Lighting system

• US 7,057,493 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Takashi, Suyama, Terumasa, Shibagaki, Toshimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, CLARA I
• Application Number:
  US10/648,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.2, 340/5.7, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/5.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• 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 2209/62 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: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A lighting system that automatically turns on lights with a key used for locking the doors of a car and a house. The system includes the key and a lighting device. The key generates and transmits a transmission signal containing verification subject information. A light control unit connected to the lighting device receives the transmission signal from the key and verifies the key with an ID code. The light control unit activates the lighting device.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a lighting device;

an electronic key including a signal output unit, wherein the signal output unit generates and transmits a transmission signal containing verification subject information;

a light control unit connected to the lighting device, wherein the light control unit receives the transmission signal from the electronic key through wireless communication and verifies the verification subject information with verification reference information, the light control unit controlling activation and deactivation of the lighting device; and

a lock control unit for receiving the transmission signal through wireless communication and verifying the verification subject information with the verification reference information to control locking and unlocking of a house door and a vehicle door in accordance with the verification, the lock control unit including a first lock control unit arranged near the house door to control locking and unlocking of the house door and a second lock control unit arranged in the vehicle to control locking and unlocking of the vehicle door;

wherein the light control unit includes;

a main controller located near the house door, the main controller having a first transmitting circuit for transmitting a request signal to the electronic key and a first receiving circuit for receiving the transmission signal from the electronic key; and

a transmitting-receiving circuit connected to the main controller and located near a parking of the vehicle, the transmitting-receiving circuit having a second transmitting circuit for transmitting a request signal to the electronic key and a second receiving circuit for receiving the transmission signal from the electronic key.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit instructs the lighting device to perform basic lighting when the verification subject information matches the verification reference information and instructs the lighting device to perform lighting that differs from the basic lighting when the verification subject information does not match the verification reference information.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit includes a selecting device for selecting one of an enablement mode, which enables the activation of the lighting device, and a disablement mode, which disables the activation of the lighting device, the light control unit activating the lighting device if the verification subject information matches the verification reference information when the selecting device selects the enablement mode.

4. A lighting system comprising:

a lighting device;

an electronic key including a signal output unit, wherein the signal output unit generates and transmits a transmission signal containing verification subject information;

a light control unit connected to the lighting device, wherein the light control unit receives the transmission signal from the electronic key through wireless communication and verifies the verification subject information with verification reference information, the light control unit controlling activation and deactivation of the lighting device; and

a lock control unit for receiving the transmission signal through wireless communication and verifying the verification subject information with the verification reference information to control locking and unlocking of a house door and a vehicle door in accordance with the verification, the lock control unit including a first lock control unit arranged near the house door to control locking and unlocking of the house door and a second lock control unit arranged in the vehicle to control locking and unlocking of the vehicle door;

wherein the light control unit includes a receiving circuit located near a parking of the vehicle to receive the transmission signal from the electronic key, the light control unit being connected to the first lock control unit to receive the verification subject information from the receiving circuit and the first lock control unit.

5. The lighting system according to claim 4, wherein the light control unit instructs the lighting device to perform basic lighting when the verification subject information matches the verification reference information and instructs the lighting device to perform lighting that differs from the basic lighting when the verification subject information does not match the verification reference information.

6. The lighting system according to claim 4, wherein the light control unit includes a selecting device for selecting one of an enablement mode, which enables the activation of the lighting device, and a disablement mode, which disables the activation of the lighting device, the light control unit activating the lighting device if the verification subject information matches the verification reference information when the selecting device selects the enablement mode.