Engine starting switch and portable device

• US 20040251744A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Maeda, Toru, Iwamoto, Koji, Kawashima, Masaki, Egawa, Tetsuya, Funayama, Tomoyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,791,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/243 with more than one way to gain access
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00547 starting ignition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7576 Sliding and rotary plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7864 Cylinder lock type

Abstract

A switch for urging a driver to perform an operation that is required when the smart ignition function is invalid. The switch is used by a driver to start the engine of a vehicle when the vehicle communicates with a portable device to verify the portable device. The portable device has an end portion. The switch includes a push button pushed by the driver. The push button includes a guide portion engaged with the end portion of the portable device.

Claims

1. A switch used by a driver to start an engine of a vehicle when the vehicle communicates with a portable device to verify the portable device, the portable device having an end portion, the switch comprising:

an operation member operated by the driver, the operation member including a guide portion engagable with the end portion of the portable device.

2. The switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna for transmitting a drive radio wave that causes the portable device to generate power for establishing communication between the vehicle and the portable device.

3. The switch according to claim 2, further comprising:

a detection unit for detecting that the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the guide portion, wherein the antenna transmits the drive radio wave when the detection unit detects that the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the guide portion.

4. A switch used by a driver to start an engine of a vehicle when the vehicle communicates with a portable device to verify the portable device, and the portable device includes a tapered end portion, the switch comprising:

a push button pushed by the driver, the push button including a tapered groove extending along a surface of the push button and engagable with the end portion of the portable device.

5. The switch according to claim 4, further comprising:

an antenna for generating power to establish communication between the portable device and the vehicle when the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the groove.

6. A portable device for communicating with a vehicle to be verified when a driver operates a switch to start an engine of the vehicle, the switch including an operation member operated by the driver and having a guide portion with a predetermined shape, the portable device comprising:

an end portion engagable with the guide portion of the operation member.

7. The portable device according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle transmits a drive radio wave for generating power to establish communication between the vehicle and the portable device, the portable device further comprising:

a transponder for receiving the drive radio wave to generate power and using the power to communicate with the vehicle, the transponder being arranged in the vicinity of the end portion of the portable device.

8. The portable device according to claim 6, further including another end portion shaped differently from the end portion that engages the guide portion of the operation member.

9. A verification system for use when starting an engine of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a portable device for communicating with the vehicle to obtain verification, the portable device including an end portion; and

a switch including an operation member operated by a driver when the portable device communicates with the vehicle, wherein the operation member includes a guide portion engagable with the end portion of the portable device.

10. The verification system according to claim 9, wherein the switch includes an antenna used to transmit a drive radio wave for generating power, and the portable device includes a transponder for receiving the drive radio wave to generate power and using the power to communicate with the vehicle, the transponder being arranged in the vicinity of the end portion of the portable device.

11. The verification system according to claim 10, wherein the switch includes a detection unit for detecting that the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the guide portion, and the antenna functions when the detection unit detects that the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the guide portion.

12. The verification system according to claim 9, wherein the portable device includes another end portion shaped differently from the end portion that engages the guide portion.

13. An verification system for use when starting an engine of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a portable device for communicating with the vehicle to obtain verification, the portable device including a tapered end portion; and

a switch including a push button pushed by a driver when the portable device communicates with the vehicle, wherein the push button includes a groove engagable with the end portion of the portable device.

14. The verification system according to claim 13, wherein the switch includes an antenna used to transmit a drive radio wave for generating power when the end portion of the portable device is engaged with the groove, and the portable device includes a transponder for receiving the drive radio wave to generate power and using the power to communicate with the vehicle, the transponder being arranged in the vicinity of the end portion of the portable device.