Position-Based Limited-Response Mode Operation in a Vehicle Communication System

A communication system for facilitating control over a function of a vehicle, the communication system comprising:

• a base station positioned in the vehicle;
• and
• a mobile communication unit comprising a motion sensor configured for detecting a movement of the mobile communication unit and for outputting a signal indicative of the movement;
• the base station comprising a first transmitter for transmitting a signal to the mobile communication unit and a first receiver for receiving a signal from the mobile communication unit;
• the base station being configured to determine a location of the mobile communication unit relative to the vehicle and to cause the mobile communication unit to operate in accordance with a limited-response mode when the location of the mobile communication unit relative to the vehicle remains substantially unchanged for a predetermined period of time, and
• wherein the base station is configured to cause a sensitivity of the motion sensor to be adjusted.