EP0809743A1

EP0809743A1 - Electronic key

Info

Publication number: EP0809743A1
Application number: EP96902881A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jakob Marquardt; Karl Mueller; Ekkehard Sachs
Original assignee: Marquardt GmbH
Current assignee: Marquardt GmbH
Priority date: 1995-02-16
Filing date: 1996-02-15
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-15
Also published as: DE19505190A1; DE59609562D1; JP3469581B2; ES2180732T5; US6216501B1; WO1996025575A1; JPH11500193A; ES2180732T3; EP0809743B1; EP0809743B2

Abstract

An electronic key for actuating a lock is particularly useful for closure systems of motor vehicles. The housing (1) of the electronic key is shaped as a thin wedge. The narrow end (2) of the wedge is designed to be introduced into the lock and contains the parts that actuate the lock. In addition, the housing has a cavity (7) for receiving the key bit of a key for a mechanical lock.

Description

Electronic key

The invention relates to an electronic key for actuating a lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In the case of motor vehicles in particular, the doors are often equipped with a central locking system, the locks of the doors being remotely controllable by means of an electronic key using infrared or RF radiation to increase comfort. A car door is usually provided with an additional mechanical lock for opening the door, which can be actuated by means of an additional mechanical key. This ensures that at least one lock for opening the door can also be operated if the electronic key fails, for example when the energy store is empty.

With such electronic keys, it is now known to attach the additional key bit serving as an emergency key for the mechanical lock to the housing of the key. So that the additional key bit does not interfere in general operation, it is pivotably arranged on the housing so that it can be folded into the housing. These known electronic keys can now be provided with additional functions by additionally using them to actuate the ignition lock in the motor vehicle. The key is secured in the ignition lock during the operation of the motor vehicle against inadvertent removal, which has inadvertently led to the motor vehicle being taken out of service. It has now been found that there are emergencies in which the known keys fail. If, for example, the voltage supply at the ignition lock fails during the operation of the motor vehicle, the electronic key can no longer be removed from the ignition lock. As a result, it is no longer possible to lock the doors of the motor vehicle on the mechanical lock by means of the emergency key.

The older patent application P 44 44 913.5 is based on the task of further developing a key in such a way that the operational security for the emergency key is improved.

This object is achieved in that the emergency key is designed as a separate key and that the housing contains a receptacle for the emergency key, into which the latter can be inserted.

The invention is based on the object of creating an electronic key which also has an additional mechanical key bit and in which the key housing is designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing.

This object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1. In the case of the key according to the invention, the position of the active part of the electronic key can be immediately identified by haptic action. The key is visually very appealing. It can be constructed with a small thickness, in particular if the mechanical key is installed in an upright manner in the housing. The key according to the invention has large, uninterrupted surfaces on the sides and thus has only a few or no sharp edges, so that it does not pose any risk of damage to jacket pockets, etc. Operating elements of different sizes and their handling symbols can be clearly displayed on these surfaces. To make it easier to find the individual operating elements in the dark, markings, for example webs, grooves or the like, can be provided on the housing surface between the operating elements. Display elements and setting elements for storing memo data can also be accommodated on the side surfaces. Further refinements and advantages result from the description of exemplary embodiments and the subclaims.

Various exemplary embodiments of the electronic key according to the invention are explained with the aid of the drawing.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a key according to the invention in perspective

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the back of the electronic key

3 and FIG. 4 are perspective representations of further training Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 partial representations of sections through the housing of the electronic key.

In Fig. 1, the housing of the electronic key is shown at 1. It is wedge-shaped. The right narrow end 2 of the wedge is inserted into the lock to be operated e.g. inserted into the ignition lock of a vehicle. You can see the small thickness of the case compared to the other dimensions, which is pleasant when worn.

The housing 1 contains a circuit board, not shown. There is an electronic circuit on this circuit board, which is designed, for example, as an integrated circuit. This electronic circuit is fed by an energy store, for example a battery or a rechargeable battery, and is used to operate the electronic key. A transmitting element and a receiving element are arranged on the front side 2 of the housing 1.

The transmitting element and the receiving element can work by means of infrared radiation, RF radiation or the like. When actuating a push button 3, for example, a code is generated in the electronic circuit of the key, which code is sent out via the transmission element in the manner of a unidirectional communication. This code is picked up by a corresponding receiver on the motor vehicle, decrypted and the user authorization is analyzed. If the user authorization is correct, the corresponding function is carried out on the central locking of the door locks. If the key is in the ignition lock of the motor vehicle, a code, for example in the manner of bidirectional communication, is exchanged with corresponding transmission and reception elements of the ignition lock via the transmission element and the reception element. In this case, the user authorization is again analyzed and, if the key is correct, the ignition lock can be operated, for example in the usual way, and the motor vehicle is started up.

The bidirectional communication between the key and the ignition lock and the unidirectional communication between the key and the door locks will be explained in more detail below.

For bidirectional communication between the key and the ignition lock, a unique identifier for the respective motor vehicle is stored in the electronic circuit of the key as an individual identifier. This individual identifier can be, for example, a unique number assigned by the motor vehicle manufacturer. The same individual identifier is also stored in the ignition lock. If the key is inserted into the ignition lock, the individual identifier is identified.

For this purpose, a random number is first determined as a key figure in the ignition lock by means of a random number generator and stored in the ignition lock. From this key figure, a code is formed in the electronics of the ignition lock based on a defined algorithm, which is transmitted as a second operating signal from the transmission element of the ignition lock to the reception element of the key. This received by the receiving element of the key second operating signal is in the electronic circuit of the key decrypted using the algorithm in the key figure. This characteristic number and the individual identifier stored in the electronic circuit of the final ice are now used to form a coded first operating signal in the electronic circuit of the final ice using the specified algorithm. At the same time, the key figure is stored in the electronic circuit of the key. This first operating signal is then transmitted from the transmission element of the key to the ignition lock.

The first operating signal is then decrypted in the electronic circuit of the ignition lock in accordance with the specified algorithm, which results in a determined key figure and a determined individual identifier.

A comparison is then made between the determined individual identifier and the identified key figure with the individual identifier and key figure stored in the ignition lock. If this comparison is positive, i.e. if it is the correct individual identifier and code, the user authorization is given. This will e.g. the immobilizer is released and the vehicle is put into operation.

For unidirectional communication between the key and the door locks from a distance of a few meters, you can, for example, press key 3 from the individual identifier stored in the electronic circuit of the key and the key figure that was determined in the random number generator of the ignition lock during the last start-up and also in the electronic one Circuit of the key was saved, a third operating signal was formed and sent using a specified algorithm. The third recorded by the receiver on the motor vehicle The operating signal is passed on to electronics, for example those in the ignition lock, and decrypted there using the stored code and the specified algorithm. The result of the decryption results in a determined individual identifier. The determined individual identifier is compared with the individual identifier stored in the electronics and, if there is a match, the central locking is unlocked or locked.

In order to simplify the effort involved in remote control of the central locking system, there is only unidirectional communication from the key to a corresponding receiver on the vehicle. Nonetheless, bidirectional communication that is secure with regard to theft protection is also possible in an analogous manner as between the key and the ignition lock. The key can also be used to open the garage door or the front door if their locksmiths are trained accordingly.

In Fig. 1 there are further push buttons 4 and 5 and a slide switch 6 for triggering further operating functions, e.g. intended to trigger an alarm. If the vehicle is equipped accordingly, an alarm message by radio can also include the location of the vehicle.

The housing 1 also contains a sliding key, which is accommodated in a receptacle 7 on the upper part of the housing 1. It can be pushed out of the receptacle 7 to the right with an actuating lever 8. The housing 1 contains a slot 9 for the actuating lever 8 at the top. The slot 9 can have an elastic lip which normally seals it, but evades the actuating lever when the sliding key is moved. The housing contains stops and catches at the two end positions of the key to secure the mechanical key.

The housing 1 is rounded at the left wide end to avoid sharp edges and to make the shape more appealing. The lever 8 contains an opening 10 for hanging the removed (separated) mechanical key on a keychain. The housing 1 can have an eyelet in order to be able to hang up or hang up the entire key.

In Fig. 1, display elements 12 are still drawn in to indicate any status of the system (e.g. battery charge or location). A movable stop can be removed with an actuating knob 11 in order to be able to remove the key from the receptacle 7. This is of particular interest when designing the key, including a remote control, because in this case the mechanical key, which is (also) suitable for locking the trunk, can be taken by the driver while the workshop or the porter takes the electronic key to move the Vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows the back of the key housing 1. Here two turntables 13 and 14 provided with symbols (numbers, letters) are accommodated under the surface of the housing. At points 15 the turntables step outwards and can be turned by hand. The set symbols can be seen on windows 16. You can e.g. identify the parking lot number or the room number of the hotel.

The housing is designed in appropriate colors and is supplied in different colors for men and women, for example. The housing is preferably formed in two parts. When training as a sliding key is used for Insert the key in the ignition lock and the mechanical key is pushed into its starting position if it is not already there.

FIG. 3 shows a wedge wrench in which the mechanical key 20 is connected to the housing 21 so that it can be folded out.

Fig. 4 again shows a wedge key with a mechanical key, which is designed as a sliding key. Here, the sliding key is arranged upright in the housing, which can be recognized by the correspondingly designed receptacle 23. This solution enables the housing to be made very thin. It is particularly applicable to electronic keys that do not include a remote control and therefore do not require their own energy source (battery) (when used as an ignition key, the energy is transferred from the lock to the key) and for which therefore the space for the active narrow side 24 such an arrangement of the mechanical key is present.

5, which shows a part of a section through the housing 1 of FIG. 1 along the slot 9, the detent for the mechanical key 25 and the possibility of its removal from the receptacle can be seen. In the position shown, the actuating lever 26 is latched into a recess and the mechanical key 25 is thus locked. If the key is to be pushed out of its receptacle to the right, the actuating lever 26 is turned upwards until a spring-loaded ball 28 engages in the recess 29. Then the mechanical key 25 using the Actuating lever 26 can be moved to the right up to a stop and another detent. If, on the other hand, the key 25 is to be completely removed from the housing 30, a stop 31 is pulled downwards with the aid of a knob 32 against the force of a spring 33. The mechanical key can now be pulled out to the left. The actuating lever 26 can be made of high-strength plastic. A key ring is indicated at 34, on which the electronic key as a whole or only the mechanical key can be attached.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, part of the mechanical key 35 is again shown with its actuating lever 36. A displaceable stop 37 is also provided here. The detent is realized by a bulge 38 on the actuating lever 36 and a recess in the housing 39. Through the recess 40, the actuating lever 36 made of plastic is resilient at this point, so that the bulge 38 can be pushed out of the recess.

Claims

claims

1. Electronic key for actuating a lock, in particular for use in locking systems in motor vehicles with a housing on which a key bit for a mechanical lock is arranged, characterized in that the housing (1) has the shape of a thin wedge that the narrow The end (2) of the wedge is designed to be inserted into the lock and contains the parts of the electronic key (transmitter and receiver, if applicable) which are effective for actuating the lock and that the housing (1) has a receptacle (7) for the key bit.

2. Key according to claim 1, characterized in that the key bit is provided with a handle part and the mechanical key thus formed can be removed from the receptacle (Fig. 5, 6).

3. Key according to claim 1, characterized in that the key bit is hingedly connected to the housing from the receptacle (Fig. 3).

4. Key according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the key bit is displaceable in the receptacle (Fig. 1).

5. Key according to claim 4, characterized in that the key bit from the narrow side (2) of the wedge-shaped housing (1) can be pushed out.

6. Key according to claim 5, characterized in that the key bit is accommodated in its receptacle (23) with its broad side approximately parallel to the side faces of the wedge-shaped housing (22) (Fig. 4).

7. Key according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the housing has stops (31, 37) for the key bit in its distortions (Fig. 5, 6).

8. Key according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the stops is designed as a movable stop (31).

9. Key according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that latching devices (27, 38, 39) are provided in which the key bit locks in its end positions.

10. Key according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing (1) is rounded on its broad side.

11. Key according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing has an eyelet on its broad side (Fig. 3, 4).

12. Key according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that on at least one side surface of the wedge-shaped housing (1) at least one control element (3 to 5) for triggering operating functions is attached.

13. Key according to one of, claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one control element (6) is arranged on the broad side of the wedge-shaped housing (1).

14. Key according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that on at least one of the side surfaces of the wedge-shaped housing at least one display element (12) is provided for displaying the state.

15. Key according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one of the controls serves to trigger a lock actuation from a distance.

16. Key according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an operating element is used to trigger an alarm.

17. Key according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that on at least one of the side faces of the wedge-shaped housing (1) at least one adjusting element

(13 - 16) is provided for storing memo data.

18. Key according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that grooves, webs, symbols or the like. Are arranged between the adjacent control elements.