Remote Function Fob for Enabling Communication Between a Vehicle and a Device and Method for Same
A remote function fob associated with a vehicle is disclosed, the fob for enabling secure communication between the vehicle and a device. The fob may include a transceiver configured for communication with the device. The fob may further include a controller which may be configured to enable secure communication with the device via the transceiver. The controller may be further configured for operation with a code generated using a security protocol, the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle, the code for transmission to the device via the transceiver.
1 . A remote function fob associated with a vehicle for enabling secure communication between the vehicle and a device, the fob comprising:
a transceiver configured for communication with the device; and
a controller configured to enable secure communication with the device via the transceiver;
wherein the controller is further configured for operation with a code generated using a security protocol, the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle, the code for transmission to the device via the transceiver.
2 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the transceiver comprises a high-frequency transceiver configured for near field communication with the device.
3 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to enable communication with the device using Bluetooth protocol.
4 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured for communication with the device via a wired connection to the device.
5 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the fob is part of a system, the system further comprising a control unit adapted to be mounted in the vehicle, the control unit configured to generate the code using the security protocol.
6 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to generate the code using the security protocol.
7 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, or a personal computer.
8 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to act as an interface for secure communication between the device and the vehicle.
9 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the device and the vehicle are configured to communicate using a communication protocol comprising WiFi, Bluetooth, or Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC).
10 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the device and the vehicle are configured to communicate using a cellular communication protocol.
11 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle comprises a rolling code.
12 . The remote function fob of claim 1 wherein the security protocol is for generating a code to be used in secure communication between the fob and the vehicle.
13 . A method for enabling secure communication between a vehicle and a device using a remote function fob associated with the vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving at the fob a secure communication from the device, the communication from the device comprising a request for a code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle;
generating a code using a security protocol, the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle; and
transmitting a secure communication from the fob to the device, the communication from the fob comprising the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fob comprises a high-frequency transceiver configured for near field communication between the fob and the device.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fob is configured for communication with the device via a wired connection to the device.
16 . The method of claim 13 wherein a control unit adapted to be mounted in the vehicle is configured for generating the code using the security protocol.
17 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fob is configured for generating the code using the security protocol.
18 . The method of claim 13 wherein the fob is configured to act as an interface for secure communication between the device and the vehicle.
19 . The method of claim 13 wherein the code to be used in secure communication between the device and the vehicle comprises a rolling code.
20 . The method of claim 13 wherein the security protocol is for generating a code to be used in secure communication between the fob and the vehicle.