Patent ID: 11932198
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Field: Digital communication (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G  H | IPC B  G  H

Claim 0:
1. A transfer key system for a vehicle, comprising:
a key receptacle configured to detect the presence of a transfer key;
a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature inside a vehicle cabin; and
a controller configured to
receive key status signals from the key receptacle;
activate the transfer key as an active transfer key in response to the status signal indicating a removal of the transfer key from the key receptacle and receiving an authentication signal from a mobile device associated with a vehicle owner, the mobile device being separate and distinct from the transfer key;
receive a cabin temperature from the temperature sensor;
transmit a temperature notification to the mobile device in response to the temperature falling outside of a predefined threshold and the activation of the transfer key; and
transmit a warranty warning indicating a possible transfer key failure in response to the transfer key being activated and the temperature being within a predefined threshold.