Abstract:
A vehicle locating system that includes a hand-held remote unit associated with a user and a locator unit associated with a vehicle. The locator unit utilizes a GPS to store a location of the vehicle. The remote unit is selected from the group laptop computer, key ring, GPS watch, cellular telephone and PDA, and it utilizes a GPS to store a location of the user. The remote unit queries the locator unit to obtain the location of the vehicle, and then compares the location of the vehicle to its own location, whereupon the remote unit displays a direction for the user to travel in order to reach the vehicle.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/596,301 filed on Jun. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,324 B1. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to location systems and, more specifically, to a system utilizing the global positioning satellite network to locate a vehicle when left in a parking lot or other crowded area. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Numerous types of location systems have been provided in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,280,293; 5,289,163; 5,594,425 and 5,612,688 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     A mobile direction finder for tracking a remote transmitter computes the transmitter direction relative to the direction finder and time-averages with reference to a datum derived from a predetermined orientation independent of the direction finder orientation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,163 
     Inventor: Carla D. Perez et al. 
     Issued: Feb. 22, 1994 
     A child position monitoring device monitors the position of a child by detecting the signal strength of a radio frequency carrier from a transmitter attached to the child. If the signal of the radio frequency carrier is too weak, the child is too far away from the adult who has the child positioning monitoring device. When this happens, the adult is informed that the child has wandered too far away through the use on an audio tone or through the use of vibrations coming from the device. Once the adult is notified that the child is too far away, the device also has a locating display for indicating the relative direction of the child with respect for the adult. The display uses eight LED&#39;s arranged around an emblem used to represent the position of the adult. The LED which lights up indicates the relative direction of the child. 
     A locator apparatus includes a receiver for receiving location information indicative of a location of the receiver. A memory is coupled to the receiver and stores the location information. A cellular transmitter is coupled to the memory and the receiver and transmits the location information to a second receiver. A data processing station processes the location information to determine the location of the receiver. 
     An apparatus for searching for a sensed object which is capable of immediately finding the direction in which a movable sensed object is present, from the contents displayed on an operation unit at hand. The searching apparatus includes a portable operation unit, an absolute direction sensor contained in the operation unit and generating an absolute direction sensor contained in the operation unit and generating an absolute direction signal which indicates an absolute direction, a removal sensor for automatically sensing a removal of the operation unit from the sensed object, a displacement sensor for sensing the state of displacement of the operation unit to generate displacement information, a controller generating direction indicating information which indicates the direction in which the sensed object is present, based on the displacement information and the absolute direction signal, a display for displaying contents of the direction indicating information; and a manual operation element for controlling the contents displayed on the display through the controller. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to location systems and, more specifically, to a system utilizing the global positioning satellite network to locate a vehicle when left in a parking lot or other crowded area. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system which is able to alert a user as to the location of a vehicle by providing a direction and relative altitude of the vehicle. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system which is able to utilize the Global Positioning Satellite System to obtain a location for the vehicle which, when compared to the location of the user holding a remote unit, provides a direction of travel for locating the vehicle. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle is equipped with a transmitter and receiver able to communicate with the Global Positioning Satellite System to determine a location for the vehicle. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system including a remote unit able to utilize the Global Positioning Satellite System to determine a location for the remote unit and communicate with the transmitter in the vehicle to determine a position for the vehicle relative to the remote unit. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the remote unit includes a plurality of indicator lights for indicating a direction in which the vehicle can be found. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the remote unit includes an indicator light for indicating an altitude level relative to the altitude of the remote unit at which the vehicle can be found such as when the vehicle is located on a different story of a parking lot from the user. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried to transmit the stored longitude, latitude and altitude information of the vehicle locator unit. 
     A Still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried to transmit longitude, latitude and altitude information using radio frequency (506 KHz−300 GHz). 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried using cellular radio systems, Doppler RF, RF Radio Waves, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Satellite Radio. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit can respond with the locator unit Latitude, Longitude and altitude to an interrogation request from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) interrogator. 
     Still yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit having an assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried using cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider (WSP). 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit assigned a unique identity can use the Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS-[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe, Asia]) to be wirelessly queried using the aforementioned cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider (WSP). 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the remote unit can initiate a wireless query to the vehicle locator unit to transmit longitude, latitude and altitude information. 
     A Still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit using radio frequency (500 KHz−300 GHz) to initiate a communication with the vehicle locator unit to transmit the stored longitude, latitude and altitude information 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit using plain old telephone system (POTS), and/or cellular radio systems, and/or Doppler RF, and/or RF Radio Waves, and/or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and/or Satellite Radio to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit using the Public Switched Telephone Network System (PSTN) or cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit using the Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS -[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe, Asia]) to initiate the transmission through a Wireless Service Provider (WSP) of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     A yet further object of the present-invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit having a facial visual direction system comprising a visual altitude indicator and a plurality of visual direction indicators. 
     A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit having the aforementioned visual direction system that can be incorporated into the face of an electronic device having a display unit. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit having the aforementioned visual direction system that can be incorporated into a cellular phones, Palm Pilots, PDA&#39;s, laptop computers or other mobile communication devices. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system having a remote unit having the aforementioned visual direction system that can be incorporated into a personal computer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locator system that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     A system for locating a vehicle using the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS). The system includes a locator unit and a remote unit. The locator unit is connected to the vehicle and includes a processor; a transmitter for obtaining a location from the GPS indicating the location of the vehicle; and a receiver for receiving the location signal from the GPS for storage in the processor. The remote unit includes a processor; a transmitter for obtaining a location from the GPS indicating the location of the remote unit; and a receiver for receiving the position signal from the GPS for storage in the processor. A device, connected to the processor, generates a request signal requesting the location of the locator unit; and a signal device relays a relative position of the locator unit to a user. Upon activation of the generating device the transmitter transmits the request signal to the locator unit. The locator unit retrieves and transmits the location signal to the remote unit in response thereto. Upon receipt of the location signal the processor of the remote unit compares the location signal to the position signal to determine a relative position of the locator unit with respect to the remote unit. The processor then controls the signal device to indicate the relative position of the locator unit. The signal device provides both an audible and visual indication to the user as to the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit. 
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a parking lot in which a user is attempting to locate a vehicle using the vehicle locator system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged top perspective view of the remote unit used with the vehicle locator system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged top perspective view of the locator unit positioned within the vehicle of the vehicle system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an another alternate remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a enlarged perspective view of an another alternate remote unit and locator unit of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 its a block diagram of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of alternate remote units of the vehicle locator system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the transmission methods of the vehicle locator system of the present invention and alternate remote devices. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the vehicle locator system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  vehicle locator system of the present invention 
       12  user attempting to locate a vehicle using vehicle locator system 
       13  vehicle desired to be located 
       14  parking lot in which vehicle is located 
       16  Global Positioning Satellite 
       18  vehicles in parking lot 
       20  remote unit of vehicle locator system 
       22  vehicle locator unit of vehicle locator system 
       24  arrow indicating request signal from remote unit to the GPS satellite 
       26  arrow indicating position signal of remote unit from GPS satellite 
       28  arrow indicating request signal from locator unit to the GPS satellite 
       30  arrow indicating position signal of locator unit from GPS satellite 
       32  arrow indicating location signal from remote unit to locator unit 
       34  arrow indicating location response signal from locator unit to the remote unit 
       36  front side of remote unit 
       37  power switch 
       38  visual direction indicator 
       40  visual altitude indicator 
       42  speaker 
       44  first button 
       46  second button 
       48  hood of vehicle 
       50  vehicle battery 
       52  vehicle ignition system 
       54  antenna of locator unit 
       56  processor of remote unit 
       57  power source of remote unit 
       58  transmitter of remote unit 
       60  receiver of remote unit 
       62  processor of locator unit 
       64  transmitter of locator unit 
       66  receiver of locator unit 
       68  sensor of locator unit 
       70  display of locator unit 
       72  wireless device 
       74  display of remote unit 
       76  laptop computer 
       78  keyboard 
       80  PDA 
       82  keypad 
       84  cellular phone 
       86  watch 
       88  signal initiator 
       90  transmission protocol 
       92  moaeris 
       94  radio frequency identification 
       96  advance mobile phone service 
       98  code division multiple access 
       100  time division multiple access 
       102  global system for mobile communications 
       104  code division multiple access 
       106  Radio frequency radio waves 
       108  doppler radio frequency 
       110  microburst access system 
       112  satellite radio 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate the vehicle locator system of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The vehicle locator system  10  is illustrated in FIG. 1 for use by a person  12  to locate a particular vehicle  13  within a parking lot  14 . This figure illustrates the parking lot  14  including a plurality of vehicles  18  parked therein. When parking a vehicle in such a parking lot  14  it is easy to forget where the vehicle was parked. When the parking lot is full, the person  12  who parked the vehicle  13  will have a very difficult time locating the vehicle  13  if the location of the vehicle is forgotten. The vehicle locator system  10  of the present invention utilizes the Global Positioning Satellite Network, illustrated by the satellite  16  orbiting the earth for aiding the person  12  in determining the location of the vehicle  13 . 
     The vehicle locator system  10  includes a remote unit  20  and a vehicle locator unit  22 , see FIGS. 3-5 for an illustration and description of the vehicle locator unit  22 . The remote unit  20  is retained by the user  12  and can be in the form of a key ring or other unobtrusive form which is not burdensome to the user  12 . The vehicle locator unit  22  is positioned within the vehicle  13 . 
     The remote unit  20  communicates with the GPS satellite  16  when activated to determine a location thereof in terms of longitude, latitude and altitude. Upon activation of a location key, the remote unit  20  transmits a request signal to the GPS satellite  16  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  24 . The GPS satellite  16  receives this signal  24  and determines the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20 . The GPS satellite  16  then transmits a signal indicative of the determined longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20  to the remote unit  20  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  26 . 
     The locator unit  22  also communicates with the GPS satellite  16  to determine a location thereof in terms of longitude, latitude and altitude. When the vehicle  13  ceases movement and the ignition is switched off, the locator unit  22  preferably automatically transmits a request signal to the GPS satellite  16  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  28 . The GPS satellite  16  receives this signal  24  and determines the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit  22 . The GPS satellite  16  then transmits a signal indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit  22  to the locator unit  22  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  30 . The longitude, latitude and altitude signal received by the locator unit  22  is stored therein. 
     The remote unit  20  also communicates directly with the locator unit  22 . When a locate button on the remote unit  20  is activated, the remote unit  20  sends a location signal as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  32  to the locator unit  22  requesting the location of the locator unit  22  in terms of longitude, latitude and altitude. In response to receipt of this signal  32 , the locator unit  22  retrieves the location information from memory and transmits a location response signal including the retrieved information to the remote unit  20  as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral  34 . The received location response signal  34  includes the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit  22  and is compared with the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20 . Based upon this comparison, the remote unit  20  is able to determine the relative direction the user  12  must travel to locate the vehicle  13 . 
     The locator unit  22  may alternatively or additionally request location information including the current longitude, latitude and altitude from the GPS satellite  16  upon receipt of the location request signal  32  from the remote unit  20 . The locator unit  22  can thus also be used to determine an approximate direction and possibly a location of the vehicle  13  in the event the vehicle is stolen or in motion at the time of the request. 
     A perspective view of the front side  36  of the remote unit  20  is shown in FIG.  2 . The remote unit  20  is shown in the shape of a key ring. However the remote unit  20  may be provided in any shape desired. The shape of the remote unit  20  being preferred in a form which is unobtrusive to the user  12 . As can be seen from this figure, the remote unit  20  includes a power switch  37  for turning the remote unit  20  on and off. The remote unit  20  also includes a visual direction indicator  38  and a visual altitude indicator  40 . The visual direction indicator  38  includes a plurality of arrow indicators each pointing in a different direction. Upon determining a relative direction of travel to locate the vehicle  13 , the visual direction indicator  38  illuminates an arrow indicating the determined direction. The visual altitude indicator  40  indicates whether the vehicle  24  is located at the same or a different altitude than the user  12 . When the user  12  and the vehicle  24  are at the same altitude the visual indicator  40  will remain in an unilluminated state. When the vehicle  13  is located at a different altitude than the remote unit  20 , the visual altitude indicator  40  will become illuminated. The color of illumination is indicative of the relative altitude of the vehicle, one color for a lower altitude than the remote unit  20  and a second color indicating a higher altitude. 
     An audio speaker  42  is also provided for generating an audible signal which is able to indicate the distance of the remote unit  20  from the vehicle  24 . As the user approaches the position of the vehicle  13 , the tone of the audible signal changes to indicate the proximity of the user  12  to the vehicle  13 . A first button  44  is provided on the face side  36  for providing a location request signal to the GPS satellite  16 . Activation of the first button  44  allows the remote unit  20  to obtain a longitude, latitude and altitude position used for determining the relative position of the vehicle therefrom. A second button  46  is provided to cause generation and transmission of a location request signal to the locator unit  22 . In response to receipt of this signal the locator unit  22  will transmit a response signal to the remote unit  20  indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the vehicle  13 . The remote unit  20  uses the response signal to determine the relative position of the vehicle  13  with respect to the remote unit  20 . Once activated, the remote unit  20  may be controlled to continually transmit a location request signal from the GPS satellite  16  and from the locator unit  22  at periodic intervals to continually update the visual direction indicator  38 , the visual altitude indicator  40  and adjust the audible signal to indicate proximity to the vehicle  13 . 
     A perspective view of a vehicle  13  having the locator unit  22  installed therein is illustrated in FIG.  3 . The locator unit  22  is installed in the vehicle  13 , preferably under the hood  48 . The locator unit  22  is preferably connected to the vehicle battery  50 , receiving power therefrom and may also be connected to the ignition system  52  of the vehicle  13 . The locator unit  22  is thus able to detect when the vehicle  13  has been turned off and is stationary. The locator unit  22  may be programmed to contact the GPS satellite  16  upon detecting the turning off of the ignition to receive a signal indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude for its present position. This value is stored by the locator unit  22  and transmitted to the remote unit  20  upon receipt of the location request signal  32 . Alternatively, the locator unit  22  may contact the GPS satellite  16  only upon receipt of the request signal  32  from the remote unit  20  or at both when the request signal  32  is received and upon detecting the ignition has been turned off. By controlling the locator unit  22  to communicate with the GPS satellite  16  upon receipt of the request signal  32 , a determination of a direction to travel to find the vehicle  13  can be obtained if the vehicle  13  was stolen and is currently moving. 
     An enlarged perspective view of the remote unit  20  and locator unit  22  showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.  4 . This view shows the remote unit  20  and the locator unit  22  communicating via the location request signal  32  and the location response signal  34 . Upon activation of the first button  42 , the remote unit  20  generates and transmits the location request signal  32 . The locator unit  22  receives the location request signal  32  through a receiver antenna  54  and in response thereto generates the location response signal  34 . The location response signal  34  is generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite  16 . The location response signal  34  is transmitted back to the remote unit  20 . The remote unit  20  compares the location response signal  34  with a position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20  received from the GPS satellite  16  to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  20 . Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  20 , the remote unit  20  illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator  38  to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote unit  20  as well as the visual altitude indicator  40  to alert the user  12  as to the altitude of the vehicle  13 . Should the remote unit  20  determine that the vehicle  13  is at a different altitude than the remote unit  20 , the remote unit illuminates the visual altitude indicator  40  to indicate the difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator  40  is dependent upon whether the vehicle  13  is at a higher or lower altitude. The remote unit  20  also activates the speaker  42  to generate an audible signal indicative of the distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  20 . As the user  12  approaches the vehicle  13  with the remote unit  20 , the audible signal changes to indicate the proximity to the vehicle  13 . 
     A block diagram illustrating the components of the remote unit  20  and locator unit  22  is provided in FIG.  5 . As can be seen from this figure, the remote unit  20  includes a processor  56  for controlling operation of the remote unit  20 . The processor  56  is connected to a power source  57  via the power switch  37 . Activation of the power switch  37  connects the processor  56  to a source of power  57  thus turning on the remote unit  20 . Also connected to the processor are the first and second activation buttons  44  and  46 , respectively. The first activation button  44  causes the processor to generate a location request signal  24  to be transmitted to the GPS satellite  16  and the second activation button  46  causes the transmitter  56  to generate a request signal for transmission to the locator unit  22 . The visual direction indicator  38 , the visual altitude indicator  40  and the speaker  42  are also connected to and controlled by the processor  56 . A transmitter  58  is connected to the processor  56  for transmitting location request signals to both the GPS satellite  16  and the locator unit  22 . The transmitter is able to transmit at a plurality of frequencies including the frequency to which the GPS satellite  16  is tuned and the frequency at which the locator unit  22  is tuned. A receiver  60  able to receive signals transmitted at a plurality of frequencies is also connected to the processor  56 . The receiver  60  is specifically tuned to receive signals transmitted by the GPS satellite  16  and the locator unit  22 . The processor  56  is provided to control generation and transmission of the location request signal  24  to the GPS satellite upon activation of the first activation button  44  and generation and transmission of the request signal  32  to the locator unit  22  upon activation of the second activation button  46 . Upon receipt of the response signal  26  from the GPS satellite  16  and the response signal  34  from the locator unit  22 , the processor  56  analyzes the signals to determine the relative location of the locator unit  22  and thus the vehicle  13  in which it is installed. Based upon the-determined position of the locator unit  22 , the processor  56  then controls the visual direction indicator  38 , the visual altitude indicator  40  and the speaker  42  to direct the user  12  to the locator unit  22 . 
     The locator unit  22  also includes a processor  62  for controlling operation thereof. The processor  62  is preferably connected to the vehicle power source  50 . However, the processor  62  may be connected to any other power source provided. The processor  62  may also be connected to the ignition system  52  of the vehicle  13  to determine when the vehicle  13  has been turned off. A transmitter  64  is connected to the processor  62  for transmitting the location request signal  28  to the GPS satellite  16  and transmitting a location response signal  34  to the remote unit  20 . A receiver  66  is connected to the processor  62  for receiving the location signal  30  from the GPS satellite  16  and receiving the location request signal  32  from the remote unit  20 . The processor  62  is able to store the location signal  30  received from the GPS satellite  16  until requested by the remote unit  20 . A sensor  68  may be provided to detect when the ignition system  52  has been turned off and thus control the processor  62  to generate the location request signal to be transmitted to the GPS satellite  16 . A display  70  may also be provided connected to the processor  62  for displaying the determined latitude, longitude and altitude of the vehicle  13  thereon. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a laptop computer serving as the remote unit  20  having software designed to display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74  of the wireless device  72 . The software provides means for initiating an interrogation of the remote locator unit  22  using the keyboard  78  to launch the locator software. The remote unit  72  and locator unity  22  showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.  6 . This view shows the remote unit  72  and the locator unit  22  communicating via the location request signal  32  and the location response signal  34 . Upon activation of a predetermined sequence using the keyboard  78 , the remote unit  72  generates and transmits the location request signal  32 . The locator unit  22  receives the location request signal  32  through a receiver antenna  54  and in response thereto generates the location response signal  34 . The location response signal  34  is generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite  16 . The location response signal  34  is transmitted back to the remote unit  72  whereupon the software display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74 . The remote unit  72  has GPS hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares the location response  72  received from the GPS satellite  16  to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  72 . Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  72 , the remote unit  72  illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator  38  to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote unit  72  as well as the visual altitude indicator  40  to alert the user  12  as to the altitude of the vehicle  13 . Should the remote unit  72  determine that the vehicle  13  is at a different altitude than the remote unit  72 , the remote unit illuminates the visual altitude indicator  40  to indicate the difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator  40  is dependent upon whether the vehicle  13  is at a higher or lower altitude. 
     The vehicle locator having an assigned unique identity can be wirelessly queried using cellular radio systems, Doppler RF, RF Radio Waves, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Satellite Radio to provide a vehicle locator system wherein the vehicle locator unit can respond with the locator unit Latitude, Longitude and altitude to an interrogation request from a remote unit. 
     The cellular radio systems can use Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider (WSP). 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a PDA  80  serving as the remote unit  20  having software designed to display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74  of the wireless device  72 . The software provides means for initiating an interrogation of the remote locator unit  22  using the keypad  82  to launch the locator software. The remote unit  80  and the locator unit  22  showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.  7 . This view shows the remote unit  80  and the locator unit  22  communicating via the location request signal  32  and the location response signal  34 . Upon activation of a predetermined sequence using the keypad  82 , the remote unit  80  generates and transmits the location request signal  32 . The locator unit  22  receives the location request signal  32  through a receiver antenna  54  and in response thereto generates the location response signal  34 . The location response signal  34  is generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite  16 . The location response signal  34  is transmitted back to the remote unit  80  whereupon the software display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74 . The remote unit  80  has GPS hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares the location response signal  34  with a position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit ; 80  received from the GPS satellite  16  to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  80 . Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  80 , the remote unit  80  illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator  38  to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote unit  80  as well as the visual altitude indicator  40  to alert the user  12  as to the altitude of the vehicle  13 . Should the remote unit  80  determine that the vehicle  13  is at a different altitude than the remote unit  80 , the remote unit illuminates the visual altitude indicator  40  to indicate the difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator  40  is dependent upon whether the vehicle  13  is at a higher or lower altitude. 
     The vehicle locator unit assigned a unique identity can use the Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS-[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe, Asia]) to be wirelessly queried using the aforementioned cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to transmit its stored longitude, latitude and altitude information to a Wireless Service Provider (WSP). 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a cellular telephone serving as the remote unit  84  having hardware and software designed to display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74  of the wireless device  72 . The software provides means for initiating an interrogation of the remote locator unit  22  using the keypad  82  to launch the locator software. The remote unit  84  and locator unit  22  showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.  8 . This view shows the remote unit  84  and the locator unit  22  communicating via the location request signal  32  and the location response signal  34 . Upon activation of a predetermined sequence using the keypad  82 , the remote unit  84  generates and transmits the location request signal  32 . The locator unit  22  receives the location request signal  32  through a receiver antenna  54  and in response thereto generates the location response signal  34 . The location response signal  34  is generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite  16 . The location response signal  34  is transmitted back to the remote unit  84  whereupon the software/hardware displays the visual directional indicator  38 , 40  on the display unit  74 . The remote unit  84  has GPS hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares the location response signal  34  with a position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  84  received from the GPS satellite  16  to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  84 . Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  84 , the remote unit  84  illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator  38  to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote unit  84  as well as the visual altitude indicator  40  to alert the user  12  as to the altitude of the vehicle  13 . 
     The vehicle locator system having a remote unit using radio frequency (500 KHz−300 GHz) initiate a communication with the vehicle locator unit to transmit the stored longitude, latitude and altitude information 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a watch serving as the remote unit  88  having electronics designed to display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74  of the wireless device  72 . The software provides means for initiating an interrogation of the remote locator unit  22  using the stems  80  to launch the locator software. The remote unit  88  and locator unit  22  showing communication therebetween is illustrated in FIG.  9 . This view shows the remote unit  88  and the locator unit  22  communicating via the location request signal  32  and the location response signal  34 . Upon activation of a predetermined sequence using the stems  88   80 , the remote unit  88  generates and transmits the location request signal  32 . The locator unit  22  receives the location request signal  32  through a receiver antenna  54  and in response thereto generates the location response signal  34 . The location response signal  34  is generated based upon a longitude, latitude and altitude signal received from the GPS satellite  16 . The location response signal  34  is transmitted back to the remote unit  88  whereupon the software display the visual directional indicator  38 ,  40  on the display unit  74 . The remote unit  88  has GPS hardware to determine the location of the remote unit and compares the location response signal  34  with a position signal indicating the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  88  received from the GPS satellite  16  to determine the relative position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  88 . Upon determining the position and distance of the vehicle  13  from the remote unit  88 , the remote unit  88  illuminates the appropriate arrow of the visual direction indicator  38  to point in the direction of the vehicle from the current location of the remote unit  88  as well as the visual altitude indicator  40  to alert the user  12  as to the altitude of the vehicle  13 . Should the remote unit  88  determine that the vehicle  13  is at a different altitude than the remote unit  88 , the remote unit illuminates the visual altitude indicator  40  to indicate the difference in altitude. The color of illumination of the visual altitude indicator  40  is dependent upon whether the vehicle  13  is at a higher or lower altitude. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the various transmission mediums that can be used by the vehicle locator system. Either unit can use plain old telephone system (POTS), and/or cellular radio systems, and/or Doppler RF, and/or RF Radio Waves, and/or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and/or Satellite Radio to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. As well as using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or the Public Switched Telephone Network System (PSTN) or cellular radio systems using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) to initiate the transmission of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     Additionally the vehicle locator system can use the Advances Mobile Phone Service (AMPS-[US]) and/or, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT [Scandinavia]) and/or, Total Access Communications System (TACS [UK]) and/or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM [Europe, Asia]) to initiate the transmission through a Wireless Service Provider (WSP) of the stored vehicle locator unit latitude, longitude and altitude information. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a number of various wireless communication device: laptop computer  76 , GPS watch  86 , cellular telephone  84 , PDA  80  and key chain  20  that can be used to initiate and receive the stored GPS data from the locator unit. 
     FIG. 12 is an illustration depicting the vehicle locator unit having a locator unit using a plurality of transmission mediums whereby a number of wireless remote devices can view the direction and altitude of a vehicle having the locator unit therein. 
     The operation of the vehicle locator system  10  will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, the vehicle locator system  10  is installed by connecting the locator unit  22  in a desired vehicle  13 . The locator unit  22  is preferably connected to the vehicle battery  50  and also to the ignition system  52  of the vehicle  13 . Once the locator unit  22  is installed, the vehicle locator system  10  is ready for use. 
     Upon use, the user  12  will drive the vehicle  13  as conventionally done and park the vehicle  13  in a lot  14  when a desired destination is reached. Upon parking the vehicle  13 , the locator unit  22  will sense when the vehicle is turned off via the sensor  68  connected to the ignition system  52 . Upon sensing the vehicle  13  has been turned off and thus parked, the processor  62  will control the transmitter  64  to transmit the location request signal to the GPS satellite  16 . The GPS satellite  16  determines the location in longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit  22  and transmits the location signal  30  indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude of the locator unit  22  back to the locator unit  22 . The locator unit  22  receives this signal  30  via the receiver  66  and the processor  62  stores the signal until requested by the remote unit  20 . 
     When the user  12  completes the desired tasks and is returning to the vehicle  13 , the location of the vehicle may have been forgotten. At this time the user  12  will activate the remote unit  20  by pressing the first activation button  44 . Pressing of the first activation button causes the processor  56  to generate the location request signal  24  to be transmitted to the GPS satellite  16  via the transmitter  58 . The GPS satellite  16  determines the location in longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20  and transmits the location signal  26  indicative of the longitude, latitude and altitude of the remote unit  20  back to the remote unit  20 . The remote unit  20  receives this signal via the receiver  60  and provides the signal to the processor  56  for analysis. The user  12  then activates the second activation button  46  controlling the processor  56  to generate the location request signal  32  and transmit the location request signal  32  to the locator unit  22  via the transmitter  58 . The locator unit  22  receives this signal  32  via the receiver  66  and retrieves the location signal  28  from the processor  62 . The processor  62  then transmits a response signal  34  to the remote unit  20  via the transmitter  64 . The response signal  34  is received by the receiver  60  and provided to the processor  56  for analysis. 
     The processor  56 , upon receipt of the response signal  34 , compares the response signal  34  to the location signal  26  received from the GPS satellite  16 . Based upon this comparison, the processor  56  determines the relative direction and distance of the locator unit  22  from the remote unit  20 . Upon determining the relative location of the locator unit  22 , the processor  56  controls the visual direction indicator  38 , the visual altitude indicator  40  and the speaker  42  to direct the user  12  towards the vehicle. The visual direction indicator  38  will illuminate an arrow pointing in the direction of the vehicle  13 . The visual altitude indicator  40  will illuminate if the vehicle  13  is located at a different altitude than the remote unit  20  such as when the vehicle is parked in a multilevel parking facility. The speaker  42  is controlled to generate an audible signal, the signal changing as the remote unit approaches the location of the locator unit  22 . 
     The remote unit  20  will continually transmit a location request signal to the GPS satellite to continually update its location signal for comparison with the location of the vehicle  13 . The remote unit  20  will also continually transmit a location request signal  32  to the locator unit  22  for updating the location of the locator unit  22 . The locator unit  22  will continually transmit a location request signal  28  to the GPS satellite  16  to continually update its location. Should the sensor  68  determine that the ignition of the vehicle  13  has not been activated, the location unit  22  need not continually transmit the location request signal to the GPS satellite  16 , instead continually transmitting the stored location signal to the remote unit  20 . The processor  56  will continually analyze the location signals of the locator unit and remote unit and control the visual direction indicator  38 , the visual altitude indicator  40  and the speaker  42  to update the relative position of the locator unit  22  and vehicle  13  with respect to the remote unit  20 . Upon finding the vehicle  13 , the user  12  can activate either of the first or second activation buttons  44  and  46  to cease monitoring of the locations. Alternatively, the user  12  can activate the power switch  37  to turn the remote unit off. 
     From the above description it can be seen that the vehicle locator system of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a vehicle locator system which is able to alert a user as to the location of a vehicle by providing a direction and relative altitude of the vehicle. The vehicle locator system utilizes the Global Positioning Satellite System to obtain a location for the vehicle which, when compared to the location of the user holding a remote unit, provides a direction of travel for locating the vehicle. The vehicle locator system includes a transmitter installed within a desired vehicle, the locator unit including a receiver able to communicate with the Global Positioning Satellite System to determine a location for the vehicle. The vehicle locator system also includes a remote unit able to utilize the Global Positioning Satellite System to determine a location therefor and communicate with the locator unit in the vehicle to determine a position for the vehicle relative to the remote unit. The remote unit includes a plurality of indicator lights for indicating a direction in which the vehicle can be found, an indicator light for indicating an altitude level relative to the altitude of the remote unit at which the vehicle can be found such as when the vehicle is located on a different story of a parking lot from the user and a speaker to provide an audible signal indicating the proximity of the remote unit from the locator unit. Furthermore, the vehicle locator system of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features, that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.