Self-contained proximity sensors in wireless communication with vehicle control system and methods of their operation

A vehicle system comprising:

• a vehicle controller comprising a first housing and a first Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein;
• and
• at least one radio frequency (RF) vehicle device comprising a second housing and a second Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein, the at least one RF vehicle device being in Bluetooth® communication with the vehicle controller and cooperating therewith to;
• wirelessly communicate with an authorized mobile device to generate an estimated distance between the at least one RF vehicle device and the authorized mobile device based upon an RF signal strength therebetween,
• detect a departure event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance departure limit to permit a departure action in response thereto, and
• detect an arrival event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance arrival limit to permit an arrival action in response thereto, wherein the distance arrival limit is shorter than the distance departure limit.

A method for vehicle control comprising:

• operating a vehicle controller and at least one RF vehicle device in wireless communication with the vehicle controller and cooperating therewith to;
• wirelessly communicate with an authorized mobile device to generate an estimated distance between the at least one RF vehicle device and the authorized mobile device based upon an RF signal strength therebetween,
• detect a departure event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance departure limit to permit a departure action in response thereto, and
• detect an arrival event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance arrival limit to permit an arrival action in response thereto, wherein the distance arrival limit is longer than the distance departure limit.