Electronic car locator

• US 6,590,534 B1
• Filed: 12/16/2000
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kroll Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Kroll Family Trust
• Inventors: Kroll, Mark W., Kroll, Karl J. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US09/739,470
• Time in Patent Office: 934 Days
• Field of Search: 342/442, 342/419, 342/457
• US Class Current: 342/442
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/49 whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/48 the waves arriving at the antennas being continuous or intermittent and the phase difference of signals derived therefrom being measured
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0063 of measured values, i.e. measurement on base station and position calculation on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders

Abstract

A method of using radio frequency communications is taught for location of an automobile for the convenience of the owner. In addition, a method of using magnetic dead reckoning is taught. Methods and apparatus using cellular phones are taught.

Claims

1. A personal vehicle cooperative location system comprising a first unit mounted within or about the personal vehicle further comprising a power source operably connected to a radio frequency source which is operably connected to an antenna and a second unit which is handheld and housed with a personal data assistant further comprising a power source operably connected to at least two radio frequency amplifiers which receive signals from at least two radio frequency antennae which amplifiers'"'"' outputs are operably connected to phase detection circuitry configured to calculate the angle from the second unit main axis to the first unit so that an operator may use the second unit to find the direction to the first unit mounted within or about the personal vehicle.

2. A personal vehicle cooperative location system comprising a first unit mounted with a rearview mirror of a personal vehicle further comprising a power source operably connected to a radio frequency source which is operably connected to an antenna and a second unit which is handheld further comprising a power source operably connected to at least two radio frequency amplifiers which receive signals from at least two radio frequency antennae which amplifiers'"'"' outputs are operably connected to phase detection circuitry configured to calculate the angle from the second unit main axis to the first unit so that an operator may use the second unit to find the direction to the first unit mounted within or about the personal vehicle.

3. A personal vehicle cooperative location system comprising a first unit mounted within or about the personal vehicle further comprising a power source operably connected to a radio frequency source which is operably connected to an antenna and a second unit which is handheld further comprising a power source operably connected to at least two radio frequency amplifiers which receive signals from at least two radio frequency antennae which amplifiers'"'"' outputs are operably connected to phase detection circuitry configured to calculate the angle from the second unit main axis to the first unit so that an operator may use the second unit to find the direction to the first unit mounted within or about the personal vehicle and pressure sensors associated with each of the first and second unit to estimate the number of floors of height between them.

4. A method of locating an operator'"'"'s personal vehicle comprising the steps of:

placing a radio frequency transmitter within or about the vehicle, providing a source of power to the transmitter, carrying a handheld phase sensitive multiple antenna receiver housed with a personal data assistant, holding the receiver in front of the operator'"'"'s body, calculating a direction to the vehicle from the phase relationships between the multiple antenna signals, and indicating the approximate bearing to the vehicle.

5. A method of locating an operator'"'"'s personal vehicle comprising the steps of:

placing a radio frequency transmitter within the vehicle on or about the rearview mirror, providing a source of power to the transmitter, carrying a handheld phase sensitive multiple antenna receiver, holding the receiver in front of the operator'"'"'s body, calculating a direction to the vehicle from the phase relationships between the multiple antenna signals, and indicating the approximate bearing to the vehicle.

6. A method of locating an operator'"'"'s personal vehicle comprising the steps of:

placing a radio frequency transmitter within or about the vehicle, providing a source of power to the transmitter, carrying a handheld phase sensitive multiple antenna receiver, holding the receiver in front of the operator'"'"'s body, calculating a direction to the vehicle from the phase relationships between the multiple antenna signals, indicating the approximate bearing to the vehicle, having the first and second unit each use a pressure sensor to estimate the number of floors of height between them.

7. A method of locating an operator'"'"'s personal vehicle comprising the steps of:

placing a radio frequency transmitter within or about the vehicle, providing a source of power to the transmitter using at least one solar cell, carrying a handheld phase sensitive multiple antenna receiver housed with a personal data assistant, holding the receiver in front of the operator'"'"'s body, calculating a direction to the vehicle from the phase relationships between the multiple antenna signals, and indicating the approximate bearing to the vehicle.