Musical key fob vehicle locator

• US 8,542,131 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deborah Michelle Jahn
• Original Assignee: Deborah Michelle Jahn
• Inventors: Jahn, Deborah Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US13/052,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20120235835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 340/989, 340/988, 340/937, 340/425.5, 340/426.13, 340/539.13, 340/539.26, 340/433, 701/485, 701/491
• US Class Current: 340/989
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator

Abstract

A musical key fob vehicle locator is disclosed that provides the ability to locate one'"'"'s vehicle audibly. The musical key fob vehicle locator provides a radiofrequency linked controller to a vehicle and contains a digital audio file system to play music, a song, a riff or other recorded music composed and performed by musicians using actual musical instruments to facilitate the recording. This approach provides a pleasant, personalized, and uniquely recognizable audio locator that reflects the taste, personality, and likes of the vehicle owner.

Claims

1. A musical key fob vehicle locator system for finding a vehicle in a parking area, the locator system comprising:

a portable radiofrequency controller for producing a cellular network frequency output;

a radiofrequency receiver operable on the cellular network frequency output of said portable radiofrequency controller and installed in a vehicle;

a digital audio file system wirelessly controlled by said portable radiofrequency controller through control signals output from said radiofrequency receiver and installed in a vehicle;

a digital audio file source that provides digital audio files to the digital audio file system;

an amplifier electrically coupled to an output of said digital audio file system and installed in a vehicle; and

a speaker electrically coupled to an output of said amplifier and installed in a vehicle.

2. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 wherein said digital audio file source is a non-volatile memory device.

3. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 wherein said digital audio file source is a magnetic storage device.

4. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 wherein said digital audio file source is an optical storage device.

5. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a door lock and unlock function.

6. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a trunk lock and unlock function.

7. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a panic button function.

8. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a volume control function.

9. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle start function.

10. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 further comprising a digital audio file control function.

11. The musical key fob locator system of claim 1 wherein said portable radiofrequency controller is a wireless communications device.

12. A method for locating a vehicle in a parking area comprising the steps of:

enabling a portable radiofrequency controller;

producing a cellular network signal at the portable radiofrequency controller;

receiving the produced cellular network signal at a radiofrequency receiver installed in a vehicle;

activating a digital audio file system play function by producing a control signal at the radiofrequency receiver installed in a vehicle upon receipt of the produced cellular network signal; and

disabling the digital audio file system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said portable radiofrequency controller is a wireless communications device.

14. A musical key fob vehicle locator system for finding a vehicle in a parking area, the locator system comprising:

a wireless communications device for producing information content comprising control signals contained within a radiofrequency output;

a cellular communications network for receiving said radiofrequency output and relaying the information content of said radiofrequency output;

a radiofrequency receiver for receiving said information content;

a digital audio file system wirelessly controlled by said wireless communications device through control signals output from said wireless communications device;

a digital audio file source that provides digital audio files to the digital audio file system;

an amplifier electrically coupled to an output of said digital audio file system; and

a speaker electrically coupled to an output of said amplifier.

15. The musical key fob locator system of claim 14 further comprising a volume control function.

16. The musical key fob locator system of claim 14 further comprising a digital audio file control function.

17. The musical key fob locator system of claim 14 further comprising a digital audio file transfer function.

18. The musical key fob locator system of claim 14 further comprising a digital audio file purchase function.