Ultrasonic audio transmission of wireless LAN information

A method of regulating access to a vehicle short-range wireless communications network using an ultrasonic audio signal, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a handheld wireless device identifier at a short-range wireless network provided by a vehicle, wherein the handheld wireless device identifier is received from a handheld wireless device that is within a communication range of the vehicle's short-range wireless network;
• (b) wirelessly transmitting a message from a vehicle telematics unit on the vehicle to a central facility, wherein the message includes the handheld wireless device identifier and a request to verify that the handheld wireless device is authorized to access the vehicle's short-range wireless network;
• (c) wirelessly receiving confirmation from the central facility at the vehicle telematics unit that the handheld wireless device is authorized to access the vehicle's short-range wireless network;
• (d) determining from the confirmation that the handheld wireless device is authorized to access the vehicle's short-range wireless network;
• (e) in response to the determination, broadcasting an audio signal at an ultrasonic frequency through an audio system of the vehicle, wherein the audio signal includes information used by the handheld wireless device to gain access to the vehicle's short-range wireless communications network;
• and
• (f) permitting the handheld wireless device to access the vehicle's short-range wireless communications network after receiving at least some of the information included in the broadcast audio signal at the vehicle from the handheld wireless device.