Vehicle locator key fob with range and bearing measurement

1. A method for determining a location of an object by a remote, mobile apparatus comprising the steps of:

generating a bearing signal from the object, wherein the bearing signal carries relative bearing information with respect to magnetic north;

receiving the bearing signal by the mobile apparatus;

determining by the mobile apparatus a relative bearing between the mobile apparatus and the object; and

providing direction information, including at least the relative bearing, to a user of the mobile apparatus to aid in directing the user to the object.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

updating the direction information provided to the user of the mobile apparatus as the mobile apparatus is moved relative to the object.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing direction information to the user comprises the step of:

using a display on the mobile apparatus to provide a graphic depiction a path between the mobile apparatus and the object.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining the distance comprises the step of:

determining the signal strength of a return signal from the object to the mobile apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing direction information to the user comprises the step of:

providing a visual indicator on the mobile apparatus to indicate the relative separation of the mobile apparatus from a path between the mobile apparatus and the object as the mobile apparatus is moved relative to the object.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining distance between the mobile apparatus and the object;

and the step of providing direction information to the user including providing a relative distance between the mobile apparatus and the object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of determining the distance comprises the step of:

determining the time delay of signal transmission from the mobile apparatus to the object and a return signal from the object to the mobile apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1 including the steps of:

forming the object as a vehicle; and forming the mobile device as a portable key fob.

9. An apparatus for determining a location of an object by a remote, mobile apparatus comprising:

means for generating a circumferential, rotating bearing signal from the object, wherein the circumferential, rotating bearing signal carries relative bearing information with respect to magnetic north;

means for receiving the bearing signal by the mobile apparatus;

means for determining by the mobile apparatus a relative bearing between the mobile apparatus and the object; and

means for providing direction information, at least including the relative bearing, to a user of the mobile apparatus to aid in directing the user to the object.

10. A method for determining a location of an object location apparatus comprising the steps of:

providing a control adapted to be mounted on an object to transmit and receive circumferential, rotating wireless signal, wherein the circumferential, rotating wireless signal carries bearing information with respect to a remote mobile device;

providing a transmitter and a receiver coupled to the control;

providing a transmitter and a receiver for the mobile device; and

providing one input member carried on the mobile device for activating a location determining sequence in the mobile device and the control to aid a user of the mobile device in locating the object.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

providing an antenna, responsive to the control, for generating an angularly rotating signal containing signal angle information relative to magnetic north,

wherein the mobile device operative to detect the angularly rotating signal and to decode the signal angle information in the angularly rotating signal to determine a bearing relative to magnetic north between the mobile device and the object.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the mobile device operative to determine an approximate distance between the mobile device and the object.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the mobile device is operative to determine the distance by determining the time delay of a signal transmission from the mobile device to the object and a return signal from the object to the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the mobile device is operative to determine the distance of determining the signal strength of a return signal from the object to the mobile device.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

providing an indicator carried on the mobile device for providing direction information including at least the relative bearing to the user of the mobile device to provide the location of the object relative to the mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein:

the mobile device is operative to update the direction information as the mobile device is moved relative to the object.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises:

a visual display carried on the mobile device and providing geographic location information including a bearing path between the mobile device and the object.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the indicator comprises:

at least one illuminable element carried on the mobile device for indicating when the user of the mobile device is moving on a substantially direct path to the object as the mobile device is moved relative to the object.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one illuminable element comprises:

a plurality of light emitting diodes carried on the mobile device for indicating relative separation of the user of the mobile device from a direct path between the mobile device and the object as the mobile device is moved relative to the object.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the object is a vehicle; and the mobile device is a portable key fob.