Vehicle key-verifying apparatus and method with decreased verification time period feature

A method for verifying a key inserted into a vehicle ignition key cylinder, comprising:

• sending query data to a key transponder;
• receiving response data with respect to said query data from said key transponder;
• generating auto-response data with respect to said query data;
• collating said response data and said auto-response data to determine whether said key is legitimate;
• and
• sending of query data in subsequent key-verifying processing in an interval from after said step of receiving said response data in present key-verifying processing until said step of collating is completed.

A key-verifying control unit, comprising:

• a first processor for sending query data to a transponder attached to a key when said key is inserted into a vehicle ignition apparatus, and for receiving response data in response to said query data from said transponder;
• and
• a second processor for generating auto-response data with respect to said query data, and for collating said response data and said auto-response data to determine whether said key is legitimate;
• wherein in an interval after said first processor has received said response data from said transponder in present key-verifying processing until said second processor finishes determining whether a key is legitimate, said first processor initiates sending of query data in subsequent key-verifying processing.

A key-verifying apparatus for performing key-verifying processing, comprising:

• sending means for sending a stimulation signal and query data to a transponder attached to a key, the transponder capable of operating by receiving the stimulation signal;
• stimulation command means for performing a stimulation command to make the sending means send the stimulation signal;
• receiving means for receiving response data with respect to said query data from said transponder;
• generating means for generating auto-response data with respect to said query data;
• and
• determining means for collating said response data and said auto-response data and for determining whether said key is legitimate wherein:
• in said key-verifying processing, said sending means sends a stimulation signal and query data to a transponder, said receiving means receives said response data from said transponder, generating means generates said auto-response data, and determining means collates said response data and said auto-response data and determines whether said key is legitimate;
• said determining means repeats its function in said key-verifying processing based on said stimulation command from said stimulation command means until said key is determined to be legitimate or until a predetermined number of iterations are completed;
• and
• in an interval after said receiving means has received said response data from said transponder in present key-verifying processing until said determining means finishes determining whether said key is legitimate, said stimulation command means initiates stimulation command.

A key-verifying apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter for sending query data to a transponder attached to a key;
• a receiver for receiving response data with respect to said query data from said transponder;
• a data generating circuit for generating auto-response data with respect to said query data;
• and
• a processor for collating said response data and said auto-response data and for determining whether said key is legitimate;
• wherein in an interval after said receiver has received said response data from said transponder in present key-verifying processing until said processor finishes determining whether said key is legitimate, said transmitter initiates sending of query data in subsequent key-verifying processing.