Temporary key invalidation for electronic key and locking system

A method for inhibiting operation of electronic keys left behind in a vehicle, comprising:

• receiving a lock command;
• sending a short-range interrogation signal adapted to be received by any keys left behind in the vehicle;
• receiving from any left-behind key(s) their unique ID(s);
• and
• setting one or more inhibit flags for the unique ID(s) of the left-behind keys, wherein the inhibit flags cause the vehicle to ignore further commands received from such left-behind key(s).

Apparatus for inhibiting left-behind vehicle keys while not inhibiting other keys, comprising:

• a security control module in the vehicle for receiving lock/unlock command signals from multiple sources, wherein the security control module comprises operatively coupled elements including:
• one or more inputs for receiving lock/unlock commands;
• a transmitter for sending interrogation signals to left-behind keys;
• a receiver for receiving unique IDs from keys in response to the interrogation signals;
• non-volatile memory for storing unique IDs of left-behind keys;
• and
• wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more portable keys for sending command and ID signals to the security control module.

An apparatus for inhibiting those vehicle electronic keys left behind in the vehicle when its doors are locked, comprising:

• a vehicle security control module adapted to receive lock/unlock command signals from multiple sources;
• one or more portable keys adapted to send command signals to the security control module and containing memory;
• wherein upon receiving a lock command signal, the vehicle security control module broadcasts a short-range signal adapted to reach substantially only those of the keys remaining within the vehicle;
• wherein in response to the short range signal, those keys remaining within the vehicle store an inhibit signal in their memory identifying themselves as no longer being valid keys, which thereafter until cleared, causes such keys to not send a valid command to the security control module.