U.S. patent number RE46,991 [Application Number 11/415,386] was granted by the patent office on 2018-08-14 for electronic location system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to S. Aqua Semiconductor, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is David M. Hildebrant. Invention is credited to David M. Hildebrant.
United States Patent |
RE46,991 |
Hildebrant |
August 14, 2018 |
Electronic location system
Abstract
A vehicle locating system that includes a hand-held remote unit
associated with a user and a locator unit associated with a
vehicle. The locator unit utilizes a GPS to store a location of the
vehicle. The remote unit is selected from the group laptop
computer, key ring, GPS watch, cellular telephone and PDA, and it
utilizes a GPS to store a location of the user. The remote unit
queries the locator unit to obtain the location of the vehicle, and
then compares the location of the vehicle to its own location,
whereupon the remote unit displays a direction for the user to
travel in order to reach the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Hildebrant; David M. (Redmond,
WA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hildebrant; David M. |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
S. Aqua Semiconductor, LLC
(Wilmington, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
63079581 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/415,386 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
09596301 |
Jun 17, 2000 |
6363324 |
|
|
Reissue of: |
10106573 |
Mar 25, 2002 |
6738712 |
May 18, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S
19/51 (20130101); G01S 5/0009 (20130101); G01C
21/26 (20130101); G08G 1/005 (20130101); G01C
21/20 (20130101); G08G 1/205 (20130101); B60Q
9/002 (20130101); G01S 19/14 (20130101); B60Q
1/482 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60Q
1/48 (20060101); G01C 21/00 (20060101); H04B
7/185 (20060101); G01C 21/26 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;701/213,300,32.3
;340/989,988 ;342/457 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Graham; Matthew C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Panitch Schwarze Belisario &
Nadel LLP
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation in part application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/596,301 filed on Jun. 17, 2000, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,324 B1.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for locating an object using the Global Positioning
Satellite System (GPS), the locating system comprising: a locator
unit connected to the object; the locator unit including a first
processor, a first transmitter for transmitting a position request
signal to the GPS, and a first receiver for receiving a first
position signal from the GPS indicative of the position of the
object and providing the first position signal to the first
processor for storage; a hand-held remote unit selected from the
group .Iadd.consisting of a .Iaddend.laptop computer, .Iadd.a
.Iaddend.GPS watch, .Iadd.a .Iaddend.cellular telephone and
.[.PDA.]. .Iadd.a personal digital assistant (PDA), .Iaddend.for
determining a position of the remote unit relative to the object;
the remote unit including a second processor, a second transmitter
for transmitting a position request signal to the GPS, a second
receiver for receiving a second position signal from the GPS
indicative of the position of the remote unit and providing the
second position signal to the second processor for storage; means
connected to the second processor for generating a request signal
requesting the first location signal from the locator unit,
whereupon the locator unit retrieves the first location signal from
the first processor and transmits the first location signal to the
remote unit, such that upon receipt of the first location signal
the second processor compares the first location signal to the
second position signal and determines a position of the remote unit
relative to the object; and display means connected to the second
processor for displaying a visual signal and issuing an audio
signal to indicate the position of the remote unit relative to the
object, the display means including an indicator having directional
arrows showing a direction from the remote unit, and an area on the
display indicating by color the relative altitudes of the remote
unit and the object.
2. The object locating system as recited in claim 1, wherein the
object is a vehicle and the first processor is connected to an
ignition system of the vehicle, the first processor controlling the
first transmitter to transmit the position request signal
automatically upon detecting that the ignition system has been
turned off.
3. The object locating system as recited in claim 1, wherein
altitude is indicated by an LED that is illuminated in a first
color when the second processor determines that the remote unit is
at a higher altitude than the object and is illuminated in a second
color when the second processor determines that the remote unit is
at a lower altitude than the object.
4. The object locating system as recited in claim 3, wherein the
LED remains unilluminated when the second processor determines that
the remote unit is at a same altitude as the object.
5. The object locating system as recited in claim 1, wherein the
remote unit transmits the request signal at predetermined intervals
to the locator unit for updating the position of the object with
respect to the remote unit.
6. The object locating system as recited in claim 1 wherein
transmission mediums used in the locating system are selected from
the group RF radio waves, Doppler RF, microburst access system,
Satellite radio, CDPD, GSM, TDMA, CDMA, AMPS, RFID and MOAERIS.
7. A method of locating a vehicle in an area that is crowded with
vehicles, comprising the steps of: providing a locator unit;
mounting the locator unit on a vehicle; providing a first GPS
device in the locator unit to obtain vehicle-location-information;
programming the first GPS device to be activated upon a user
parking the vehicle and turning off the vehicle, whereupon the
locator unit stores vehicle-location-information including
latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle as obtained by the
first GPS device; providing a hand-held remote unit to be carried
by the user, the remote unit being selected from the group
.Iadd.consisting of a .Iaddend.laptop computer, .Iadd.a
.Iaddend.GPS watch, .Iadd.a .Iaddend.cellular telephone and
.[.PDA.]. .Iadd.a personal digital assistant (PDA).Iaddend.;
providing a second GPS device in the remote unit to obtain
user-location-information; providing a first button on the remote
unit to activate the second GPS device to obtain and store
user-location-information including latitude, longitude and
altitude of the user; providing a second button on the remote unit
that is operable to obtain latitude, longitude and altitude
vehicle-location-information that is stored in the locator unit;
providing that upon the user parking and leaving the vehicle in the
area, and thereafter returning to the area, the user may push the
first button to obtain user-location-information, and may push the
second button to obtain vehicle-location-information; providing
that the remote unit compares the user-location information to the
vehicle-location-information and displays a direction for the user
to move in order to approach the vehicle, that the remote unit
displays any difference in altitude between the user and the
vehicle, and that the remote unit issues an audible signal
indicating a distance between the user and the vehicle.
8. The method of claim 7 including the step of: providing that
transmission mediums used in the method are selected from the group
RF radio waves, Doppler RF, microburst access system, Satellite
radio, CDPD, GSM, TDMA, CDMA, AMPS, RFID and MOAERIS.
.Iadd.9. A method for locating a vehicle, comprising: obtaining
first location information from a vehicle locator unit connected to
a vehicle, the first location information identifying a location of
the vehicle, wherein said first location information is
automatically obtained upon the occurrence of a predetermined
vehicle event; transmitting, from the vehicle locator unit, at
least a portion of the first location information directly to a
portable remote unit, the portable remote unit being selected from
the group consisting of a laptop computer, a GPS watch, a cellular
telephone and a personal digital assistant (PDA); at a time
subsequent to obtaining said first location information, obtaining
second location information associated with a location of the
portable remote unit; comparing said second location information to
said first location information; and generating an output at said
portable remote unit indicative of a relative position of said
portable remote unit to the location of the vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: storing said
first location information to produce stored location information,
wherein said step of comparing comprises comparing said second
location information with said stored location
information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: first
transmitting a signal from said portable remote unit to said
vehicle to request said stored location information..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The method of claim 9, wherein said predetermined vehicle
event comprises the ignition of said vehicle being turned
off..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining said first and
second location information comprises obtaining first and second
GPS coordinates, respectively..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second GPS
coordinates are obtained using first and second GPS receivers,
respectively..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The method of claim 9, wherein generating an output
comprises: generating a visual output indicating a direction from
said portable remote unit toward said vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, in
conjunction with generating said visual output indicating a
direction, generating at least one of: an audible output; and an
altitude output indicating an elevation difference between said
location associated with said vehicle and said location associated
with said portable remote unit..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining said second
location information is performed by said portable remote
unit..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. A method for use with a portable electrical device for
locating a vehicle, comprising: receiving, directly from a vehicle
locator unit connected to the vehicle, at a portable remote unit,
vehicle location information representing location of the vehicle
automatically obtained upon an ignition of said vehicle being
turned off, the portable remote unit being selected from the group
consisting of a laptop computer, a GPS watch, a cellular telephone
and a personal digital assistant (PDA); storing said vehicle
location information to a memory to generate stored location
information; obtaining remote location information associated with
a location of the portable remote comparing said remote location
information to said stored location information; and generating an
output at said portable remote unit indicative of a relative
position of said portable remote unit to the location of said
vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The method of claim 18, wherein said vehicle location
information and said remote location information are obtained
utilizing separate location determining devices..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of said
vehicle location information and said remote location information
is obtained using GPS..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The method of claim 18, wherein generating an output
comprises at least one of: generating a visual output indicating a
direction from said portable remote unit toward said vehicle;
generating an audible output; and generating an altitude output
indicating an elevation difference between said vehicle location
and said location of said portable remote unit..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The method of claim 18, further comprising: first
transmitting a signal from said portable remote unit to said
vehicle to request said stored location information, wherein said
memory is attached to said vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A method for locating a vehicle, comprising: attaching a
vehicle locator unit to a vehicle, wherein said vehicle locator
unit is operative to obtain vehicle location information; providing
a remote locator unit operative to obtain remote locator unit
location information, the remote locator unit being selected from
the group consisting of a laptop computer, a GPS watch, a cellular
telephone and a personal digital assistant (PDA); establishing a
direct wireless link between said remote locator unit and said
vehicle locator unit; obtaining vehicle location information at
said remote locator unit via said direct wireless link; comparing
said vehicle location information with said remote unit location;
and generating a visual output indicative of a relative position of
said remote locator unit to said vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The method of claim 23, wherein said remote locator unit
obtains vehicle location information at predetermined intervals
after establishing said wireless link for updating the relative
location of said remote locator unit to said vehicle..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A method for locating an object, comprising: obtaining
first object location information using a locator unit attached to
the object, wherein said first location information is obtained at
a first time; establishing a direct wireless link between said
locator unit and a remote unit, the remote unit being selected from
the group consisting of a laptop computer, a GPS watch, a cellular
telephone and a personal digital assistant (PDA); transmitting said
first object location information from said locator unit directly
to said remote unit via the direct wireless link; obtaining a first
remote unit location using said remote unit; comparing said first
remote unit location with said first object location; and
generating a first output indicative of a first relative position
of said remote unit to said object..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: obtaining
second object location information at a second time after said
first time; transmitting said second object location information to
said remote unit; and generating a second output indicative of a
second relative position of said remote unit to said
object..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: obtaining a
second remote unit location using said remote unit; and comparing
said second remote unit location with said second object location,
wherein said second relative position is indicative of a change of
position of both of said object and said remote unit..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The method of claim 25, wherein said first output
provides information regarding a different in altitude between said
remote unit and said object..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. A system for locating an object using the Global
Positioning Satellite System (GPS), the locating system comprising:
a locator unit connected to the object; the locator unit including
a GPS receiver, and being configured to determine the location of
the locator unit, wherein the connection between the locator unit
and the object allows the location of the locator unit to represent
the location of the object; a hand-held remote unit configured to
determine the location of the remote unit, the hand-held remote
unit being selected from the group consisting of a laptop computer,
a GPS watch, a cellular telephone and a personal digital assistant
(PDA); means for generating a request signal at the remote unit to
request from the locator unit the location of the locator unit,
wherein in response: the locator unit transmits the location of the
locator unit to the remote unit, and the remote unit compares the
location of the locator unit to the location of the remote unit and
determines a position of the remote unit relative to the received
position of the locator unit; and display means for displaying a
visual signal and issuing an audio signal to indicate the position
of the remote unit relative to the object, the display means
including an indicator having directional arrows showing a
direction from the remote unit, and an area on the display
indicating by color the relative altitudes of the remote unit and
the object..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to location systems and,
more specifically, to a system utilizing the global positioning
satellite network to locate a vehicle when left in a parking lot or
other crowded area.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous types of location systems have been provided in the prior
art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,280,293; 5,289,163; 5,594,425
and 5,612,688 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these
units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they
address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the
present invention as heretofore described.
A mobile direction finder for tracking a remote transmitter
computes the transmitter direction relative to the direction finder
and time-averages with reference to a datum derived from a
predetermined orientation independent of the direction finder
orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,163
Inventor: Carla D. Perez et al.
Issued: Feb. 22, 1994
A child position monitoring device monitors the position of a child
by detecting the signal strength of a radio frequency carrier from
a transmitter attached to the child. If the signal of the radio
frequency carrier is too weak, the child is too far away from the
adult who has the child positioning monitoring device. When this
happens, the adult is informed that the child has wandered too far
away through the use on an audio tone or through the use of
vibrations coming from the device. Once the adult is notified that
the child is too far away, the device also has a locating display
for indicating the relative direction of the child with respect for
the adult. The display uses eight LED's arranged around an emblem
used to represent the position of the adult. The LED which lights
up indicates the relative direction of the child.
A locator apparatus includes a receiver for receiving location
information indicative of a location of the receiver. A memory is
coupled to the receiver and stores the location information. A
cellular transmitter is coupled to the memory and the receiver and
transmits the location information to a second receiver. A data
processing station processes the location information to determine
the location of the receiver.
An apparatus for searching for a sensed object which is capable of
immediately finding the direction in which a movable sensed object
is present, from the contents displayed on an operation unit at
hand. The searching apparatus includes a portable operation unit,
an absolute direction sensor contained in the operation unit and
generating an absolute direction sensor contained in the operation
unit and generating an absolute direction signal which indicates an
absolute direction, a removal sensor for automatically sensing a
removal of the operation unit from the sensed object, a
displacement sensor for sensing the state of displacement of the
operation unit to generate displacement information, a controller
generating direction indicating information which indicates the
direction in which the sensed object is present, based on the
displacement information and the absolute direction signal, a
display for displaying contents of the direction indicating
information; and a manual operation element for controlling the
contents displayed on the display through the controller.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to location systems and,
more specifically, to a system utilizing the global positioning
satellite network to locate a vehicle when left in a parking lot or
other crowded area.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art
devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system which is able to alert a user as to the location of
a vehicle by providing a direction and relative altitude of the
vehicle.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system which is able to utilize the Global Positioning
Satellite System to obtain a location for the vehicle which, when
compared to the location of the user holding a remote unit,
provides a direction of travel for locating the vehicle.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle is equipped with a
transmitter and receiver able to communicate with the Global
Positioning Satellite System to determine a location for the
vehicle.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system including a remote unit able to utilize the
Global Positioning Satellite System to determine a location for the
remote unit and communicate with the transmitter in the vehicle to
determine a position for the vehicle relative to the remote
unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system wherein the remote unit includes a plurality of
indicator lights for indicating a direction in which the vehicle
can be found.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system wherein the remote unit includes an indicator light
for indicating an altitude level relative to the altitude of the
remote unit at which the vehicle can be found such as when the
vehicle is located on a different story of a parking lot from the
user.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an
assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried to transmit the
stored longitude, latitude and altitude information of the vehicle
locator unit.
A Still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an
assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried to transmit
longitude, latitude and altitude information using radio frequency
(506 KHz-300 GHz).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an assigned
unique identity can be wirelessly queried using cellular radio
systems, Doppler RF, RF Radio Waves, Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) and Satellite Radio.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit can respond with
the locator unit Latitude, Longitude and altitude to an
interrogation request from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
interrogator.
Still yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an
assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried using cellular
radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division
Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude, latitude
and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider (WSP).
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit assigned a unique
identity can use the Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS-[US])
and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total
Access Communications System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe, Asia]) to be wirelessly queried
using the aforementioned cellular radio systems using Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its
stored longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless
Service Provider (WSP).
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system wherein the remote unit can initiate a
wireless query to the vehicle locator unit to transmit longitude,
latitude and altitude information.
A Still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system having a remote unit using radio frequency
(500 KHz-300 GHz) to initiate a communication with the vehicle
locator unit to transmit the stored longitude, latitude and
altitude information
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system having a remote unit using plain old telephone
system (POTS), and/or cellular radio systems, and/or Doppler RF,
and/or RF Radio Waves, and/or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
and/or Satellite Radio to initiate the transmission of the stored
vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude
information.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system having a remote unit using Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) to initiate the transmission of the stored
vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude
information.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system having a remote unit using the Public
Switched Telephone Network System (PSTN) or cellular radio systems
using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access
(FDMA) to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator
unit latitude, longitude and altitude information.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system having a remote unit using the Advances Mobile Phone
Service (AMPS -[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT
[Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS
[UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe,
Asia]) to initiate the transmission through a Wireless Service
Provider (WSP) of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude,
longitude and altitude information.
A yet further object of the present-invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system having a remote unit having a facial visual
direction system comprising a visual altitude indicator and a
plurality of visual direction indicators.
A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system having a remote unit having the
aforementioned visual direction system that can be incorporated
into the face of an electronic device having a display unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system having a remote unit having the aforementioned
visual direction system that can be incorporated into a cellular
phones, Palm Pilots, PDA's, laptop computers or other mobile
communication devices.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system having a remote unit having the aforementioned
visual direction system that can be incorporated into a personal
computer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle
locator system that is simple and easy to use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
vehicle locator system that is economical in cost to
manufacture.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the
description proceeds.
A system for locating a vehicle using the Global Positioning
Satellite System (GPS). The system includes a locator unit and a
remote unit. The locator unit is connected to the vehicle and
includes a processor; a transmitter for obtaining a location from
the GPS indicating the location of the vehicle; and a receiver for
receiving the location signal from the GPS for storage in the
processor. The remote unit includes a processor; a transmitter for
obtaining a location from the GPS indicating the location of the
remote unit; and a receiver for receiving the position signal from
the GPS for storage in the processor. A device, connected to the
processor, generates a request signal requesting the location of
the locator unit; and a signal device relays a relative position of
the locator unit to a user. Upon activation of the generating
device the transmitter transmits the request signal to the locator
unit. The locator unit retrieves and transmits the location signal
to the remote unit in response thereto. Upon receipt of the
location signal the processor of the remote unit compares the
location signal to the position signal to determine a relative
position of the locator unit with respect to the remote unit. The
processor then controls the signal device to indicate the relative
position of the locator unit. The signal device provides both an
audible and visual indication to the user as to the longitude,
latitude and altitude of the locator unit.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a parking lot in which a user
is attempting to locate a vehicle using the vehicle locator system
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged top perspective view of the remote unit used
with the vehicle locator system of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top perspective view of the locator unit
positioned within the vehicle of the vehicle system of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the remote unit and
locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present
invention; and
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate
remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate
remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate
remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a enlarged perspective view of an another alternate
remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 10 its a block diagram of the vehicle locator system of the
present invention; and
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of alternate remote units
of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the transmission methods of the
vehicle locator system of the present invention and alternate
remote devices.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the Figures illustrate the vehicle locator system of the
present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the
following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
10 vehicle locator system of the present invention 12 user
attempting to locate a vehicle using vehicle locator system 13
vehicle desired to be located 14 parking lot in which vehicle is
located 16 Global Positioning Satellite 18 vehicles in parking lot
20 remote unit of vehicle locator system 22 vehicle locator unit of
vehicle locator system 24 arrow indicating request signal from
remote unit to the GPS satellite 26 arrow indicating position
signal of remote unit from GPS satellite 28 arrow indicating
request signal from locator unit to the GPS satellite 30 arrow
indicating position signal of locator unit from GPS satellite 32
arrow indicating location signal from remote unit to locator unit
34 arrow indicating location response signal from locator unit to
the remote unit 36 front side of remote unit 37 power switch 38
visual direction indicator 40 visual altitude indicator 42 speaker
44 first button 46 second button 48 hood of vehicle 50 vehicle
battery 52 vehicle ignition system 54 antenna of locator unit 56
processor of remote unit 57 power source of remote unit 58
transmitter of remote unit 60 receiver of remote unit 62 processor
of locator unit 64 transmitter of locator unit 66 receiver of
locator unit 68 sensor of locator unit 70 display of locator unit
72 wireless device 74 display of remote unit 76 laptop computer 78
keyboard 80 PDA 82 keypad 84 cellular phone 86 watch 88 signal
initiator 90 transmission protocol 92 moaeris 94 radio frequency
identification 96 advance mobile phone service 98 code division
multiple access 100 time division multiple access 102 global system
for mobile communications 104 code division multiple access 106
Radio frequency radio waves 108 doppler radio frequency 110
microburst access system 112 satellite radio
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate the vehicle locator system of
the present invention indicated generally by the numeral 10.
The vehicle locator system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for use by a
person 12 to locate a particular vehicle 13 within a parking lot
14. This figure illustrates the parking lot 14 including a
plurality of vehicles 18 parked therein. When parking a vehicle in
such a parking lot 14 it is easy to forget where the vehicle was
parked. When the parking lot is full, the person 12 who parked the
vehicle 13 will have a very difficult time locating the vehicle 13
if the location of the vehicle is forgotten. The vehicle locator
system 10 of the present invention utilizes the Global Positioning
Satellite Network, illustrated by the satellite 16 orbiting the
earth for aiding the person 12 in determining the location of the
vehicle 13.
The vehicle locator system 10 includes a remote unit 20 and a
vehicle locator unit 22, see FIGS. 3-5 for an illustration and
description of the vehicle locator unit 22. The remote unit 20 is
retained by the user 12 and can be in the form of a key ring or
other unobtrusive form which is not burdensome to the user 12. The
vehicle locator unit 22 is positioned within the vehicle 13.
The remote unit 20 communicates with the GPS satellite 16 when
activated to determine a location thereof in terms of longitude,
latitude and altitude. Upon activation of a location key, the
remote unit 20 .[.transmits a request signal to.]. .Iadd.utilizes
signals 26 from .Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16 .[.as indicated by
the arrow labeled with the numeral 24. The GPS satellite 16
receives this signal 24 and determines.]. .Iadd.to determine
.Iaddend.the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit
20. .[.The GPS satellite 16 then transmits a signal indicative of
the determined longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit
20 to the remote unit 20 as indicated by the arrow labeled with the
numeral 26..].
The locator unit 22 also communicates with the GPS satellite 16 to
determine a location thereof in terms of longitude, latitude and
altitude. When the vehicle 13 ceases movement and the ignition is
switched off, the locator unit 22 preferably automatically
.[.transmits a request signal to.]. .Iadd.obtains signals 30 from
.Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16 .[.as indicated by the arrow labeled
with the numeral 28. The GPS satellite 16 receives this signal
24.]. and determines the longitude, latitude and altitude of the
locator unit 22. .[.The GPS satellite 16 then transmits a signal
indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator
unit 22 to the locator unit 22 as indicated by the arrow labeled
with the numeral 30..]. The longitude, latitude and altitude signal
.[.received.]. .Iadd.obtained .Iaddend.by the locator unit 22 is
stored therein.
The remote unit 20 also communicates directly with the locator unit
22. When a locate button on the remote unit 20 is activated, the
remote unit 20 sends a location signal as indicated by the arrow
labeled with the numeral 32 to the locator unit 22 requesting the
location of the locator unit 22 in terms of longitude, latitude and
altitude. In response to receipt of this signal 32, the locator
unit 22 retrieves the location information from memory and
transmits a location response signal including the retrieved
information to the remote unit 20 as indicated by the arrow labeled
with the numeral 34. The received location response signal 34
includes the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit
22 and is compared with the longitude, latitude and altitude of the
remote unit 20. Based upon this comparison, the remote unit 20 is
able to determine the relative direction the user 12 must travel to
locate the vehicle 13.
The locator unit 22 may alternatively or additionally .[.request.].
.Iadd.obtain .Iaddend.location information including the current
longitude, latitude and altitude from the GPS satellite 16 upon
receipt of the location request signal 32 from the remote unit 20.
The locator unit 22 can thus also be used to determine an
approximate direction and possibly a location of the vehicle 13 in
the event the vehicle is stolen or in motion at the time of the
request.
A perspective view of the front side 36 of the remote unit 20 is
shown in FIG. 2. The remote unit 20 is shown in the shape of a key
ring. However the remote unit 20 may be provided in any shape
desired. The shape of the remote unit 20 being preferred in a form
which is unobtrusive to the user 12. As can be seen from this
figure, the remote unit 20 includes a power switch 37 for turning
the remote unit 20 on and off. The remote unit 20 also includes a
visual direction indicator 38 and a visual altitude indicator 40.
The visual direction indicator 38 includes a plurality of arrow
indicators each pointing in a different direction. Upon determining
a relative direction of travel to locate the vehicle 13, the visual
direction indicator 38 illuminates an arrow indicating the
determined direction. The visual altitude indicator 40 indicates
whether the vehicle 24 is located at the same or a different
altitude than the user 12. When the user 12 and the vehicle 24 are
at the same altitude the visual indicator 40 will remain in an
unilluminated state. When the vehicle 13 is located at a different
altitude than the remote unit 20, the visual altitude indicator 40
will become illuminated. The color of illumination is indicative of
the relative altitude of the vehicle, one color for a lower
altitude than the remote unit 20 and a second color indicating a
higher altitude.
An audio speaker 42 is also provided for generating an audible
signal which is able to indicate the distance of the remote unit 20
from the vehicle 24. As the user approaches the position of the
vehicle 13, the tone of the audible signal changes to indicate the
proximity of the user 12 to the vehicle 13. A first button 44 is
provided on the face side 36 for .[.providing a location request
signal to.]. .Iadd. obtaining location information from
.Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16. Activation of the first button 44
allows the remote unit 20 to obtain a longitude, latitude and
altitude position used for determining the relative position of the
vehicle therefrom. A second button 46 is provided to cause
generation and transmission of a location request signal to the
locator unit 22. In response to receipt of this signal the locator
unit 22 will transmit a response signal to the remote unit 20
indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the vehicle 13.
The remote unit 20 uses the response signal to determine the
relative position of the vehicle 13 with respect to the remote unit
20. Once activated, the remote unit 20 may be controlled to
continually .[.transmit a location request signal.]. .Iadd.obtain
signals .Iaddend.from the GPS satellite 16 and .Iadd.receive
response signals .Iaddend.from the locator unit 22 at periodic
intervals to continually update the visual direction indicator 38,
the visual altitude indicator 40 and adjust the audible signal to
indicate proximity to the vehicle 13.
A perspective view of a vehicle 13 having the locator unit 22
installed therein is illustrated in FIG. 3. The locator unit 22 is
installed in the vehicle 13, preferably under the hood 48. The
locator unit 22 is preferably connected to the vehicle battery 50,
receiving power therefrom and may also be connected to the ignition
system 52 of the vehicle 13. The locator unit 22 is thus able to
detect when the vehicle 13 has been turned off and is stationary.
The locator unit 22 may be programmed to .[.contact the.].
.Iadd.obtain signals from .Iaddend.GPS satellite 16 upon detecting
the turning off of the ignition to .[.receive a signal.].
.Iadd.obtain information .Iaddend.indicative of the longitude,
latitude and altitude for its present position. This value is
stored by the locator unit 22 and transmitted to the remote unit 20
upon receipt of the location request signal 32. Alternatively, the
locator unit 22 may .[.contact the.]. .Iadd.obtain signals from the
.Iaddend.GPS satellite 16 only upon receipt of the request signal
32 from the remote unit 20 or at both when the request signal 32 is
received and upon detecting the ignition has been turned off. By
controlling the locator unit 22 to .[.communicate with.].
.Iadd.obtain signals from .Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16 upon
receipt of the request signal 32, a determination of a direction to
travel to find the vehicle 13 can be obtained if the vehicle 13 was
stolen and is currently moving.
An enlarged perspective view of the remote unit 20 and locator unit
22 showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG. 4.
This view shows the remote unit 20 and the locator unit 22
communicating via the location request signal 32 and the location
response signal 34. Upon activation of the first button 42, the
remote unit 20 generates and transmits the location request signal
32. The locator unit 22 receives the location request signal 32
through a receiver antenna 54 and in response thereto generates the
location response signal 34. The location response signal 34 is
generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal
received from the GPS satellite 16. The location response signal 34
is transmitted back to the remote unit 20. The remote unit 20
compares the location response signal 34 with a position signal
indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit
20 received from the GPS satellite 16 to determine the relative
position and distance of the vehicle 13 from the remote unit 20.
Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle 13 from
the remote unit 20, the remote unit 20 illuminates the appropriate
arrow of the visual direction indicator 38 to point in the
direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote
unit 20 as well as the visual altitude indicator 40 to alert the
user 12 as to the altitude of the vehicle 13. Should the remote
unit 20 determine that the vehicle 13 is at a different altitude
than the remote unit 20, the remote unit illuminates the visual
altitude indicator 40 to indicate the difference in altitude. The
color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator 40 is
dependent upon whether the vehicle 13 is at a higher or lower
altitude. The remote unit 20 also activates the speaker 42 to
generate an audible signal indicative of the distance of the
vehicle 13 from the remote unit 20. As the user 12 approaches the
vehicle 13 with the remote unit 20, the audible signal changes to
indicate the proximity to the vehicle 13.
A block diagram illustrating the components of the remote unit 20
and locator unit 22 is provided in FIG. 5. As can be seen from this
figure, the remote unit 20 includes a processor 56 for controlling
operation of the remote unit 20. The processor 56 is connected to a
power source 57 via the power switch 37. Activation of the power
switch 37 connects the processor 56 to a source of power 57 thus
turning on the remote unit 20. Also connected to the processor are
the first and second activation buttons 44 and 46, respectively.
The first activation button 44 causes the processor to .[.generate
a location request signal 24 to be transmitted to .]. .Iadd.obtain
signals from .Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16 and the second
activation button 46 causes the transmitter 56 to generate a
request signal for transmission to the locator unit 22. The visual
direction indicator 38, the visual altitude indicator 40 and the
speaker 42 are also connected to and controlled by the processor
56. A transmitter 58 is connected to the processor 56 for
transmitting location request signals to .[.both the GPS satellite
16 and.]. the locator unit 22. The transmitter is able to transmit
at a plurality of frequencies .[.including the frequency to which
the GPS satellite 16 is tuned and the frequency at which the
locator unit 22 is tuned.].. A receiver 60 able to receive signals
transmitted at a plurality of frequencies is also connected to the
processor 56. The receiver 60 is specifically tuned to receive
signals transmitted by the GPS satellite 16 and the locator unit
22. The processor 56 is provided to control .[.generation and
transmission of the location request signal 24 to.].
.Iadd.obtainment of signals from .Iaddend.the GPS satellite upon
activation of the first activation button 44 and .Iadd.control the
.Iaddend.generation and transmission of the request signal 32 to
the locator unit 22 upon activation of the second activation button
46. Upon receipt of .[.the response signal.]. .Iadd.signals
.Iaddend.26 from the GPS satellite 16 and the response signal 34
from the locator unit 22, the processor 56 analyzes the signals to
determine the relative location of the locator unit 22 and thus the
vehicle 13 in which it is installed. Based upon the-determined
position of the locator unit 22, the processor 56 then controls the
visual direction indicator 38, the visual altitude indicator 40 and
the speaker 42 to direct the user 12 to the locator unit 22.
The locator unit 22 also includes a processor 62 for controlling
operation thereof. The processor 62 is preferably connected to the
vehicle power source 50. However, the processor 62 may be connected
to any other power source provided. The processor 62 may also be
connected to the ignition system 52 of the vehicle 13 to determine
when the vehicle 13 has been turned off. A transmitter 64 is
connected to the processor 62 for .[.transmitting the location
request signal 28 to the GPS satellite 16 and.]. transmitting a
location response signal 34 to the remote unit 20. A receiver 66 is
connected to the processor 62 for receiving the location signal 30
from the GPS satellite 16 and receiving the location request signal
32 from the remote unit 20. The processor 62 is able to store the
location signal 30 received from the GPS satellite 16 until
requested by the remote unit 20. A sensor 68 may be provided to
detect when the ignition system 52 has been turned off and thus
control the processor 62 to .[.generate the location request signal
to be transmitted to.]. .Iadd.obtain location information from
.Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16. A display 70 may also be provided
connected to the processor 62 for displaying the determined
latitude, longitude and altitude of the vehicle 13 thereon.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a laptop computer serving
as the remote unit 20 having software designed to display the
visual directional indicator 38, 40 on the display unit 74 of the
wireless device 72. The software provides means for initiating an
interrogation of the remote locator unit 22 using the keyboard 78
to launch the locator software. The remote unit 72 and locator
unity 22 showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.
6. This view shows the remote unit 72 and the locator unit 22
communicating via the location request signal 32 and the location
response signal 34. Upon activation of a predetermined sequence
using the keyboard 78, the remote unit 72 generates and transmits
the location request signal 32. The locator unit 22 receives the
location request signal 32 through a receiver antenna 54 and in
response thereto generates the location response signal 34. The
location response signal 34 is generated based upon a longitude,
latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite 16.
The location response signal 34 is transmitted back to the remote
unit 72 whereupon the software display the visual directional
indicator 38, 40 on the display unit 74. The remote unit 72 has GPS
hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares
the location response 72 received from the GPS satellite 16 to
determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle 13 from
the remote unit 72. Upon determining the position and distance of
the vehicle 13 from the remote unit 72, the remote unit 72
illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator
38 to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current
location of the remote unit 72 as well as the visual altitude
indicator 40 to alert the user 12 as to the altitude of the vehicle
13. Should the remote unit 72 determine that the vehicle 13 is at a
different altitude than the remote unit 72, the remote unit
illuminates the visual altitude indicator 40 to indicate the
difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual
altitude indicator 40 is dependent upon whether the vehicle 13 is
at a higher or lower altitude.
The vehicle locator having an assigned unique identity can be
wirelessly queried using cellular radio systems, Doppler RF, RF
Radio Waves, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Satellite
Radio to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle
locator unit can respond with the locator unit Latitude, Longitude
and altitude to an interrogation request from a remote unit.
The cellular radio systems can use Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency
Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude,
latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider
(WSP).
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a PDA 80 serving as the
remote unit 20 having software designed to display the visual
directional indicator 38, 40 on the display unit 74 of the wireless
device 72. The software provides means for initiating an
interrogation of the remote locator unit 22 using the keypad 82 to
launch the locator software. The remote unit 80 and the locator
unit 22 showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.
7. This view shows the remote unit 80 and the locator unit 22
communicating via the location request signal 32 and the location
response signal 34. Upon activation of a predetermined sequence
using the keypad 82, the remote unit 80 generates and transmits the
location request signal 32. The locator unit 22 receives the
location request signal 32 through a receiver antenna 54 and in
response thereto generates the location response signal 34. The
location response signal 34 is generated based upon a longitude,
latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite 16.
The location response signal 34 is transmitted back to the remote
unit 80 whereupon the software display the visual directional
indicator 38, 40 on the display unit 74. The remote unit 80 has GPS
hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares
the location response signal 34 with a position signal indicating
the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit ;80
received from the GPS satellite 16 to determine the relative
position and distance of the vehicle 13 from the remote unit 80.
Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle 13 from
the remote unit 80, the remote unit 80 illuminates the appropriate
arrow of the visual direction indicator 38 to point in the
direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote
unit 80 as well as the visual altitude indicator 40 to alert the
user 12 as to the altitude of the vehicle 13. Should the remote
unit 80 determine that the vehicle 13 is at a different altitude
than the remote unit 80, the remote unit illuminates the visual
altitude indicator 40 to indicate the difference in altitude. The
color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator 40 is
dependent upon whether the vehicle 13 is at a higher or lower
altitude.
The vehicle locator unit assigned a unique identity can use the
Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS-[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile
Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications
System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM [Europe, Asia]) to be wirelessly queried using the
aforementioned cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored
longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service
Provider (WSP).
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a cellular telephone
serving as the remote unit 84 having hardware and software designed
to display the visual directional indicator 38, 40 on the display
unit 74 of the wireless device 72. The software provides means for
initiating an interrogation of the remote locator unit 22 using the
keypad 82 to launch the locator software. The remote unit 84 and
locator unit 22 showing communication therebetween is illustrated
in FIG. 8. This view shows the remote unit 84 and the locator unit
22 communicating via the location request signal 32 and the
location response signal 34. Upon activation of a predetermined
sequence using the keypad 82, the remote unit 84 generates and
transmits the location request signal 32. The locator unit 22
receives the location request signal 32 through a receiver antenna
54 and in response thereto generates the location response signal
34. The location response signal 34 is generated based upon a
longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS
satellite 16. The location response signal 34 is transmitted back
to the remote unit 84 whereupon the software/hardware displays the
visual directional indicator 38,40 on the display unit 74. The
remote unit 84 has GPS hardware to determine the location of the
remote unit and compares the location response signal 34 with a
position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of
the remote unit 84 received from the GPS satellite 16 to determine
the relative position and distance of the vehicle 13 from the
remote unit 84. Upon determining the position and distance of the
vehicle 13 from the remote unit 84, the remote unit 84 illuminates
the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator 38 to point
in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the
remote unit 84 as well as the visual altitude indicator 40 to alert
the user 12 as to the altitude of the vehicle 13.
The vehicle locator system having a remote unit using radio
frequency (500 KHz-300 GHz) initiate a communication with the
vehicle locator unit to transmit the stored longitude, latitude and
altitude information
FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a watch serving as the
remote unit 88 having electronics designed to display the visual
directional indicator 38, 40 on the display unit 74 of the wireless
device 72. The software provides means for initiating an
interrogation of the remote locator unit 22 using the stems 80 to
launch the locator software. The remote unit 88 and locator unit 22
showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG. 9. This
view shows the remote unit 88 and the locator unit 22 communicating
via the location request signal 32 and the location response signal
34. Upon activation of a predetermined sequence using the stems 88
80, the remote unit 88 generates and transmits the location request
signal 32. The locator unit 22 receives the location request signal
32 through a receiver antenna 54 and in response thereto generates
the location response signal 34. The location response signal 34 is
generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal
received from the GPS satellite 16. The location response signal 34
is transmitted back to the remote unit 88 whereupon the software
display the visual directional indicator 38, 40 on the display unit
74. The remote unit 88 has GPS hardware to determine the location
of the remote unit and compares the location response signal 34
with a position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and
altitude of the remote unit 88 received from the GPS satellite 16
to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle 13
from the remote unit 88. Upon determining the position and distance
of the vehicle 13 from the remote unit 88, the remote unit 88
illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator
38 to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current
location of the remote unit 88 as well as the visual altitude
indicator 40 to alert the user 12 as to the altitude of the vehicle
13. Should the remote unit 88 determine that the vehicle 13 is at a
different altitude than the remote unit 88, the remote unit
illuminates the visual altitude indicator 40 to indicate the
difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual
altitude indicator 40 is dependent upon whether the vehicle 13 is
at a higher or lower altitude.
FIG. 10 illustrates the various transmission mediums that can be
used by the vehicle locator system. Either unit can use plain old
telephone system (POTS), and/or cellular radio systems, and/or
Doppler RF, and/or RF Radio Waves, and/or Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) and/or Satellite Radio to initiate the
transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude
and altitude information. As well as using Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) or the Public Switched Telephone Network
System (PSTN) or cellular radio systems using Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to initiate the
transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude
and altitude information.
Additionally the vehicle locator system can use the Advances Mobile
Phone Service (AMPS-[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT
[Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS
[UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe,
Asia]) to initiate the transmission through a Wireless Service
Provider (WSP) of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude,
longitude and altitude information.
FIG. 11 illustrates a number of various wireless communication
device: laptop computer 76, GPS watch 86, cellular telephone 84,
PDA 80 and key chain 20 that can be used to initiate and receive
the stored GPS data from the locator unit.
FIG. 12 is an illustration depicting the vehicle locator unit
having a locator unit using a plurality of transmission mediums
whereby a number of wireless remote devices can view the direction
and altitude of a vehicle having the locator unit therein.
The operation of the vehicle locator system 10 will now be
described with reference to the figures. In operation, the vehicle
locator system 10 is installed by connecting the locator unit 22 in
a desired vehicle 13. The locator unit 22 is preferably connected
to the vehicle battery 50 and also to the ignition system 52 of the
vehicle 13. Once the locator unit 22 is installed, the vehicle
locator system 10 is ready for use.
Upon use, the user 12 will drive the vehicle 13 as conventionally
done and park the vehicle 13 in a lot 14 when a desired destination
is reached. Upon parking the vehicle 13, the locator unit 22 will
sense when the vehicle is turned off via the sensor 68 connected to
the ignition system 52. Upon sensing the vehicle 13 has been turned
off and thus parked, the processor 62 will .[.control the
transmitter 64 to transmit the location request signal to the GPS
satellite 16. The GPS satellite 16 determines.]. .Iadd.determine
and store .Iaddend.the location in longitude, latitude and altitude
of the locator unit 22 .[.and transmits the location signal 30
indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator
unit 22 back to the locator unit 22. The locator unit 22 receives
this signal 30 via the receiver 66 and the processor 62 stores the
signal until requested by the remote unit 20.]..
When the user 12 completes the desired tasks and is returning to
the vehicle 13, the location of the vehicle may have been
forgotten. At this time the user 12 will activate the remote unit
20 by pressing the first activation button 44. Pressing of the
first activation button causes the processor 56 to generate .[.the
location request signal 24 to be transmitted to the GPS satellite
16 via the transmitter 58. The GPS satellite 16 determines the
location in longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit 20
and transmits the location signal 26 indicative of the longitude,
latitude and altitude of the remote unit 20 back to the remote unit
20. The remote unit 20 receives this signal via the receiver 60 and
provides the signal to the processor 56 for analysis.].
.Iadd.location information indicative of the longitude, latitude
and altitude of the remote unit 20 using signals from the GPS
satellite.Iaddend.. The user 12 then activates the second
activation button 46 controlling the processor 56 to generate the
location request signal 32 and transmit the location request signal
32 to the locator unit 22 via the transmitter 58. The locator unit
22 receives this signal 32 via the receiver 66 and retrieves the
location signal 28 from the processor 62. The processor 62 then
transmits a response signal 34 to the remote unit 20 via the
transmitter 64. The response signal 34 is received by the receiver
60 and provided to the processor 56 for analysis.
The processor 56, upon receipt of the response signal 34, compares
the response signal 34 to the location signal 26 received from the
GPS satellite 16. Based upon this comparison, the processor 56
determines the relative direction and distance of the locator unit
22 from the remote unit 20. Upon determining the relative location
of the locator unit 22, the processor 56 controls the visual
direction indicator 38, the visual altitude indicator 40 and the
speaker 42 to direct the user 12 towards the vehicle. The visual
direction indicator 38 will illuminate an arrow pointing in the
direction of the vehicle 13. The visual altitude indicator 40 will
illuminate if the vehicle 13 is located at a different altitude
than the remote unit 20 such as when the vehicle is parked in a
multilevel parking facility. The speaker 42 is controlled to
generate an audible signal, the signal changing as the remote unit
approaches the location of the locator unit 22.
The remote unit 20 will continually .[.transmit a location request
signal to.]. .Iadd.receive signals from .Iaddend.the GPS satellite
to continually update its location .[.signal.]. for comparison with
the location of the vehicle 13. The remote unit 20 will also
continually transmit a location request signal 32 to the locator
unit 22 for updating the location of the locator unit 22. The
locator unit 22 will continually .[.transmit a location request
signal 28 to.]. .Iadd.receive signals from .Iaddend.the GPS
satellite 16 to continually update its location. Should the sensor
68 determine that the ignition of the vehicle 13 has not been
activated, the location unit 22 need not continually .[.transmit
the location request signal to.]. .Iadd.receive signals from
.Iaddend.the GPS satellite 16, instead continually transmitting the
stored location signal to the remote unit 20. The processor 56 will
continually analyze the location signals of the locator unit and
remote unit and control the visual direction indicator 38, the
visual altitude indicator 40 and the speaker 42 to update the
relative position of the locator unit 22 and vehicle 13 with
respect to the remote unit 20. Upon finding the vehicle 13, the
user 12 can activate either of the first or second activation
buttons 44 and 46 to cease monitoring of the locations.
Alternatively, the user 12 can activate the power switch 37 to turn
the remote unit off.
From the above description it can be seen that the vehicle locator
system of the present invention is able to overcome the
shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a vehicle locator
system which is able to alert a user as to the location of a
vehicle by providing a direction and relative altitude of the
vehicle. The vehicle locator system utilizes the Global Positioning
Satellite System to obtain a location for the vehicle which, when
compared to the location of the user holding a remote unit,
provides a direction of travel for locating the vehicle. The
vehicle locator system includes a transmitter installed within a
desired vehicle, the locator unit including a receiver able to
communicate with the Global Positioning Satellite System to
determine a location for the vehicle. The vehicle locator system
also includes a remote unit able to utilize the Global Positioning
Satellite System to determine a location therefor and communicate
with the locator unit in the vehicle to determine a position for
the vehicle relative to the remote unit. The remote unit includes a
plurality of indicator lights for indicating a direction in which
the vehicle can be found, an indicator light for indicating an
altitude level relative to the altitude of the remote unit at which
the vehicle can be found such as when the vehicle is located on a
different story of a parking lot from the user and a speaker to
provide an audible signal indicating the proximity of the remote
unit from the locator unit. Furthermore, the vehicle locator system
of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical
in cost to manufacture.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together may also find a useful application in other
types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and
described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not
intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features, that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
this invention.
* * * * *