Systems and methods for phone-as-a-key range extension
Systems and methods for phone-as-a-key range extension are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes an integrated antenna array with a plurality of antenna located on a roof of the vehicle. The plurality of antenna includes a personal area network antenna. The example vehicle also includes a personal area network module communicatively connected to the personal area network antenna. Additionally, the vehicle includes a key phone unit communicatively connected to the personal area network module. The example key phone unit performs key fob functions as requested by an authorized mobile device.
1. A vehicle comprising:
an integrated antenna array including a BLUETOOTH antenna communicatively connected to a first BLUETOOTH module;
second BLUETOOTH modules initially in a sleep mode; and
a phone-as-a-key unit communicatively connected to the first and second BLUETOOTH modules via a dedicated data bus and configured to:
in response to detecting an authorized mobile device executing a phone-as-a-key application, wake the second BLUETOOTH modules; and
perform functions requested by the mobile device.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second BLUETOOTH modules are located around the vehicle and configured to detect a location of the authorized mobile device relative to the vehicle.
3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein to wake the plurality of second BLUETOOTH modules, the phone-as-a-key unit is configured to instruct the second BLUETOOTH modules to enter a standard power mode from the sleep mode.
4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the phone-as-a-key unit is configured to determine when the mobile device is approaching the vehicle based on a received signal strength indicator received from the mobile device.
5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second BLUETOOTH modules are configured to determine a location of the authorized mobile device relative to the vehicle, and wherein, in response to the authorized mobile device being proximate a door of the vehicle, the phone-as-a-key unit is configured to unlock the door.
6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first BLUETOOTH module is configured to communicatively couple with a smart watch, and wherein the mobile device is the smart watch.
7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the phone-as-a-key unit is to, in response to detecting the mobile device executing the phone-as-a-key application:
start a timer; and
in response to the timer expiring and no longer detecting the mobile device executing the phone-as-a-key application, cause the second BLUETOOTH modules to enter the sleep mode.
8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second BLUETOOTH modules are configured to determine a location of the authorized mobile device relative to the vehicle, and wherein, in response to the authorized mobile device being proximate a door of the vehicle, the phone-as-a-key unit is configured to instruct BLUETOOTH modules in the interior of the vehicle to enter a standard power mode from the sleep mode.
9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein, in response to the third BLUETOOTH modules determining that the mobile device is inside the vehicle, the phone-as-a-key unit is configured to enable a push-button ignition system.
10. A method comprising:
detecting, with a phone-as-a-key unit communicatively coupled to first and second BLUETOOTH modules via a dedicated data bus, a location of a mobile device executing a phone-as-a-key application via:
an integrated antenna array on a roof of a vehicle that include a plurality of antenna for different communication protocols, the plurality of antenna including a BLUETOOTH antenna, the first BLUETOOTH module communicatively connected to the BLUETOOTH antenna, and
the second BLUETOOTH modules that are initially in a sleep mode; and
in response to the mobile device being authorized to communicate with the vehicle:
waking the second BLUETOOTH modules, and
performing key fob functions requested by the mobile device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein waking the second BLUETOOTH modules includes instructing the second BLUETOOTH modules to enter a standard power mode from the sleep mode.
12. The method of claim 10 , including determining when the mobile device is approaching the vehicle based on a received signal strength indicator received from the mobile device.
13. The method of claim 10 , including:
determining, via the second BLUETOOTH modules, the location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle; and
in response to the mobile device being proximate a door of the vehicle, unlocking the door.
14. The method of claim 10 , including:
determining, via the second BLUETOOTH modules, the location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle; and
in response to the mobile device being proximate a door of the vehicle, instructing third BLUETOOTH modules in the interior of the vehicle to enter a standard power mode from the sleep mode.
15. The method of claim 14 , including, in response to the plurality of the third BLUETOOTH modules determining that the mobile device is inside the vehicle, enabling a push-button ignition system.
16. A tangible computer readable medium comprising instruction that, when executed, cause a vehicle to:
detect with a phone-as-a-key unit communicatively coupled to first and second BLUETOOTH modules via a dedicated data bus, a location of a mobile device executing a phone-as-a-key application via:
an integrated antenna array on a roof of the vehicle that include a plurality of antenna for different communication protocols, the plurality of antenna including a BLUETOOTH antenna, the first BLUETOOTH module communicatively connected to the BLUETOOTH antenna, and
the second BLUETOOTH modules that are initially in a sleep mode; and
in response to the mobile device being authorized to communicate with the vehicle:
wake the second BLUETOOTH modules, and
perform key fob functions requested by the mobile device.