A communications system utilizing a dual mode device (301A/301B) for controlling functions in a vehicle (200/300), the communications system comprising: a human machine interface controller having a first display for controlling vehicle operating functions; a first wireless transceiver (303, 505) connected to the first display; a multifunctional control switch connected to the first display, the multifunctional control switch, the HMI controller, the first display, and the first wireless transceiver (303, 505) being installed in the vehicle (200/300); the dual mode device (301A/301B) that is portable with respect to the vehicle (200/300) and comprises a second wireless transceiver for communicating either with the first wireless transceiver (303, 505) or with a remote keyless entry wireless transceiver depending upon whether the dual mode device (301A/301B) is located inside or outside the vehicle (200/300), the dual mode device (301A/301B) being configured to: control operational parameters of the first display; operate in a first mode outside the vehicle (200/300), the first mode operating to control a first predetermined set of vehicle operating functions; and operate in a second mode inside the vehicle (200/300), the second mode operating to control a second predetermined set of the vehicle operating functions; and a virtual sensor configured to infer whether the dual mode device (301A/301B) is inside the vehicle (200/300) if the vehicle (200/300) is moving and communications are achieved between the dual mode device (301A/301B) and the first wireless transceiver (303, 505). a human machine interface controller having a first display for controlling vehicle operating functions; a first wireless transceiver (303, 505) connected to the first display; a multifunctional control switch connected to the first display, the multifunctional control switch, the HMI controller, the first display, and the first wireless transceiver (303, 505) being installed in the vehicle (200/300); the dual mode device (301A/301B) that is portable with respect to the vehicle (200/300) and comprises a second wireless transceiver for communicating either with the first wireless transceiver (303, 505) or with a remote keyless entry wireless transceiver depending upon whether the dual mode device (301A/301B) is located inside or outside the vehicle (200/300), the dual mode device (301A/301B) being configured to: control operational parameters of the first display; operate in a first mode outside the vehicle (200/300), the first mode operating to control a first predetermined set of vehicle operating functions; and operate in a second mode inside the vehicle (200/300), the second mode operating to control a second predetermined set of the vehicle operating functions; and control operational parameters of the first display; operate in a first mode outside the vehicle (200/300), the first mode operating to control a first predetermined set of vehicle operating functions; and operate in a second mode inside the vehicle (200/300), the second mode operating to control a second predetermined set of the vehicle operating functions; and a virtual sensor configured to infer whether the dual mode device (301A/301B) is inside the vehicle (200/300) if the vehicle (200/300) is moving and communications are achieved between the dual mode device (301A/301B) and the first wireless transceiver (303, 505).