Patent ID: 6329901
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B60R,G07C

Abstract:
An electronic vehicle key comprising:a radio receiver for receiving radio call information which is transmitted by a control center;a key communication device for communicating with a vehicle communication device in an associated vehicle, signals transmitted by the key communication device to the vehicle communication device serving to activate or deactivate an immobilizer on the vehicle; anda key controller provided in the electronic vehicle key, said key controller including means for storing and updating a mobility account, whereinthe key controller processes use-enabling radio call information transmitted to the vehicle key by the control center and in response thereto registers a ""maximum credit"" in the mobility account in the vehicle key;the key controller registers relevant events as ""debits"" in the mobility account in the vehicle key; andthe key controller enables the vehicle key to transmit a signal to the vehicle to deactivate the immobilizer only if the ""credit"" in the mobility account has not yet reached a prescribed account value.