IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,668,205
Granted Patent B2
US 12,668,205 · App. 18/646,008 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Automatic access control system for a non-automotive vehicle

Inventors: Benjamin Hynes (Brookfield, WI); Andrew Knitt (Oconomowoc, WI)
Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
B60R25/02B60R25/001B60R2325/101B60R2325/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,668,205
App. No.
18/646,008
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for accessing one or more compartments or systems of a non-automotive vehicle. One system includes an electronic communications device including an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to authenticate an access control system of a non-automotive vehicle using a first wireless communications protocol, determine distance information via ranging between the electronic communications device and the access control system using a second wireless communications protocol, and send the distance information to the access control system, thereby enabling the access control system to selectively unlock a steering mechanism of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

Claims (31)

1 . An electronic communications device including an electronic processor configured to:

authenticate an access control system of a non-automotive vehicle using a first wireless communications protocol;

determine distance information via ranging between the electronic communications device and the access control system using a second wireless communications protocol; and

send the distance information to the access control system, thereby enabling the access control system to selectively unlock a steering mechanism of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein sending the distance information to the access control system includes enabling the access control system to selectively perform an operation of a heated handgrip control system of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein sending the distance information to the access control system includes enabling the access control system to selectively perform an operation of a kickstand of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein sending the distance information to the access control system includes enabling the access control system to selectively unlock a saddlebag of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein sending the distance information to the access control system includes enabling the access control system to selectively unlock a pannier of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the distance information is determined based on a transmission time of a first communication transmitted according to the second wireless communications protocol from the device to the access control system and a second communication transmitted according to the second wireless communications protocol received at the device from the access control system.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first wireless communications protocol is a Bluetooth communications protocol and the second wireless communication protocol is an ultra-wideband communications protocol.

8 . A system for providing remote access to a non-automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

an access control system including an electronic processor configured to:

perform an authentication with an electronic communications device using a first wireless communications protocol;

determine, via ranging between the mobile electronic communications device and the access control system, distance information using a second wireless communications protocol in response to the authentication being successful; and

selectively perform an unlock of a steering mechanism of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to selectively perform an operation of a heated handgrip control system of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to selectively perform an operation of a kickstand of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to selectively unlock a saddlebag of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to selectively unlock a pannier of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to selectively disarm a security system feature of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to, based on the distance information, selectively unlock the steering mechanism in response to determining that a first distance between the device and the non-automotive vehicle reaches a first distance threshold and is further configured determine, based on the distance information, a second distance between the device and the non-automotive vehicle and selectively perform a second operation of the non-automotive vehicle in response to determining that the second distance between the device and the non-automotive vehicle reaches a second distance threshold, the second distance threshold being different than the first distance threshold.

15 . A method of enabling access to a function of a non-automotive vehicle, the method comprising:

authenticating an access control system of the non-automotive vehicle using a first wireless communications protocol via a portable electronic communications device;

determining distance information via ranging between the portable electronic communications device and the access control system using a second wireless communications protocol;

unlocking a steering mechanism of the non-automotive vehicle via the access control system in response to determining that a first distance between the device and the non-automotive vehicle reaches a first distance threshold based on the distance information; and

performing a second operation of the non-automotive vehicle via the access control system in response to determining that a second distance between the device and the non-automotive vehicle reaches a second distance threshold.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes an operation of a heated handgrip control system of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes enabling the access control system to perform an operation of a kickstand of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes enabling the access control system to unlock a saddlebag or a pannier of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes enabling the access control system to disarm a security system feature of the non-automotive vehicle based on the distance information.

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes locking a component of the non-automotive vehicle.