# US 2018/0322273 A1 · Method and apparatus for limited starting authorization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0322273 A1 - Document ID: US20180322273A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/586,766 - Filed: 2017-05-04 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-04 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: William A. Biondo; David T. Proefke; Fred W. Huntzicker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180322273A1 ## CPC - G06F 21/44: Program or device authentication - B60R 16/023: for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems - B60R 25/01: operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens - B60R 25/04: operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor - B60R 25/24: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user - G06F 21/35: communicating wirelessly - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - G07C 9/00174: {Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys (mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00)} - G07C 9/00571: {operated by interacting with a central unit} - B60R 2025/1016: {Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals} - B60R 2325/101: Bluetooth® - B60R 2325/105: Radio frequency identification data [RFID] - B60R 2325/106: Internet - B60R 2325/205: Mobile phones - G06F 2221/2143: Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen - G06F 2221/2149: Restricted operating environment - G07C 2009/00769: {with data transmission performed by wireless means} - G07C 2209/08: With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract A method and apparatus for limited starting authorization are provided. The method includes: determining whether an authorized wireless device is connected to a vehicle sharing system and whether a first command is received from the authorized wireless device; in response to determining that the authorized wireless device is connected to the vehicle sharing system and that the first command is received from the authorized wireless device, setting a timer to a predetermined value, enabling an authenticating device and notifying of the enabling of the authenticating device; and in response to determining that attempted access to an unauthorized part of the vehicle has occurred, a second command is received from the authorized wireless device, or the timer has expired, disabling the authenticating device and notifying of the disabling of the authenticating device. The method may be used in by vehicle sharing system to limit access and prevent theft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for limited starting authorization, the method comprising: determining whether an authorized wireless device is connected to a vehicle sharing system and whether a first command is received from the authorized wireless device; in response to determining that the authorized wireless device is connected to the vehicle sharing system and that the first command is received from the authorized wireless device, setting a timer to a predetermined value, enabling an authenticating device and notifying of the enabling of the authenticating device; and in response to determining that attempted access to an unauthorized part of the vehicle has occurred, a second command is received from the authorized wireless device, or the timer has expired, disabling the authenticating device and notifying of the disabling of the authenticating device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first command comprises at least one from among an unlock command or an enable command. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the second command comprises at least one from among a lock command or a disable command. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the authorized wireless device comprises a mobile phone connectable to the vehicle sharing system via at least one from among Bluetooth, Cellular Signal, and Wi-Fi. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating device comprises at least one from among a key fob, a card, and an RFID transceiver. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the authenticating device is configured to unlock a vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable to perform the method of claim 1. ### Claim 8 A method for limited starting authorization, the method comprising: connecting an authorized wireless device to a vehicle sharing system; sending a first command from the authorized wireless device to the vehicle sharing system; receiving a notification indicating that the authenticating device is enabled in response to the authorized wireless device being connected to the vehicle sharing system; and receiving a notification indicating that the authenticating device is disabled in response to at least one from among attempted access to an unauthorized part of the vehicle, a second command being received from the authorized wireless device, and a timer being expired. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first command comprises at least one from among an unlock command and an enable command. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the second command comprises at least one from among a lock command and a disable command. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the connecting is performed via at least one from among a Bluetooth signal, a Cellular Signal and a Wi-Fi Signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the authenticating device comprises at least one from among a key fob, a card, and an RFID transceiver. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the authenticating device is configured to unlock a vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable to perform the method of claim 8. ### Claim 15 An apparatus for providing limited starting authorization, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions causing the at least one processor to: determine whether an authorized wireless device is connected to a vehicle sharing system and whether a first command is received from the authorized wireless device; in response to determining that the authorized wireless device is connected to the vehicle sharing system and that the first command is received from the authorized wireless device, set a timer to a predetermined value, enable an authenticating device and notify of the enabling of the authenticating device; and in response to determining that attempted access to an unauthorized part of the vehicle has occurred, a second command is received from the authorized wireless device, or the timer has expired, disable the authenticating device and notify of the disabling of the authenticating device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first command comprises at least one from among an unlock command or an enable command. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second command comprises at least one from among a lock command or a disable command. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the authorized wireless device comprises a mobile phone connectable to the vehicle sharing system via at least one from among Bluetooth, Cellular Signal, and Wi-Fi. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the authenticating device comprises at least one from among a key fob, a card, and an RFID transceiver. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the authenticating device is configured to unlock a vehicle.