Control system with wireless control device authorization and related methods

A vehicle controller for a control system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of vehicle devices and a data communications bus extending through the vehicle and coupled to the plurality of vehicle devices, the control system comprising a remote wireless device remote from the vehicle, the vehicle controller comprising:

• a processor and memory cooperating therewith, and configured to
• communicate, via the data communications bus, with at least one vehicle device from among the plurality thereof based upon an authorized wireless control device,
• send a request for authorization, via a vehicle wireless device in the vehicle, of a new wireless control device to be able to operate the vehicle controller so that the remote wireless device is operable to
• receive the request for authorization from the vehicle controller,
• present the request for authorization to a user, and
• permit the user to send a response to the request for authorization to the vehicle controller,
• subsequent to sending the request for authorization, enter a pre-authorization mode and be operable from the new wireless control device during a pre-authorization time period,
• when the pre-authorization time period expires, exit the pre-authorization mode, and
• when receiving the response from the remote wireless device, exit the pre-authorization mode.

A method for operating a vehicle controller for a vehicle comprising a plurality of vehicle devices and a data communications bus extending through the vehicle and coupled to the plurality of vehicle devices, the method comprising:

• operating the vehicle controller in the vehicle to
• communicate, via the data communications bus, with at least one vehicle device from among the plurality thereof based upon an authorized wireless control device, and
• send a request for authorization, via a vehicle wireless device in the vehicle, of a new wireless control device to be able to operate the vehicle controller so that a remote wireless device is operable to
• receive the request for authorization from the vehicle controller,
• present the request for authorization to a user, and
• permit the user to send a response to the request for authorization to the vehicle controller;
• and
• operating the vehicle controller to
• subsequent to sending the request for authorization, enter a pre-authorization mode and be operable from the new wireless control device during a pre-authorization time period,
• when the pre-authorization time period expires, exit the pre-authorization mode, and
• when receiving the response from the remote wireless device, exit the pre-authorization mode.