Compass based car locator

• US 7,911,337 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: King, Ronald O., Luo, Yi, Nantz, John, Ghabra, Riad
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US12/044,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 34042619-42636, 34053911-53921, 340988-990, 340/932.2, 701200-213, 701/302, 342/357.07, 342/457, 333/52
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A remote keyless entry system is provided comprising a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system. The handheld remote keyless entry transmitter comprises an integrated electronic compass element and logic adapted to store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination. The logic further is adapted to display a return compass direction and a return distance from the car based entry system when activated leaving the destination.

Claims

1. A remote keyless entry system comprising:

a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system, said handheld remote keyless entry transmitter comprising;

an integrated electronic compass element; and

logic adapted to;

store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination;

display a return compass direction when activated leaving said destination;

display a return distance from said car based entry system;

wherein said return distance is based on signal strength from said car based entry system;

store a plurality of journey segments, each journey segment comprising;

a stored step compass direction, and

a stored step distance from said car based entry system; and

calculate a return trip comprising for each journey segment;

a step return compass direction; and

a step return distance; and

display sequentially each journey segment when leaving said destination.

2. The remote keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein said signal strength from said car based entry system is determined from signals exchanged between said handheld remote keyless entry transmitter and said car based entry system.

3. The remote keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein said first compass direction is stored upon activating door locks.

4. The remote keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein said return distance is adjusted based on a pedometer count.

5. The remote keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein said integrated electronic compass element comprises a self leveling electronic compass.

6. The remote keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein said return compass direction comprises a reverse of said first compass direction.

7. A vehicle location system comprising:

a handheld remote comprising;

an integrated compass element; and

logic adapted to;

store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination;

calculate and display a return compass direction and a return distance to the vehicle when activated leaving said destination; and

wherein said logic is further adapted to;

store a plurality of journey segments, each journey segment comprising;

a stored step compass direction; and

a stored step distance; and

calculate and display a return trip comprising for each journey segment;

a step reverse compass direction; and

a step reverse distance.

8. A vehicle location system as described in claim 7, wherein said integrated compass element comprises an electric compass.

9. A vehicle location system as described in claim 7, wherein said return distance is based on the strength of a signal emanating from the vehicle.

10. A vehicle location system as described in claim 7, wherein said return distance is based on a pedometer count.

11. A vehicle location system as described in claim 7, wherein said integrated compass element comprises a self leveling compass.

12. A method of locating a parked vehicle comprising:

storing a first compass direction of an integrated electronic compass element positioned within a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter within a memory of the handheld remote keyless entry transmitter, the first compass direction being stored upon said handheld remote keyless entry transmitter being activated when directed towards a destination, said handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system;

the handheld remote keyless entry transmitter calculating and displaying a return compass direction and return distance from said car based entry system upon said handheld remote keyless entry transmitter being activated when leaving said destination;

wherein the handheld remote keyless entry transmitter calculates said return distance based on a pedometer count of a pedometer positioned within the handheld remote keyless entry transmitter;

storing a plurality of journey segments, each journey segment comprising;

a stored step compass direction; and

a stored step distance; and

calculating and displaying a return trip comprising for each journey segment;

a step reverse compass direction; and

a step reverse distance.

13. A method as described in claim 12, wherein said return distance is adjusted based on signal strength from said car based entry system.

14. A method as described in claim 12, wherein said integrated electronic compass element comprises a self leveling electronic compass.

15. A method as described in claim 12, wherein said first compass direction is stored upon activating door locks.