Apparatus and method for interfacing a wireless communication device to a communication device keypad in a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorJohn Robert Van Wiemeersch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle module and a communication keypad device (CDK). The vehicle module is configured to detect a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device. The CDK is positioned on the vehicle and is configured to determine whether the PCD has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.
Claims20
An apparatus for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle module configured to detect a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device;
- and
- a communication keypad device (CDK) for being positioned on the vehicle and for determining whether a portable communication device (PCD) has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.
A method for interfacing a personal communication device (PCD) to a vehicle, the method comprising:
- detecting a first signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a passive entry operation to detect an access device;
- and
- determining, with a communication keypad device (CDK), whether the PCD has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle in the event the access device is not detected.
The method of 12 further comprising wirelessly receiving, at the CDK, a second signal from the from the PCD to determine if the PCD has been positioned within the predetermined distance of the vehicle.
A vehicle apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle module configured to detect a signal indicative of an unlock command in connection with a door handle contact or actuation to detect an access device;
- and
- a communication keypad device (CDK) and for determining whether a portable communication device (PCD) has been positioned within a predetermined distance from the vehicle via near field communication (NFC) in the event the vehicle module is unable to detect the access device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.