Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reliably detecting a touch operation in a touch sensitive control surface, despite the influence of light or the existence of an obstruction. In the touch tracer, LEDs and phototransistors for detecting a touch position on the input pad are arranged to form parallel optical axes in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The optical axes of the LEDs and the phototransistors are alternately arranged in opposite directions to the adjacent optical axis. Moreover, the front surface of the phototransistor is closed except for an aperture that forms an optical axis only between opposing LEDs. The apertures are divided in half into top and bottom portions by a light-shielding film. Because of the light-shielding film, the phototransistor does not receive any light interference from the adjacent LED or incidental sunlight.

Abstract: A data carrier system is comprised of a vehicle-side controller 12 mounted at a vehicle 11, keys 19A and 19B, and an R/W device 31 installed in an office 29. A transponder 20 is built into each of the keys 19A and 19B. In this structure, after operational data has been transmitted from the vehicle-side controller 12 and written in a nonvolatile memory of the transponder 20, when the keys 19A and 19B are inserted in the R/W device 31 by a vehicle driver, the R/W device 31 reads the operational data from the transponder 20 and gives the same to a personal computer 30. Accordingly, an inconvenience of the vehicle driver carrying an IC card for recording operational data is removed.

Abstract: The present invention simplifies assembly of a vehicle starting device and facilitates arrangement design. A vehicle starting device 3 has a card receiving portion 4 and a main mechanism 5 connected with each other integrally. The card receiving portion 4 includes an inclinable inner case 7 in which an integrated circuit (IC) card is inserted. The card receiving portion 4 also includes a roller 9 and a release mechanism 16 for releasing the IC card. The roller 9 is lifted by the insertion of the IC card. The release mechanism 16 releases the IC card from the card receiving portion 4. The main mechanism 5 has a knob 23 and a steering shaft lock 33. A card release prevention mechanism 24, an ejector lever 25 for actuating the release mechanism 16, and a cooperative unlocking mechanism 30 are provided between the main mechanism 5 and the card receiving portion 4.

Abstract: When an engine is started with a key 19A inserted in an ignition key cylinder of a vehicle 11, a vehicle-side controller 12 transmits operational data to the key 19A and stores in the key 19A. Further, when a personal computer 30 is operated with the key 19A inserted in an R/W device 31, the R/W device 31 reads the operational data from the key 19A and transfers to the personal computer 30. In this structure, when a storage capacity of the key 19A becomes full, the vehicle-side controller 12 stores the operational data in a storage portion of its own, and when the key 19A is initialized, the stored operational data is written in the key 19A. For this reason, even when initialization of the key 19A is difficult, deletion of the operational data is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicular door lock control apparatus for unlocking a door lock mechanism includes a key for performing a first unlocking operation and a second unlocking operation. A door key cylinder is actuable to an unlock position by using the key. The key is insertable into the door key cylinder. A transmitter-receiver is disposed at the key, and transmits an answer signal that indicates a specific identification code upon receipt of at least one of a power signal and an inquiry signal. An operating force transmission mechanism, actuable between a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode, transmits an unlocking force applied by the key during the second unlocking operation to the door lock mechanism when in the transmission mode.

Abstract: A vehicle start-up permission device in which an identification code stored in an electronic key can be kept secret. A start-up permission ECU (1) is magnetically coupled with a transmit-receive controlling circuit (6) of an electronic key (3) via an antenna (2) and an antenna (5) of the electronic key (3) with the electronic key (3) being inserted in an ignition key (4) so as to supply electric power for the circuit. When the ignition switch (4) is operated to an ACC position, the start-up permission ECU (1) transmits a random number code. When the transmit-receive controlling circuit (6) of the electronic key (3) receives the random number code, it converts by predetermined encryption processing a previously registered key code to a return code on the basis of the random number code and returns the return code.

Abstract: A transmitting and receiving system including, a transponder always maintains a transmission function even if circuit constants of circuit elements are deviated or such circuit constants are shifted in association with temperature changes. The transponder includes a transponder coil electromagnetically coupled to an antenna coil through which a response signal is transmitted, a resonance capacitor, a main modulation circuit including a first modulation capacitor, and a supplemental modulation circuit including a second modulation capacitor whose static capacitance value is different from that of the first modulation capacitor. A response signal is transmitted in changing an impedance of a transmitting and receiving portion by the main modulation circuit when a question signal is received and by the supplemental modulation circuit when a correction command signal is received.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission-reception system, particularly a transmitter-receiver device contained in the bow of an ignition key. When a resonance circuit receives a carrier wave signal from a transmission-reception ECU of a motor vehicle, a microcomputer is switched to an active state by the output of a power circuit that smoothes and rectifies the carrier wave signal. A detector circuit discriminates an enquiry signal supplied together with the carrier wave signal through the resonance circuit portion, and outputs the signal to the microcomputer. In response to the enquiry signal together with random number data, the activated microcomputer changes the bit length of an identification code stored in an EEPROM, on the basis of the received random number data and a predetermined function, and performs the on-off control of an FET of a modulating circuit in a mode corresponding to the bit length-changed identification code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission-reception system. A transponder receiver unit contained in the key bow of an ignition key has a power circuit that receivers, rectifies and smoothes the carrier wave signal transmitted together with a time reference signal and an enquiry signal from the transmission-reception ECU of a motor vehicle. A microcomputer in the transponder becomes active when the output voltage of the power circuit reaches a predetermined level or higher. When activated, the microcomputer measures the time length of the received reference time signal using the clock signal generated by an oscillation circuit, and calculates a ratio, as a correction coefficient, between the measured time length and a stored reference time value. The microcomputer decodes the enquiry signal while correcting the time information included in the time series pulse signal forming the enquiry signal, using the correction coefficient.

Abstract: A key-operated cylinder device includes a cylinder device body into which a key having a secondary coil is inserted, the cylinder device body including a coil mounting portion forming the front end portion of said cylinder device body; a primary coil mounted in said coil mounting portion, the primary coil wound on a coil bobbin; and shielding device for preventing the magnetic flux of the primary coil from flowing into the cylinder device body, the shielding device being arranged between the coil mounting portion and the primary coil.

Abstract: A vehicle starting control device which implements inhibiting/enabling of the rotation of a steering shaft when a storing medium is used as an ignition key. A system ECU 19 reads an ID code stored in an IC card 2 via a communication means 24, outputs a permission code to a knob rotation inhibiting means 27 at the time when the system ECU 19 determines that the IC card 2 is an ordinary one, and, when an ignition knob 23 has been set to the LOCK position in an outputting state of the permission code, terminates outputting of the permission code. The knob rotation inhibiting means 27 basically inhibits the rotation of the ignition knob 23, and enables the rotation of the ignition knob 23 in a state in which the permission code is being input. A steering lock means 28 cancels a rotation-inhibiting state of the steering shaft due to a steering lock means 29 in a state that the ignition knob 23 has been set to positions other than the LOCK position.

Abstract: A transmit-receive system is composed of a portable transmitter-receiver and an external transmitter-receiver that exchange data by using air-propagating signals. The portable unit has a start switch, and transmits a start signal to the external unit when the start switch is turned on. Upon receiving the start signal, the external unit transmits a question signal to the portable unit. Upon receiving the question signal, the portable unit transmits thereto a response signal. Optionally, the external unit intermittently transmits the question signal, and becomes ready to receive during the question signal intermission. The external unit stops transmission of the question signal if it transmits the question signal a predetermined number of times without receiving the response signal. Further, the external unit intermittently becomes ready to receive for periods shorter than the question signal intermission.

Abstract: When an ignition switch detects that a key rotor of an ignition key cylinder has been turned to the accessory position by a key, a controller energizes a primary coil to cause it to output a high-frequency signal. In the key, a secondary battery is charged with a constant DC voltage generated from an AC voltage induced across a secondary coil. A transmission circuit is powered by the secondary battery, and allowed by a timer circuit to transmit a radio signal including an identification code during a predetermined period after the high-frequency signal is received by the key. Alternatively, the controller energizes the primary coil plural times with a cycle consisting of predetermined output and pause periods if the transmitted identification code does not coincide with a preset identification code at the first comparing attempt.

Abstract: In a vehicular communication system, a microcomputer of a transmission-reception electronic control unit (ECU) transmits stored data via an antenna coil to a transceiver disposed in an ignition key when the ignition key is inserted in an ignition key cylinder of a vehicle. During communication with the transceiver, the microcomputer outputs a key interlock actuating signal. While the key interlock actuating signal is being inputted to a key interlock control circuit, the key interlock control circuit operates a key interlock actuator to prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to a position at which the ignition key may be freely removed from the ignition key cylinder. Thus, the ignition key is prevented from being removed from the ignition key cylinder during communication between the ignition key transceiver and the microcomputer, thereby ensuring that data about the vehicle will be stored in a reception device disposed in the ignition key without a failure.

Abstract: A key device includes a signal processing device for generating a signal containing specific information, a key plate having a stem and fitting device for fitting the signal processing device and the stem, the fitting device provided with the stem and the signal processing device, the fitting device of the signal processing device being formed while preliminarily resin-molding.

Abstract: A card body of an IC card is composed of first and second halves connected by a self hinge portion so as to be foldable into halves in such a manner that the surface where a contact is provided comes inside. The first and second halves are provided with a magnet and a magnetic body to hold the IC card folded by magnetic attractive force. When folded, a control section provided in the first half 1a is connected to transmitting-receiving means and a communication control section that are provided in the second half, by the contact and the transmission-reception contact, so that the IC card can function as a non-contact type IC card.

Abstract: A vehicle starting control apparatus is provided that both inhibits and allows rotation of a steering shaft, and controls starting of an engine in accordance with the operation performed when the correct electronic code has been inputted to the apparatus, making the apparatus easier to use. The apparatus includes an operation selecting unit and a operation position detecting unit that rotate in accordance with the rotation of an operational unit. An identifying unit drives a drive if an electronic code provided to the identifying unit is the correct one. The drive normally inhibits the operation selecting unit from rotating. The drive releases the operation selecting unit from the rotation inhibited state in accordance with the driving by the identifying unit, so as to allow the operational device to be operated. A steering lock unit removes the steering locked state in accordance with rotation of the operational unit.

Abstract: A microcomputer includes therein an operation control part which can be operated when a clock signal is applied thereto by an oscillation circuit. If the operation control part reads out an identification code from an EEPROM, then it switches a control signal to be given to a switching element in accordance with the levels of the respective bits. When the control signal is off, the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit is F1. On the other hand, if the control signal is turned on, then one terminal of a capacitor is grounded to thereby switch the oscillation frequency over to F2. The clock signal is divided by a frequency dividing circuit before it is output. The frequency of the output signal after being divided becomes f1 or f2 in accordance with the above switching and the output signal is transmitted in the form of a frequency modulation signal.

Abstract: A remote-control key for use in a remote-control system is provided with a transmission circuit in a key grip and used for transmitting an atmospheric propagation signal as an locking or unlocking signal containing an ID code. When the key is inserted into an IG key cylinder and detected by an IG key position switch, a control unit on the automobile side is adapted to accepting the atmospheric propagation signal received via an antenna for a predetermined period, verifying the ID code, outputting a signal for effecting an engine-starting operation when the key is proper, and permitting an engine being started. It is thus prevented to start the engine unlawfully with a mechanically-copied key.

Abstract: A tire abnormal condition alarming system for a vehicle includes a remote control device including: a signal receiver for receiving receive a door unlocking or locking aerial propagation signal from an operating key; a door locking mechanism operated according to the signal reception of the signal receiver; and a signal transmitter coupled to a tire of the motor vehicle, the signal transmitter detecting an abnormal condition of the body of revolution to transmit an abnormal condition detection signal as an aerial propagation signal to the signal receiver, an alarming device for performing a warning operation to inform the occurrence of the abnormal condition with the vehicle by operating the signal receiver upon reception of the abnormal condition detection signal from the signal transmitter.