Patent ID: 7990254

Claim:
A method for controlling an operational state of a vehicle having a keyless rotary ignition switch and a locking mechanism coupled to the keyless rotary ignition switch, the method comprising: disengaging the locking mechanism to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from a first position to a second position by a user when an electronic authorization is detected, wherein the detection of the electronic authorization comprises determining if an authorized electronic device is within an authorization zone of the vehicle; engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position by the user when no electronic authorization is detected; re-determining if an authorized electronic device is within the authorization zone of the vehicle if the keyless rotary ignition switch is rotated to the first position; re-engaging the locking mechanism to prevent the keyless rotary ignition switch from being rotated from the first position to the second position if an authorized electronic device is determined to be within the authorization zone of the vehicle; and maintaining disengagement of the locking mechanism for a period of time to allow the keyless rotary ignition switch to be rotated from the first position to the second position if no authorized electronic device is determined to be within the authorization zone of the vehicle.