Technique for effectively locating an object

• US 6,233,506 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Talking Quick Tips, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L., Dinkel, John G., Kent, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/401,038
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/200, 701/201, 701/206, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.3, 340/539, 340/825.31, 340/825.72, 340/991, 342/357.08, 342/357.01, 342/457, 342/357.09, 342/357.03, 342/357.07, 342/450, 342/463, 380/271, 380/46, 455/404, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/321, 455/346, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 307/10.4
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/76 Digital systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 : Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 : operating on the fuel supply
• 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 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels

Abstract

In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in an object for detecting a removal of the object comprising:

an interface for providing information identifying a location of the object;

a first processor responsive to the information for determining whether the object has been moved from a predetermined location;

a memory inside the object for storing data concerning locations of a plurality of receivers, respectively;

a second processor inside the object for selecting one of the receivers based on at least a comparison of information provided by the interface identifying a current location of the object with data from the memory concerning a location of the selected receiver when it is determined that the object has been moved from the predetermined location; and

an output device for transmitting an alert to the selected receiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface is connected to a navigation device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information provided by the interface identifying the current location of the object represents a first global positioning system (GPS) measure, and the data concerning the location of the selected receiver represents a second GPS measure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first processor is the same as the second processor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the alert includes a signal containing at least the information provided by the interface identifying the current location of the object.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the signal also contains information identifying the object.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the output device includes a telephonic device for communicating the signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object is a vehicle.

9. Apparatus for use in an object for securing the object comprising:

a processor for determining whether the object has been moved from a predetermined location;

an interface for providing information concerning a current location of the object;

a memory inside the object for storing data concerning locations of a plurality of entities;

a controller inside the object responsive to the information for selecting an entity based on a location of the selected entity relative to the current location of the object when it is determined that the vehicle has been moved from the predetermined location, the location of the selected entity being derived from the data in the memory; and

an output device for communicating to the selected entity at least second data identifying the current location of the object.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the information represents a GPS measure.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second data is derived from the information.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second data includes street information.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein an identity of the object is also communicated to the selected entity.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the data concerning the locations of the plurality of entities represents GPS measures.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the selected entity includes a security service.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the output device includes a telephonic device.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a transmitter for generating a predetermined signal for tracking the object.

18. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the object is a vehicle.

19. A method for use in an apparatus inside an object for detecting a removal of the object, the apparatus including a memory and a processor therein, the method comprising:

storing in the memory information identifying a location of the object;

in response to the information, determining whether the object has been moved from a predetermined location;

providing data concerning locations of a plurality of receivers, respectively;

selecting by the processor one of the receivers based on at least a comparison of information identifying a current location of the object with data from the memory concerning a location of the selected receiver when it is determined that the object has been moved from the predetermined location; and

transmitting an alert to the selected receiver.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the interface is connected to a navigation device.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the information identifying the current location of the object represents a first GPS measure, and the data concerning the location of the selected receiver represents a second GPS measure.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the object is a vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the alert includes a signal containing at least the information.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the signal also contains information identifying the object.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising communicating the signal using a telephonic device.

26. A method for use in an apparatus inside an object for securing the object, the apparatus including a memory and a processor therein, the method comprising:

determining whether the object has been moved from a predetermined location;

providing information concerning a current location of the object;

storing in the memory data concerning locations of a plurality of entities;

in response to the information, selecting by the processor an entity based on a location of the selected entity relative to the current location of the object when it is determined that the object has been moved from the predetermined location, the location of the selected entity being derived from the data in the memory; and

communicating to the selected entity at least second data identifying the current location of the object.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the information represents a GPS measure.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the second data is derived from the information.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the second data includes street information.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein an identity of the object is also communicated to the selected entity.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the data concerning the locations of the plurality of entities represents GPS measures.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein the selected entity includes a security service.

33. The method of claim 26 further comprising generating a predetermined signal for tracking the object.

34. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the object is a vehicle.