Electronic key system for entry objects

• US 7,227,446 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Shimonomoto, Ifushi, Kumazaki, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, NAM V
• Application Number:
  US10/901,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20050052276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.6, 340/5.64, 340/5.72, 340/5.73, 340/10.5, 340/426, 340/539, 123/179.2, 123/179.3, 307 102- 103, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0082 Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00952 Electronic keys comprising a mechanical key within their housing, e.g. extractable or retractable emergency key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00992 mechanical key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

An electronic key system for an entry object such as a vehicle is comprised of a portable device and an in-object device. The portable device has a device body and an emergency key detachably accommodated in the device body. The emergency key has a transponder, which is separate from a transponder provided in the device body. The transponder is for verifying the authority of registration of an additional portable device, while the transponder is for verifying the authority of vehicle control. The device body is also capable of detachably accommodating an emergency key which has no transponder.

Claims

1. An electronic entry system for an entry object comprising:

a portable device carried by a user and including a first memory storing first identification information thereof for verifying authorization of vehicle engine starting, and a first communication means provided within a device body for transmitting first identification information in response to a first request transmitted from outside, the first communication means being a first transponder; and

an in-object device for performing a predetermined operation when the first identification information transmitted from the portable device is identical with registered identification information stored in a memory,

wherein the portable device further includes an emergency key detachably accommodated and operable mechanically for entering the entry object, the emergency key including a second memory storing second identification information as registration information which is transmitted to the in-object device to indicate an authorized user at the time of registering a portable device, the second identification information being electronic identification information, and a second communication means for transmitting the second identification information in response to a second request from the in-object device, the second communication means being a second transponder,

wherein the in-object device includes a processor operably connected to a third communication means, the processor and third communication means being configured to transmit the first request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the first communication means responds when determining whether the predetermined operation should be performed, and to transmit the second request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the second communication means responds when determining whether a registration of identification information should be performed,

wherein the portable device further includes a first transmitter/receiver means, wherein the first transmitter/receiver means has another memory storing another information for verifying authorization of vehicle door locking/unlocking

wherein the third communication means includes a third transponder, and

wherein the third transponder transmits the first request at a first frequency and transmits the second request at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

2. The electronic entry system as in claim 1, wherein the first communication means and the second communication means are operable at different frequencies.

3. An electronic entry system for an entry object, comprising:

a portable device carried by a user and including a first memory storing first identification information thereof for verifying authorization of vehicle engine starting, and a first communication means provided within a device body for transmitting first identification information in response to a first request transmitted from outside, the first communication means being a first transponder; and

an in-object device for performing a predetermined operation when the first identification information transmitted from the portable device is identical with registered identification information stored in a memory,

wherein the portable device further includes an emergency key detachably accommodated and operable mechanically for entering the entry object, the emergency key including a second memory storing second identification information as registration information which is transmitted to the in-object device to indicate an authorized user at the time of registering a portable device, the second identification information being electronic identification information, and a second communication means for transmitting the second identification information in response to a second request from the in-object device, the second communication means being a second transponder,

wherein the in-object device includes a processor operably connected to a third communication means, the processor and third communication means being configured to transmit the first request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the first communication means responds when determining whether the predetermined operation should be performed, and to transmit the second request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the second communication means responds when determining whether a registration of identification information should be performed,

wherein the portable device further includes a first transmitter/receiver means, wherein the first transmitter/receiver means has another memory storing another information for verifying authorization of vehicle door locking/unlocking,

wherein the third communication means receives both the first identification information for verifying authorization of vehicle engine starting and the second identification information, the second identification information being different from the first identification information.

4. The electronic entry system as in claim 3, an area of an electromagnetic field of the second frequency being narrower than an area of an electromagnetic field of the first frequency.

5. The electronic entry system as in claim 3, wherein the first communication means and the second communication means are operable at different frequencies.

6. An electronic entry system for an entry object comprising:

a portable device carried by a user and including a first memory storing first identification information thereof for verifying authorization of vehicle engine starting, and a first communication means provided within a device body for transmitting first identification information in response to a first request transmitted from outside, the first communication means being a first transponder; and

an in-object device for performing a predetermined operation when the first identification information transmitted from the portable device is identical with registered identification information stored in a memory,

wherein the portable device further includes an emergency key detachably accommodated and operable mechanically for entering the entry object, the emergency key including a second memory storing second identification information as registration information which is transmitted to the in-object device to indicate an authorized user at the time of registering a portable device, the second identification information being electronic identification information, and a second communication means for transmitting the second identification information in response to a second request from the in-object device, the second communication means being a second transponder,

wherein the in-object device includes a processor operably connected to a third communication means, the processor and third communication means being configured to transmit the first request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the first communication means responds when determining whether the predetermined operation should be performed, and to transmit the second request to the portable device from the third communication means so that only the second communication means responds when determining whether a registration of identification information should be performed,

wherein the portable device further includes a first transmitter/receiver means, wherein the first transmitter/receiver means has another memory storing another information for verifying authorization of vehicle door locking/unlocking,

wherein the in-object device includes a second transmitter/receiver means operably connected to the processor,

wherein the second transmitter/receiver means transmits a third request to the first transmitter/receiver means,

wherein the first transmitter/receiver means transmits the another information in response to the third request,

wherein the second transmitter/receiver means receives the another information,

wherein the processor is configured to verify the another information and to authorize vehicle door locking/unlocking.

7. The electronic entry system as in claim 6, wherein the first communication means and the second communication means are operable at different frequencies.