Smart key system

Abstract

A smart key system includes a vehicle-side communication device installed in a vehicle and a smart key carried by a driver. The vehicle-side communication device and the smart key are wirelessly connected. The system includes: a main switch accepts activation of the vehicle-side communication device; a start switch accepts start of a prime mover of the vehicle; and a controller authenticates a response signal from the smart key. When the main switch is turned ON, an authentication process is started in the controller, and authentication is performed periodically after an initial authentication is performed. When the start switch is turned ON within a certain period after successful authentication, the controller starts the prime mover, and when the start switch is still OFF even after a certain period elapses since successful authentication, the controller resets a state of the successful authentication.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.