Patent · US Active

Electronic key system and method

US8089342B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
6References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 17, 2007
Grant dateJan 3, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R25/24
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

When a vehicle door locking operation is conducted, an in-vehicle device checks the vehicle compartment to determine whether a mobile unit exists in the vehicle compartment. When the in-vehicle device receives a response from the mobile unit indicating its presence in the compartment, the in-vehicle device receives a response from the mobile unit, prohibits the door from locking, and activates a buzzer. The mobile unit thus can be prevented from being locked in the vehicle compartment. When the mobile unit receives the search signal, it sounds its buzzer, thereby making it possible to further indicate its location within the compartment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.