Patent ID: 8706350
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A method for communicating between a vehicle and an authorized user of the vehicle, said method comprising: providing the authorized user with a communications device; providing at least one infrared sensor on the vehicle; detecting living things within a predetermined vicinity of the vehicle based on heat signature signals received by the infrared sensor, wherein the heat signature signals indicate to the vehicle the distance that the living thing is from the vehicle and how fast the living thing is approaching the vehicle; determining that the user may be within the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle based on heat signature signals received from the living things by the infrared sensor; transmitting a polling signal from the vehicle that is received by the device if the sensor receives the heat signature signals that may be from the user; and transmitting a first command signal from the device to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to perform a predetermined vehicle operation if the device receives the polling signal.