Multimode vehicle location device and method
First Claim
1. An electronic device for directing a user to a parked vehicle, comprising:
- an interface configured to receive photographic information concerning vehicle location from the vehicle;
a display for presenting return-to-vehicle (RTV) information to the user;
a memory;
a controller coupled to the interface, the memory and the display, the controller configured to store the photographic information in the memory and present at least a portion of the photographic information on the display in response to a RTV request by the user.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user carried electronic device and method therefore is provided for directing the user to a parked vehicle using several modes of operation. The device includes a display, a memory, an interface for receiving information downloads from the vehicle and a controller coupled thereto for managing operation of the device. The controller stores the downloaded information in the memory and presents RETURN-TO-VEHICLE information on the display in response to a user request. The downloaded information desirably includes photographic information concerning the parked vehicle'"'"'s environment obtained by vehicle camera(s) or otherwise. Vehicle location information and vehicle location accuracy information may be included. The device desirably includes location tracking elements that, when operating, provide graphical directions back to the vehicle based on vehicle location information in the download. Photo images of the vehicle environment can be included and are presented automatically when the device tracking and/or vehicle location information is not reliable.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An electronic device for directing a user to a parked vehicle, comprising:
-
an interface configured to receive photographic information concerning vehicle location from the vehicle; a display for presenting return-to-vehicle (RTV) information to the user; a memory; a controller coupled to the interface, the memory and the display, the controller configured to store the photographic information in the memory and present at least a portion of the photographic information on the display in response to a RTV request by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of providing information useful in helping a user carrying a portable device to return to a parked vehicle, the method comprising:
-
taking photos with a camera of the vehicle environment in the vicinity of the parked location; downloading using a controller, to the portable device, the photos of the vehicle environment in the vicinity of the parked location; generating a return-to-vehicle (RTV) request in response to the user activating a button on the portable device; and displaying to the user at a display on the portable device, images based at least in part on the photos of the vehicle environment in the vicinity of the parked location in response to the return-to-vehicle (RTV) request. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A multi-mode electronic device configured to be carried on a user'"'"'s person for directing the user to a parked vehicle, the electronic device comprising:
-
an interface in the device configured to receive vehicle location information and vehicle environment image information from the vehicle; a display in the device for presenting return-to-vehicle (RTV) information to the user; one or more location tracking elements in the device adapted to track movement of the device from the vehicle; a controller and memory in the device, coupled to the one or more location tracking elements, the interface and the display, wherein the controller is configured to; store in the memory, vehicle location information and vehicle environment image information received via the interface; update current device location information by combining location information received from the vehicle with information derived from the one or more location tracking elements for movement of the device from the vehicle after it is parked, to provide a current device location relative to the parked vehicle location; and in response to a RETURN-TO-VEHICLE (RTV) assistance request from the user, present on the display image information, location information or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification