Patent ID: 8264320

Claim:
An aftermarket keyless starter for a vehicle comprising a smart ignition system and an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) security system, the smart ignition system being responsive to an engine start command, the OEM security system cooperating with an OEM transponder for user verification, the OEM security system comprising an OEM reader for reading the OEM transponder when the OEM transponder is within a range R of the OEM reader, the OEM transponder storing an OEM identification code, the OEM security system requiring receipt of the OEM identification code by the OEM reader in order to enable starting of the vehicle, the aftermarket keyless starter comprising: a) a secure box for isolating the OEM transponder from the OEM security system, the secure box being affixed to the vehicle such that the OEM transponder is outside of the effective signal range when secured within the secure box; b) an aftermarket reader which is operatively connectable to the OEM transponder and operable to read the OEM identification code when the OEM transponder is secured within the secure box; c) a programmable aftermarket microcontroller for controlling communication between the OEM transponder, through the aftermarket reader, and the OEM reader, the aftermarket microcontroller operatively connected to the aftermarket reader and the OEM reader; and d) an aftermarket transmitter for sending a keyless start command to the aftermarket microcontroller for extending the range of the OEM system; wherein the aftermarket microcontroller is operable to receive the keyless start command and respond thereto by having the aftermarket reader read the OEM identification code and retransmitting the OEM identification code to the OEM reader, and wherein the engine start command is transmitted to the smart ignition system subsequent to the sending of the keyless start command.