Abstract: A door lock control apparatus includes a lock switch on an exterior of a vehicle, a controller, and a check device. The controller performs a first key check in response to a lock command inputted through the lock switch. The first key check determines whether an electronic key specific to the vehicle is located outside around the vehicle based on a response from the key. The check device has previously performed a second key check, after the key has been put into a situation in which the key might have been moved from inside to outside the vehicle. The second key check determines whether the key is located inside the vehicle based on the response from the key. The check device stores a result of the second key check as a stored check record, which is then immediately available for checking when the controller responds to an inputted lock command.

Abstract: A vehicle control device has first and second transmission circuits that communicate by radio with a portable unit and also has a control section that, when the portable unit is confirmed to be correct, engages in a permission mode that permits the start of an engine. The first and second transmission circuits transmit first and second request signals from first and second transmission antennas to first and second communicatable areas respectively. When a back door is detected to be open, the control section does not permit the start of the engine even if an ID code signal is returned from the portable unit in response to the second request signal.

Abstract: A door handle device capable of operating a door opening/closing mechanism of a vehicle is disclosed. The door handle device includes a support member, a door handle, a circuit substrate, a lock detection electrode, a capacitance sensor, and an auxiliary electrode. The circuit substrate is arranged in the door handle and includes a ground electrode. The lock detection electrode is mounted on the circuit substrate and capacitance-coupled to an outer panel of the door. The capacitance sensor is connected to the lock detection electrode and detects the issuance of a door lock command based on a change in a first capacitance between the outer panel and the lock detection electrode. The auxiliary electrode is capacitance-coupled to the ground electrode to form a second capacitance connected in parallel to the first capacitance between the auxiliary electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A door handle device for a vehicle is arranged in a door thereof. The door handle device includes a support member, door handle, lock detection electrode, and capacitance sensor. The door handle includes a first end, second end, pivot portion, and operation portion. A capacitance sensor detects issuance of a door lock command from a change in capacitance between an outer panel and lock detection electrode. The door handle includes a first handle case and second handle case covering the first handle case. The lock detection electrode is proximal to and faces an inner surface of at least one of an upper wall and lower wall of the second handle case. The lock detection includes an electrode end face facing the outer panel and formed to be non-planar.

Abstract: A door handle device arranged in a vehicle door is disclosed. The door handle device includes a support member, door handle, lock detection electrode, and capacitance sensor. The door handle includes a first end, second end, pivot portion, and operation portion. A capacitance sensor detects issuance of a door lock command from a change in capacitance between an outer panel and lock detection electrode. The door handle includes a first handle case and second handle case covering the first handle case. The lock detection electrode is proximal to and faces an inner surface of at least one of an upper wall and lower wall of the second handle case. The lock detection includes an electrode end face facing the outer panel and formed to be non-planar.

Abstract: A door handle device capable of operating a door opening/closing mechanism of a vehicle is disclosed. The door handle device includes a support member, a door handle, a circuit substrate, a lock detection electrode, a capacitance sensor, and an auxiliary electrode. The circuit substrate is arranged in the door handle and includes a ground electrode. The lock detection electrode is mounted on the circuit substrate and capacitance-coupled to an outer panel of the door. The capacitance sensor is connected to the lock detection electrode and detects the issuance of a door lock command based on a change in a first capacitance between the outer panel and the lock detection electrode. The auxiliary electrode is capacitance-coupled to the ground electrode to form a second capacitance connected in parallel to the first capacitance between the auxiliary electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A door handle device capable of operating a door opening/closing mechanism of a vehicle is disclosed. The door handle device includes a support member, door handle, lock detection electrode, and capacitance sensor. The door handle includes a first end, second end, pivot portion, and operation portion. The capacitance sensor detects issuance of a door lock command from a change in capacitance between an outer panel and the lock detection electrode. The door handle includes a first handle case and second handle case, which covers the first handle case. The lock detection electrode is arranged proximal to and facing toward an inner surface of an upper wall or lower wall of the second handle case. The lock detection electrode is encompassed by a waterproof elastic body.

Abstract: An electric steering lock capable of outputting a signal correctly indicating an operation state of a steering lock mechanism even when the operation voltage of a lock detector decreases. The electric steering lock includes a CPU, a signal hold circuit, and an OR circuit. When the steering lock mechanism unlocks a steering wheel, an unlock sensor provides an H level detection signal to the CPU and the signal hold circuit. In response to the detection signal, the CPU issues a state hold command to the signal hold circuit. In response to the state hold command, the signal hold circuit generates an H level hold signal in correspondence with the detection signal. The OR circuit provides an H level signal to an immobilizer ECU when at least one of the detection signal from the unlock sensor or the hold signal has an H level.

Abstract: A door handle device (S) has a handle-side connector (30) fixed to a door handle (10) that is hinged to a handle frame (20). Thus, the door handle device (S) is displaceable as the door handle (10) is turned. A frame-side connector (40) is located in the handle frame (20) and is connectable with the handle-side connector (30) for displacement with the handle-side connector (30) as the door handle (10) is turned. A clamp (60) has a wire retaining portion (61) for retaining a wire group (80) drawn out through an end surface of the frame-side connector (40) and a handle attaching portion (62) continuous with the wire retaining portion (61) for attachment to the door handle (10). Thus, a relative position of the wire retaining portion (61) to the door handle (10) is invariable.

Abstract: A vehicle control device has first and second transmission circuits that communicate by radio with a portable unit and also has a control section that, when the portable unit is confirmed to be correct, engages in a permission mode that permits the start of an engine. The first and second transmission circuits transmit first and second request signals from first and second transmission antennas to first and second communicatable areas respectively. When a back door is detected to be open, the control section does not permit the start of the engine even if an ID code signal is returned from the portable unit in response to the second request signal.

Abstract: A smart key system for a vehicle determines that a mobile communicator is not in the passenger compartment and that an in-trunk communicator communicates with the mobile communicator when the trunk gets locked. Then the smart key system executes a recovery process for the mobile communicator locked in the trunk.

Abstract: A steering lock for ensuring an unlock state when it is imperative that the steering lock remain in the unlock state. The steering lock includes a motor for generating drive force that engages and locks a lock bar with a steering shaft. The steering lock includes an ECU. When shifting the steering lock to the unlock state from a lock state, the ECU controls the motor to generate drive force acting in a direction to urge the lock bar to disengage from the steering shaft. The ECU continuously controls the motor to generate drive force acting in the direction to urge the lock bar to disengage from the steering shaft even after the lock bar has moved to the unlock position.

Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device of the present invention has a lock bar that moves according to the movement of a lift member. In a state where female threads provided on the lift member are threadably engaged with male threads provided on a rotary shaft, the lift member moves along the axis of the rotary shaft according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, which is driven by an electric motor. The female threads of the lift member can be disengaged from the male threads according to the rotation of the rotary shaft. When the female threads are disengaged from the male threads, rotation of the rotary shaft is permitted.

Abstract: An engine start controller shortens the time required from when an operation switch is operated to when an engine is started. The engine start controller controls starting of the engine of a vehicle and power supply to an electric device system. A control unit selectively locks the steering shaft of the vehicle and performs authentication with a portable device, which is carried by a user of the vehicle, for permitting use of the vehicle. An operation switch is connected to the control unit and generates an operation signal when operated by the user. The control unit unlocks the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the electric device system when the operation signal is generated and use of the vehicle is permitted through the authentication.

Abstract: An electric steering lock capable of outputting a signal correctly indicating an operation state of a steering lock mechanism even when the operation voltage of a lock detector decreases. The electric steering lock includes a CPU, a signal hold circuit, and an OR circuit. When the steering lock mechanism unlocks a steering wheel, an unlock sensor provides an H level detection signal to the CPU and the signal hold circuit. In response to the detection signal, the CPU issues a state hold command to the signal hold circuit. In response to the state hold command, the signal hold circuit generates an H level hold signal in correspondence with the detection signal. The OR circuit provides an H level signal to an immobilizer ECU when at least one of the detection signal from the unlock sensor or the hold signal has an H level.

Abstract: An electric steering lock apparatus that protects an actuator from overheating without enlarging the actuator. The electric steering lock apparatus includes a lock pin engaged with a steering shaft to lock the steering shaft. An actuator moves the lock pin between a lock position in which the lock pin is engaged with the steering shaft and an unlock position in which the lock pin is disengaged from the steering shaft. A control unit controls the actuator. The control unit generates a calculated value related to operation time of the actuator and suspends operation of the actuator when the calculated value is greater than a predetermined operation suspension threshold value.

Abstract: A start control apparatus has a steering lock mechanism, which includes a lock pin and a lock control unit. The lock pin is selectively engaged and disengaged from the steering shaft. The lock control unit controls the lock pin. The start control apparatus further includes a portable communication device, a verification control unit, which communicates with the portable communication device, a power source control unit, which control power supply, an engine control unit, which controls the engine, a lock state detecting switch, which detects an engaged state and a disengaged state of the lock pin. The lock control unit and the power source control unit monitor detection signals from the lock state detecting switch. The engine is permitted to be started on condition that the control units acknowledge that the lock bar is in the disengaged state.

Abstract: A steering shaft locking device capable of performing a locking operation in an optimum manner. The steering shaft locking device includes a motor to which voltage is applied to generate a drive force. A locking bar is moved by the drive force of an actuator so as to engage the steering shaft. A steering shaft lock ECU connected to the motor performs a first control to move the locking bar to a lock position, at which the locking bar engages the steering shaft, and a second control to move the locking bar to an unlock position, at which the locking bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. A voltage control means controls the voltage applied to the motor during the first control such that the voltage is less than or equal to the voltage applied to the motor during the second control.

Abstract: A smart key system for a vehicle determines that a mobile communicator is not in the passenger compartment and that an in-trunk communicator communicates with the mobile communicator when the trunk gets locked. Then the smart key system executes a recovery process for the mobile communicator locked in the trunk.

Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes an image capturing means for capturing an image of a driver's seat, and a controlling means for performing a face identification determination, and an inattentive and drowsy driving determination of a driver based on an image captured by the image capturing means, wherein the controlling means determines whether or not a driver on the driver's seat is a registered driver on the basis of an image captured by the image capturing means when a shifting means is in a parking position, and determines whether or not a driver is looking aside or falling asleep on the basis of an image captured by the image capturing means when the shifting means is in a shift position other than the parking position.