×

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

  • US 9,845,071 B1
  • Filed: 06/06/2016
  • Issued: 12/19/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. 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 including one or more electrically powered latches that are configured to both unlock and unlatch vehicle doors, and wherein the security system is configured to actuate the powered latch system to both unlock and unlatch at least one vehicle door 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 to both unlock and unlatch at least one vehicle door, 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.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×