VEHICLE-USE KEY, MAINTENANCE SUPPORT/MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF VEHICLE, AND STOLEN VEHICLE CHECK SYSTEM

• US 20080303629A1
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: YAMAGIWA, Toshio
• Granted Patent: US 8,610,537 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/307 using data concerning maintenance or configuration

Abstract

A vehicle-use key for storing and for acquisition of information on a vehicle. The vehicle-use key permits an individual to use the vehicle, to prevent the key from being taken away when the vehicle is stolen and for finding the stolen vehicle. A vehicle-use key is used for starting a vehicle, and is configured to include a radio communication part (RFID) which performs communication with an external communication device. By providing the radio communication part to the vehicle-use key which an owner of a vehicle carries with him/her, information (data) can be transmitted or received between the radio communication part and the reader/writer of a PC terminal installed in a dealer or the like by radio. Thus, vehicle history data, maintenance history data and the like on a vehicle associated with the vehicle-use key can be transmitted and received and stored when necessary.

Claims

1. A vehicle-use key used for starting a vehicle including a radio communication means for performing communication with an external communication means other than the vehicle.

2. The vehicle-use key according to claim 1, wherein the radio communication means includes a specific code only associated with the vehicle, and a memory for storing necessary information on the vehicle.

3. The vehicle-use key according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle-use key includes an insertion portion inserted into an insertion hole formed in the vehicle and a tab portion mounted on the insertion portion, and the radio communication means is mounted on the tab portion.

4. The vehicle-use key according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle-use key includes an insertion portion inserted into an insertion hole formed in the vehicle and a tab portion mounted on the insertion portion, and the radio communication means is mounted on the tab portion.

5. The vehicle-use key according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle-use key includes a communication function portion mounted on the vehicle and performing intercommunication with an information processing communication means mounted on the vehicle.

6. The vehicle-use key according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle-use key includes a communication function portion mounted on the vehicle and performing intercommunication with an information processing communication means mounted on the vehicle.

7. The vehicle-use key according to claim 1, wherein the radio communication means is an RFID.

8. The vehicle-use key according to claim 2, wherein the radio communication means is an RFID.

9. The vehicle-use key according to claim 3, wherein the radio communication means is an RFID.

10. The vehicle-use key according to claim 5, wherein the radio communication means is an RFID.

11. The vehicle-use key according to claim 1, wherein the specific code stored in the memory has a one-to-one correspondence with the vehicle, and the improper use of another key for the vehicle is confirmed based on collation treatment relating to the one-to-one correspondence.

12. The vehicle-use key according to claim 2, wherein the specific code stored in the memory has a one-to-one correspondence with the vehicle, and the improper use of another key for the vehicle is confirmed based on collation treatment relating to the one-to-one correspondence.

13. The vehicle-use key according to claim 3, wherein the specific code stored in the memory has a one-to-one correspondence with the vehicle, and the improper use of another key for the vehicle is confirmed based on collation treatment relating to the one-to-one correspondence.

14. The vehicle-use key according to claim 5, wherein the specific code stored in the memory has a one-to-one correspondence with the vehicle, and the improper use of another key for the vehicle is confirmed based on collation treatment relating to the one-to-one correspondence.

15. The vehicle-use key according to claim 7, wherein the specific code stored in the memory has a one-to-one correspondence with the vehicle, and the improper use of another key for the vehicle is confirmed based on collation treatment relating to the one-to-one correspondence.

16. A maintenance support/management system for performing the maintenance support/management of a vehicle by obtaining data on the vehicle comprising:

a radio communication means for performing communication with a communication means outside the vehicle;

wherein the radio communication means uses a vehicle-use key used for starting a vehicle and includes the radio communication means for performing communication with an external communication means other than the vehicle, and

wherein the communication of a portion of or the whole necessary information on the vehicle-use key is performed between the radio communication means and the external communication means outside the vehicle.

17. A stolen-vehicle check system for checking a stolen vehicle by obtaining data of the vehicle comprising:

a radio communication means for performing communication between the radio communication means and a communication means outside the vehicle;

wherein the radio communication means uses a vehicle-use key used for starting a vehicle and includes the radio communication means for performing communication with an external communication means other than the vehicle;

wherein the communication of a portion of or the whole necessary information on the vehicle-use key is performed between the radio communication means and the external communication means outside the vehicle.