US 12,257,978 B2
System and method for key absence management in a vehicle
Meng Jiang, Rochester Hills, MI (US); Louis G. Hector, Jr., Shelby Township, MI (US); Yongjie Zhu, Troy, MI (US); and David T. Proefke, Troy, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/098,823.
Prior Publication US 2024/0246511 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. B60R 25/24 (2013.01); B60R 25/25 (2013.01); B60R 25/34 (2013.01)
CPC B60R 25/241 (2013.01) [B60R 25/25 (2013.01); B60R 25/34 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for key absence management in a vehicle configured to be started by an electronic key fob, the system comprising:
a key absence management controller configured to authorize starting of the vehicle by:
monitoring presence and absence of the electronic key fob in the vehicle;
based on the presence of the electronic key fob in the vehicle:
authorizing starting of the vehicle; and
based on the absence of the electronic key fob in the vehicle:
detecting a keyless authority indicator; and
authorizing starting of the vehicle based on the keyless authority indicator;
wherein the keyless authority indicator is associated with the presence of a personal wireless communication device in the vehicle both at the time of a last prior vehicle shutdown request and at the time of a next requested restart.