Portable device for electronic key system and system for reminding user to carry portable device

• US 7,456,735 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ogino, Kenichi, Naito, Hiromichi
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/159,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20060043181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.32, 340/566, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/692, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/407, 455/412.2, 455/425, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• 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

Abstract

A portable device in an electronic key system has a motion detection sensor to detect its motion from a continuation of standing state over a specified period of time, sound and vibration are generated. This sound and vibration make the user aware that he or she carries the portable device. The user thus is reminded of carrying the portable device whenever he or she goes out. If the motion detection sensor detects a larger motion, the sound and vibration are generated without checking the specified period of time. The motion may also be reported to handy equipment, which is separate from the portable device and carried by the user.

Claims

1. A portable device for an electronic key system, the portable device comprising:

a first motion detecting means for detecting a first motion of a portable device from a standing state;

a reporting means for reporting to a user that the portable device has moved when the motion detecting means detects that the portable device has moved;

a sound input means for inputting sound from outside;

a sound detection means for detecting whether sound inputted by the sound input means is sound registered in advance; and

a reporting operation execution means performs a reporting operation for reporting a current position of the portable device when the sound detecting means detects that the sound inputted is the sound registered.

2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the reporting means activates when the first motion detecting means detects that the portable device has moved after a continuation of standing over a first period of time.

3. The portable device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a second motion detecting means for detecting a second motion of the portable device occurring continuously over a second period of time shorter than the first period of time with a degree greater than that of the first motion, wherein the reporting means activates when the second motion is detected by the second motion detecting means irrespective of an elapse of the first period of time.

4. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the reporting means activates only when a first period of time has elapsed after its previous activation even if the first motion detecting means detects the first motion.

5. The portable device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a second motion detecting means for detecting a second motion of the portable device occurring continuously over a second period of time shorter than the first period of time with a degree greater than that of the first motion, wherein the reporting means activates when the second motion is detected by the second motion detecting means irrespective of an elapse of the first period of time after a previous activation thereof.

6. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the reporting means generates at least one of sound and vibration as an operation for reporting to the user that the portable device has moved.

7. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the reporting means, as an operation for reporting to the user that the portable device has moved, wirelessly transmits a command signal for reporting to the user that the portable device has moved, to handy equipment separate from the portable device.

8. A system for reminding a user of carrying a portable device, comprising:

the portable device according to claim 7; and

handy equipment separate from the portable device, wherein, on receiving a command signal from the portable device, the handy equipment reports to the user that the portable device has moved.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the handy equipment, as an operation for reporting to the user that the portable device has moved, displays an image indicating that the portable device has moved in a display part thereof.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the handy equipment generates at least one of sound and vibration, as an operation for reporting to the user that the portable device has moved.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein:

the portable device includes a reporting operation execution means that performs a reporting operation for reporting a current position of the portable device on receiving a search signal transmitted from the handy equipment; and

the handy equipment includes a search signal transmitting means transmits the search signal when a predetermined operation is performed.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the reporting operation execution means generates at least one of sound and vibration as the reporting operation.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein:

the reporting operation execution means, as the reporting operation, receives a GPS signal and transmits a signal indicating a current position calculated from the received GPS signal or contents of the received GPS signal to the handy equipment as a response signal; and

the handy equipment displays current position information of the portable device in a display part thereof based on the response signal.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein:

the reporting operation execution means transmits, as the reporting operation, a response signal for the search signal to the handy equipment; and

the handy equipment displays information indicating a distance from the portable device in a display part thereof based on a reception strength of the response signal.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein:

the portable device is provided with a camera;

the reporting operation execution means as the reporting operation, photographs a surrounding area of the portable device by the camera and transmits the photographed image data to the handy equipment; and

the handy equipment displays an image represented by the image data in a display part thereof.

16. The portable device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a sound input means for inputting sound front outside;

a sound detecting means for detecting that magnitude of sound inputted by the sound input means is equal to or greater than a specified value; and

a reporting operation execution means for reporting a current position of the portable device when the sound detecting means detects a large magnitude of sound.

17. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the reporting operation execution means generates at least one of sound and vibration as the reporting operation.