Method and system for status indication on a key fob

• US 20050099275A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Schuh, Eric J., Kamdar, Hitan S.
• Application Number:
  US10/704,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099275A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition

Abstract

The invention provides a system for determining a vehicle security status and providing the status to the vehicle driver using a key fob wirelessly connected to a telematics unit located within the vehicle. A method for providing security status includes providing a key fob in wireless communication with a vehicle, the key fob including a status indicator, receiving sensor signals of vehicle components positions at the vehicle telematics unit determining whether the vehicle components positions are in an unsecured status position, sending a notification signal based on the determination from the vehicle telematics unit to the key fob and activating the status indicator of the key fob based on the notification.

Claims

1. A method for notifying a vehicle user of an unsecured vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a key fob in wireless communication with a vehicle, the key fob including a status indicator;

receiving sensor signals of vehicle components positions at the vehicle telematics unit;

determining whether the vehicle components positions are in an unsecured status position;

sending a notification signal based on the determination from the vehicle telematics unit to the key fob; and

activating the status indicator of the key fob based on the notification.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining whether a trigger event has occurred, wherein the notification is sent based on the trigger event determination.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the trigger event comprises a lapse of a predetermined length of time following an ignition shut down.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined length of time comprises a range from about two minutes to about sixty minutes.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

determining the location of the key fob in relation to the vehicle based on the determination of an unsecured status of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the trigger event comprises the key fob moving a predetermined distance away from the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein sending a notification signal to the key fob comprises sending the notification signal when the key fob is about ten yards from the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the status indicator of the key fob comprises displaying a security status message on a display unit of the key fob.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the status indicator of the key fob comprises activating an alarm located on the key fob.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein activating the status indicator of the key fob comprises illuminating at least one LED.

11. A computer usable medium including computer readable code for notifying a vehicle user of an unsecured vehicle, the computer usable medium comprising:

computer readable code for receiving sensor signals of vehicle components positions at the vehicle telematics unit;

computer readable code for determining whether the vehicle components positions are in an unsecured status position;

computer readable code for sending a notification signal based on the determination from the vehicle telematics unit to the key fob; and

computer readable code for activating the status indicator of the key fob based on the notification.

12. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer readable code for determining whether a trigger event has occurred, wherein the notification is sent based on the trigger event determination.

13. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer readable code for displaying a security status message on a display unit of the key fob.

14. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer readable code for activating an alarm located on the key fob.

15. The computer usable medium of claim 11 further comprising:

computer readable code for determining the location of the key fob in relation to the vehicle based on the determination of an unsecured status of the vehicle.

16. A system for notifying a vehicle user of an unsecured vehicle, the system comprising:

means for receiving sensor signals of vehicle components positions at the vehicle telematics unit;

means for determining whether the vehicle components positions are in an unsecured status position;

means for sending a notification signal based on the determination from the vehicle telematics unit to the key fob; and

means for activating the status indicator of the key fob based on the notification.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

means for determining whether a trigger event has occurred, wherein the notification is sent based on the trigger event determination.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the status indicator is at least one of a LCD display, a LED, and an alarm.

18. The system of clam 16 further comprising:

means for determining the location of the key fob in relation to the vehicle.