Patent ID: 7193334
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A controller for an electronic key system including a portable device, carried by a user, and a control subject, the portable device incorporating a transponder and generating a signal including an ID code unique to the portable device and a signal including a transponder code unique to the transponder, the controller comprising: a first storage circuit for storing an ID code identical to the ID code of the portable device; a first transmitter circuit for transmitting a request signal that causes the portable device to transmit the signal including the ID code; a first receiver circuit for receiving the signal including the ID code that is transmitted from the portable device in response to the request signal; a first control unit for determining whether the ID code stored in the first storage circuit matches the ID code of the portable device and for performing a first control that enables activation of the control subject when the two ID codes match; a second storage circuit for storing a transponder code identical to the transponder code of the portable device; a second transmitter circuit for transmitting a transponder activation signal that causes the portable device to transmit the signal including the transponder code; a second receiver circuit for receiving the signal including the transponder code that is transmitted from the portable device in response to the transponder activation signal; a second control unit for determining whether the transponder code stored in the second storage circuit matches the transponder code of the portable device and for performing a second control that enables activation of the control subject when the two transponder codes match; and an instruction device for instructing the user of an operation that must be performed to have the second control unit enable activation of the control subject when the first receiver circuit does not receive the signal including the ID code from the portable device even though the first transmitter circuit is transmitting the request signal.