Vehicle locator key fob with range and bearing measurement

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.

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.