Valet key control system and valet key
AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
InventorsYuichi Inami, Masahiko Oya, Masahiro Arakawa, Yutaka Kubo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valet key control system includes a time monitoring unit and a communication subject setting unit. The time monitoring unit is configured to monitor a remaining time of a reserved period during which the valet key is allowed to be used as the vehicle key. The communication subject setting unit is configured to set a communication subject of the valet key in accordance with the remaining time of the reserved period.
Claims5
A valet key control system that controls a valet key usable as a vehicle key when lending a vehicle to a third person, the valet key control system comprising:
- a time monitor that monitors a remaining time of a reserved period during which the valet key is allowed to be used as the vehicle key;
- and
- a communication subject setter that switches a communication subject of the valet key between the vehicle and a mobile terminal, differing from the valet key, of a user of the vehicle in accordance with the remaining time of the reserved period,
- wherein when the remaining time of the reserved period is shorter than a threshold time, the communication subject setter sets the communication subject of the valet key to the mobile terminal to obtain permission to allow the valet key to be continuously used after the reserved period ends from the mobile terminal or an external device that communicates the mobile terminal, and
- wherein when the remaining time of the reserved period is greater than or equal to the threshold time, the valet key is allowed to be used as the vehicle key.
A valet key usable as a vehicle key when lending a vehicle to a third person, the valet key comprising:
- a time monitor that monitors a remaining time of a reserved period during which the valet key is allowed to be used as the vehicle key;
- and
- a communication subject setter that switches a communication subject of the valet key between the vehicle and a mobile terminal, differing from the valet key, of a user of the vehicle in accordance with the remaining time of the reserved period,
- wherein when the remaining time of the reserved period is shorter than a threshold time, the communication subject setter sets the communication subject of the valet key to the mobile terminal to obtain permission to allow the valet key to be continuously used after the reserved period ends from the mobile terminal or an external device that communicates the mobile terminal, and
- wherein when the remaining time of the reserved period is greater than or equal to the threshold time, the valet key is allowed to be used as the vehicle key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.