Patent ID: 8768539
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: B60K,B60R,B60W,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving by one or more processors, over a wireless link, an instruction to change a state of a vehicle system, the vehicle system including at least one of a mechanical component that is part of a vehicle or an electronic component that is part of the vehicle, the instruction being transmitted by a portable control device and received by a vehicle control unit that is operatively connected to the vehicle system, wherein the vehicle control unit includes a processor coupled to a memory; identifying a current location of the portable control device within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and depending on the current location of the portable control device, performing, by the one or more processors, one of the following tasks: executing the instruction upon determination that the portable control device is located in a first region in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; or refusing to execute the instruction upon determination that the portable control device is located in a second region in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; wherein the vehicle system is one of a steering system, an acceleration system, or a braking system.