Patent ID: 6407698
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method for facilitating returning to a parked vehicle location using a single global positioning system, comprising:sensing an occurrence that indicates that a vehicle has gone to a parked state, and upon said sensing a signaller wirelessly sending an activation signal, said occurrence selected from the group consisting of turning a vehicle interior light on or off, turning an engine on or off, opening or closing a door, and shifting a gear shift to the park position from another position, and; responsive to receiving the wireless activation signal at a portable locator device, obtaining first position information for the portable locator device at the time of receipt of the wireless activation signal by accessing a global positioning system from the portable locator, storing the first position information for the portable locator device for later use in a memory onboard the portable locator device, and upon the portable locator device receiving a user request for locating the vehicle, obtaining second position information for the portable locator, obtaining the bearing information of the portable locator, comparing the second position information and bearing with the stored first position information, and determining bearing and distance to the first position location with respect to the second position location.