Patent Description:
It is proposed to provide a vehicular electronic key with a function of stopping at least a part of a function of performing wireless communication with a vehicle and the like.

<CIT> (<CIT>) discloses saving electric power by disconnecting electrical conduction between a battery and an electronic circuit when a controller of a smart entry portable device (electronic key) detects the capacity of the battery being equal to or lower than a reference value.

<CIT> (<CIT>) discloses saving electric power in a case where communication is assumed not to be needed such that a controller of a portable wireless communication device (electronic key) causes electric power to be supplied from a battery to a wireless receiver while the controller determines that vibrations are transmitted based on an output voltage of a vibration power generation device, and the controller stops the supply of electric power when the controller determines that vibrations are not transmitted based on the output voltage of the vibration power generation device.

<CIT> (<CIT>) discloses transmitting a wireless signal instructing a portable device (electronic key) to turn ON or OFF its wireless signal transmission function for a vehicle, from a portable wireless communication terminal device such as a smartphone to the portable device using short-range wireless communication. A user can control whether to turn ON or OFF the communication function between the electronic key and the vehicle by operating the smartphone or the like without pulling out the electronic key accommodated in a bag or the like, and the security can be improved. <CIT> discloses a system that prevents unauthorized establishment of wireless bidirectional communication between a communication master and a communication terminal. The system includes a strength measurement signal transmission circuit that transmits a received signal strength measurement signal, which is used to measure received signal strength at the communication terminal, a number of times with different transmission strengths during a single wireless bidirectional communication session. A received signal strength measurement circuit measures the received signal strength of the received signal strength measurement signal whenever the received signal strength measurement signal is received by the communication terminal. A measurement result transmission circuit transmits received signal strength measurement results as a single response signal to the communication master from the communication terminal during the single communication session. A check circuit checks whether the current bidirectional communication is authorized based on the received signal strength measurement results from the communication terminal.

In <CIT>, for example, after the user stops the vehicle, steps out of the vehicle, and locks the door, in a case where the user forgets to turn OFF the communication function between the electronic key and the vehicle, the communication function of the electronic key remains ON, and an expected effect is not achieved.

The invention according to claim <NUM> and/or <NUM> provides a vehicular electronic key system and a method of controlling an electronic key that can change a restricted state of a communication function between an electronic key and a vehicle independently of an operation by a user in the vehicular electronic key system in which the communication function can be restricted using a wireless communication device.

The invention relates to a vehicular electronic key system that includes an electronic key and a wireless communication device. The electronic key includes a first communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with a vehicle, a second communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device, and a first controller configured to switch an operating state between an ON state where a function of the first communication unit is operated, and an OFF state where the function of the first communication unit is at least partially stopped, based on a result of communication of the second communication unit with the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device includes a third communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the second communication unit, and a second controller configured to cause the third communication unit to transmit a predetermined signal. The first controller is configured to switch the operating state when the first controller detects that the electronic key has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle based on at least a result of communication of the predetermined signal by the second communication unit.

Accordingly, communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be restricted based on the movement of a user outside the vehicle without an operation from the user carrying the electronic key, and convenience and security can be further improved.

In the vehicular electronic key system according to the first aspect of the invention, the wireless communication device may be installed in the vehicle. The first controller of the electronic key and the second controller of the wireless communication device may be configured to respectively control the second communication unit of the electronic key and the third communication unit of the wireless communication device such that the second communication unit of the electronic key and the third communication unit of the wireless communication device perform short-range wireless communication with each other. The first controller may be configured to set the operating state to the OFF state when the second communication unit does not receive the predetermined signal for a predetermined period.

Accordingly, the movement can be detected based on disconnection of the short-range wireless communication, and the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be restricted.

In the vehicular electronic key system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first controller and the second controller may be configured to respectively control the second communication unit and the third communication unit such that the second communication unit and the third communication unit communicate with each other in accordance with a predetermined short-range wireless communication standard using an electric wave having an intensity of a predetermined value or lower. The first controller and the second controller may be configured to confirm that a connection state between the second communication unit and the third communication unit is maintained by causing the second communication unit and the third communication unit to synchronously or asynchronously transmit and receive the predetermined signal at intervals of a certain period or shorter.

The vehicular electronic key system according to the first aspect of the invention may further include an acceleration sensor. The wireless communication device may be a portable wireless communication terminal device that is carried by a user. The second controller of the wireless communication device may be configured to generate a signal including information based on an output of the acceleration sensor as the predetermined signal and cause the third communication unit to transmit the predetermined signal. The first controller of the electronic key may be configured to switch the operating state when the second communication unit receives the predetermined signal.

Accordingly, the movement can be detected using the output of the acceleration sensor, and the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be restricted.

In the vehicular electronic key system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first controller of the electronic key may be configured to determine whether the user carrying the wireless communication device has walked the predetermined distance or longer based on the information included in the predetermined signal when the second communication unit receives the predetermined signal, and set the operating state to the OFF state when the first controller determines that the user has walked the predetermined distance or longer.

Accordingly, the electronic key can detect the movement using the output of the acceleration sensor, and can restrict the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle.

In the vehicular electronic key system according to the first aspect of the invention, the second controller of the wireless communication device may be configured to determine whether the user carrying the wireless communication device has walked the predetermined distance or longer based on the output of the acceleration sensor, and generate a signal indicating a result of determination as the predetermined signal and cause the third communication unit to transmit the predetermined signal when the second controller determines that the user has walked the predetermined distance or longer. The first controller of the electronic key may be configured to set the operating state to the OFF state when the second communication unit receives the predetermined signal.

Accordingly, the wireless communication device can detect the movement using the output of the acceleration sensor, and can restrict the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling an electronic key. The method is executed by an electronic key and a wireless communication device in a vehicular electronic key system including the electronic key and the wireless communication device. The method includes, by the electronic key, executing wireless communication with a vehicle, executing wireless communication with the wireless communication device, and switching an operating state between an ON state where the wireless communication with the vehicle is executed, and an OFF state where the wireless communication with the vehicle is at least partially stopped, based on a result of communication with the wireless communication device, and by the wireless communication device, executing wireless communication with the electronic key, and transmitting a predetermined signal in the wireless communication with the electronic key. In the executing of the wireless communication with the vehicle, the electronic key switches the operating state when a detection is made that the electronic key has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle based on at least a result of communication of the predetermined signal in the executing of the wireless communication with the wireless communication device.

Accordingly, as described above, communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be restricted based on the movement of a user outside the vehicle without an operation from the user carrying the electronic key, and convenience and security can be further improved.

The method according to the second aspect of the invention may further include, transmitting a polling signal to the electronic key, by the wireless communication device; and by the electronic key i) resetting a timer and starting a count, transmitting a response signal to the wireless communication device as a response to the polling signal, and setting the operating state to the ON state when the electronic key receives the polling signal, and ii) setting the operating state to the OFF state when the electronic key does not receive the polling signal even when the count exceeds a predetermined value.

The method according to the second aspect of the invention may further include, by the wireless communication device, transmitting a signal to the electronic key based on a value of an acceleration sensor that is included in the wireless communication device; by the electronic key, determining whether a user has walked based on the signal; and by the electronic key i) setting the operating state to the OFF state when the electronic key determines that the user has walked, and ii) setting the operating state to the ON state when the electronic key determines that the user has not walked.

The method according to the second aspect of the invention may further include, by the wireless communication device, determining whether a user has walked based on a value of an acceleration sensor that is included in the wireless communication device and transmitting a signal to the electronic key when the wireless communication device determines that the user has walked; and by the electronic key, switching the operating state to the OFF state when the electronic key receives the signal.

According to the aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular electronic key system and a method of controlling an electronic key that can change a restricted state of a communication function for a vehicle independently of an operation by a user.

In a vehicular electronic key system according to an embodiment of the invention, an electronic key includes a first communication unit and a second communication unit. The first communication unit communicates with a vehicle. The second communication unit communicates with a wireless communication device. The electronic key can switch between an OFF state where the function of the first communication unit is at least partially restricted, and an ON state where the function of the first communication unit is not restricted. The wireless communication device and the electronic key switch the first communication unit between the ON state and the OFF state in a predetermined case where the wireless communication device and the electronic key can determine that there is a possibility that the electronic key is moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle. Accordingly, communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be restricted without an operation from a user, and security can be further improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a function block diagram of a vehicular electronic key system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The vehicular electronic key system <NUM> includes an electronic key <NUM> and a wireless communication device <NUM>. The electronic key <NUM> includes a first communication unit <NUM>, a second communication unit <NUM>, a switch unit <NUM>, a controller (first controller) <NUM>, a user interface (IF) <NUM>, and a battery <NUM> that supplies electric power to each unit.

The wireless communication device <NUM> includes a communication unit (third communication unit) <NUM>, a user IF <NUM>, and a controller (second controller) <NUM> that controls each unit. The communication unit <NUM> performs wireless communication with the second communication unit <NUM>. While the wireless communication device <NUM> is typically supplied with electric power from an incorporated battery, the wireless communication device <NUM> may be supplied with electric power from its outside. The user IF <NUM> is, for example, a touch panel, a display, or a key button. The user IF <NUM> presents information to the user and receives an operation from the user.

The first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> includes a receiver <NUM> and a transmission unit <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> receives a wireless signal from the vehicle. The transmission unit <NUM> transmits a wireless signal to the vehicle. When the first communication unit <NUM> is present around the vehicle, the first communication unit <NUM> performs authentication between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the vehicle. The second communication unit <NUM> performs wireless communication with the communication unit <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM>. The user IF <NUM> is, for example, a button switch. While the user can execute an operation of locking or unlocking the door of the vehicle by touching the door of the vehicle when the electronic key <NUM> is authenticated by the vehicle, the user can also execute the operation of locking or unlocking the door of the vehicle by operating the button switch of the electronic key <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the operation of each unit. The switch unit <NUM> switches an electric power supplying state between an ON state where electric power is supplied to the first communication unit <NUM>, and an OFF state where electric power is not supplied to the first communication unit <NUM>. While the switch unit <NUM> switches the electric power supplying state for both of the receiver <NUM> and the transmission unit <NUM> of the first communication unit <NUM> in the illustrated example, the switch unit <NUM> may switch the electric power supplying state for any one of the receiver <NUM> or the transmission unit <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device <NUM> is installed in the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the electronic key <NUM> can detect disconnection of wireless communication and control the first communication unit <NUM> to be turned ON or OFF based on the fact that when the electronic key <NUM> is carried by the user and moved outside the vehicle, and the distance between the electronic key <NUM> and the wireless communication device <NUM> becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined distance, wireless communication is disconnected. For example, the communication unit <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> and the second communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> communicate with each other in accordance with a predetermined short-range wireless communication standard using an electric wave having an intensity of a predetermined value or lower, and perform a process of confirming that the connection state therebetween is maintained by synchronously or asynchronously transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal at intervals of a certain period or shorter.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an operation sequence. Herein, a case is illustrated in which, in a state where the connection state between the wireless communication device <NUM> and the electronic key <NUM> is established, communication is disconnected and the first communication unit <NUM> is switched from the ON state to the OFF state.

Step S101: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> causes the communication unit <NUM> to transmit a predetermined signal (polling signal).

Step S102: The second communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> receives the polling signal. The controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> resets a timer and starts a count. The process proceeds to step S103.

Step S103: The controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> causes the second communication unit <NUM> to transmit a response signal as a response to the polling signal.

In a case where the distance between the wireless communication device <NUM> and the electronic key <NUM> is shorter than a distance reachable by the polling signal, the processes of steps S101 to S103 are repeated.

In a case where the distance between the wireless communication device <NUM> and the electronic key <NUM> becomes longer than the distance reachable by the polling signal and the polling signal is not received, the following processes of steps S104 and S105 are performed.

Step S104: When the second communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> does not receive the polling signal, the timer is not reset, and the count value continues increasing. When the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> detects the timer count exceeding a predetermined value, the controller <NUM> determines that the connection to the wireless communication device <NUM> is released, and the process proceeds to step S105.

Step S105: The controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> controls the switch unit <NUM> to set the first communication unit <NUM> to the OFF state.

While the short-range wireless communication standard is not limited, Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example, can be used. In the example described above, after the user carrying the electronic key <NUM> steps out of the vehicle where the wireless communication device <NUM> is installed, when the user moves away from the vehicle by the predetermined distance or longer so that the communication is disconnected, and thus the need for the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle disappears, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> can be automatically set to the OFF state from the ON state.

In a case where the electronic key <NUM> is paired with the wireless communication device <NUM> in advance, when the user carrying the electronic key <NUM> approaches the vehicle where the wireless communication device <NUM> is installed after the user moves away from the vehicle by the predetermined distance or longer, the transmission and the reception of the polling signal and the response signal are started. At such a time, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> may be set to the ON state from the OFF state. In such a case, when the user carrying the electronic key <NUM> approaches the vehicle where the wireless communication device <NUM> is installed, and thus the need for the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle appears, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> can be automatically set to the ON state from the OFF state.

In the present embodiment, when the wireless communication device <NUM> is installed in the vehicle, the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle can be automatically controlled when the user carrying the electronic key <NUM> moves across the boundary of the reachable range of the electric wave outside the vehicle, and convenience and security can be further improved.

<FIG> illustrates a function block diagram of a vehicular electronic key system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The vehicular electronic key system <NUM> includes an electronic key <NUM> and a wireless communication device <NUM>. The wireless communication device <NUM> is different from the wireless communication device <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that the wireless communication device <NUM> includes an acceleration sensor <NUM>. The same or corresponding elements as in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will not be provided.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device <NUM> is a portable wireless communication terminal device such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and is carried by the user along with the electronic key <NUM>. In the present embodiment, when the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> detects that the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> has walked the predetermined distance or longer based on the output from the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> can be set to the OFF state. <FIG> illustrates an example of an operation sequence.

Step S201: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> acquires acceleration data that is output by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, and the process proceeds to subsequent step S202.

Step S202: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> generates a signal based on the acceleration data and causes the communication unit <NUM> to transmit the signal. In the present embodiment as well, communication between the electronic key <NUM> and the wireless communication device <NUM> can be performed using a short-range wireless communication standard.

Step S203: The second communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> receives the signal. The signal includes information indicating the acceleration. For example, the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> determines whether or not the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> has moved the predetermined distance or longer by walking a predetermined number of steps or more. The determination can be performed based on a pattern of change in the direction and magnitude of the acceleration, or the duration of the pattern of change. When the controller <NUM> determines that the user has moved the predetermined distance or longer, the process proceeds to step S204. When the controller <NUM> determines that the user has not moved the predetermined distance or longer, the process proceeds to step S205.

Step S204: The controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> controls the switch unit <NUM> to set the first communication unit <NUM> to the OFF state.

Step S205: The controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> maintains the ON state of the first communication unit <NUM> without setting the first communication unit <NUM> to the OFF state.

The processes of steps S201 and S202 on the wireless communication device <NUM> side are periodically performed. Alternatively, after the first communication unit <NUM> is set to the OFF state, when the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> causes the second communication unit <NUM> to transmit a signal indicating that the first communication unit <NUM> has been set to the OFF state, and the communication unit <NUM> receives the signal, the controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> may stop executing steps S201 and S202.

In step S203, while the predetermined number of steps used as a reference for determination is not particularly limited, it is desirable to set the number of steps that is not easy or impossible for the user to walk in a limited space within the vehicle. For example, the predetermined number of steps is desirably approximately a few tens of steps. Accordingly, walking of the user after stepping out of the vehicle can be detected. In order to further improve the accuracy of determination, the wireless communication device <NUM> may further include a sensor such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, generate signals based on the output of the plurality of sensors, and use the signals for determination. When the distance, direction, and the like of movement can be detected using various sensors, the sensors may be used for a reference for determination along with the number of steps or instead of the number of steps.

In the above-described example, the case in which the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is switched from the ON state to the OFF state is described. However, in a case where the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is in the OFF state, when determination is made that the user has walked the predetermined distance or longer, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> may be switched from the OFF state to the ON state. In a case where such determination of walking is performed, it is also suitable to use locking of the door of the vehicle as a reference for the start of the determination of walking. The electronic key <NUM> that performs wireless communication with the vehicle can receive a notification indicating that the door of the vehicle is locked from the vehicle using wireless communication. Thus, when the controller <NUM> is set to detect walking of the user after the vehicle is locked, the controller <NUM> can more correctly determine walking of the user after stepping out of the vehicle.

In the present embodiment, when the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> and the electronic key <NUM> has moved the predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle, the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle can be automatically controlled, and convenience and security can be further improved. An existing device included in the smartphone or the like can be used as a device such as the acceleration sensor.

Function blocks of a vehicular electronic key system according to the present embodiment are the same as the function blocks of the vehicular electronic key system <NUM> according to the second embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and thus, will be designated by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will not be provided.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device <NUM> is a portable wireless communication terminal device such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and is carried by the user along with the electronic key <NUM> as in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is set to the OFF state when the controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> detects that the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> has walked the predetermined distance or longer based on the output of the acceleration sensor <NUM>, unlike the second embodiment where the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> determines that the user has walked the predetermined distance or longer. <FIG> illustrates an example of an operation sequence.

Step S301: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> acquires the acceleration data output by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, and the process proceeds to subsequent step S302.

Step S302: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> determines whether or not the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> has moved the predetermined distance or longer by walking the predetermined number of steps or more. The determination can be performed based on a pattern of change in the direction and magnitude of the acceleration, or the duration of the pattern of change as in the second embodiment. When the controller <NUM> determines that the user has moved the predetermined distance or longer, the process proceeds to step S303. When the controller <NUM> determines that the user has not moved the predetermined distance or longer, the process proceeds to step S305.

Step S303: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> generates a signal indicating that the walking of the user by the predetermined number of steps or more has been detected, and causes the communication unit <NUM> to transmit the signal. In the present embodiment as well, communication between the electronic key <NUM> and the wireless communication device <NUM> can be performed using a short-range wireless communication standard.

Step S304: The second communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> receives the signal. In response to the signal, the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> controls the switch unit <NUM> to set the first communication unit <NUM> to the OFF state.

Step S305: The controller <NUM> of the wireless communication device <NUM> does not cause the communication unit <NUM> to transmit the signal.

The processes of steps S301 to S303 and S305 on the wireless communication device <NUM> side are periodically performed. Alternatively, after the execution of step S303, the execution of steps S301 to S303 and S305 may be stopped.

In step S302, as in the second embodiment, it is desirable to set, for example, the number of steps corresponding to approximately a few tens of steps of walk as the predetermined number of steps used as a reference for determination. When the distance, direction, and the like of movement can be detected using various sensors, the sensors may be used for a reference for determination along with the number of steps or instead of the number of steps.

In the above-described example, the case in which the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is switched from the ON state to the OFF state is described. However, in a case where the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is in the OFF state, when determination is made that the user has walked the predetermined distance or longer, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> may be switched from the OFF state to the ON state. It is also suitable that, by providing a GPS sensor or the like to the wireless communication device <NUM>, the first communication unit <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> is switched from the ON state to the OFF state when the user moves away from the position where the vehicle has been parked by a certain distance, and conversely is switched from the OFF state to the ON state when the user approaches the vehicle to be within the certain distance from the position where the vehicle has been parked after the user moves away from the position by the certain distance.

In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, when the user carrying the wireless communication device <NUM> and the electronic key <NUM> has moved the predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle, the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> and the vehicle can be automatically controlled, and convenience and security can be further improved. An existing device included in the smartphone or the like can be used as a device such as the acceleration sensor. Since the process of determining the number of steps or the like is executed on the smartphone side in the present embodiment, an increase in processing load on the small electronic key side having limited resources can be further suppressed.

As described heretofore, in each embodiment of the invention, the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM> and the vehicle can be automatically controlled based on the movement of the user carrying the electronic key <NUM>, or the electronic key <NUM> and the wireless communication device <NUM> outside the vehicle without receiving an operation from the user. In each embodiment, additionally, the wireless communication device <NUM> or <NUM> may receive an ON operation and an OFF operation from the user and transmit an instruction signal corresponding to the ON operation or the OFF operation to the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM>, and the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM> may control the communication state in response to the received instruction signal. The wireless communication device <NUM> or <NUM> may store, in advance, the date and time when switching has to be performed from the ON state to the OFF state, or the date and time when switching has to be performed from the OFF state to the ON state. The wireless communication device <NUM> or <NUM> may transmit the instruction signal when the date and time are reached. When the vehicle has a fixed traveling schedule, the communication function between the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM> and the vehicle can be controlled by controlling the communication function in accordance with the schedule without an operation being performed by the user whenever the operation is needed.

In the communication between the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM> and the wireless communication device <NUM> or <NUM>, code collation may be performed, and the communication function may be controlled only when the collation has succeeded. The cost of communication, calculation, electric power, and the like may be decreased instead of the decrease in the level of security, by performing the code collation only when the communication function is set to the ON state from the OFF state, and not performing the code collation or decreasing the level of authentication when the communication function is set to the OFF state from the ON state.

The electronic key according to each embodiment heretofore can be manufactured by adding the second communication unit <NUM> and the switch unit <NUM> to an existing electronic key. Thus, the second communication unit <NUM> and the switch unit <NUM> may be provided by being mounted on a substrate separate from other parts. Accordingly, the electronic key according to each embodiment can be easily manufactured by incorporating the separate substrate in the existing electronic key.

Alternatively, the first communication unit <NUM> and the second communication unit <NUM> may be at least partially shared. For example, the receiver <NUM> of the first communication unit <NUM> that communicates with the vehicle using an electric wave having a communicable distance of <NUM> or shorter may be set as a target for controlling the ON and OFF states of the communication function, and the second communication unit <NUM> and the transmission unit <NUM> of the first communication unit <NUM> that communicates with the vehicle using an electric wave having a communicable distance of <NUM> or longer may be shared using the same frequency band. Such sharing enables a decrease in the size and cost of the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM>.

While the controller <NUM> of the electronic key <NUM> or <NUM> at least partially stops supply of electric power to the first communication unit <NUM> using the switch unit <NUM> in each embodiment heretofore, the controller <NUM> may at least partially stop the communication function instead of stopping supply of electric power.

The invention can be perceived as not only a configuration of function blocks of a vehicular electronic key system but also a method executed by a vehicular electronic key system including a processor.

Claim 1:
A vehicular electronic key system (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising: an electronic key (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a wireless communication device (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein
the electronic key (<NUM>; <NUM>) including
a first communication unit (<NUM>) configured to perform wireless communication with a vehicle,
a second communication unit (<NUM>) configured to perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device (<NUM>; <NUM>), and
a first controller (<NUM>) configured to switch an operating state between an ON state where a function of the first communication unit (<NUM>) is operated, and an OFF state where the function of the first communication unit (<NUM>) is at least partially stopped, based on a result of communication of the second communication unit (<NUM>) with the wireless communication device (<NUM>; <NUM>); and
the wireless communication device (<NUM>; <NUM>) including
a third communication unit (<NUM>) configured to perform wireless communication with the second communication unit (<NUM>), and
a second controller (<NUM>) configured to cause the third communication unit (<NUM>) to transmit a predetermined signal,
wherein the first controller (<NUM>) is configured to switch the operating state from the ON state to the OFF state when the first controller (<NUM>) detects that the electronic key (<NUM>; <NUM>) has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle based on at least a result of communication of the predetermined signal by the second communication unit (<NUM>).