Tuesday, July 10, 2007

United States Patent 7,242,321
New , et al. July 10, 2007

Key fob with directional vehicle locator

Abstract

A system for locating a vehicle includes a hand-held unit with data transceiver operation to generate a location request signal. The system also includes a location element in the vehicle, which is operative upon receipt of the location request signal to determine a location of the vehicle relative to the hand-held unit. The locator element in the vehicle sends an indication of the location to the vehicle. The data transceiver in the hand-held unit is further operative to receive the indication of the location of the vehicle and to send the indication to a location indicator. Upon receipt of the indication of the location, the location indicator alerts an operator of the hand-held unit.


Inventors: New; David (Ann Arbor, MI), Carle; Keith B (Howell, MI), Borkowicz; Neil L (Plymouth, MI)
Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation (Auburn Hills, MI)
Appl. No.: 11/115,614
Filed: April 27, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 340/988 ; 340/426.22; 340/539.11; 342/357.07; 342/457; 701/200; 701/302
Current International Class: G08G 1/123 (20060101)
Field of Search: 340/426.22,426.36,988,989,995.26,995.27,539.11 342/357.07,457 701/200,302


References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents







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Apsell et al.

6363324
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Hildebrant

6405125
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Ayed

6489921
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Wilkinson

6529142
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Yeh et al.

6791477
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Sari et al.

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Armstrong et al.

Primary Examiner: Hofsass; Jeffery
Assistant Examiner: Walk; Samuel J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Smith; Ralph E.

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