Keyless car sharing mechanism using smartphones and inbuilt WiFi systems for authentication

A method of operating keyless motor vehicles, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of keyless motor vehicles, each keyless vehicle having a security system including a user input device on an exterior of the vehicle, a wireless communication device that is configured to wirelessly communicate with smartphones, and a powered latch system, and wherein the security system is configured to actuate the powered latch system and permit entry into the vehicle upon entry of an authorization code via the user input device, and wherein the security system is also configured to permit operation of the keyless vehicle upon receiving a digital key;
• configuring a user's smartphone to wirelessly communicate with the security systems of at least a selected one of the keyless vehicles whereby the user's smartphone can transmit a digital key to the security system to permit operation of a selected keyless vehicle;
• receiving a vehicle selection from a user to thereby identify a selected keyless vehicle that has been selected for rental;
• transmitting a digital key for the selected keyless vehicle to the user's smartphone;
• providing the user with an authorization code that can be used to gain entry to the selected vehicle;
• wherein the user enters the authorization code using the user input device of the selected keyless vehicle, enters the selected vehicle, and transmits the digital key to the security system of the selected keyless vehicle utilizing the user's smartphone, such that a user can enter and operate the selected vehicle without receiving a conventional key and/or key fob;
• and wherein:
• the selected keyless vehicle does not include a lock cylinder for mechanically unlocking the selected keyless vehicle.

A method of operating keyless motor vehicles, comprising:

• receiving a vehicle selection from a remote user;
• transmitting authorization and access codes to a user's smartphone;
• manually entering the access code to both unlock and unlatch a vehicle door;
• and
• causing the user's smartphone to generate a wireless authorization code that is received by a selected vehicle to thereby permit the vehicle to be driven if the wireless authorization code is verified by the vehicle.