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 (HMI) controller having a first display for controlling vehicle operating functions; a first wireless transceiver 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 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 or with a remote keyless entry (RKE) 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 . a human machine interface (HMI) controller having a first display for controlling vehicle operating functions; a first wireless transceiver 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 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 or with a remote keyless entry (RKE) 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 . <EOS>