Patent Publication Number: US-2022238993-A1

Title: Casing device, and remote control system

Description:
FIELD 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a casing device adapted to be disposed in a prescribed space in order to house an electronic key to be remotely controlled. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to a remote control system including the casing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     European Patent Publication No. 3418985A1 discloses a casing device adapted to be disposed in a vehicle cabin opened and closed by a door of a vehicle. The casing device includes a housing section, a transceiver, and an actuator. The housing section houses an electronic key. The electronic key is a device configured to cause a control device installed in the vehicle to control a locking/unlocking device configured to lock/unlock the door through wireless communication when a specific operation is performed. When the transceiver receives a locking/unlocking instruction from a mobile device adapted to be carried by a user, the actuator performs the specific operation described above with respect to the electronic key. As a result, in a state that the electronic key is left in the vehicle cabin, it is possible to remotely control the operation of the locking/unlocking device with the mobile device from, for example, the outside of the vehicle cabin. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is demanded to improve the security of a casing device adapted to be disposed in a prescribed space in order to house an electronic key to be remotely controlled. 
     In order to meet the demand described above, one illustrative aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter provides a casing device adapted to be disposed in a prescribed space that is opened/closed by an opening/closing body, comprising: 
     a casing having a housing section adapted to house an electronic key configured to cause a control device to perform control of a controlled device based on first wireless communication including reception of a first signal using a first frequency band and transmission of a second signal using a second frequency band as a response to the first signal, and being formed of a material capable of blocking the second frequency band; 
     an actuator configured to actuate a movable portion of the electronic key housed in the housing section; 
     a transceiver configured to receive, based on second wireless communication, a trigger signal from a mobile device adapted to be carried by a user; and 
     a controller configured to control an operation of the actuator, 
     wherein a part of the casing is configured to be switchable between a state that the second signal is allowed to pass and a state that the second signal is not allowed to pass; and 
     wherein the controller is configured to switch the part of the casing into the state that the second signal is allowed to pass, and to cause the actuator to actuate the movable portion so as to cause the electronic key to transmit the second signal, in a case where the transceiver receives the trigger signal. 
     In order to meet the demand described above, one illustrative aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter provides a remote control system, comprising: 
     a casing device adapted to be disposed in a prescribed space that is opened/closed by an opening/closing body; 
     a control device configured to perform control of a controlled device; and 
     an electronic key configured to cause the control device to perform the control of the controlled device based on first wireless communication including reception of a first signal using a first frequency band and transmission of a second signal using a second frequency band as a response to the first signal, 
     wherein the casing device includes:
         a casing having a housing section adapted to house the electronic key, and being formed of a material capable of blocking the second frequency band;   an actuator configured to actuate a movable portion of the electronic key housed in the housing section;   a transceiver configured to receive, based on second wireless communication, a trigger signal from a mobile device adapted to be carried by a user; and   a controller configured to control an operation of the actuator,       

     wherein a part of the casing is configured to be switchable between a state that the second signal is allowed to pass and a state that the second signal is not allowed to pass; and 
     wherein the controller is configured to switch the part of the casing into the state that the second signal is allowed to pass, and to cause the actuator to actuate the movable portion so as to cause the electronic key to transmit the second signal, in a case where the transceiver receives the trigger signal. 
     With the configuration according to each of the above aspects until the trigger signal from the mobile device is received by the transceiver, the casing can be brought in a state that the second signal is not allowed to pass. Accordingly, even if the second signal is transmitted by unexpectedly receiving the first signal from the electronic key housed in the casing device, it is possible to prevent the control device from performing the operation control of the controlled device. In other words, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the controlled device is unexpectedly operated in the state that the electronic key is housed in the casing device disposed in the prescribed space. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the security of the casing device adapted to be disposed in the prescribed space in order to house the electronic key to be remotely controlled. It is also possible to improve the security of the remote control system including the casing device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a remote control system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary configuration of a casing device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates of an operation of the casing device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a specific configuration of a controller of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flow of processing to be executed by the controller of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary configuration of the casing device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates of an operation of the casing device of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a specific configuration of a controller of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow of processing to be executed by the controller of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a remote control system  10  according to an embodiment. In each of the drawings, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each element illustrated have a recognizable size. 
     The remote control system  10  includes a control device  11 . The control device  11  is installed in a vehicle  20 . The control device  11  is configured to control the operation of a locking/unlocking device  31  installed in the vehicle  20 . The locking/unlocking device  31  is a device configured to lock/unlock a door  22  for opening/closing a vehicle cabin  21  of the vehicle  20 . The vehicle  20  is an example of a mobile entity. The vehicle cabin  21  is an example of the prescribed space. The door  22  is an example of an opening/closing body. The locking/unlocking device  31  is an example of a controlled device. 
     The remote control system  10  includes an electronic key  12 . The electronic key  12  is a device adapted to be carried by a user  40 . The electronic key  12  is a device capable of causing the control device  11  to control the operation of the locking/unlocking device  31  based on first wireless communication. The first wireless communication includes transmitting and receiving a first signal S 1  using a first frequency band and a second signal S 2  using a second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different from each other. Examples of the first frequency band include a low frequency (LF) band. Examples of the second frequency band include an ultra high frequency (UHF) band. 
     Specifically, the control device  11  transmits the first signal S 1  through a communication device disposed at an appropriate position in the vehicle  20 . The transmission of the first signal S 1  may be performed continuously or intermittently. The electronic key  12  includes a communication device including an antenna capable of receiving the first signal S 1  and transmitting the second signal S 2 . The electronic key  12  is configured to transmit the second signal S 2  upon receiving the first signal S 1 . The second signal S 2  is configured to include authentication information required for the authentication of the electronic key  12 . The authentication information is information capable of specifying at least one of the electronic key  12  and the user  40 . 
     The control device  11  is configured to execute authentication processing upon reception of the second signal S 2  through a communication device disposed at an appropriate position in the vehicle  20 . Specifically, the control device  11  is configured to match the authentication information included in the second signal S 2  with authentication information of the electronic key  12  stored in a storage device (not illustrated) in advance. When the matching degree between the two pieces of information exceeds a threshold value, the control device  11  determines that the authentication of the electronic key  12  is succeeded. 
     When it is determined that the authentication of the electronic key  12  is succeeded, the control device  11  is configured to output a control signal CS for causing the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking operation. For example, the locking/unlocking device  31  may be configured to perform the locking/unlocking of the door  22  when the user  40  touches a touch sensor provided on the door handle in a state that the authentication of the electronic key  12  is succeeded. 
     That is, when the user  40  carrying the electronic key  12  enters an area capable of receiving the first signal S 1 , the authentication of the electronic key  12  is performed through the first wireless communication. When the authentication is succeeded, the user  40  can lock/unlock the door  22  without performing an operation such as inserting and rotating a key into a key cylinder. 
     The remote control system  10  includes a casing device  13 . The casing device  13  is configured to be disposed in the vehicle cabin  21  of the vehicle  20 . The casing device  13  is configured to house the electronic key  12 . That is, the electronic key  12  can be disposed in the vehicle cabin  21 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the casing device  13 . The casing device  13  includes a casing  131 . The casing  131  includes a housing section  131   a  in which the electronic key  12  is housed. The casing  131  is formed of a material capable of blocking the second frequency band. 
     The casing device  13  includes an actuator  132 . The actuator  132  is configured to actuate a movable portion  121  of the electronic key  12  housed in the housing section  131   a . The electronic key  12  is configured to transmit the second signal S 2  regardless of the reception state of the first signal S 1  when a prescribed operation is performed with respect to the movable portion  121 . The movable portion  121  can be implemented by a button, a lever, or the like. The actuator  132  may be implemented by a solenoid, a cam mechanism, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, or the like. Examples of the actuation of the movable portion  121  for causing the electronic key  12  to transmit the second signal S 2  include N-times repetitive depressions and the like. 
     The casing device  13  includes a transceiver  133 . The transceiver  133  is configured to perform second wireless communication with a mobile device  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mobile device  50  is a device adapted to be carried by the user  40 . Examples of the mobile device  50  include a general-purpose portable information terminal such as a smartphone. 
     In this example, the second wireless communication is short-range wireless communication performed with the second frequency band. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the transceiver  133  includes an antenna  133   a  capable of receiving a signal in the second frequency band. As described above, since the casing  131  is formed of a material capable of blocking the second frequency band, the transceiver  133  is configured such that at least the antenna  133   a  is disposed outside the casing  131 . 
     As used herein, the term “short-range wireless communication” means wireless communication performed in accordance with standard IEEE 802.15 or IEEE 802.11. Examples of the technology capable of executing such wireless communication include Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), ZigBee (registered trademark), and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). As used herein, the term “short-range wireless communication” is distinguished from “near field wireless communication” performed with a non-contact communication technique in which a mobile device transmits information upon reception of minute power from a radio wave transmitted from a reading device. Examples of the technique capable of executing the near field wireless communication include an RF-ID and an NFC. 
     When it is desired to lock/unlock the door  22  of the vehicle  20  in a state that the electronic key  12  is housed in the casing device  13 , the user  40  performs a prescribed operation with respect to the mobile device  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mobile device  50  is configured to transmit a lock/unlock signal LK based on the prescribed operation. The lock/unlock signal LK is an example of a trigger signal. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the casing device  13  includes a controller  134 . The controller  134  is configured to control the operation of the actuator  132 . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the controller  134  is configured to cause the actuator  132  to perform an actuation of the movable portion  121  for causing the electronic key  12  to transmit the second signal S 2  when the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK. In brief, when the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK, the second signal S 2  is transmitted from the electronic key  12 . 
     The casing device  13  includes a first antenna  135   a , a second antenna  135   b , and a switch  135   c . Each of the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  has sensitivity in the second frequency band. The first antenna  135   a  is disposed outside the casing  131 . The second antenna  135   b  is disposed inside the casing  131 . The switch  135   c  is configured to switch between a state that the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  are electrically connected and a state that the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  are electrically insulated. In an initial state illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the switch  135   c  causes the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  to be in an electrically isolated state. 
     The casing  131  includes a conductive path  131   b  formed by electrically connecting the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the controller  134  is configured to cause the switch  135   c  to be in a state that the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  are electrically connected when the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK. In other words, the controller  134  is configured to cause the switch  135   c  to form the conductive path  131   b  when the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK. 
     When the conductive path  131   b  is formed, the second signal S 2  transmitted from the electronic key  12  is received by the second antenna  135   b  disposed inside the casing  131 , and is transmitted from the first antenna  135   a  disposed outside the casing  131  to the control device  11 . In other words, the casing device  13  is brought in a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass through the conductive path  131   b  that is a part of the casing  131 . As described above, when the second signal S 2  is received, the control device  11  performs the authentication processing of the electronic key  12 , and outputs the control signal CS for controlling the operation of the locking/unlocking device  31 . 
     Accordingly, when the user  40  transmits the lock/unlock signal LK from the mobile device  50  in the state that the electronic key  12  is housed in the casing device  13  disposed in the vehicle cabin  21 , the door  22  can be locked/unlocked. In other words, the user  40  can lock/unlock the door  22  by the prescribed operation with respect to the mobile device  50  from outside the vehicle cabin  21  without carrying the electronic key  12 . 
     According to the configuration of the present embodiment, until the lock/unlock signal LK from the mobile device  50  is received by the transceiver  133 , the casing  131  can be brought in a state that the second signal S 2  is not allowed to pass. Accordingly, even if the second signal S 2  is transmitted by unexpectedly receiving the first signal S 1  from the electronic key  12  housed in the casing device  13 , it is possible to prevent the control device  11  from performing the operation control of the locking/unlocking device  31 . In other words, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the door  22  is unexpectedly locked/unlocked in the state that the electronic key  12  is housed in the casing device  13  disposed in the vehicle cabin  21 . Accordingly, it is possible to improve the security of the casing device  13  adapted to be disposed in the vehicle cabin  21  in order to house the electronic key  12  to be remotely controlled. It is also possible to improve the security of the remote control system  10  including the casing device  13 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a more specific configuration of the controller  134  of the casing device  13  configured as described above. The controller  134  includes a reception interface  134   a , a processor  134   b , and an output interface  134   c.    
     The reception interface  134   a  is configured as an interface capable of receiving a reception signal RC indicating that the lock/unlock signal LK transmitted from the mobile device  50  is received by the transceiver  133 . Instead of the reception signal RC, the lock/unlock signal LK itself may be inputted to the reception interface  134   a.    
     The processor  134   b  is configured to output, from the output interface  134   c , a first control signal C 1  for causing the switch  135   c  to form the conductive path  131   b  when the reception interface  134   a  receives the reception signal RC. 
     In addition, the processor  134   b  is configured to output, from the output interface  134   c , a second control signal C 2  for causing the actuator  132  to perform an actuation of the movable portion  121  for causing the electronic key  12  to transmit the second signal S 2  when the reception interface  134   a  receives the reception signal RC. 
     In brief, the output interface  134   c  is configured as an interface for outputting a signal for causing the actuator  132  and the switch  135   c  to perform desired operations. 
     The processor  134   b  having the above-described function can be implemented by a processing element such as a microcontroller. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow of processing to be executed by the processor  134   b  of the controller  134  configured as described above. 
     The processor  134   b  determines whether the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK from the mobile device  50  (STEP 11 ). The processing is repeated until it is determined that the lock/unlock signal LK is received (NO in STEP 11 ). 
     When it is determined that the lock/unlock signal LK is received (YES in STEP 11 ), the processor  134   b  outputs, from the output interface  134   c , the first control signal C 1  for causing the switch  135   c  to form the conductive path  131   b  (STEP 12 ). As a result, a portion of the casing  131  is brought into a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass. 
     Subsequently, the processor  134   b  outputs, from the output interface  134   c , the second control signal C 2  for causing the actuator  132  to operate the movable portion  121  of the electronic key  12  (STEP 13 ). As a result, the second signal S 2  is transmitted from the electronic key  12 . The second signal S 2  is transmitted to the outside of the casing device  13  through the conductive path  131   b , and is received by the control device  11 . The control device  11  having received the second signal S 2  causes the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking operation of the door  22 . 
     The order in which the processing as for STEP 12  and the processing as for STEP 13  are performed may be reversed, or both processing may be performed in parallel. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the processor  134   b  may be configured to output a third control signal C 3  for causing the switch  135   c  to cut off the conductive path  131   b . The switch  135   c  that receives the third control signal C 3  causes the first antenna  135   a  and the second antenna  135   b  to be in an electrically isolated state. As a result, the casing  131  is brought into a state that the second signal S 2  is not allowed to pass. 
     In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the processor  134   b  may output, from the output interface  134   c , the third control signal C 3  for causing the switch  135   c  to cut off the conductive path  131   b  after causing the actuator  132  to perform the actuation of the movable portion  121  for causing the electronic key  12  to transmit the second signal S 2  (STEP 14 ). 
     According to such a configuration, it is possible to bring the casing  131  into a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass for a minimum time length required for causing the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking of the door  22 . As a result, it is possible to further reduce a possibility that the door  22  is locked/unlocked by the electronic key  12  housed in the casing device  13  unexpectedly receiving the first signal S 1 . 
     The second signal S 2  transmitted from the electronic key  12  can also be used for causing the control device  11  to perform the operation control of another controlled device installed in the vehicle  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , another example of the controlled device includes an activator  32 . The activator  32  is a device for activating a driving source of the vehicle  20 . The driving source may be a combustion engine or an electric motor. 
     For example, the first signal S 1  may be transmitted from a communication device disposed at an appropriate position in the vehicle  20  when the user  40  seated in a driver&#39;s seat steps on a brake pedal. When the electronic key  12  receives the first signal S 1 , the electronic key  12  transmits the second signal S 2  as a response. When the second signal S 2  is received by the control device  11 , the authentication processing of the electronic key  12  is performed as described above. The control device  11  may be configured to output a control signal CS for causing the activator  32  installed in the vehicle  20  to activate the driving source when the user  40  touches, for example, an ignition switch in a state that the authentication of the electronic key  12  is succeeded. 
     In this case, it is not necessary to cause the switch  135   c  to cut off the conductive path  131   b  after the operation control of the actuator  132  for causing the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking of the door  22  is performed. In addition, the casing  131  can be formed of a material allowing the first frequency band to permeate. In this case, since the casing  131  constantly allows the first signal S 1  to pass, the operation of the controlled device such as the activator  32  can be controlled in a state that the electronic key  12  is housed in the casing  131 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary configuration of the casing device  13 . Components substantially the same as those in the configuration described with reference to  FIG. 2  are assigned with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions for those will be omitted. 
     The casing  131  of the casing device  13  according to the present example includes an aperture  131   c  and a lid  131   d . The lid  131   d  is configured to be movable between a position for opening the aperture  131   c  and a position for closing the aperture  131   c . In the initial state, the lid  131   d  closes the aperture  131   c . The lid  131   d  is formed of a material capable of blocking the second frequency band. 
     The casing device  13  according to the present example includes an opening/closing mechanism  136 . The opening/closing mechanism  136  is a mechanism for displacing the lid  131   d  between the position for opening the aperture  131   c  and the position for closing the aperture  131   c . The opening/closing mechanism  136  can be implemented by a solenoid, a cam mechanism, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, or the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the controller  134  is configured to cause the actuator  132  to actuate the movable portion  121  of the electronic key  12  when the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK, so as to cause the opening/closing mechanism  136  to displace the lid  131   d  to the position where the aperture  131   c  is opened. 
     More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the processor  134   b  of the controller  134  is configured to output, from the output interface  134   c , a first control signal C 1  for causing the opening/closing mechanism  136  to displace the lid  131   d  to the position for opening the aperture  131   c  when the reception interface  134   a  receives the reception signal RC. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the second signal S 2  is transmitted from the electronic key  12  by the actuation of the movable portion  121  by the actuator  132 . The second signal S 2  exits the casing  131  through the aperture  131   c  and is received by the control device  11 . That is, the casing device  13  is brought in a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass through the aperture  131   c  that is a part of the casing  131 . As described above, when the second signal S 2  is received, the control device  11  performs the authentication processing of the electronic key  12 , and outputs the control signal CS for controlling the operation of the locking/unlocking device  31 . 
     Even with the configuration according to the present example, until the lock/unlock signal LK from the mobile device  50  is received by the transceiver  133 , the casing  131  can be brought in a state that the second signal S 2  is not allowed to pass. Accordingly, even if the second signal S 2  is transmitted by unexpectedly receiving the first signal S 1  from the electronic key  12  housed in the casing device  13 , it is possible to prevent the control device  11  from performing the operation control of the locking/unlocking device  31 . In other words, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the door  22  is unexpectedly locked/unlocked in the state that the electronic key  12  is housed in the casing device  13  disposed in the vehicle cabin  21 . Accordingly, it is possible to improve the security of the casing device  13  adapted to be disposed in the vehicle cabin  21  in order to house the electronic key  12  to be remotely controlled. It is also possible to improve the security of the remote control system  10  including the casing device  13 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow of processing to be executed by the processor  134   b  of the controller  134  according to the present example. 
     The processor  134   b  determines whether the transceiver  133  receives the lock/unlock signal LK from the mobile device  50  (STEP 21 ). The processing is repeated until it is determined that the lock/unlock signal LK is received (NO in STEP 21 ). 
     When it is determined that the lock/unlock signal LK is received (YES in STEP 21 ), the processor  134   b  outputs, from the output interface  134   c , the first control signal C 1  for causing the opening/closing mechanism  136  to displace the lid  131   d  to the position for opening the aperture  131   c  (STEP 22 ). As a result, a portion of the casing  131  is brought into a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass. 
     Subsequently, the processor  134   b  outputs, from the output interface  134   c , the second control signal C 2  for causing the actuator  132  to actuate the movable portion  121  of the electronic key  12  (STEP 23 ). As a result, the second signal S 2  is transmitted from the electronic key  12 . The second signal S 2  is transmitted to the outside of the casing device  13  through the aperture  131   c , and is received by the control device  11 . The control device  11  having received the second signal S 2  causes the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking operation of the door  22 . 
     The order in which the processing as for STEP 22  and the processing as for STEP 23  are performed may be reversed, or both processing may be performed in parallel. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the processor  134   b  may be configured to output a third control signal C 3  for causing the opening/closing mechanism  136  to displace the lid  131   d  to the position where the aperture  131   c  is closed. The opening/closing mechanism  136  having received the third control signal C 3  causes the lid  131   d  to close the aperture  131   c . As a result, the casing  131  is brought into a state that the second signal S 2  is not allowed to pass. 
     In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the processor  134   b  may output, from the output interface  134   c , a third control signal C 3  for causing the opening/closing mechanism  136  to displace the lid  131   d  to the position for closing the aperture  131   c  after causing the actuator  132  to perform the actuation of the movable portion  121  for causing the electronic key  12  to transmit the second signal S 2  (STEP 24 ). 
     According to such a configuration, it is possible to bring the casing  131  into a state that the second signal S 2  is allowed to pass for a minimum time length required for causing the locking/unlocking device  31  to perform the locking/unlocking of the door  22 . As a result, it is possible to further reduce a possibility that the door  22  is locked/unlocked by the electronic key  12  housed in the casing device  13  unexpectedly receiving the first signal S 1 . 
     The above embodiments are merely illustrative for facilitating understanding of the gist of the presently disclosed subject matter. The configuration according to each of the above embodiments can be appropriately modified or changed without departing from the gist of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     In the above embodiment, the second wireless communication performed between the mobile device  50  and the transceiver  133  is the short-range wireless communication. In this case, it is possible to enhance the degree of freedom as for the position where the casing device  13  is disposed in the vehicle cabin  21 . 
     However, the second wireless communication may be the near field wireless communication. When the near field wireless communication without using the second frequency band is performed, the antenna  133   a  of the transceiver  133  can be housed in the casing  131 . 
     In the above embodiment, the electronic key  12  housed in the casing device  13  is remotely controlled based on the lock/unlock signal LK transmitted from the mobile device  50 , so that the locking/unlocking of the door  22  of the vehicle  20  by the locking/unlocking device  31  is performed. As a result, it is possible to improve the security of the vehicle cabin  21  opened and closed by the door  22 . In addition, it is possible to improve the security of the vehicle  20  as the mobile entity that is relatively easy to be subjected to theft. 
     However, the mobile entity on which the control device  11  and the locking/unlocking device  31  are installed is not limited to the vehicle  20 . Examples of the mobile entity include railways, aircrafts, and ships. The mobile entity may not require a driver. 
     In addition, the opening/closing body to be locked/unlocked by the locking/unlocking device is not limited to the door  22  of the vehicle  20 . Doors and windows in houses and facilities may also be an example of the opening/closing body. In this case, it is possible to enhance the security of a prescribed space opened and closed by the opening/closing body. 
     The controlled device controlled by the second signal S 2  transmitted from the electronic key  12  through the remote control from the mobile device  50  is not limited to the locking/unlocking device  31  installed in the vehicle  20 . The operation of the above-described activator  32  of the vehicle  20 , a security device, a lighting device, an air conditioner, and an audio-visual equipment in the vehicle  20  or the above-described house or facility can be appropriately controlled. The signal transmitted from the mobile device  50  for causing each of these controlled devices to operate may be an example of the trigger signal. 
     The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-011057 filed on Jan. 27, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.