Card-type electronic key

A card-type electronic key provided with an emergency mechanical key for use with a communication controller arranged in a subject remote from the card-type electronic key, the card-type electronic key comprising:

• first and second card regions forming a planar card, wherein
• the first card region includes a communication circuit unit which transmits a wireless signal including an authentication code, in which the communication circuit unit includes an electronic key-transceiver circuit which provides backup power for the card-type electronic key and in which the communication circuit unit is allowed to control an external device arranged on the subject when the communication controller receiving the wireless signal determines that the verification code is authentic;
• the second card region includes a mechanical, unpowered key card surface including a verification code pattern formed by a plurality of through holes or a plurality of recesses extending in a thickness-wise direction of the second card region;
• and
• a concealment film which is removably adhered only to the mechanical card key surface of the second card region and which conceals the plurality of through holes or the plurality of recesses of the verification code pattern so that the through holes or recesses cannot be seen, wherein after the concealment film is removed from the second card region, the second card region functions as a key blade of the emergency mechanical key while the first card region functions as a key head of the emergency mechanical key.

A card-type electronic key, comprising:

• a first card region including a communication circuit unit which wirelessly transmits an ID code signal;
• a second card region including a surface flush with an outer surface of the first card region, the surface of the second card region including a verification code pattern formed by a plurality of through holes or a plurality of recesses extending in a thickness-wise direction of the second card region, the first and second card regions forming a planar card body;
• and
• a concealment film removably adhered only to the second card region to conceal the verification code pattern, wherein after the concealment film is removed from the second card region, the second card region functions as a key blade of an emergency mechanical key while the first card region functions as a key head of the emergency mechanical key.