface socket to receive identification information (Id) from the vehicle key when plugged into the electrical interface socket.

Abstract: In an on-board communication system, an on-board device transmits detection signals from a plurality of antennas provided in a vehicle, and a plurality of portable devices transmits response signals corresponding to the received detection signals. The on-board device performs position detection of the portable devices by receiving the response signals transmitted from the portable devices. Prior to transmission of the detection signals, the antennas transmit a processing start signal. The processing start signal and the detection signals are signals received in common by the plurality of portable devices. Each portable device includes a portable reception unit that receives the detection signals, and a portable transmission unit that, when the portable reception unit has received the detection signals, transmits the response signals, which include information corresponding to the received detection signals.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: a feeder that feeds a label sheet, having a long base sheet and labels detachably adhered to the base sheet at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction thereof, to a conveyance path; a conveyance member that conveys the fed label sheet along the conveyance path; a detector that is placed along the conveyance path and that detects a position of at least one of the labels on the label sheet being conveyed; an image formation unit that is placed downstream of the detector in a conveyance direction and that forms an image on the label detected by the detector; and a controller that controls the conveyance member, the detector, and the image formation unit. The controller switches the detector between a constant light emission operation of emitting the detection light constantly and an intermittent light emission operation of emitting the detection light intermittently.

Abstract: A smart key system includes a first transmitting unit, a first receiving unit, and a certification unit that are mounted on a vehicle, and a second receiving unit and a second transmitting unit that are mounted on a portable device. The certification unit performs certification processing of the portable device when the first receiving unit has received a reply signal. The first transmitting unit transmits the polling signal at a transmission timing that is later or earlier than a transmission timing based on the polling signal before the predetermined manipulation is performed, by a predetermined time shorter than a predetermined transmission cycle, when the predetermined manipulation has been performed in a situation where the certification unit does not certify the portable device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for wireless communication with a system of a vehicle are provided. One implementation includes an apparatus for wireless communication with a system of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first antenna configured to receive a signal from the system of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises a processor configured to determine whether the first antenna is saturated by an external magnetic field. The processor is further configured to cause the at least one of the first antenna or a second antenna to transmit a frame indicating that the first antenna is saturated by the external magnetic field in response to determining that the first antenna is saturated. The frame is a periodic frame. The processor is further configured to transmit an identification frame identifying the apparatus in response to receiving a trigger signal. A wireless power transmitter is configured to reduce or discontinue wireless power transmission in response to receiving the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle door including a vehicle door handle that moves a door latch assembly between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. A door lock apparatus is operatively connected to the door latch assembly. An electric motor moves the door lock apparatus between a locked configuration to disallow operation of the door latch assembly using the vehicle door handle and an unlocked configuration that allows operation of the door latch assembly using the vehicle door handle. A door lock control system includes a door lock control zone that is provided on the vehicle door handle. The door lock control zone includes a touch sensor that provides a control signal to an ECU based on an operator touch. The ECU operates the electric motor based on the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention essentially relates to a communication system comprising a communication device mounted in a motor vehicle and at least one mobile device (SP, CID, smart watch), said communication system being intended for providing a data exchange between the communication device and the at least one mobile device (SP, CID, smart watch), characterized in that: the communication device comprises a low-frequency communication interface (BF) and a wireless communication interface (11) using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol in “advertising” state; and in that the communication device is capable of communicating with said at least one mobile device either in low-frequency mode using the BLE protocol or using only the BLE protocol.

Abstract: In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed towards techniques for using a computing device to perform the functionality of a vehicle key, so that the computing device may be used to automatically unlock the doors of a vehicle and/or to activate a previously-deactivated keyless ignition system. The computing device may be associated with a vehicle, including sending an identifier associated with the computing device to the vehicle via short-range communication. The computing device may also send to the vehicle, via short-range communication, at least one unlock door signal including an access code verifiable by the vehicle, and wherein receipt of the at least one unlock door signal by the vehicle enables the vehicle to unlock one or more of its doors without further user intervention.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the position of a land vehicle door includes a hand-held communication device such as a key fob having a low-power setting and a high-power setting for wirelessly transmitting low-power command signals and high-power command signals, respectively. Each of the command signals containing command data which identifies a command issued by a pedestrian carrying the hand-held device and identification data which identifies the hand-held device. A mobile communication device is supported on the vehicle for movement therewith and is capable of wirelessly receiving the high-power and low-power command signals. Control logic is coupled to the devices. The hand-held and mobile communication devices automatically transmit and receive, respectively, the low-power command signals as long as a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is within a predetermined short range of the mobile device.

Abstract: Technologies for directional wayfinding include a mobile computing device having one or more local location sensors to generate data indicative of movement of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device captures first sensor data indicative of movement of the mobile computing device along a path and determines a series of waypoints based on the first sensor data. The waypoints may describe movement data of the mobile computing device, including length and direction of movement. The mobile computing device determines a series of directional instructions to guide a user of the mobile computing device back along the path in the reverse order and presents the directional instructions to the user. The mobile computing device may monitor the sensor data to determine whether the user has arrived at each waypoint while reversing the path. The sensors may include an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, or altimeter. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling the opening/closing of a vehicle door are provided. The method includes determining whether a door is in a locked state and when the door is determined to be in the locked state, determining whether a smart key is within a predetermined distance. When the smart key is determined to be within the predetermined distance, a door latch module is changed to a “ready-to-open” state in the locked state of the door. The method further includes determining whether the smart key is maintained to be within the predetermined distance and operating an exterior handle of the door. When the exterior handle is operated, the door is opened and locking of the door is released simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing instructions to operate a manual release are provided. The method includes detecting a condition for providing a notification to operate a manual release of the vehicle; and controlling to output the notification to operate the manual release based on the detected condition. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent a user from being hindered from egress in a vehicle during times at which the electronic door release is not operable.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, scheduling charging of an energy storage device of an electrified vehicle based on a learned key-on pattern. The learned key-on pattern is derived by recursively updating the probability that a subsequent key-on event is likely to occur at any given time and day.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller, in communication with a vehicle keypad and at least one key fob authorized to access the vehicle. The controller may be configured to enter a keypad programming mode responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob; receive a personal code entered to the keypad; and store the personal code for comparison with keypad input of a user requesting to unlock the vehicle. The controller may also receive input to the keypad; and provide keypad access to vehicle unlock functionality when the input matches a personal code stored to the controller during a keypad programming mode previously entered responsive to receipt of a predefined sequence including button presses of fob controls of the at least one key fob.

Abstract: A medical monitoring and communication system for wireless communication between an implantable medical device, a mobile user device, and a remote server includes a sensor device coupled to the implantable medical device. The sensor device is configured to default to a master mode prior to pairing with the mobile user device, listen for a request to connect from the mobile user device, refrain from communicating with the mobile user device responsive to the request to connect from the mobile user device being invalid, and switch to a slave mode to allow cooperative pairing with the mobile user device responsive to the request to connect from the mobile user device being valid. The mobile user device facilitates communication between the sensor device and the remote server when the mobile user device and the sensor device are cooperatively paired.

Abstract: A sensor unit is provided that is not susceptible to errors for contactlessly actuating a vehicle door. The sensor unit includes a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor. Each of the two proximity sensors has an elongate detection field extending substantially in a Y direction. The detection fields of the two proximity sensors are spaced from one another in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction. In addition, the detection field of the first proximity sensor projects beyond the detection field of the second proximity sensor in the Y direction at least on one side by a projecting length.

Abstract: A system and method for distraction mitigation wherein a location of a mobile device within one of one or more zones in a vehicle may be determined and the behavior of the mobile device and/or in-vehicle systems, with which the mobile device interacts, may be modified based on the determined location. In one example, the location of a smartphone may be determined to be within the area (a.k.a. zone) of an automobile cabin associated with a driver of the automobile and the smartphone user interface may be locked to prevent direct operation of the smartphone by the driver while still allowing indirect operation via, for example, a Bluetooth connection to an automobile infotainment system.

Abstract: A system and method that allow non-human autonomous agents to participate in a social internet network. The system defines the autonomous agent by a standard email address, website address, or other such identification, that allows human participants of the social network to contact the non-human autonomous agent to perform some operation through the Internet. In one non-limiting example, the non-human autonomous agent is a vehicle that allows the vehicle owner, or user, to contact the vehicle through the social network to perform some operation, such as unlocking the vehicle doors, and allow authorized participants of the social network to see the vehicle as a participant of the network to gain information therefrom, such as the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of providing access to a vehicle, including wirelessly and electronically discovering a personal electronic device disposed outside of the vehicle. A remote central controller is wirelessly instructed to wirelessly transmit a certificate to the personal electronic device. The certificate from the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. Validation from the a remote central controller that the certificate from the personal electronic device was transmitted from the remote central controller to the personal electronic device is wirelessly received within the vehicle. An electronic key to the vehicle is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to the personal electronic device.