Cellular phone Entry Techniques

Abstract

A cell phone is mated with the vehicle system and thereafter used to obtain access to the vehicle. A user who has a cell phone automatically can obtain access to the vehicle. An embodiment describes a USB key that provides access to the vehicle, and in an emergency, either a complete or partial version of the key can be downloaded from a server.

1 . A method, comprising:
 storing information in a vehicle, said information being indicative of at least a first cellular phone, wherein said information includes unique information indicative of said first cellular phone;   detecting a proximity of said first cellular phone; and   allowing access to said vehicle responsive to said detecting said proximity of said cellular phone.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said detecting wirelessly senses the cellular phone. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising an initial step of establishing authorization, and once establishing said authorization, to store said information indicative of said first cellular phone in said vehicle, and thereafter to use the first cellular phone to obtain access to said vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said obtaining access comprises allowing a user to enter the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said obtaining access comprises allowing the user to start the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising allow requiring at least one additional security aspect in addition to proximity of said cellular phone, prior to granting access to the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said additional information is digits entered using said cellular phone. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said additional information is an automatically-obtained location. 
       from cell phone 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said establishing authorization comprises reading a code from a non-volatile memory, and using said code to establish said access. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising requiring at least one cryptographic code from said cellular phone that cannot be provided by another cellular phone. 
     
     
         11 . An automobile access system, comprising:
 a wireless detection part, that determines presence of wireless phones, and allows connection with said wireless phones and exchanging information with said wireless phones;   a processor, that controls access to at least one of entry to the vehicle and/or starting of the vehicle, and accesses a list of authorized cellular phones, and determines if information indicative of one of said cellular phones is on said list, detects proximity of said one cellular phone, and allows said access to the vehicle based on said proximity of said cellular phone.   
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein said processor also requires at least one additional security aspect prior to allowing said access to the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one additional item of information is entered on the cellular phone, and said vehicle detects said entry on the cellular phone and verifies said item of information as said at least one additional security aspect. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one additional item of information is a determination of an automatically-detected location. 
     
     
         15 . A system as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one additional security aspect includes verifying a code produced by said cellular phone as having been created by said cellular phone. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 using an electronic key, which includes an electronic code thereon to provide access to a secured part;   allowing the user to access a server, and to download a new electronic code; and   using said new electronic code to access said part.   
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said area is an automobile. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , further comprising requiring that the code includes location information, and allowing access to said automobile only if said location information agrees with an automatically-determined location information. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said key is usable only for a specified short period of time. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising determining location information using a GPS device in an automobile, and comparing said location information obtained said GPS device with location information included within said new electronics code.