Patent ID: 8237542
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A45C,B60R,E05B,G07C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A key system for a vehicle having a plurality of functions, the key system comprising: an electronic key, wherein the electronic key includes a unique key code, a key insertion groove, and a mechanical emergency key accommodated in the key insertion groove of the electronic key; a portable communicable data medium that stores a medium code and transmits the medium code through wireless communication, wherein the communicable data medium includes an accommodation structure that accommodates the mechanical emergency key of the electronic key; a first authentication part that performs first authentication for determining whether or not the unique key code of the electronic key is registered in the vehicle; a wireless signal receiver that receives through wireless communication the medium code unique to the portable communicable data medium held in a holding mechanism in a lockable accommodation case that is lockable and unlockable with the electronic key; a second authentication part that performs second authentication for determining whether or not the medium code of the portable communicable data medium held in the holding mechanism in the lockable accommodation case received by the wireless signal receiver is registered in the vehicle; and a condition-imposing part for limiting operative functions of the vehicle, wherein the condition imposing part is arranged to permit the vehicle to operate in a state in which a first group of at least one function is operative when the first authentication and the second authentication both generate an affirmative result and to permit the vehicle to operate in a state in which a second group of at least one function that is more limited than the first group of at least one function is operative when either one of the first authentication and the second authentication generates an affirmative result, and to permit an engine of the vehicle to be started and driven when the first authentication generates an affirmative result but the second authentication generates a negative result.