Vehicular communication system using an ignition key
First Claim
1. A vehicular communication system comprising:
- an ignition key having a reception device for storing data received by a reception coil;
an ignition key cylinder switchable between at least a key removal position at which the ignition key can be freely pulled out of the ignition key cylinder and a key removal prevention position that prevents the ignition key from being pulled out of the ignition key cylinder;
a transmission device for transmitting stored data to the reception device during a predetermined communication time sequence while the ignition key is in the ignition key cylinder and the ignition cylinder is in the key removal prevention position; and
switching prevention means for preventing the ignition key cylinder from being switched from the key removal prevention position to the key removal position during the predetermined communication time sequence.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a vehicular communication system, a microcomputer of a transmission-reception electronic control unit (ECU) transmits stored data via an antenna coil to a transceiver disposed in an ignition key when the ignition key is inserted in an ignition key cylinder of a vehicle. During communication with the transceiver, the microcomputer outputs a key interlock actuating signal. While the key interlock actuating signal is being inputted to a key interlock control circuit, the key interlock control circuit operates a key interlock actuator to prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to a position at which the ignition key may be freely removed from the ignition key cylinder. Thus, the ignition key is prevented from being removed from the ignition key cylinder during communication between the ignition key transceiver and the microcomputer, thereby ensuring that data about the vehicle will be stored in a reception device disposed in the ignition key without a failure.
32 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicular communication system comprising:
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an ignition key having a reception device for storing data received by a reception coil; an ignition key cylinder switchable between at least a key removal position at which the ignition key can be freely pulled out of the ignition key cylinder and a key removal prevention position that prevents the ignition key from being pulled out of the ignition key cylinder; a transmission device for transmitting stored data to the reception device during a predetermined communication time sequence while the ignition key is in the ignition key cylinder and the ignition cylinder is in the key removal prevention position; and switching prevention means for preventing the ignition key cylinder from being switched from the key removal prevention position to the key removal position during the predetermined communication time sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vehicular communication system comprising:
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an ignition key having an ignition key information device for receiving and storing data; an ignition key cylinder; a transmission device for transmitting data to the ignition key information device during a predetermined time interval; and a key removal prevention mechanism for preventing the ignition key from being removed from the ignition key cylinder during at least a portion of the predetermined time interval. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of communicating data between a control unit in a vehicle and an ignition key information device in an ignition key, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an ignition key into an ignition key cylinder; communicating data between the control unit and the ignition key information device; and preventing withdrawal of the ignition key from the ignition key cylinder during at least part of the step of communicating data between the control unit and the ignition key information device. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification