Switch device

• US 7,187,266 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Hiroyasu, Iwamoto, Koji, Ohtaki, Kiyokazu, Funayama, Tomoyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber; Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, CLARA I
• Application Number:
  US10/821,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.62, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A switch device that occupies less space and that can be manufactured at a lower cost. The switch device includes an operation switch operated by an operator for driving an actuator and a coil antenna used to output a transponder-driving radio wave. The coil antenna is arranged adjacent to the operation switch.

Claims

1. A switch device for use by an operator and connection to an actuator, for enabling the actuator to be driven when an ID code transmitted from a transponder of a portable device matches a predetermined ID code of a vehicle controller, wherein the switch device transmits a transponder-driving radio wave that caused the transponder to generate electromotive force for transmitting the ID code, the switch device comprising:

a push button switch operated by the operator for driving the actuator; and

a coil antenna used for transmitting the transponder-driving radio wave, the coil antenna being arranged around the push button switch.

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

a switch holder that holds the push button switch, the coil antenna being attached to the switch holder.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the push button switch includes a display portion for displaying an operating state of the actuator, the switch device further comprising:

a single circuit substrate arranged in the switch holder and including a lighting circuit for controlling the display of the display portion and a demodulation circuit for demodulating the transponder signal transmitted from the transponder to a signal with predetermined frequency.

4. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the push button switch includes a display portion for displaying an operating state of the actuator, the switch device further comprising:

a single circuit substrate arranged in the push button switch and including a lighting circuit for generating a lighting signal to control the display of the display portion and a demodulation circuit for demodulating the transponder signal transmitted from the transponder to a demodulation signal with a predetermined frequency; and

a connector arranged in the push button switch, the lighting signal and the demodulation signal being provided to an external device via the connector.

5. A switch device for use by an operator and connection to an actuator, for enabling the actuator to be driven when an ID code transmitted from a transponder of a portable device matches a predetermined ID code of a vehicle controller, wherein the switch device transmits a transponder-driving radio wave that causes the transponder to generate electromotive force for transmitting the ID code, the switch device comprising:

a push button switch having an operational surface operated by the operator for driving the actuator; and

a coil antenna used for transmitting the transponder-driving radio wave the coil antenna being arranged around the operational surface.

6. A switch device for use by an operator and connection to an actuator, for enabling the actuator to be driven when an ID code transmitted from a transponder of a portable device matches a predetermined ID code of a vehicle controller, wherein the switch device transmits a transponder-driving radio wave that causes the transponder to generate electromotive force for transmitting the ID code, the switch device comprising:

a push button switch having an operational surface operated by the operator for driving the actuator;

a switch holder, having a ring that surrounds the operational surface, for holding the push button switch; and

a coil antenna used for transmitting the transponder-driving radio wave, the coil antenna being arranged near the operational surface of the push button switch and in the ring.

7. A security system for use by an operator and for controlling driving of an actuator, the security system enabling the actuator to be driven when an ID code transmitted from a transponder matches a predetermined ID code, wherein the security system transmits a transponder-driving radio wave that causes the transponder to generate electromotive force for transmitting the ID code, the security system comprising:

a portable device including the transponder;

a push button switch operated by the operator to drive the actuator; and

a coil antenna used for transmitting the transponder-driving radio wave, the coil antenna being arranged around the push button switch.

8. A security system for use by an operator and for controlling driving of an actuator, the security system comprising:

a push button switch operated by the operator for driving the actuator;

a request signal output unit for transmitting a request signal;

a portable device including a transponder for transmitting a transponder signal including a first ID code, the security system enabling the actuator to be driven when the first ID code transmitted from the transponder matches a predetermined second ID code, wherein the security system transmits a transponder-driving radio wave that causes the transponder to generate electromotive force for transmitting the first ID code, the portable device transmitting an ID code signal including a third ID code in response to the request signal transmitted from the request signal output unit

a first determination unit for determining whether the third ID code included in the ID code signal transmitted from the portable device matches a preset fourth ID code;

a first control unit for enabling the actuator to be driven when the first determination unit determines that the third ID code and the fourth ID code match;

a second determination unit for determining whether the first ID code included in the transponder signal transmitted from the transponder of the portable device matches the second ID code;

a second control unit for enabling the actuator to be driven when the second determination unit determines that the first ID code and the second ID code match; and

a coil antenna used to transmit the transponder-driving radio wave, the coil antenna being arranged around the push button switch.

9. A method for operating a push button switch to drive an actuator, wherein the actuator is enabled to be driven when an ID code transmitted from a transponder of a portable device matches a predetermined ID code, the transponder receiving a transponder-driving radio wave that generates electromotive force used to transmit the ID code, the method comprising:

operating the push button switch, which has a coil antenna that outputs the transponder-driving radio wave and is arranged around the push button switch, while holding the portable device in a vicinity of the push button switch.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the push button switch has an operational surface that is pressed, said operating the push button switch includes placing the portable device against the operational surface of the push button switch and pressing the operation switch with the portable device.