Remote system for providing vehicle information to a user

• US 20030117293A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nantz, John S., Ghabra, Riad, King, Ronald O., Tang, Qingfeng, Honkanen, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 6,724,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0038 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

Claims

1. In a remote entry system for a vehicle, a system for providing confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user comprising:

a first transceiver to be located in the vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle device function signal;

a first controller to be located in the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the first transceiver, the first controller for generating a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response to the vehicle device function signal and for confirming operation of the vehicle device, wherein the first transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal; and

a remote unit comprising,

a second transceiver having a transceiver activation button for operation by the user, the second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle device function signal in response to operation of the transceiver activation button by the user, and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal,

a second controller in communication with the second transceiver for generating an indicator control signal in response to the vehicle device function confirmation signal,

an indicator in communication with the second controller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing an indication to the user in response thereto, the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device, and

a storage device in communication with the second controller, the storage device for storing data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device, the data being retrievable by the user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote unit further comprises a battery for providing electrical power and, to conserve electrical power, the second transceiver is operable for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal for a predetermined time period after operation of the transceiver activation button by the user.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote unit further comprises a recall device, wherein, in response to operation of the recall device by the user, the data is retrieved from the storage device and the indicator provides the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device to the user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a display.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle device comprises a door lock mechanism, and the vehicle device function signal comprises a door lock mechanism function.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the indication comprises a door locked indication.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the indication comprises a door unlocked indication.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle device comprises a vehicle trunk, and the vehicle device function signal comprises a vehicle trunk function.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the indication comprises a vehicle trunk open indication.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the indication comprises a vehicle trunk closed indication.

11. A system for providing vehicle location information to a user comprising:

a first transceiver to be located in the vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle locator signal;

a first controller to be located in the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the first transceiver, the first controller for determining a signal strength of the vehicle locator signal, wherein the first transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle directional signal when a maximum signal strength of the vehicle locator signal is determined; and

a remote unit comprising,

a second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle locator signal, and for receiving the vehicle directional signal,

a second controller in communication with the second transceiver for generating an indicator control signal in response to the vehicle directional signal, and

an indicator in communication with the second controller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing an indication to the user in response thereto of a directional location of the vehicle relative to the remote unit.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the second controller determines a signal strength of the vehicle directional signal and the indicator provides an indication of a distance between the vehicle and the remote unit based on the determined signal strength of the vehicle directional signal.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the remote unit is for operation by the user.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the indicator comprises a display and the indication comprises a directional arrow provided on the display.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the remote transceiver transmits the vehicle locator signal in a directed pattern.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the first controller comprises a received signal strength indicator.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the second controller comprises a received signal strength indicator.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the indicator comprises a display and the indication comprises a directional arrow provided on the display.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the indication further comprises numeric information provided on the display.