Method and Control Unit for Operating a Digital Key Device of a Vehicle Control System

A control unit for a digital key device operated within a system including a vehicle and a set of portable digital key devices, each of which is configured to set up a communication link with the vehicle for controlling a function of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured to:

• detect a redundancy situation of the system, within which
• a plurality of portable digital key devices from the set of portable digital key devices is within a communication range for setting up a communication link with the vehicle or has already set up a communication link with the vehicle, and
• the plurality of portable digital key devices is carried by a same user;
• in response to detecting the redundancy situation, select a first portable digital key device from the plurality of portable digital key devices;
• and
• apply an energy reduction measure for reducing an energy consumption related to the communication link between the first portable digital key device and the vehicle.

A method for operating a digital key device within a system including a vehicle and a set of portable digital key devices, each of which is configured to set up a communication link with the vehicle for controlling a function of the vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting a redundancy situation of the system, within which
• a plurality of portable digital key devices from the set of portable digital key devices is within a communication range for setting up a communication link with the vehicle or has already set up a communication link with the vehicle, and
• the plurality of portable digital key devices is carried by a same user;
• in response to detecting the redundancy situation, selecting a first portable digital key device from the plurality of portable digital key devices;
• and
• applying an energy reduction measure for reducing an energy consumption related to the communication link between the first portable digital key device and the vehicle.