A smart key searching apparatus includes a start button for selecting engine start or stop, a wireless charger performing wireless charging in a resonant magnetic coupling manner and transmitting an authentication request signal to a smart key, a radio frequency (RF) receiver receiving a response signal regarding the authentication request signal transmitted from the smart key, and a smart key controller requesting, when the start button is operated, the wireless charger to search for a smart key, and controlling power and engine ignition of a vehicle according to a response signal received through the RF receiver.

An inductive coded lock system includes an inductive lock mechanism, and a conductive key/target. The inductive lock mechanism includes multiple inductor coils and sensor circuitry. Each inductor coil is operable to project a magnetic field defining a sensing area proximate to the inductor/coil, the inductor coils being spatially arranged to define a key/target sensing area incorporating each inductor coil sensing area. The sensor circuitry drives inductor coils, and measures sensor response (such as with an inductance comparator) to a key/target inserted within the key/target sensing area, including detecting an unlock condition corresponding to a pre-defined coded lock pattern. The key/target includes active and inactive areas (such as conductive/nonconductive) corresponding spatially to the sensing areas in the key target sensing area, the active and inactive areas arranged in a pre-defined coded key pattern corresponding to the pre-defined coded lock pattern. The coded lock and key patterns can be binary coded.

The invention concerns a locking mechanism (10) configured to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state, comprising: a. a processor (11) configured to read an identification code of an identification key (13) and configured to cause the locking mechanism (10) to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state if the identification code of the identification key (13) is an authorized code of the locking mechanism (10), b. a printed circuit board (14) in a first plane comprising an aperture (15) configured to accept insertion of the identification key (13) according to a first axis (Y) secant to the printed circuit board (14), the identification key (13) comprising a NFC passive part (16), c. a NFC active part comprising a wire antenna (18) positioned on the printed circuit board (14), the wire antenna (18) comprising a first at least one winding around the aperture (15), the wire antenna being connected to the processor (11),
wherein the locking mechanism is configured to establish a NFC communication between the NFC active part of the locking mechanism and the NFC passive part (16) of the identification key (13) when the identification key (13) is inserted into the aperture (15).

Described herein is a lock system (e.g., for a vehicle door) including an NFC circuit in communication with a microcontroller that monitors the voltage of a battery (e.g., the vehicle battery). The microcontroller switches the NFC circuit to card emulation (CE) mode with energy harvesting capability when the battery voltage falls below a threshold so that the NFC circuit can harvest energy from a nearby Qi wireless charging field and store that harvested energy in an energy storage device. When the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, it is used power the microcontroller and an electronically actuated mechanical lock (e.g., vehicle door lock), then the microcontroller cooperates with the NFC circuit to switch the NFC circuit to NFC reader mode and attempt to verify a nearby NFC device. If the NFC device is verified, the microcontroller operates the lock, otherwise, it maintains the lock in an inactive state.

An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry.

A system, device and method for opening an electromechanical system of a vehicle. The system includes a capacitive emblem switch and a transponder, where the transponder includes an identifier of the vehicle. The capacitive emblem switch is activated when the user is in proximity of the vehicle with the transponder. The electromechanical system, such as a rear hatch of the vehicle opens when the user motions in front of the activated capacitive emblem switch. In embodiments, the capacitive emblem switch may be incorporated into a vehicle logo or a vehicle model number. In an embodiment, LED lights are used to indicate activation of the capacitive emblem switch. The LED lights may change color to indicate a completion of the method. The capacitive emblem switch may be transparent. The transponder may be a key fob.

A door frame has a first electromagnetic coil and a door lock has a second electromagnetic coil with a door bolt electromagnetically coupling together the first and second electromagnetic coils, thereby forming a transformer. Power is transferred from the door frame to door lock through the transformer. Communications from the door frame to the door lock may be provided by modulating electromagnetic energy to the first electromagnetic coil and demodulating the modulated electromagnetic energy received at the second electromagnetic coil. Communications from the door lock to the door frame may be provided by varying a load on the second electromagnetic coil and detecting the load change at the first electromagnetic coil.

A control system includes a control device, a controller, a plurality of user mobile devices, and a manager mobile device. Initial first identification information picked up by each user mobile device is sent to the manager mobile device, is authenticated, and is encoded. Every time a user mobile device is connected to the controller for opening the control device, a holder of the user mobile device is requested to input an instant first identification information. After decoding by a decoding key, the controller identifies whether the instant first identification information is identical to the authenticated initial first identification information. The identification result is used to decide whether the control device should be set to be an open state.

Described herein is a lock system (e.g., for a vehicle door) including an NFC circuit in communication with a microcontroller that monitors the voltage of a battery (e.g., the vehicle battery). The microcontroller switches the NFC circuit to card emulation (CE) mode with energy harvesting capability when the battery voltage falls below a threshold so that the NFC circuit can harvest energy from a nearby Qi wireless charging field and store that harvested energy in an energy storage device. When the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, it is used power the microcontroller and an electronically actuated mechanical lock (e.g., vehicle door lock), then the microcontroller cooperates with the NFC circuit to switch the NFC circuit to NFC reader mode and attempt to verify a nearby NFC device. If the NFC device is verified, the microcontroller operates the lock, otherwise, it maintains the lock in an inactive state.

A control system includes a control device, a controller, a plurality of user mobile devices, a manager mobile device, and a manager server. An initial first identification information of each user mobile device obtained by the manager mobile device is sent to the manager server, is authenticated, and is encoded. Every time a user mobile device is connected to the controller for opening the control device, a holder of the user mobile device is requested to input an instant first identification information. After decoding by a decoding key, the controller identifies whether the instant first identification information is identical to the authenticated initial first identification information. The identification result is used to decide whether the control device should be set to be an open state.