Relay attack inhibiting

• US 9,802,574 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2014
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jakobsson, Bjorn Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US14/488,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20160075307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/31 of human presence inside or outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00555 comprising means to detect or avoid relay attacks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system, that includes a vehicle and a fob, includes: a vehicle-authorization parameter module configured to obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal; and a vehicle function compatibility module configured to: determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting; and

wherein;

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

or

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

3. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

4. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein;

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

6. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

7. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

8. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero; and

wherein the processor is configured to obtain the directional signal from the vehicle via a receiver of the fob.

9. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received audible signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle;

wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

11. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting; and

wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is;

a fob speed that is below a vehicle-starting threshold;

spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

or

consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

13. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

14. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is;

spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

16. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

17. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

18. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the directional signal is received by the fob from the vehicle.

19. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received audible signal;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function;

wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

21. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting; and

wherein;

the means for determining are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

the means for determining are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

or

the means for determining are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

23. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

24. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein;

the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

26. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

27. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

28. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received audible signal; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

30. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting; and

wherein;

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

or

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle;

or

a combination thereof.

31. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

32. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

33. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein;

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof;

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle;

or

a combination of two or more of these.

34. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

35. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial cyclic up and down fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

36. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received directional signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

37. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises a received audible signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function;

wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

38. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

39. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

determine movement of the fob;

determine vehicle movement, of at least a portion of the vehicle, that is concurrent with the movement of the fob; and

determine whether the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent or inconsistent with each other;

inhibit a desired function of the vehicle in response to the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement being inconsistent with each other; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement being consistent with each other.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the movement of the fob comprises a direction or a magnitude of fob motion, or a combination thereof, and wherein the vehicle movement comprises a direction or a magnitude of motion of the at least a portion of the vehicle, or a combination thereof.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent with each other if the movement of the fob differs from the vehicle movement by less than a fob/vehicle-movement-differential threshold.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least a portion of the vehicle comprises at least a portion of a seat of the vehicle.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least a portion of the seat of the vehicle comprises a cover of the seat of the vehicle and wherein the processor is configured to determine that the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent with each other if the magnitude and direction of the movement of the fob differ from the magnitude and direction of the vehicle movement by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the desired function of the vehicle comprises unlocking the vehicle or driving the vehicle, or a combination thereof.