JPH08199872A - Key with built-in memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform the input and output of necessary information surely to an information processor by carrying out the transmission of data between both input and output parts of a lock and an inserted key. CONSTITUTION: Two data input-output terminals 2 and power terminals 3 are installed in a insertional part 11 of a key 1, and an I/O port 4 and a memory 5 as data input-output parts are installed in the inner part of a grip part 12. A backup battery 6 for data retention is installed in this memory 5. In addition, two data input-output terminals 8 ranging to an information processor and power terminals 9 ranging to a driving power source are installed in the inner part at the side of a lock 7 so as to make them come into contact with these data input-output terminals 8 and power terminals 3 at the side of the key 1 whenever the key 1 is inserted thereinto. With this constitution, if the key 1 is inserted into the lock 7, an interval between both these data input-output terminals 2 and 8 is connected together and simultaneously an interval between these power terminals 3 and 9 is connected as well, operation of the input and output of data to the memory 5 through the I/O port 4 from the information processor is made thus achievable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key having a built-in memory capable of writing and reading data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional keys have only the function of opening and closing a lock.

Conventionally, CDs, cassette tapes, IC cards, etc. have been used as storage media for various information in in-vehicle devices such as navigation devices and AV devices.

[0004]

The problem to be solved is to allow an in-vehicle device to input and output necessary information by using a dedicated storage medium such as a CD, a cassette tape or an IC card. In order to do so, it is necessary to bring the dedicated storage medium into the passenger compartment, but it is often forgotten to bring in the storage medium, and the storage medium is set at a predetermined location of each dedicated device. It is necessary to perform a predetermined operation on the above, and the work is complicated.

[0005]

The present invention focuses on, for example, an ignition key which is indispensable for driving an automobile, and uses the key as a storage medium to insert the key into an ignition lock to provide a vehicle-mounted device. Enter necessary information for
In order to be able to output data, a memory part and an input / output part for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory part are installed inside the key, and data connected to the information processing device is inside the lock. I / O terminal of
By inserting the key into the lock, the data input / output terminal in the input / output unit on the key side comes into contact with the input / output terminal on the lock side so that data can be input / output.

Further, according to the present invention, a memory part and an input / output part for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory part are incorporated in the key, and the data connected to the information processing device is sent in the lock. A receiver is provided, and by inserting the key into the lock, data is transmitted in the input / output unit on the key side, data is transmitted / received by radio waves between the receiver and the lock side, and data is transmitted / received between the receiver and I / O can be done. Further, according to the present invention, a memory unit and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory unit are incorporated in a key, and a data receiver / transmitter connected to an information processing device is provided inside the lock. By inserting the key into the lock, it is possible to exchange data by light between the light receiver / transmitter of the key side input / output unit and the light receiver / transmitter of the lock side to input / output the data. ing.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a key with a built-in memory according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of data input / output terminals 2 and a power supply terminal 3 are provided in a inserting portion 11 of the key 1, and the key 1 Inside the grip portion 12, an I / O port 4 and a memory (IC memory) 5 as a data input / output unit are provided.

The memory 5 is provided with a backup battery 6 for holding data.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, inside the lock 7 side, when the key 1 is inserted, the data input / output terminal 2 and the power supply terminal 3 on the key 1 side are brought into contact with the information processing device. A data input / output terminal 8 connected to (not shown) and a power supply terminal 9 connected to a driving power supply (not shown) are provided.

In the thus constructed device, when the key 1 is inserted into the lock 7, the data input / output terminals 2 and 8
And the power supply terminals 3 and 9 are connected to each other, and the memory 5 is connected from the information processing device through the I / O port 4.
It becomes possible to input / output data to / from.

At this time, the battery 6 is charged by connecting the power supply terminals 3 and 9 and the key 1 is locked.
When the battery is removed from the
Stored data is retained.

When random access is performed at the time of inputting / outputting data to / from the memory 5, a memory controller (not shown) is provided on the side of the key 1 to control the memory controller according to a command from the information processing device. Below, data is input to and output from the memory 5 through the I / O port 4.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
In this case, in particular, the power supply terminal 3 is provided in the insertion portion 11 of the key 1, the weak radio wave transmitter / receiver 10 is provided inside the grip portion 12 of the key 1, and the information processing device 13 is provided inside the lock 7 side. A power supply terminal 9 connected to a transmitter / receiver 14 and a driving power source (not shown) is provided, and when the key 1 is inserted into the lock 7, the power supply terminals 3 and 9 are connected to each other, and the transmitter / receiver 10 facing each other is provided. Data can be transmitted and received between the fourteen via weak radio waves.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, in particular, the insertion portion 1 of the key 1 is
1 is provided with a power supply terminal 3 and a grip portion 1 of the key 1 is provided.
2 is provided with a light emitting / receiving device 15, a light receiving / emitting device 16 connected to the information processing device 13 and a power supply terminal 9 connected to a driving power supply (not shown) are provided inside the lock 7 side so that the key 1 is locked by the lock 7 When the power supply terminals 3 and 9 are connected to each other when they are plugged in, the optical fibers 17 embedded in the insertion portion 11 of the key 1 are connected between the opposing light emitting and receiving devices 15 and 16 to transmit data by an optical signal. I am able to send and receive.

As the key 1, the insertion part 11 is provided.
Are formed of materials such as metals, ceramics and hard plastics.

Now, for example, by setting a key 1 used as an ignition key of a car in a computer as a general information processing device, desired data is written in the memory 5 in advance, and the key 1 is written. The data stored in the memory 5 can be read out by inserting it into a lock 7 used as an ignition lock of an automobile, and the data can be given to an in-vehicle information processing device.

More specifically, partial revision data of a road map, data of a planned travel route, or data such as town information are stored in the memory 5 in advance, and the key 1 is inserted into the lock 7 to serve as a navigation device. The stored data can be given to the information processing device.

Further, by storing music or video data in the memory 5 in advance and inserting the key 1 into the lock 7, it becomes possible to give the stored data to an information processing device as an in-vehicle AV device.

Further, personal seat adjustment data is stored in advance in the memory 5, and the information is stored in an information processing device as a seat adjuster device for automatically adjusting the seat in the driver's seat by inserting the key 1 into the lock 7. It becomes possible to give data.

Then, for example, with the key 1 inserted in the lock 7, by writing necessary data in the memory 5 from the in-vehicle information processing device, by inserting the key 1 into the lock 7 again later, or in general By setting the key 1 in the computer as the information processing device, the data stored in the key 1 can be reproduced.

Specifically, data such as a location where a failure occurs is generated from an information processing device as a monitor device that detects a failure such as occurrence of a failure or insufficient battery fluid by various sensors provided in each part of the vehicle and issues an alarm. If the data is written in the memory 5, it becomes possible to grasp the location of the failure by reproducing the data written in the key 1 later by the computer of the repair shop.

Further, contact information or the like exchanged between a plurality of cars via an information processing device such as a car telephone or a facsimile may be written in the memory 5, and the contact information or the like may be reproduced later. Will be possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned vehicle-mounted type, but in the case where a home security device is adopted, a home key may have a built-in memory, for example, to lock a front door. When the key is inserted, the self-registration data stored in the memory is given to the home security device to enable unlocking, and the lighting command data stored in advance in the memory when the entrance door is unlocked Are applicable to the home security device.

[0025]

As described above, in the key with a built-in memory according to the present invention, a memory section and an input / output section for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory section are incorporated in the key, and information processing is performed in the lock. Data electricity connected to the device,
By providing a transmission means using radio waves, light, etc., and inserting the key into the lock, data transmission is performed between the data transmission means in the key side input / output section and the lock side transmission means, and the data input The information can be output. By using the key as a storage medium and inserting the key into a lock, the information processing device can be surely input and output necessary information. It has the advantage of

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a key and a lock portion showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the key in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a key and a lock portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a key and a lock portion according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 key 11 key insertion part 12 key grip part 2 data input / output terminal 3 power supply terminal 4 I / O port 5 memory 6 backup battery 7 lock 8 data input / output terminal 9 power supply terminal 10 transceiver 13 Information processing device 14 Transceiver 15 Light emitting / receiving device 16 Light emitting / receiving device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A key is provided with a memory unit and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory unit, and a data input / output terminal connected to an information processing device is provided inside the lock. By inserting the key into a lock, the data input / output terminal in the input / output unit on the key side comes into contact with the input / output terminal on the lock side so that data can be input / output. Built-in key. 2. A key is provided with a memory part and an input / output part for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory part, and a data sending / receiving device connected to an information processing device is provided inside the lock. By inserting the key into the lock, data is input / output by sending / receiving data in the input / output unit on the key side, sending / receiving data between the receiver and the lock side, and sending / receiving data by radio waves between the receiver A key with a built-in memory, which can be turned on. 3. A memory unit and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting data to / from the memory unit are incorporated into a key, and a data receiving / light emitting device connected to an information processing device is provided inside the lock. By inserting the key into the lock, data can be input / output by receiving data in the input / output unit on the key side, receiving light on the light emitter and the lock side, and exchanging data by light between the light emitter. Key with a built-in memory.