Abstract:
A method for locating a desired device by a position detection module residing on a portable computing device. The method includes: receiving, by the position detection module, a communication signal over a communication link from the a desired device; correlating, by the position detection module, a position of the desired device with respect to the portable computing device, wherein the correlating is based in part of a characteristic of the communication signal; and outputting, by the position detection module, a signal detection alert, wherein the signal detection alert indicates a location from which the communication signal originated. The desired device may be a vehicle or a vehicular key fob.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to locating an automotive key fob a portable computing device, and/or a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to locating a desired device, such as the automotive key fob, the portable computing device or the vehicle, by analyzing a signal received from the desired device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0003]    Many vehicle owners have experienced the frantic search resulting from a misplaced vehicle key fob. While various devices may be available to detect the position of a misplaced key fob, such devices may rely on separate communication links and may require the user to utilize a separate dedicated device. 
         [0004]    It is generally known that a user may gain access of the vehicle without the key fob by way of a portable computing device, such as a smartphone. More particularly, the vehicle, the key fob, and the portable device wirelessly communicate with one another via a communication link. Once within communication range, the key fob and/or the portable computing device can be utilized to perform various operations of the vehicle, such as remote start, passive entry, passive start, and/or locking/unlocking doors. While the key fob and the portable computing device may be out of communication range with the vehicle, the key fob and the portable computing device may continue to communicate with one another via the established wireless communication link. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure provides for a method for locating a desired device by a position detection module. The position detection module may reside on a portable computing device, such as a smartphone. The method includes receiving a communication signal over a communication link from the desired device. The method further includes correlating a position of the desired device with respect to the portable computing device. Specifically, using known signal localization techniques, the correlation can be based in part of a characteristic of the communication signal. Based on the correlation, the method further includes outputting a signal detection alert, which generally indicates a location from which the communication signal originated. The desired device may be a key fob and/or a vehicle, which may transmit a signal to the portable computing device. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a key fob may include a position detection module. The position detection module locates a desired device based on a signal received from the desired device. The position detection module analyzes a characteristic of the signal received from the desired device and correlates a position of the desired device based on the characteristic analyzed. The desired device may include a portable computing device and/or a vehicle. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the present disclosure a vehicle may include a position detection module. The position detection module locates a desired device based on a signal received from the desired device. The position detection module analyzes a characteristic of the signal received from the desired device and correlates a position of the desired device based on the characteristic analyzed. The desired device may include a portable computing device and/or a key fob. 
         [0009]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates communication between a vehicle, a portable computing device, and a key fob via a wireless communication link; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an example block diagram of the key fob; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an example block diagram of the portable computing device having a position detection module; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an example block diagram of the position detection module; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a gauge of the portable computing device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an example method for initiating a locator function performed by the position detection module; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an example method for locating a desired device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8 . is an example block diagram of the key fob having a portable detection module; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an example block diagram of the vehicle having a portable detection module. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  12 , a key fob  14 , and a portable computing device  16  (“portable device” hereinafter) may transmit and/or receive data signals with one another via a wireless communication link. For example, the wireless communication link may include the Bluetooth wireless technology standard (e.g., low energy feature of Bluetooth 4.0), a WiFi network connection, or other suitable wireless connections. 
         [0022]    The vehicle  12  may include a communication module  18  which transmits and receives information from devices external of the vehicle  12 , such as the key fob  14  and the portable device  16 . The communication module  18  may include a wireless transceiver, one or more antennas disposed along the vehicle  12 , and a microcontroller. The communication module  18  may transmit and receive data from other modules within the vehicle by way of a vehicle communication network. The vehicle communication network may include CAN, LIN, or other suitable vehicle networks. 
         [0023]    As used herein, the term module may refer to, be part of, or include an application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); an electronic circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; other suitable components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above. The term module may further include memory that stores code executed by the processor, where code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and/or objects. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example of the key fob  14  is presented. The key fob  14  may include a communication module  20 , one or more functional buttons  22 , and a control module  24 . The communication module  20  may include a transceiver, such as a Bluetooth transceiver or a radio frequency transceiver. The communication module  20  transmits and receives signals from external devices such as the vehicle  12  and the portable device  16 . 
         [0025]    The functional buttons  22  cause the key fob  14  to transmit a signal to carry out a particular function designated by the button when the functional button is operated by a user. For example, when an unlock button is operated, the key fob  14  transmits a signal via the communication module  20  to the vehicle  12  to unlock the doors of the vehicle  12 . The key fob  14  may include functional buttons associated with doors lock/unlock, remote start, alarm, trunk open/close, lift gate open/close, windows open/close. 
         [0026]    The control module  24  communicates with the functional buttons  22  and the communication module  20 . For example, when a given functional button  22  is operated, the control module  24  may receive an input from the given functional button  22  and instruct the communication module  20  to transmit a signal to the vehicle  12  in order to carry out the particular function. When the communication module  20  receives a signal from an external device, the control module  24  may analyze the signal to identify the external device and determine whether a response is needed. For example, if the communication module  20  receives a communication request from the portable device  16 , the control module  24  may have the communication module  20  transmit a signal to the portable device  16 . 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , an example of the portable device  16  is now described. The portable device  16  may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, or other suitable computing devices which can be carried by a user. The portable device  16  may include a communication module  26  and a user interface  28 . The communication module  26  may include a wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth transceiver and/or a radio frequency transceiver. The communication module  26  transmits and receives signals from external devices such as the vehicle  12  and the key fob  14 . The user interface  28  may include a touch screen, buttons, a speaker, and/or a microphone. While the present disclosure discusses primary components of the portable device  16  and the key fob  14 , it is understood that other components may be needed for the overall operation of the portable device  16  and/or the key fob  14  such as a power supply. 
         [0028]    The portable device  16  may include a position detection module (“PDM” in drawings)  30  for locating a desired device, such as the key fob  14 . More particularly, the position detection module  30 , which may be an application stored on the portable device  16 , performs as a locator for detecting the position of a desired device. For example, the user of a vehicle  12 , such as the owner, may misplace the key fob  14 . The position detection module  30  aids the user in locating the misplaced key fob  14  via signals received from the key fob  14 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a functional block diagram of the position detection module  30  is presented. The position detection module  30  includes a localization module  32  and a notification module  34 . The localization module  32  analyzes selected signals received by the communication module  26  of the portable device  16  to generally locate the origin of the signal. More particularly, the localization module  32  analyzes signals from the desired device to determine the positional relationship of the desired device with respect to the position detection module  30 , or, in other words, the portable device  16 . 
         [0030]    The localization module  32  may filter the signals from the desired device from other signals received by the communication module  26 . The localization module  32  may initiate communication with the desired device by having the communication module  26  transmit a signal to the desired device. Once a signal from the desired device is received, the localization module  32  may analyze the signal to localize the position of the desired device. Specifically, using known signal localization techniques, the localization module  32  analyzes one or more characteristics of the signal. For example, the localization module  32  may employ received signal strength indicator (RSSI), time of arrival (TOA), and/or angle of arrival (AOA) for analyzing the signal from the desired device. 
         [0031]    Under RSSI, the position detection module  30  determines the strength of a signal that is received by the communication module  26  from a transmitting device, such as the desired device. The strength of the signal increases as the distance between the position detection module  30  and the transmitting device decreases. Conversely, the strength of the signal decreases as the distance between the position detection module  30  and the transmitting device decreases. 
         [0032]    Under TOA, the time at which the signal is received can be used to determine the general location of the transmitting device. For example, the time at which a signal is transmitted from the transmitting device and then received by the position detection module  30  decreases as the distance between the position detection module  30  and the transmitting device decreases. On the other hand, the time increases as the distance between the position detection module  30  and the transmitting device increases. 
         [0033]    Under AOA, the position detection module  30  analyzes the signal to determine the angle at which the signal is received. Based on the angle, the direction from which the signal originated from can be determined. In other words, the location of the transmitting device is determined relative to the position detection module  30 . While the example embodiment discloses using RSSI, TOA, and/or AOA for locating the origin of the signal, it is understood that other localization algorithms may be used, such as time delay of arrival (TDOA), time of flight (TOF), etc. 
         [0034]    As the localization module  32  analyzes the signals, the notification module  34  provides an alert to the user to guide the user toward the desired device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5 , the notification module  34  may display a gauge  36  that generally reflects the position of the desired device relative to the portable device  16  based on the analysis performed by the localization module  32 . For example, the gauge  36  may depict the strength of the signals being received from the desired device. As the portable device  16  moves toward the desired device, the gauge  36  would indicate an increase in signal strength, and as the portable device  16  moves away from the desired device, the gauge  36  would indicate a decrease in signal strength. Accordingly, the user is directed toward the desired device, such as the key fob  14 , via the position detection module  30  by the change in signal strength. 
         [0035]    While the gauge  36  is provided as displaying the change in signal strength, it is readily understood that the gauge  36  can display other characteristics of the signals. For example, using TOA or AOA, the gauge  36  may be a compass or arrows that direct the user toward the desired device. The gauge  36  may also be a thermal map which highlights the position of the desired device. 
         [0036]    In addition to or in lieu of the gauge  36 , the notification module  34  may emit a sound, provide a haptic feedback, or provide other suitable notifications based on the analysis performed by the localization module  32 . For example, the notification module  34  may increase the tempo of a sound, which can be emitted by an audio system of the portable device  16 , as the position detection module  30  moves closer to the desired device and decrease the tempo of the sound as the position detection module  30  moves away from the desired device. Furthermore, if the portable device  16  has a haptic feedback system, the notification module  34  may provide, for example, a vibration pulse which varies based on the position of the desired device relative to the position detection module  30 . 
         [0037]    The notification module  34  may also display a button for activating and deactivating the locator. For example, the notification module  34  may display a start button  38  (“Locate Keys” in  FIG. 5 ) and an end button  40 . In the example embodiment, when the start button  38  is operated, the localization module  32  begins to analyze the signals received from the key fob  14 , and the notification module  34  begins to display the gauge  36  and/or emit a sound which reflects a general location or direction of the key fob  14 . When operated by the user, the end button  40  deactivates the locator, such that localization module  32  stops analyzing the signals being received and the notification module  34  turns off the gauge  36 . While the example embodiment depicts buttons  38 ,  40  for activating or deactivating the locator, other suitable methods may be used to activate and deactivate the locator. For example, the locator may be activated and deactivated by a voice command, a predefined movement of the portable device, etc. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart of an example method  100  for initiating the locator to find the desired device is now described. The position detection module  30  may perform the method  100 . At  102 , the position detection module  30  determines whether the locator has been activated. For example, the position detection module  30  may detect that the start button  38  displayed on the portable device  16  has been operated by the user. If the locator has been activated, the position detection module  30  performs a localization process at  104 . If the locator has not been activated, the position detection module  30  remains at  102 . 
         [0039]    At  104  the position detection module  30  performs the localization process which is described in detail below. At  106  the position detection module  30  determines whether the locator should be deactivated. For example, when the user operates the end button  40 , the position detection module  30  determines that the locator should be deactivated or turned off. Accordingly, if the position detection module  30  determines that the locator should be deactivated, the position detection module  30  stops the locator at  108 . Specifically, the position detection module  30  stops performing the localization process. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a flowchart of an example method  200  of the localization process performed at  104  of method  100  is presented. The position detection module  30  performs method  200  until the locator is stopped as determined in method  100 . At  202 , the position detection module  30  determines whether a signal is received from the desired device, such as the key fob  14 . For example, the position detection module  30  may receive various signals via the communication module  26 . The position detection module  30  may identify the device that transmitted the signal by way of, for example, a key code or encryption. If a signal has been received from the desired device, the position detection module  30  continues to  204 . If a signal has not been received from the desired device, the position detection module  30  continues to  206 . 
         [0041]    At  206 , the position detection module  30  transmits a signal to the desired device via the communication module  26 . Specifically, the position detection module  30  initiates communication with the desired device which may be waiting for a communication request. At  208 , the position detection module  30  determines whether a signal has been received from the desired device. More particularly, after sending the communication request, the position detection module  30  waits for a reply from the desired device. If a signal has been received, the position detection module continues to  204 . If a signal has not been received, the position detection module  30  retransmits a signal to the desired device at  206 . The position detection module  30  may also notify the user via the user interface  28  that the desired device has not been detected in the area. In other words, it is possible that the desired device may be far from the portable device  16 , such that the portable device  16  and the desired device are not in communication via the wireless communication link. Accordingly, the user may be advised to move to a different location. 
         [0042]    At  204 , the position detection module  30  analyzes the signal received via a localization technique to determine a positional relationship of the position detection module  30  and the desired device. For example, the position detection module  30  may analyze the signal using RSSI, TOA, and/or AOA, to determine the origin of the signal. After analyzing the signal, the position detection module  30  outputs an alert based on the signal analysis at  210 . For example, the position detection module  30  may display the gauge  36 , emit a sound, and/or provide other suitable alerts/notification. The position detection module  30  returns to  202  to continue analyzing the signals received from the desired device until the locator is deactivated, as determined at  106  by the method  100 . 
         [0043]    In the example embodiment, the position detection module  30  is disposed on the portable device  16  to locate the desired device, such as the key fob  14  and/or vehicle. The position detection module  30  may also be integrated with the key fob  14  and/or the vehicle  12 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 8 , the key fob  14  may include a locator button  50  as part of the one or more functional buttons  22 . The key fob  14  further includes a control module  52  which includes the position detection module  30 . When the locator button  50  is operated, the control module  52  has the position detection module  30  locate the desired device. The key fob  14  may include an audio system  54  which emits a sound. Accordingly, the notification module  34  of the position detection module  30  may output the alert in the form of a sound via the audio system  54  as the localization module  32  performs the signal analysis. 
         [0044]    With the position detection module  30  disposed with the key fob  14 , the position detection module  30  performs the methods  100  and  200  for locating the desired device. For example, at  102  of method  100 , the position detection module  30  may determine that the locator has been activated when the locator button  50  is operated, and, at  106 , may determine that the locator is deactivated when the locator button  50  is operated again. 
         [0045]    While the example embodiment discloses locating the key fob  14  or the portable device  16 , the position detection module  30  may also locate the position of the vehicle  12 . Specifically, if the portable device  16  is in close proximity to the vehicle  12 , the portable device  16  can locate the vehicle  12  by analyzing the signals received from the vehicle  12 . For example, it is common for users to forget the exact location of his/her vehicle in a parking lot or parking structure. The position detection module  30  may assist the user in locating the vehicle  12  by analyzing signals received from the vehicle  12  in a similar manner as described above with regard to the key fob  14 . 
         [0046]    The position detection module  30  of the portable device  16  may distinguish between locating the key fob  14  and locating the vehicle  12  using various suitable methods. For example, the notification module  34  may display one start button for locating the key fob  14  and one start button for locating the vehicle  12 . Alternatively, when the start button is operated, the user may be asked to select the desired device as either the key fob  14  or the vehicle  12 . Similarly, the position detection module  30  provided on the key fob  14  may also be configured to locate the vehicle  12 . 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , the vehicle  12  may also include the position detection module  30  which may receive signals from the key fob  14  and/or the portable device  16 . The position detection module  30  disposed in the vehicle  12  may be used to locate the key fob  14  and/or portable device  16 . For example, the position detection module  30  may be communicably coupled to an audio-visual system  60  and the communication module  18  of the vehicle  12 . The user may be able to request the position detection module  30  to locate the key fob  14  and/or the portable device  16  via a menu being displayed on a display (e.g., liquid crystal display) of the audio-visual system  60  or a voice command received via of the audio-visual system  60 . The notification module  34  of the position detection module  30  may output the alert in the form of a sound and/or graphical representation via the of the audio-visual system  60  as the localization module  32  performs the signal analysis. 
         [0048]    With the position detection module  30  disposed in the vehicle  12 , the position detection module  30  performs the methods  100  and  200  for locating the desired device. For example, at  102  of method  100 , the position detection module  30  may determine that the locator has been activated or deactivated when a button displayed by the audio-visual system  60  is operated or when a voice command is received via the audio-visual system  60 . 
         [0049]    By utilizing the data signals being transmitted and/or received between the key fob  14 , the portable device  16 , and the vehicle  12 , the position detection module  30  is able to determine the position of one device relative to the other device by analyzing the signals being received. Since the portable device  16  and the key fob  14  are typically located in close proximity of one another, the portable device  16  is able to receive and analyze the signals from the key fob  14  to determine the location of the key fob  14  relative to the portable device  16 . Similarly, the key fob  14  and the vehicle  12  may also locate each other and/or the portable device  16 . 
         [0050]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0051]    Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
         [0052]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.