Electronic key system

• US 20040021550A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Mizuno, Yoshiyuki, Ohtaki, Kiyokazu
• Granted Patent: US 7,545,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

An electronic key system for a vehicle that prevents private information from being available to a third person. The electronic key system includes a terminal, electronic keys, and a device having comparing and control components. Each electronic key stores a distinct identification code and transmits the identification code to the vehicle. At least one of the identification codes is a restriction code for restricting the usage of the terminal. The comparing component is arranged in the vehicle and stores verification codes associated with the identification codes. The comparing component retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes. The control component restricts activation of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

Claims

1. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a terminal installed in the vehicle to process predetermined information;

a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein at least one of the identification codes is a restriction code for restricting the usage of the terminal;

a comparing means arranged in the vehicle and storing a plurality of verification codes associated with the identification codes, wherein the comparing means retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes; and

a control means for restricting activation of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

2. The key system according to claim 1, wherein the control means disables usage of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

3. The key system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal includes a power control used to activate the terminal, and the control means prohibits activation of the terminal when the identification code is the restriction code even if the power control is operated to activate the terminal.

4. The key system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic keys includes a master key storing an identification code for permitting usage of the terminal and at least one sub-key storing the restriction code.

5. The key system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a transmitting/receiving circuit connected to the comparing means to supply the master key with power through a radio transmission and receive the identification code from the master key, wherein the master key converts the radio transmission to power and uses the power to transmit the identification code to the transmitting/receiving circuit.

6. The key system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, the restriction code includes information of whether to restrict the usage of each terminal, and the control means selectively restricts the usage of each terminal in accordance with the restriction code.

7. The key system according to claim 6, wherein the control means disables usage of a predetermined terminal in accordance with the restriction code.

8. The key system according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of electronic keys includes a master key storing an identification code for permitting usage of all of the terminals and at least one sub-key storing the restriction code.

9. The key system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of terminals includes a car navigation system terminal, an ETC terminal, and/or a distress call system.

10. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a terminal installed in the vehicle to store information including private information;

a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein at least one of the identification codes is a restriction code for restricting the usage of the terminal;

a comparing means arranged in the vehicle and storing a plurality of verification codes associated with the identification codes, wherein the comparing means retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes; and

a control means for restricting activation of the terminal to prevent the private information from being accessed by a third person when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

11. The key system according to claim 10, wherein the control means disables usage of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

12. The key system according to claim 10, wherein the control means stops supplying the terminal with power when the identification code is the restriction code.

13. The key system according to claim 10, wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, the restriction code includes information of whether to restrict the usage of each terminal, and the control means selectively restricts the usage of each terminal in accordance with the restriction code.

14. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a terminal installed in the vehicle to store information including private information;

a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein at least one of the identification codes is a restriction code for restricting the usage of the terminal; and

a control means arranged in the vehicle to retrieve one of the identification codes and restrict activation of the terminal to prevent the private information from being accessed by a third person when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.

15. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle having information processing systems, and restricting access to private information stored in the information processing systems, the method comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of keys for operating the vehicle, with each key storing an identification code and at least one of the identification codes being different than any of the other identification codes;

(b) storing verification codes in the vehicle corresponding to the identification codes;

(c) transmitting the identification code from one of the keys to the vehicle;

(d) determining if the identification code received from the key corresponds to any of the verification codes;

(e) if the identification code received corresponds to a verification code, allowing access to private information stored in information processing systems in the vehicle in accordance with predetermined restriction information associated with the corresponding verification code; and

(f) if the identification code received does not correspond to any of the verification codes, preventing operation of the vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein each key includes a transmitter, and said transmitting is performed using the transmitter in said one of the keys.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said determining is performed using an ECU having a receiving circuit for receiving transmissions from the keys and providing corresponding information to the ECU.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein one of the verification codes is for a master key and the predetermined restriction information associated with that verification code is for unrestricted access to private information.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the information processing systems includes a terminal for accessing private information stored therein, and at least one of the verification codes is for a sub-key and the predetermined restriction information associated with that verification code is to disable usage of said terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein usage of said terminal is disabled by preventing power from being supplied to the terminal.