KEY FOBS AND MENU ACCESS LEVEL AUTHORIZATION FOR CONTROL PANELS VIA PAIRING WITH USER DEVICES

The present disclosure generally relates to key fobs and menu access authorization for control panels via pairing with user devices. In exemplary embodiments, a method generally includes pairing a user device (e.g., smartphone, Bluetooth-enabled device, etc.) to a control panel (e.g., engine control panel, etc.) such that the user device is operable as or similar to a key fob for the control panel. After the initial pairing and entry of the user's menu access level PIN into the control panel, the control panel will thereafter automatically power up or wake up, pair with the user device, and grant menu access level rights based on the previously entered user's menu access level PIN when the user device is within range of the control panel and/or the user device manually connects with the control panel.