Patent ID: 7145507
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: B60R,G01S

Abstract:
1. A vehicle locating system for directing a user to a remotely-located vehicle, comprising: a vehicle-mounted location unit including a first global positioning receiver for receiving satellite location signals, wherein said first global positioning receiver operates at a duty cycle sufficient to maintain predetermined aiding data, wherein said vehicle-mounted location unit processes vehicle location data, and wherein said vehicle-mounted location unit further includes a first local data transceiver for transmitting said predetermined aiding data; and a portable fob including a second global positioning receiver for receiving said satellite location signals, wherein said second global positioning receiver operates substantially only when said user initiates a request for directions to said vehicle, wherein said portable fob further includes a second local data transceiver for receiving said predetermined aiding data from said first local data transceiver when within reception range of said first local data transceiver, and wherein said portable fob processes fob location data in response to said predetermined aiding data; wherein said fob location data is transmitted from said second local data transceiver to said first local data transceiver, wherein said vehicle-mounted location unit determines a bearing in response to said fob location data and said vehicle location data determined concurrently, and wherein said bearing is transmitted from said first local data transceiver to said second local data transceiver.