Electronic key system
First Claim
1. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:
- a terminal installed in the vehicle to process predetermined information;
a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein the electronic keys include a master key and a sub-key, and wherein the identification codes include a master identification code stored in the master key and a sub-identification code stored in the sub-key;
a comparing means arranged in the vehicle and storing a plurality of verification codes associated with the identification codes, wherein the comparing means retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes; and
a control means for generating access right information that restricts activation of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the sub-identification code and providing the terminal with the access right information, wherein the control means enables starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle when the retrieved identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes;
wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, and the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the sub-identification code and selectively restricts the usage of each terminal in accordance with the sub-identification code when the sub-identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the master identification code and permits the usage of all of the plurality of terminals when the master identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, andwherein when each of the plurality of terminals receives the access right information generated from the sub-identification code from the control means, each terminal interprets the access right information generated from the sub-identification code to determine operation of a terminal that is to be restricted and that differs from that of other terminals in accordance with the access right information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic key system for a vehicle that prevents private information from being available to a third person. The electronic key system includes a terminal, electronic keys, and a device having comparing and control components. Each electronic key stores a distinct identification code and transmits the identification code to the vehicle. At least one of the identification codes is a restriction code for restricting the usage of the terminal. The comparing component is arranged in the vehicle and stores verification codes associated with the identification codes. The comparing component retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes. The control component restricts activation of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the restriction code.
34 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:
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a terminal installed in the vehicle to process predetermined information; a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein the electronic keys include a master key and a sub-key, and wherein the identification codes include a master identification code stored in the master key and a sub-identification code stored in the sub-key; a comparing means arranged in the vehicle and storing a plurality of verification codes associated with the identification codes, wherein the comparing means retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes; and a control means for generating access right information that restricts activation of the terminal when the retrieved identification code is the sub-identification code and providing the terminal with the access right information, wherein the control means enables starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle when the retrieved identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes; wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, and the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the sub-identification code and selectively restricts the usage of each terminal in accordance with the sub-identification code when the sub-identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the master identification code and permits the usage of all of the plurality of terminals when the master identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein when each of the plurality of terminals receives the access right information generated from the sub-identification code from the control means, each terminal interprets the access right information generated from the sub-identification code to determine operation of a terminal that is to be restricted and that differs from that of other terminals in accordance with the access right information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:
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a terminal installed in the vehicle to store information including private information; a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein the electronic keys include a master key and a sub-key, and wherein the identification codes include a master identification code stored in the master key and a sub-identification code stored in the sub-key; a comparing means arranged in the vehicle and storing a plurality of verification codes associated with the identification codes, wherein the comparing means retrieves the identification code of one of the electronic keys and compares the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes; and a control means for generating access right information that restricts activation of the terminal to prevent the private information from being accessed by a third person when the retrieved identification code is the sub-identification code and providing the terminal with the access right information, wherein the control means enables starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle when the retrieved identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes; wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, and the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the sub-identification code and selectively restricts the usage of each terminal in accordance with the sub-identification code when the sub-identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the master identification code and permits the usage of all of the plurality of terminals when the master identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein when each of the plurality of terminals receives the access right information generated from the sub-identification code from the control means, each terminal interprets the access right information generated from the sub-identification code to determine operation of a terminal that is to be restricted and that differs from that of other terminals in accordance with the access right information. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An electronic key system for use in a vehicle comprising:
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a terminal installed in the vehicle to store information including private information, the terminal comprising one of a plurality of terminals; a plurality of electronic keys, each storing an identification code and transmitting the identification code to the vehicle, wherein the electronic keys include a master key and a sub-key, and wherein the identification codes include a master identification code stored in the master key and a sub-identification code stored in the sub-key; and a control means arranged in the vehicle to retrieve one of the identification codes and compare the retrieved identification code with an associated one of the verification codes, wherein the control means generates access right information that corresponds to the sub-identification code and restricts operation of the terminal to prevent the private information from being accessed by a third person when the sub-identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, and wherein the control means generates the access right information that corresponds to the master identification code and permits the usage of all of the plurality of terminals when the master identification code matches with the associated one of the verification codes and starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled wherein when each of the plurality of terminals receives the access right information generated from the sub-identification code from the control means, each terminal interprets the access right information generated from the sub-identification code to determine operation of a terminal that is to be restricted and that differs from that of other terminals in accordance with the access right information.
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11. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle having a terminal, and restricting access to private information stored in the terminal, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a plurality of keys for operating the vehicle, with each key storing an identification code wherein the keys include a master key and a sub-key, and wherein the identification codes include a master identification code stored in the master key and a sub-identification code stored in the sub-key; (b) storing verification codes in the vehicle corresponding to the identification codes; (c) transmitting the identification code from one of the keys to the vehicle; (d) determining if the identification code received from the key corresponds to any of the verification codes; (e) if the received identification code matches with the any one of the verification codes, enabling starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle; (f) if the identification code received corresponds to a verification code and is the sub-identification code and starting an engine of the vehicle is enabled, generating access right information, corresponding to the sub-identification code, for restricting operation of the terminal to prevent access to private information stored in the terminal in the vehicle in accordance with the sub-identification code; (g) if the identification code received corresponds to a verification code and is the master identification code and starting of an engine of the vehicle or unlocking doors of the vehicle is enabled, generating access right information, corresponding to the master identification code, for permitting access to private information stored in the terminal in the vehicle; (h) providing the terminal with the access right information; and (i) if the identification code received does not correspond to any of the verification codes, preventing operation of the vehicle; wherein the terminal comprises one of a plurality of terminals; and (j) when each of the plurality of terminals receives the access right information generated from the sub-identification code, each terminal interprets the access right information generated from the sub-identification code to determine operation of a terminal that is to be restricted and that is different from that of other terminals in accordance with the access right information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification