User activated/deactivated short-range wireless communications (SRWC) auxiliary key fob

A method of activating and using an auxiliary key fob with a vehicle, the auxiliary key fob including a short-range wireless communications (SRWC) circuit and a universal serial bus (USB) connector, and the method comprising the steps of:

• pairing the auxiliary key fob and the vehicle, wherein the pairing includes storing a virtual vehicle key at a vehicle system module (VSM) of the vehicle;
• receiving an activation request at the vehicle, the activation request indicating to the vehicle to activate the auxiliary key fob for use with the vehicle;
• in response to the activation request, activating the auxiliary key fob in a particular access mode for use with the vehicle, wherein the particular access mode is a backup key mode that permits the auxiliary key fob to act as a primary vehicle key;
• receiving a SRWC credentials signal from the auxiliary key fob at a SRWC passive entry passive start (PEPS) module installed in the vehicle, the SRWC PEPS module including a SRWC circuit, and the SRWC credentials signal being communicated from the auxiliary key fob to the SRWC PEPS module via a secured SRWC connection and the SRWC circuit of the SRWC PEPS module;
• after receiving the SRWC credentials signal, sending information included in or derived from the SRWC credentials signal to the VSM of the vehicle;
• determining that the auxiliary key fob is authorized at the VSM based at least in part on the information sent to the VSM from the SRWC PEPS module;
• and
• carrying out a vehicle access function in response to the determination that the auxiliary key fob is authorized.

A Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) auxiliary key fob, comprising:

• a BLE circuit that transmits BLE signals using an antenna;
• a processor and memory, the memory storing BLE key data and a virtual vehicle key;
• a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the processor;
• a rechargeable battery that powers the BLE circuit, the processor, and the LED;
• a universal serial bus (USB) connector being coupled to the rechargeable battery such that, when the USB connector is connected to a complementary USB port, electrical power is provided across the USB connector and to the rechargeable battery;
• and
• a housing enclosing at least the BLE circuit, the processor, the memory, and the rechargeable battery;
• wherein the BLE auxiliary key fob includes computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the BLE auxiliary key fob to:
• establish a BLE connection with a BLE passive entry passive start (PEPS) module of the vehicle using the BLE key data in response to receiving a BLE beacon signal from the BLE PEPS module;
• after establishing the BLE connection with the BLE PEPS module of the vehicle, sending a BLE credentials message to the BLE PEPS module over the established BLE connection using the BLE circuit, the BLE credentials message including the virtual vehicle key;
• and
• determine whether the BLE auxiliary key fob is activated based on an indication received from an external device and to establish the BLE connection with the BLE PEPS module when it is determined that the BLE auxiliary key fob is activated.