Exterior Of Vehicle Patents (Class 340/426.23)
  • Patent number: 7119679
    Abstract: A vehicle locating apparatus includes a first housing that is translucent and has an enclosed interior having an aperture therein for receiving a coupler that is adapted for removably attaching the first housing to a vehicle antenna. A light emitter assembly is mounted on the coupler and extends into the first housing. A first control is electrically coupled to the light emitter for selectively turning the light emitter on or off. A second housing is removably attachable to the vehicle. A sound emitter assembly is mounted in the second housing. A second control is electrically coupled to the sound emitter for selectively turning the sound emitter on or off. An actuator is adapted for selectively sending a remote signal to the first control or the second control so that a respective one of the light and sound emitters is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Eugene F. Crom
  • Patent number: 7102492
    Abstract: A system for identifying the location of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor, a receiver, a processor, and a database. The sensor is configured to determine the status of a component and transmit a component ID signal and a component status signal to a controller for monitoring status of the vehicle. The receiver is located external to the vehicle and configured to collect the signals from the sensor. The processor is in communication with the receiver and adapted to correlate the component ID signal and the location of the receiver. The database is in communication with the processor and configured to store the component ID and the receiver location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6978202
    Abstract: A wireless transmitting/receiving system preferably operable between first and second vehicles is provided which enables the second vehicle to replicate the lighting condition of the first vehicle. In one embodiment, the replication is accomplished through a connection to the second vehicles lighting system. In another embodiment, replication is accomplished through a separate light bar mounted to the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventors: Isidore I. Lamke, Robert D. Plummer, Michael E. Dinan, Eugene P. Reinhold, John Figura, Matt Narzinski, Ron Smith, Jeff Bohn, Mike Nikrant
  • Patent number: 6927685
    Abstract: A remote control system includes a remote control transmitter that transmit a signal and a receiver than can receive the signal from the transmitter. A control device performs a function having a first and a second option. The control device responds to the signal received by the receiver and performs the first option if the distance between the remote control transmitter and the receiver is greater than a particular distance and performs a function based on the ambient noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas L. Wathen
  • Patent number: 6922137
    Abstract: A collision and theft alert system comprising several components in combination. First provided is a vehicle having a keypad and a power source. A processor is operatively coupled to the power source and to the keypad and is capable of receiving an incoming signal and sending an outgoing signal. The processor can activate an emergency distress call with GPS location. The processor also is operatively coupled to and activates at least one strobe light, which is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The strobe light has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: Susan M. Bycroft
  • Patent number: 6744364
    Abstract: A distance sensitive remote control system includes a remote control transmitter that transmit a signal and a receiver than can receive the signal from the transmitter. A control device performs a function having a first and a second option. The control device responds to the signal received by the receiver and performs the first option if the distance between the remote control transmitter and the receiver is greater than a particular distance and performs the second option if the distance between the remote control transmitter and the receiver is less than a particular distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas L. Wathen
  • Patent number: 6696938
    Abstract: A vehicle security system includes at least one vehicle sensor, a remote transmitter to be carried by a user, and a controller positioned in the vehicle. The controller may be switchable to at least one of an armed mode and a disarmed mode based upon the remote transmitter, and the controller may cause a light indicator circuit of the vehicle to selectively supply power to at least one vehicle light bulb upon switching to at least one of the armed and disarmed modes. The vehicle security system may also include a strobe light device at the vehicle and electrically connected to the light indicator circuit for providing a confirmation indication to the user that the controller has been switched to at least one of the armed and disarmed modes. This may be done based upon a leading or trailing edge of the power supplied by the light indicator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick