Vehicle location system

• US 6,363,324 B1
• Filed: 06/17/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: David M. Hildebrant
• Inventors: Hildebrant, David M
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THU V
• Application Number:
  US09/596,301
• Time in Patent Office: 647 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/200, 701/206-209, 701/211, 701/213-216, 342/350-352, 342/357-1-3, 342/357-7-3, 342/357-1-3, 342/450-451, 342/454-458, 342/462-465, 340/425--42, 340/435-436, 340/474, 340/825.06, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/311.1, 340/313, 340/328-330, 340/815.4
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/51 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0284 Relative positioning

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A system for locating an object using the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS), said system comprising:

a) a locator unit connected to the object, said locator unit including;

i) a first processor;

ii) a first transmitter for transmitting a location request signal to the GPS; and

iii) a first receiver for receiving a location signal from the GPS indicative of the location of the locator unit and providing the location signal to said first processor for storage; and

b) a hand held remote unit for determining a position of said locator unit relative to a position of said remote unit, said remote unit including;

i) a second processor;

ii) a second transmitter for transmitting a position request signal to the GPS;

iii) a second receiver for receiving a position signal from the GPS generated in response to receipt of the position request signal by the GPS, said position signal being provided to said second processor for storage;

iv) means connected to said second processor for generating a request signal requesting said location signal from said locator unit; and

v) said locator unit retrieving said location signal from said first processor upon receipt of said request signal and transmitting said location signal to said remote unit, whereby upon receipt of said location signal said second processor compares said location signal to said position signal to determine a relative position of said locator unit with respect to said remote unit; and

vi) indicator means connected to said second processor for displaying a visual signal and issuing an audio signal to indicate the relative position of said locator unit to said remote unit, said indicator means including a display with directional arrows to show a direction to said locator unit and an area on said display to indicate by color the relative altitudes of the locator unit and the remote unit.

2. The object locator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said object is a vehicle and said first processor is connected to an ignition system of said vehicle, said first processor controlling said first transmitter to transmit said location request signal automatically upon detecting the ignition system has been turned off.

3. The object locator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote unit is in the shape of a key ring.

4. The object locator system as recited in claim 1, wherein altitude is indicated by an LED, said LED being illuminated in a first color when said second processor determines said remote unit is at a higher altitude than said locator unit and said LED being illuminated in a second color when said second processor determines said remote unit is at a lower altitude than said locator unit.

5. The object locator system as recited in claim 4, wherein said LED remains unilluminated when said second processor determines said remote unit is at a same altitude as said locator unit.

6. The object locator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote unit transmits said request signal at predetermined intervals to said locator unit after activation of said generating means for updating the position of said locator unit with respect to the remote unit.

7. The method of locating an automotive vehicle in an area crowded with automotive vehicles comprising the steps of;

a) mounting in said vehicle a locator unit, said locator unit including a first GPS device to obtain location information;

b) programming said first GPS device to be activated upon a user parking said vehicle and turning off ignition in said vehicle, said locator unit storing location information comprising latitude, longitude, and altitude of said vehicle obtained by said first GPS device;

c) said user leaving said vehicle and carrying a remote unit including a second GPS device to obtain location information, a first button to activate said second GPS device to obtain and store location information including latitude, longitude and altitude of said remote unit and a second button to obtain access to the latitude, longitude and altitude information stored in said locator unit;

d) upon returning to said area to locate said vehicle, said user pushing said first button to obtain a location of said remote unit;

e) pushing said second button to obtain location information of said vehicle;

f) said remote unit automatically comparing the two locations, displaying a direction to move to approach said vehicle, and issuing an audible signal which indicates the distance between said remote unit and said locator unit, and displaying any difference in altitude.