Communication system

• US 20040150512A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Yoshikawa, Fumitaka
• Granted Patent: US 7,999,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24206 Identification by portable memory in a key
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A communication system that controls the disabling and enabling of a communication function in a communication portion of a portable device in accordance with whether the communication function of the portable device is disabled or enabled. The communication system includes a selection device for selecting a disablement mode, which disables automatic communication of the portable device with respect to a communication controller, and a communication mode, which enables automatic communication of the portable device. A determination unit recognizes which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in to determine whether to enable or disable automatic communication with respect to the portable device in accordance with the recognition. A recognition information providing device provides the determination unit with recognition information used to recognize which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a portable device provided with a communication function;

a communication controller for automatically performing mutual communication with the portable device and controlling a predetermined driver in accordance with whether mutual communication with the portable device is established;

a selection device for selecting one of a disablement mode, which disables automatic communication of the portable device with respect to the communication controller, and a communication mode, which enables automatic communication of the portable device;

a determination unit for recognizing which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in to determine whether to enable or disable automatic communication with respect to the portable device in accordance with the recognition; and

a recognition information providing device for providing the determination unit with recognition information used to recognize which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes the selection device and the recognition information providing device.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication controller includes the selection device and the recognition information providing device.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one other portable device, and the determination unit disabling automatic communication with respect to each portable device when all of the portable devices are in the disablement mode.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes a receiving circuit for receiving a signal from the communication controller, the portable device inactivating the receiving circuit when the portable device is in the disablement mode.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes a transmitting circuit for transmitting a signal to the communication controller, the portable device inactivating the transmitting circuit when the portable device is in the disablement mode.

7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the portable device includes a notification device for generating a notice that the portable device is in the disablement mode and for generating a notice that the portable device has shifted from the disablement mode to the communication mode.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined driver is a door lock driver for locking and unlocking a door.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the door lock driver locks and unlocks the door of a vehicle.

10. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the door lock driver locks and unlocks the door of a house.

11. A method for reducing power consumption in a communication system, the communication system including a portable device and a communication controller that performs automatic communication with the portable device, the method comprising:

selecting with the portable device one of a disablement mode for disabling automatic communication of the portable device relative to the communication controller and a communication mode for enabling automatic communication of the portable device;

transmitting recognition information used to recognize which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in;

determining with the communication controller which one of the disablement mode and the communication mode the portable device is in from the recognition information; and

disabling automatic communication of the communication controller relative to the portable device when it is determined that the portable device is in the disablement mode.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the portable device includes a receiving circuit for receiving a signal from the communication controller, the method further comprising:

inactivating the receiving circuit when the portable device is in the disablement mode.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the portable device includes a transmitting circuit for transmitting a signal to the communication controller, the method further comprising:

inactivating the transmitting circuit when the portable device is in the disablement mode.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

generating a notice that the portable device is in the disablement mode; and

generating a notice that the portable device has shifted from the disablement mode to the communication mode.