Vehicular electronic key system and method of controlling electronic key

A vehicular electronic key system comprising:

• an electronic key that includes:
• a first transmitter/receiver configured to perform wireless communication with a vehicle;
• a second transmitter/receiver configured to perform wireless communication with a wireless communication device;
• and
• a processor programmed to:
• switch an operating state between:
• (i) an ON state where a function of the first transmitter/receiver is operated, and (ii) an OFF state where the function of the first transmitter/receiver is at least partially stopped, based on a result of communication of the second transmitter/receiver with the wireless communication device;
• detect whether an electronic key has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle based on at least a result of communication of the predetermined signal by the second transmitter/receiver;
• and
• in response to the electronic key being moved by the predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle, switch a current state of the operating state.

A method for controlling an electronic key and a wireless communication device in a vehicular electronic key system having a processor, the method comprising:

• performing, by a first transmitter/receiver in the electronic key, wireless communication with a vehicle;
• performing, by a second transmitter/receiver in the electronic key, wireless communication with a wireless communication device;
• and
• detecting, by a processor in the electronic key, whether the electronic key has been moved by a predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle based on at least a result of communication of the predetermined signal by the second transmitter/receiver;
• and
• in response to the electronic key being moved by the predetermined distance or longer outside the vehicle, switching, by the processor in the electronic key, a current state of an operating state between:
• (i) an ON state where a function of the first transmitter/receiver is operated, or (ii) an OFF state where the function of the first transmitter/receiver is at least partially stopped.