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Mobile Control Node System and Method for Vehicles

  • US 20100171642A1
  • Filed: 06/19/2008
  • Published: 07/08/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicular locating system, comprising:

  • a first data processor and transceiver unit (628) for mounting in a vehicle (630);

    a mobile device (624), the mobile device having a second data processor and transceiver unit (708, 712) capable of wireless bi-directional communication with the first data processor and transceiver unit (628), and a user interface system (716) operatively connected to the second data processor and transceiver unit (708, 712); and

    characterized in that the first data processor and transceiver unit (628) and the second processor and transceiver unit (708, 712) interoperate to determine a series of estimates of the range between the vehicle (630) and the mobile device (624) by measuring the time of flight for radio communications between the vehicle (630) and the mobile device (624), and in that the mobile device (624) further includes a sensor (724) for detecting travel of mobile device 624 and a compass element (728) for detecting the direction of the movement of mobile device (624), the sensor (724) and compass element (728) being operatively connected to the second data processor and transceiver unit (708, 712) to produce estimates of the travel of the mobile device and wherein, as a user moves with the mobile device (624), at least one of the first and second data processor and transceiver units combining the determined travel of the mobile device (624) with the series of estimates of the range between the vehicle (630) and the mobile device (624) to produce an estimated range and bearing from the mobile device (624) to the vehicle (630).

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