Electronic key system for motorcycle

• US 7,663,472 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Konno, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Nam V
• Application Number:
  US10/677,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20040063477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,331 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.6, 340/5.7, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 340/426, 340/5.32, 340/5.33, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/426.11, 381/86, 343/713, 343/711
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role

Abstract

In an electronic key system for a vehicle which includes a control apparatus mounted on an actual vehicle and an electronic key for transmitting a response signal in response to receiving of a request signal transmitted from the control apparatus through a transmitting antenna, the transmitting antenna is installed on an instrument panel of the actual vehicle. In particular, the instrument panel has various instruments (a speedometer, a direction indicator (left), another direction indicator (right), and so forth) and a board for securing the instruments thereto. Accordingly, the transmitting antenna is installed at a position on the board rather near to a seat (a position of front side of the user when the user is seated on the seat).

Claims

1. An electronic key system for a motorcycle, comprising:

a control apparatus mounted on the motorcycle,

an electronic key for transmitting a response signal in response to receiving a request signal transmitted from said control apparatus through a transmitting antenna,

an instrument panel disposed around a handle bar near the center of rotation of said handle bar, and

a warning lamp installed around said control apparatus for indicating a receiving state of said response signal,

wherein said instrument panel turns as said handle bar turns,

wherein said transmitting antenna is installed on said instrument panel of said motorcycle or a framework surrounding said instrument panel of said motorcycle,

wherein said transmitting antenna is installed near the center of rotation of said handle bar,

wherein said transmitting antenna has a first range of transmission, said electronic key has a second range of transmission, and said first range of transmission is smaller than said second range of transmission,

wherein when an engine of said motorcycle starts, said request signal is output in response to a starting operation of said engine, a presence of said response signal is observed based on said output of said request signal, said warning lamp is immediately driven if said response signal is not detected within a first predetermined period of time, and

wherein during driving after said engine starts, said request signal is output every fixed interval of time, a presence of said response signal is observed based on said output of said request signal, and a count value is updated if said response signal is not detected within a second predetermined period of time, and said warning lamp is driven when said count value becomes higher than a predetermined value.

2. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 1,

wherein said instrument panel has one or more instruments and a board for securing said instruments thereto, and

wherein said transmitting antenna is provided on said board.

3. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 2,

wherein said transmitting antenna is installed at a position on said board rather near to a seat.

4. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 1, further comprising a shade mounted around said instrument panel, and wherein said transmitting antenna is installed on said shade.

5. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 4,

wherein said shade is made of a resin.

6. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 4,

wherein said transmitting antenna is installed on an inner wall surface of said shade.

7. An electronic key system for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein:

said request signal is output every fixed interval of time in response to a starting operation of said motorcycle,

a presence of said response signal is observed based on said output of said request signal,

said count value is updated if said response signal is not detected within said second predetermined period of time, and

said warning lamp is driven when said count value becomes higher than said predetermined value.