Patent Publication Number: US-2012041618-A1

Title: Smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a vehicle searching system, and more particularly to a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the advance of technology, the functionality of vehicle has been greatly improved to facilitate the convenience of driver. The contemporary passive keyless entry system has been utilized in automobiles to allow the driver to unlock the automobile and start the engine. The convenience brought by the passive keyless entry system has been welcomed by automobile users and automakers. However, if the vehicle is parked at an unfamiliar place, such as the parking lot of a shopping mall, the driver may not be able to find his/her vehicle and thereby getting annoyed. 
     The contemporary vehicle searching technique is made by using a smart phone with global positioning system (GPS) function which can be manually configured. When a car is parked at a fixed location or its engine is stopped, the driver uses the internal software of the smart phone to manually execute a first positioning operation to obtain the location data of the vehicle. Afterwards, the driver may leave the vehicle. When the driver desires to search the vehicle, the internal application software of the smart phone is launched to execute a second positioning operation to obtain the location data of the driver. The internal application software of the smart phone execute the comparison and analysis on the location data of the vehicle and the location data of the driver in order to obtain the correlation between the driver and the vehicle. The correlation between the driver and the vehicle includes the directional relationship and the distance between the driver and the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle searching operation can be completed. 
     Nonetheless, the conventional vehicle searching technique requires the driver to manually complete the first positioning operation with the smart phone in order to obtain the location data of the vehicle. As the first positioning operation is complicated and time-consuming, the driver will have difficulty in searching his/her vehicle if the driver does not have enough time to complete the first positioning operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function. The inventive smart vehicle searching system is made by mounting a vehicle searching module in the vehicle to provide the vehicle with smart vehicle searching function. Also, the vehicle searching module is detachable and may be selectively connected to the control module of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle searching module may be mounted on various vehicles. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function. The inventive smart vehicle searching system is made by integrating passive keyless entry system into the smart vehicle module to promote the convenience of vehicle searching. 
     To meet the object mentioned above, a broad aspect of the invention provides a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function, which includes a vehicle having a control module for outputting a control signal; a vehicle searching module; a smart phone; and a transmission medium. The vehicle searching module includes a first global positioning system unit connected to the control module for receiving the control signal. The smart phone includes a second global positioning system unit and a data storage unit. The transmission medium is configured to connect the vehicle searching module and the smart phone to allow them to transmit data with each other. The first global positioning system unit is operated in response to the control signal. When the control signal is at the disabling state, the first global positioning system unit proceeds with the positioning operation automatically to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle and transmit the location data to the smart phone through the transmission medium. The smart phone records the location data in the data storage unit for as a reference for the smart phone to search the vehicle. 
     To meet the object mentioned above, another broad aspect of the invention provides a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function, which includes a vehicle, a smart phone, a vehicle searching module, and a transmission medium. The vehicle includes a control module for outputting a control signal. The smart phone includes a global positioning system unit and a data storage unit. The vehicle searching module is connected to the smart phone for receiving the control signal. The transmission medium is configured to connect the control module and the vehicle searching module for allowing the control module and the smart phone to transmit data with each other. The global positioning system unit of the smart phone is operated in response to the control signal. When the control signal is at the disabling state, the global positioning system unit of the smart phone proceeds with the positioning operation automatically to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle and transmit the location data to the smart phone through the transmission medium. The smart phone records the location data in the data storage unit for as a reference for the smart phone to search the vehicle. 
     To meet the object mentioned above, another broad aspect of the invention provides a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function, which includes a vehicle, a smart phone, and a transmission medium. The vehicle includes a control module. The smart phone includes a global positioning system unit and a data storage unit. The transmission medium is configured to connect the vehicle and the smart phone to allow them to transmit data with each other. When the vehicle is operated in an enabling state, the control module transmits a starting signal through the transmission medium to the smart phone to activate the global positioning system unit. When the vehicle is operated in a disabling state to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle to allow the smart phone to record the location data in the data storage unit as a reference for the smart phone to search the vehicle. 
     To meet the object mentioned above, another broad aspect of the invention is to provide a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function, which includes a vehicle, a smart phone, and a transmission medium. The vehicle includes a control module which includes a global positioning system unit. The smart phone a global positioning system unit and a data storage unit. The transmission medium is configured to connect the vehicle and the smart phone to allow them to transmit data with each other. When the vehicle is operated in an enabling state, the global positioning system unit of the control module is automatically activated. When the vehicle is operated in a disabling state, the global positioning system unit of the control module proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle and transmits the location data through the transmission medium to the smart phone, thereby allowing the smart phone to record the location data in the data storage unit as a reference for the global positioning system unit of the smart phone to search the vehicle. 
     Now the foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be best understood through the following descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a flow chart illustrating the vehicle searching procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a flow chart illustrating the vehicle searching procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Several exemplary embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the invention will be expounded in following paragraphs of descriptions. It is to be realized that the invention is allowed to have various modification in different respects, all of which are without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the description herein and the drawings are to be taken as illustrative in nature, but not to be taken as a confinement for the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The smart vehicle searching system  1  includes a vehicle  10 , a vehicle searching module  101 , a smart phone  11 , and a transmission medium  12 . The vehicle  10  includes a control module  102  for outputting a control signal. The vehicle searching module  101  includes a first global positioning system unit  1011 . The vehicle searching module  101  is electrically connected to the control module  102  to receive the control signal and includes a first global positioning system unit  1011 . The smart phone provides a global positioning system function and wireless communication function, and includes a second global positioning system unit  111  and a data storage unit  112 . The transmission medium  12  is configured to connect the vehicle searching module  101  and the smart phone  11  to allow them to transmit data with each other. The first global positioning system unit  1011  is operated in response to the control signal outputted from the control module  102 . When the control signal is at a disabling state, the first global positioning system unit  1011  proceeds with positioning operation automatically to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  10  and transmits the location data (i.e. the first location data) to the smart phone  11  through the transmission medium  12 . The smart phone records the location data in the data storage unit  112  as a reference to activate the vehicle searching function. 
     In the this embodiment, when the control module  102  is at an enabling state, the first global positioning system unit  1011  is activated automatically. The enabling state of the control module  102  may be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an ON state, or when the engine is ignited. Besides, the disabling state of the vehicle may be the state when the key to the vehicle is in a OFF state, or when the engine is turned off. 
     The transmission medium  12  includes a first wireless communication unit  1013  and a second wireless communication unit  113 . The first wireless communication unit  1013  is mounted in the vehicle searching module  101 , and the second wireless communication unit  113  is mounted in the smart phone  11  and wirelessly communicated with the first wireless communication unit  1013 . Also, the first wireless communication unit  1013  and the second wireless communication unit  113  can be Bluetooth modules, WiFi modules, WiMax modules, Zigbee modules, UWB modules, or SRD modules. 
     The vehicle searching module  101  further includes a first processing unit  1012  and a storage unit  1014 . The first global positioning system unit  1011 , the first wireless communication unit  1013 , and the storage unit  1014  are respectively connected to the first processing unit  1012  for processing the data of the first global positioning system unit  1011  and the first wireless communication unit  1013  to be recorded in the storage unit  1014 . The storage unit  1014  is independently mounted outside the first processing unit  1012  for storing digital data such as operation program or the location data of the vehicle  10 . In alternative embodiments, the storage unit  1014  can be embedded in the first processing unit  1012 . In addition, the control module  102  further includes a second processing unit  1022  for outputting a control signal. The first processing unit  1012  of the vehicle searching module  101  is connected to the second processing unit  1022  of the control module  102 . Therefore, the first processing unit  1012  can process the control signal outputted from the second processing unit  1022 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the vehicle  10  can be an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or an electric vehicle. The propulsion system for driving the vehicle  10  can be implemented by a single engine, an engine plus a motor, or a single motor. The control signal of the control module  102  can be generated by a passive keyless entry system (PKE) or a body control module (BCM). Here, the internal combustion engine vehicle is taken as an example for illustration. The vehicle  10 , i.e. the internal combustion engine vehicle, further includes an engine  103 . After the engine  103  is started, the states of part of the control signals in the control module  102  are changed. For example, the control signal of which states are changed can be the key signal indicating whether the key is turned on, or the engine operation signal indicating whether the engine is ignited. Hence, the control signal can be the key signal, or the engine operation signal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 1 , in which  FIG. 2A  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 1 . The automatic positioning procedure of the invention includes the steps S 11 ˜S 17 . First, as shown in steps S 11 -S 14 , when the driver carrying the smart phone  11  enters the vehicle  10  to switch the state of the control signal to an enabling state by starting the engine  103 , the control signal with an enabling state generated by the second processing unit  1022  is transmitted to the first processing unit  1012  of the vehicle searching module  101  for activating the first global positioning system unit  1011  of the vehicle searching module  101 , thereby continuously receiving satellite information and periodically record the location data of the vehicle  10  in the storage unit  1014 . In the meantime, the first wireless communication unit  1013  of the vehicle searching module  101  and the second wireless communication unit  113  of the smart phone  11  can wirelessly communicate with each other. 
     Next, as shown in steps S 15 -S 17 , when the driver leaves the vehicle  10  to switch the state of the control signal to a disabling state by turning off the engine  103 , the control signal with a disabling state generated by the second processing unit  1022  is automatically transmitted to the first processing unit  1012 . In the meantime, the vehicle searching system  101  proceeds with positioning operation by the satellite information received by the first global positioning system unit  1011  to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  10 . Hence, a data packet is formed and recorded in the storage unit  1014 , and transmitted to the smart phone  11  through the transmission medium  12 . In other words, when the driver desires to leave the vehicle  10 , the first global positioning system unit  1011  of the vehicle searching module  101  proceeds with positioning operation automatically to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  10  and records the location data in the storage unit  1014 . The first wireless communication unit  1013  of the vehicle searching module  101  automatically transmits the location data (i.e. the first location data) to the second wireless communication unit  113  of the smart phone  11  to allow the smart phone  11  to record the location data in the data storage unit  112  as a reference for the smart phone  11  to search the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 1 , in which  FIG. 2B  is a flow chart illustrating the vehicle searching procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 1 . The vehicle searching procedure according to the invention is as follows. First, at steps S 21 -S 25 , the driver activates the vehicle searching function of the smart phone  11  after leaving the vehicle  10 . The smart phone  11  receives the satellite information of the driver current position by the second global positioning system unit  111  and proceeds with positioning operation to obtain the location data of the driver. Next, the location data of the driver (i.e. the second location data) is compared with the location data of the vehicle  10  recorded in the data storage unit  112  (i.e. the first location data). Therefore, the driver can find the vehicle  10  by the relative direction and relative distance between the driver and the vehicle  10  revealed by the outcome of the comparison. 
     Besides, the vehicle searching module  101  will automatically record the location data of the vehicle  10  at different times during the driving process of the vehicle. Hence, the location data recorded in the storage unit  1014  can be provided for the driver to establish the driving route (or historical driving route) of the vehicle  10 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the vehicle searching module  101  is configured as a mobile device which is detachably and selectively attached to the control module  102  of the vehicle  10  through connecting elements (not shown). Hence, the driver can mount the vehicle searching module  101  in various kinds of vehicles to elevate the compatibility of the vehicle searching module  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , which shows a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a second embodiment of the invention. The smart vehicle searching system  3  includes a vehicle  30 , a smart phone  31 , a vehicle searching module  33 , and a transmission medium  34 . The vehicle  30  includes a control module  302  for outputting a control signal. The smart phone  31  is able to provide the global positioning function and wireless communication function. The smart phone  31  includes a second global positioning system unit  311  and a data storage unit  312 . The vehicle searching module  33  is connected to the smart phone  31  for receiving the control signal. The transmission medium  34  is configured to connect the control module  302  and the vehicle searching module  33  to allow the control module  302  and the smart phone  31  to transmit data with each other. The second global positioning system unit  311  of the smart phone  31  is operated in response to the control signal. When the control signal is at a disabling state, the second global positioning system unit  311  automatically proceeds with positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  30 , thereby allowing the smart phone  31  to record the location data (i.e. the first location data) in the data storage unit  312  as a reference for the smart phone  31  to search the vehicle  30 . 
     In the this embodiment, when the control module  302  is at an enabling state, the first global positioning system unit  3011  is activated automatically. The enabling state of the control module  302  can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an ON state, or when the engine is ignited. Besides, the disabling state of the vehicle can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an OFF state, or when the engine is turned off. 
     The vehicle searching module  33  further includes a first processing unit  331  and the control module  302  further includes a second processing unit  3022  for outputting a control signal. The control signal can be a key signal indicating whether the key is turned on, or the engine operation signal indicating whether the engine is ignited. One end of the transmission medium  34  is connected to the first processing unit  331  and the other end of the transmission medium  34  is connected to the second processing unit  3022  for allowing the control module  302  and the vehicle searching module  33  to transmit data with each other. The smart phone  31  may be mounted in the vehicle searching module  33 . Therefore, the control module  302  and the smart phone  31  can transmit data with each other through the transmission medium  34  and the vehicle searching module  33 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in which  FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the automatic positioning procedure of the invention is as follows. First, as shown in step S 31 , the driver enters the vehicle  30  and mounts the smart phone  31  in the vehicle searching module  33  to connect the smart phone  31  and the vehicle searching module  33 . 
     Next, as shown in steps S 32 -S 38 , when the state of the control signal is switched to an enabling state by igniting the engine  303 , the control signal with an enabling state generated by the second processing unit  3022  is automatically transmitted to the first processing unit  331  of the vehicle searching module  33  through the transmission medium  34  for activating the second global positioning system unit  311  of the smart phone  31 . Therefore, the satellite information is continuously receiving and the location data of the vehicle  30  is periodically recorded in the data storage unit  312 . Next, when the driver turns off the engine  303  to switch the state of the control signal to a disabling state, the control signal with a disabling state generated by the second processing unit  3022  is automatically transmitted to the first processing unit  331  of the vehicle searching module  33  through the transmission medium  34 . Therefore, the second global positioning system unit  311  of the smart phone  31  which is mounted in the vehicle searching module  33  is able to proceed with the positioning operation automatically to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  30  (i.e. the first location data). The smart phone  31  records the location data in the data storage unit  312  as a reference for the smart phone to search the vehicle  30 . 
     The vehicle searching procedure using the inventive smart vehicle searching system as shown in  FIG. 3  is similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Therefore, it is not intended to dwell upon the details of the vehicle searching procedure in this embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inventive smart vehicle searching system  5  includes a vehicle  50 , a smart phone  51 , and a transmission medium  55 . The vehicle  50  includes a control module  502  which includes a third global positioning system unit  5023 . The smart phone  51  provides global positioning function and wireless communication function. The smart phone  51  includes a second global positioning system unit  511  and a data storage unit  512 . The transmission medium  55  is configured to connect the vehicle  50  and the smart phone  51  to allow them to transmit data with each other. When state of the vehicle  50  is an enabling state, the third global positioning system unit  5023  is automatically activated. When the state of the vehicle  50  is a disabling state, the third global positioning system unit  5023  automatically proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  50 . The location data (i.e. the first location data) is transmitted to the smart phone  51  through the transmission medium  55  to allow the smart phone  51  to record the location data in the data storage unit  512  as a reference for the smart phone  51  to search the vehicle  50 . 
     In this embodiment, the enabling state of the vehicle  50  can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an ON state, or when the engine is ignited. Besides, the disabling state of the vehicle can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an OFF state, or when the engine is turned off. 
     In alternative embodiments, the vehicle  50  can be an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or an electric vehicle. The propulsion system for driving the vehicle  50  can be implemented by a single engine, an engine plus a motor, or a single motor. In this embodiment, the internal combustion engine vehicle is taken as an example for illustration. The vehicle  50 , i.e. an internal combustion engine vehicle, further includes an engine  503  and a chip key  56  which constitute a passive keyless entry system with the control module  502 . The chip key  56  includes a first transceiver unit  561  and a third processing unit  562 . The control module  502  includes a second transceiver unit  5021 , a second processing unit  5022 , and a storage unit  5025 . The control module  502  is used to output a control signal. The passive keyless entry system is used to control the locking, unlocking, turning on, and turning off of the vehicle  50 . For example, when the driver carrying the chip key  56  approaches the vehicle  50  which includes a control module  502 , the control module  502  and the chip key  56  proceed with wireless communication through the first transceiver unit  561  and the second transceiver unit  5021 , and the third processing unit  562  and the second processing unit  5022  proceed with authentication process to control the unlocking of the door lock of the vehicle  50 . In this way, the driver does not need a key and a remote control to unlock the door lock of the vehicle  50 , but can enter the vehicle  50  by directly using the passive keyless entry system. Likewise, when the driver carrying the chip key  56  leaves the vehicle  50  which includes a control module  502 , the passive keyless entry system may control the locking of the door lock of the vehicle  50 . 
     Besides, when the driver enters the vehicle  50  and presses the activation switch to turn on the vehicle  50 , the engine  503  of the vehicle  50  can be ignited by the wireless communication and authentication process carried out between the control module  502  and the chip key  56 . Likewise, when the driver presses the activation switch to turn off the vehicle  50 , the engine  503  of the vehicle  50  can be turned off by the wireless communication and authentication process carried out between the control module  502  and the chip key  56 . 
     As the engine  503  is ignited, the states of part of the signals in the control module  502  will be changed. For example, the control signal of which states are changed may be the key signal indicating whether the key is open, or the engine operation signal indicating whether the engine is ignited. Hence, the control signal can be the key signal or the engine operation signal. 
     The transmission medium  55  further includes a second wireless communication unit  513  and a third wireless communication unit  5024 . The second wireless communication unit  513  is mounted in the smart phone  51 . The third wireless communication unit  5024  is mounted in the control module  502  and is wirelessly communicated with the second wireless communication unit  513 . Also, the second wireless communication unit  513  and the third wireless communication unit  5024  can be Bluetooth modules, WiFi modules, WiMax modules, Zigbee modules, UWB modules, or SRD modules. 
     In the this embodiment, the second transceiver unit  5021 , the third global positioning system unit  5023 , the third wireless communication unit  5024 , and the storage unit  5025  are respectively connected to the second processing unit  5022 . The data of the second transceiver unit  5021 , the third global positioning system unit  5023 , and the third wireless communication unit  5024  are processed by the second processing unit  5022 . The storage unit  5025  is independently mounted outside the second processing unit  5022  for storing digital data such as the operation program or the location data of the vehicle  50 . In alternative embodiments, the storage unit  5025  can also be embedded in the second processing unit  5022 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 5 , in which  FIG. 6A  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6A , the automatic positioning procedure of the invention includes the following steps. First, as shown in steps S 40 -S 42 , when the vehicle  50  is locked, the second transceiver unit  5021  of the control module  502  receives the unlocking signal from the chip key  56 , and the second processing unit  5022  carries out an authentication process to verify if the chip key  56  is valid. If the chip key  56  is valid, the control module  502  transmits an unlocking signal to unlock the door lock. Next, the driver enters the vehicle  50  with the smart phone  51 . 
     Next, as shown in steps S 43 -S 45 , when the driver starts the engine  503  to switch the state of the vehicle  50  to an enabling state, the second processing unit  5022  of the control module  502  automatically transmits a starting signal to the third global positioning system unit  5023  to activate the third global positioning system unit  5023 . Therefore, the satellite information can be continuously received and the location data of the vehicle  50  is periodically recorded in the storage unit  5025 . In the meantime, the third wireless communication unit  5024  of the control module  502  and the second wireless communication unit  513  of the smart phone  51  can wirelessly communicated with each other. 
     Next, as shown in steps S 46 -S 47 , when the driver turns off the engine  503  to switch the state of the vehicle  50  to a disabling state, the second processing unit  5022  of the control module  502  automatically transmits a stopping signal to the third global positioning system unit  5023 . In the meantime, the control module  502  proceeds with the positioning operation with the satellite information received by the third global positioning system unit  5023  to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  50 . Therefore, a data packet is formed and recorded in the storage unit  5025 , and transmitted to the smart phone  51  through the transmission medium  55 . In other words, when the driver desires to leave the vehicle  50 , the third global positioning system unit  5023  of the control module  502  automatically proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  50 . The location data of the vehicle is recorded in the storage unit  5025  and transmitted to the second wireless communication unit  513  of the smart phone through the third wireless communication unit  5024  of the control module  502  as a reference for the smart phone  51  to search the vehicle  50 . 
     Next, as shown in step S 48 , the driver carries the smart phone  51  to leave and lock the vehicle  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 5 , in which  FIG. 6B  is a flow chart illustrating the vehicle searching procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6B , the vehicle searching procedure of the invention includes the following steps. As shown in steps S 51 -S 55 , the driver activates the smart phone  51  anywhere and activates the vehicle searching function of the smart phone  51 . The smart phone  51  employs the second global positioning system unit  511  to search the location of the driver and proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the second location data. Next, the location data of the driver (i.e. the second location data) is compared with the location data of the vehicle  50  (i.e. the first location data) which is recorded in the data storage unit  512 . Hence, the driver is guided to find the vehicle  50  by the relative direction and relative distance between the driver and the vehicle  50  revealed by the outcome of the comparison. 
     Besides, the vehicle searching module  501  will automatically record the location data of the vehicle  50  at different times during the driving process of the vehicle. Hence, the location data recorded in the storage unit  5014  can be provided for the driver to establish the driving route (or historical driving route) of the vehicle  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the inventive smart vehicle searching system  7  includes a vehicle  70 , a smart phone  71 , and a transmission medium  77 . The vehicle  70  includes a control module  702 . The smart phone  71  provides global positioning function and wireless communication. The smart phone  71  includes a second global positioning system unit  711  and a data storage unit  712 . The transmission medium  77  is configured to connect the vehicle  70  and the smart phone  71  to allow them to transmit data with each other. When the state of the vehicle  70  is an enabling state, the control module  702  automatically transmits a starting signal to the smart phone  71  through the transmission medium  77  in order to activate the second global positioning system unit  711 . When the state of the vehicle  70  is a disabling state, the second global positioning system unit  711  of the smart phone  71  automatically proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  70  (i.e. the first location data). The smart phone  71  records the location data of the vehicle  70  in the data storage unit  712  such that the smart phone uses the location data of the vehicle  70  as a reference for searching the vehicle  70 . 
     In the present embodiment, the enabling state of the vehicle  70  can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an ON state, or when the engine is ignited. Besides, the disabling state of the vehicle can be the state when the key to the vehicle is in an OFF state, or when the engine is turned off. 
     In alternative embodiments, the vehicle  70  can be an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or an electric vehicle. The propulsion system for driving the vehicle  70  may be implemented by a single engine, an engine plus a motor, or a single motor. In this embodiment, the internal combustion engine vehicle is taken as an example for illustration. 
     The vehicle  70  further includes an engine  703  and a chip key  76 . The chip key  76  and the control module  702  constitute a passive keyless entry system. The chip key  76  includes a first transceiver unit  761  and a third processing unit  762 . The control module  702  includes a second transceiver unit  7021  and a second processing unit  7022 . The second processing unit  7022  is used to output a control signal. The passive keyless entry system is used to control the locking, unlocking, turning on, and turning off of the vehicle  70 . 
     In this embodiment, as the engine  703  is ignited, the states of part of the signals in the control module  702  will be changed. For example, the control signal of which states are changed may be the key signal indicating whether the key is turned on, or the engine operation signal indicating whether the engine is ignited. Hence, the control signal may be the key signal, or the engine operation signal. 
     The transmission medium  77  includes a transmission line  771  and a connector base  772 . One end of the transmission line  771  is connected to the control module  702  of the vehicle  70  and the output end of a power converter unit (not shown), and the other end of the transmission line  771  is connected to the connector base  772  for transmitting power and data. In the present embodiment, the connector base can be a charging pod. The smart phone  71  may be inserted in the connector base  772 . Therefore, the connector base  772  can charge the smart phone  71 , and the control module  702  and the smart phone  71  can transmit data with each other. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the automatic positioning procedure using the smart vehicle searching system of  FIG. 7 . The automatic positioning procedure of the invention includes the following steps. First, as shown in steps S 60 -S 63 , when the vehicle  70  is locked, the second transceiver unit  7021  of the control module  702  receives the unlocking signal from the chip key  76 , and the second processing unit  7022  carries out an authentication process to verify if the chip key  76  is valid. If the chip key  76  is valid, the control module  702  transmits an unlocking signal to unlock the door lock. Next, the driver enters the vehicle  70  with the smart phone  71  and inserts the smart phone  71  into the connector base  772  of the transmission medium  77 , thereby connecting the smart phone  71  and the connector base  772 . 
     Next, as shown in steps S 64 -S 66 , when the state of the vehicle  70  is switched to an enabling state by starting the engine  703 , the second processing unit  7022  of the control module  702  automatically transmitting a starting signal to the smart phone  71  through the transmission line  771  and the connector base  772 , thereby activating the second global positioning system unit  711  to continuously receiving satellite information and periodically record the location data of the vehicle  70  in the data storage unit  712 . 
     Next, as shown in steps S 67 -S 68 , when the driver turns off the engine  703  to switch the state of the vehicle to a disabling state, the second processing unit  7022  of the control module  702  automatically transmits a stopping signal to the smart phone through the transmission line  771  and the connector base  772 . Thus, the second global positioning system unit  711  of the smart phone which is inserted in the connector base  772  automatically proceeds with the positioning operation to obtain the latest location data of the vehicle  70  (i.e. the first location data). The smart phone  71  records the location data in the data storage unit  712 . 
     Next, as shown in steps S 69 -S 70 , the driver detaches the smart phone  71  from the connector base  772  of the transmission medium  77  to leave and lock the vehicle  70 . 
     In this embodiment, the vehicle searching procedure of the invention is similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 . Thus, the vehicle searching procedure of the invention according to this embodiment is not described herein. 
     In conclusion, the invention discloses a smart vehicle searching system with automatic positioning function which is derived by adding a mobile vehicle searching module to the vehicle. Hence, the vehicle is provided with the vehicle searching function. Therefore, the problems as a result of the complicated and time-wasting operation procedure for manually positioning the vehicle by the smart phone can be addressed. Therefore, the convenience of vehicle searching is improved. Also, the invention empowers the passive keyless entry system or the control module of the vehicle with smart vehicle searching function. On the other hand, the inventive smart vehicle searching system can automatically position the location of the vehicle in a wired fashion or in a wireless fashion. Thus, the driver can easily find his/her vehicle. Finally, the vehicle searching module of the invention can be detachably connected to the control module of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle searching module of the invention can be used in a variety of vehicles to increase its compatibility. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be restricted to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.