Electronic key system

• US 9,457,766 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Satake, Shuuji, Kanazawa, Akiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US14/435,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20150291128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/34 of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An electronic key system enabling to improve security against vehicle theft is provided. A smart ECU acquires encrypted data from an electronic key. When all identification data stored in a memory and a memory of an electronic component embedding connector correspond to the identification data transmitted from the electronic key, the smart ECU cancels security and permits operations of a door lock driving unit, a steering lock driving unit, and an engine control unit.

Claims

1. An electronic key system comprising:

a control unit acquiring an identification data from an electronic key, being allowed to operate when the acquired identification data is authorized and security is canceled, and being connected to a first in-vehicle unit;

a first wiring harness connected to the control unit;

a second wiring harness connected to a second in-vehicle unit;

a connector connecting the first wiring harness to the second wiring harness, the control unit and the connector respectively including memories embedded therein prestoring the identification data; and

a security canceling unit canceling security to which a matching result of matching is transmitted when all the identification data stored in the memories embedded in the control unit and the connector correspond to the identification data transmitted from the electronic key,

wherein the connector includes an attaching/detaching detecting unit embedded therein and detecting attaching and detaching of the control unit,

wherein when detaching of the control unit in the attaching/detaching detecting unit is detected as a detecting result, the detecting result is stored into the connector, and

wherein after the detecting result is stored in the connector, a matching result of no matching is transmitted to the security canceling unit without verifying matching with the identification data upon transmission of the identification data from the control unit to the connector, the security canceling unit avoids canceling security.

2. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the attaching/detaching detecting unit includes a backup power supply, wherein the attaching/detaching detecting unit is supplied with power from the control unit via the first wiring harness connected to the control unit, and wherein when the control unit is detached from the connector, the attaching/detaching detecting unit is supplied with power from the backup power supply, and the attaching/detaching detecting unit thereby detects as the detecting result the power being supplied from the backup power supply.