Method and apparatus for vehicle valet parking control

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "Methods and apparatus for vehicle valet control". A system includes a processor configured to place a vehicle in a valet mode, thereby limiting use of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine, while the vehicle is in the valet mode, that a valet tag having a wireless connection with the vehicle is in motion, and activate an external indication available to find the vehicle in response to the tag motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The illustrative embodiments generally relate to methods and apparatus for valet parking control devices for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Many hotels, restaurants, and venues offer valet parking options for those seeking parking. Using a valet parking service typically involves handing over the keys to a valet and allowing the valet to drive away. This usually gives the valet access to the vehicle's contents, any personal driver data stored on the vehicle's computer, and the ability to drive the vehicle virtually anywhere.

[0003] Given the perceived risks associated with valet parking services, vehicle manufacturers have made efforts to limit valet access to vehicles. By placing the vehicle in "valet mode," drivers can restrict access to vehicle interfaces and, in some cases, limit the drivable range and / or speed of the vehicle. However, drivers typically still hand over the keys, and if they forget to disable valet mode upon returning to the vehicle, they may experience limited vehicle use and / or restricted access to the cabin and systems (e.g., interactive screens are locked and / or the cabin is locked) for a limited period.

[0004] Furthermore, in a standard car model, if the vehicle key is lost or stolen, the driver may find themselves unable to enter the vehicle or drive it home. Replacing many modern electronic keys can be costly. Even with valet parking services, the time and hassle involved can be extremely frustrating for car owners. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to place a vehicle in a valet parking mode, thereby restricting vehicle use. The processor is also configured to determine, while the vehicle is in valet parking mode, that a valet tag wirelessly connected to the vehicle is in motion, and to activate external indications that can be used to locate the vehicle in response to the tag's movement.

[0006] In a second illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to periodically search for wireless signals from a valet parking tag associated with a vehicle including the processor. The processor is also configured to issue an alert to a predefined source in response to failure to find the wireless signal.

[0007] In a third illustrative embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes: determining that a valet parking tag is in motion after it has stopped moving for a predetermined period of time. The method further includes: determining that the vehicle is in a valet parking mode, thereby restricting vehicle functions; and providing a visual or auditory indication in response to determining that the tag is in motion and the vehicle is in valet parking mode, the indication being usable to locate the vehicle from a location outside the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 An illustrative vehicle computing system is shown;

[0009] Figure 2 This illustrates the illustrative process of tag request processing;

[0010] Figure 3 This illustrates the illustrative label control process;

[0011] Figure 4A This illustrates the label tracking process;

[0012] Figure 4B This illustrates the label tracking display process;

[0013] Figure 5 This illustrates the valet parking mode adjustment process; and

[0014] Figure 6 The illustrative vehicle positioning process is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein as needed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative and may be embodied in various alternative forms. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the claimed subject matter in various ways.

[0016] Figure 1 An example block diagram topology of a vehicle-based computing system 1 (VCS) for vehicle 31 is shown. This example of a vehicle-based computing system 1 is the SYNC system manufactured by THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. A vehicle implemented with a vehicle-based computing system may include a visual driver's area interface 4 located within the vehicle. Users may also be able to interact with the provided interface, for example, using a touch-sensitive display. In another illustrative embodiment, interaction is achieved through button presses, a spoken dialogue system with automatic speech recognition, and speech synthesis.

[0017] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment 1, processor 3 controls at least some portions of the operation of the vehicle-based computing system. The processor, located within the vehicle, allows for onboard processing of commands and routines. Furthermore, the processor is connected to non-persistent storage device 5 and persistent storage device 7. In this illustrative embodiment, the non-persistent storage device is random access memory (RAM), and the persistent storage device is a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. Generally, persistent (non-transitory) memory can include all forms of memory that retain data when the computer or other device is powered off. These include, but are not limited to, HDDs, CDs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, solid-state drives, portable USB drives, and any other suitable form of persistent memory.

[0018] The processor is also equipped with a number of different inputs, allowing users to interface with it. In this illustrative embodiment, a microphone 29, an auxiliary input 25 (for input 33), a USB input 23, a GPS input 24, a screen 4 (which may be a touchscreen display), and a Bluetooth input 15 are all provided. An input selector 51 is also provided to allow users to switch between the various inputs. The inputs from the microphone and auxiliary connector are converted from analog to digital by a converter 27 before being passed to the processor. Although not shown, many vehicle components and auxiliary components communicating with the VCS can use a vehicle network (e.g., but not limited to a CAN bus) to transmit data to / from the VCS (or its components).

[0019] The system output may include, but is not limited to, the visual display 4 and the speaker 13 or the stereo system output. The speaker is connected to the amplifier 11 and receives its signal from the processor 3 via the digital-to-analog converter 9. The output may also be transmitted along bidirectional data streams shown at 19 and 21 to a remote Bluetooth device such as a personal navigation device (PND) 54 or a USB device such as a vehicle navigation device 60.

[0020] In one illustrative embodiment, system 1 uses a Bluetooth transceiver 15 to communicate 17 with a user's roaming device 53 (e.g., a cellular phone, smartphone, PDA, or any other device with wireless remote network connectivity). The roaming device can then be used to communicate 59 with a network 61 outside the vehicle 31 via, for example, communication 55 with a cellular tower 57. In some embodiments, the tower 57 may be a Wi-Fi access point.

[0021] Exemplary communication between the roaming device and the Bluetooth transceiver is represented by signal 14.

[0022] Pairing between the roaming device 53 and the Bluetooth transceiver 15 can be indicated via button 52 or a similar input. Therefore, the CPU-mounted Bluetooth transceiver is instructed to pair with the Bluetooth transceiver in the roaming device.

[0023] Data can be transmitted between the CPU 3 and the network 61 using, for example, data plans, audio data, or dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones associated with the roaming device 53. Alternatively, it may be desirable to include an in-vehicle modem 63 with an antenna 18 to transmit 16 data between the CPU 3 and the network 61 via an audio band. The roaming device 53 can then be used to communicate 59 with the network 61 outside the vehicle 31 via, for example, communication 55 with a cellular tower 57. In some embodiments, the modem 63 can establish communication 20 with the tower 57 to communicate with the network 61. As a non-limiting example, the modem 63 may be a USB cellular modem, and communication 20 may be cellular communication.

[0024] In one illustrative embodiment, the processor is equipped with an operating system that includes APIs for communicating with modem application software. The modem application software can access embedded modules or firmware on the Bluetooth transceiver to enable wireless communication with remote Bluetooth transceivers (e.g., those present in roaming devices). Bluetooth is a subset of the IEEE 802 PAN (Personal Area Network) protocol. The IEEE 802 LAN (Local Area Network) protocol includes Wi-Fi and has considerable overlap with IEEE 802 PAN. Both are suitable for wireless communication within vehicles. Another communication means that can be used in this field is free-space optical communication (such as the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) and non-standardized consumer infrared (IR) protocols.

[0025] In another embodiment, roaming device 53 includes a modem for audioband or broadband data communication. In the audioband data embodiment, a technique known as frequency division multiplexing can be implemented when the owner of the roaming device can make a call through the device while data is being transmitted. At other times, when the owner is not using the device, data transmission can use the entire bandwidth (300 Hz to 3.4 kHz in one example). While frequency division multiplexing may be common for analog cellular communication between a vehicle and the Internet and is still in use, it has been largely replaced by Code Domain Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA), and Spatial Domain Multiple Access (SDMA) for digital cellular communication. If the user has a data plan associated with the roaming device, the data plan may allow broadband transmission, and the system can use a much wider bandwidth (accelerating data transmission). In another embodiment, roaming device 53 is replaced by a cellular communication device (not shown) installed on vehicle 31. In yet another embodiment, ND 53 may be a wireless local area network (LAN) device capable of communicating over, for example (but not limited to), an 802.11g network (i.e., Wi-Fi) or a WiMax network.

[0026] In one embodiment, input data may be transmitted to the vehicle's internal processor 3 via a roaming device or a vehicle-mounted Bluetooth transceiver through a data scheduler. For example, for certain temporary data, the data may be stored on an HDD or other storage medium 7 until it is no longer needed.

[0027] Additional sources that can interface with the vehicle include a personal navigation device 54 with, for example, a USB connection 56 and / or an antenna 58, a vehicle navigation device 60 with a USB 62 or other connection, an in-vehicle GPS device 24, or a remote navigation system (not shown) with a connection to a network 61. USB is one of a class of serial networking protocols. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) TM (Apple), iLINK TM (Sony) and Lynx TM The backbone of device-to-device serial standards consists of Texas Instruments, EIA (Electronic Industries Association) serial protocols, IEEE 1284 (Centronics Port), S / PDIF (Sony / Philips Digital Interconnect Format), and USB-IF (USB Developer Forum). Most protocols can be used for electrical or optical communications.

[0028] In addition, the CPU can communicate with a variety of other auxiliary devices 65. These devices can be connected wirelessly 67 or via wired connection 69. Auxiliary devices 65 may include, but are not limited to, personal media players, wireless health devices, portable computers, etc.

[0029] Alternatively, the CPU can use, for example, a Wi-Fi (IEEE 803.11) transceiver 71 to connect to a vehicle-based wireless router 73. This allows the CPU to connect to remote networks within range of the local router 73.

[0030] In addition to the exemplary process performed by a vehicle computing system located within the vehicle, in some embodiments, the exemplary process may be performed by a computing system communicating with the vehicle computing system. Such systems may include, but are not limited to, wireless devices (e.g., but not limited to, mobile phones) or remote computing systems (e.g., but not limited to, servers) connected via wireless devices. These systems may be collectively referred to as a vehicle-associated computing system (VACS). In some embodiments, specific components of the VACS may perform specific portions of the process depending on the specific implementation of the system. By way of example and not limitation, if a process has a step of sending or receiving information via a paired wireless device, it is likely that the wireless device does not perform that portion of the process, because the wireless device will not be "sending and receiving" information by itself. Those skilled in the art will recognize when it is inappropriate to apply a particular computing system to a given solution.

[0031] In each exemplary embodiment discussed herein, exemplary, non-limiting examples of processes that can be executed by a computing system are shown. For each process, the computing system executing the process may be configured as a dedicated processor to execute the process for the limited purpose of performing the process. Not all processes need to be fully executed, and these processes should be understood as examples of process types that can be executed to implement the elements of the invention. Additional steps may be added or removed from the exemplary processes as needed.

[0032] Regarding the illustrative embodiments described in the accompanying drawings illustrating the illustrative process flow, it should be noted that a general-purpose processor may be temporarily enabled as a dedicated processor in order to perform some or all of the exemplary methods shown in these drawings. The processor may be temporarily reused as a dedicated processor while code providing instructions to perform some or all of the steps of the method is executed, until the method completes. In another example, to an appropriate extent, firmware pre-configured to function as a processor may enable the processor to act as a dedicated processor for the purpose of performing the method or some reasonable variations thereof.

[0033] The illustrative embodiments propose using valet parking control tags, such as small Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, which provide valet parking attendants with sufficient functionality to locate, enter, and drive the vehicle, but do not require the driver to hand over a full set of keys and / or provide full vehicle functionality.

[0034] In the illustrative example, a small BLE device, similar to a key fob or even smaller, is provided to the driver. This device can be attached to the vehicle in some way, or it can be carried by the driver with a key and easily removed for handover to a valet. The device can also remain disabled unless the driver puts the vehicle into valet parking mode, in which case the BLE valet tag functionality can be enabled if tag motion detection is enabled and the tag is in motion. If the tag has motion detection enabled, the vehicle can recognize the tag once it moves while the driver has the vehicle in valet parking mode. In some examples, the vehicle may always be able to communicate with the tag, regardless of whether it is in motion, but chooses not to take action unless the tag is in motion and the vehicle is in valet parking mode. This continuous motion provides the ability to track the tag and provide suggestions to the driver if the tag is not present in each activation or deactivation event. This feature can be used to reduce tag theft (e.g., car wash, service events) and helps ensure that when a valet returns a vehicle, if the vehicle recognizes that the driver or other passengers in the vehicle have different valid keys, the valet returns the tag, thus preventing a "key not found" alarm from occurring because multiple keys may be present.

[0035] Figure 2 An illustrative procedure for tag request processing is shown. In this example, the driver activates valet parking mode via a mobile device or through the vehicle interface. This mode activation can be password protected, and the driver can selectively enable and disable the mode. If multiple possible valet parking controls are present with the valet tag, the driver can also selectively enable or disable these controls to allow or prevent certain aspects of the valet parking mode from being used. In other examples, valet parking mode can be activated whenever an active valet tag is detected in the vehicle compartment, or if the valet tag is removed from a fixed mounting bracket or moved in a manner inconsistent with the movement of the vehicle to which the tag would normally be attached. Valet parking mode can be deactivated whenever an active key fob is detected in the compartment and a button is pressed on the display.

[0036] Once valet parking mode is active, in this example, the process executes a welcome mode to identify the vehicle for the valet driver. This may include, for example, illuminating the vehicle lights and otherwise visually and / or audibly identifying the vehicle so it can be recognized from a distance. This mode can also be used in conjunction with the owner's key fob, but in this example, valet parking mode activates the welcome mode for users who are further away than would typically be when the owner's welcome mode is activated. This can help the valet driver locate the vehicle in a crowded parking lot.

[0037] Since the vehicle may be parked at a valet stand (and therefore within the detectable range of the valet tag), the process determines whether the valet tag 203 is within a predefined distance associated with a valet welcome mode and whether the tag 215 is in motion. Tag motion can be detected by changes in tag signal strength or based on motion sensors included in the tag, the output of which can be transmitted from the tag to the vehicle.

[0038] If the tag is moving and within the range of the parking attendant welcome mode, the process can activate welcome mode 217, allowing the parking attendant to visually and / or audibly recognize the vehicle. Welcome mode can last for a fixed period of time, such as until the tag moves out of range, until the tag stops moving for more than a predetermined duration, or until the tag enters the passively unlocked range.

[0039] Once the valet tag enters the predefined unlocking zone (219), the process activates passive unlocking, allowing the valet driver to unlock the vehicle by grasping the vehicle's handle. This function is similar to passive unlocking based on the presence of the vehicle key fob. Once the valet driver touches the door handle (221), the process can unlock the vehicle based on this engagement and the presence of the valet tag. The process then determines (225) whether the valet tag has entered the vehicle compartment.

[0040] Similarly, the start function is activated in a passive start manner, similar to the presence of a key fob, based on the tag being in the vehicle cabin. If the valet presses the start button on vehicle 227, the process starts the engine of vehicle 229. If limited functionality associated with the start function certified by the valet parking tag exists, the vehicle can also activate that function at this time.

[0041] Tags can also periodically and / or in response to specific gestures when moved to broadcast or announce their corresponding Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This allows both the target vehicle (from which the tag originates) and other vehicles using the tagging system to read the VIN and determine the tag's location, and helps identify the vehicle to which the tag belongs if it is inadvertently left at a valet parking service. Furthermore, applications, such as those on a telephone or valet parking device, can receive the broadcast and provide a description of the vehicle to which the tag belongs. When used in conjunction with a database, this signal from the tag can also provide vehicle information beyond what can be obtained from the VIN.

[0042] If the tag is outside the welcome zone, certain movements of the tag or other interactions with the tag can still cause the vehicle to respond. If a request 205 is made with the tag (by movement or other means), the vehicle can attempt to determine the request and the corresponding action. If the movement / action corresponds to a chirp request 207, the process can cause the vehicle horn to chirp 209. If the movement corresponds to a start request 211, the process can remotely start the vehicle (assuming these functions are enabled via the tag). The tag is capable of transmitting detected movement parameters and / or self-determining commands associated with the movement parameters and simply transmitting those commands.

[0043] Figure 3The illustrative label control process is shown. In many valet parking situations, vehicles are parked in structures or parking lots not immediately adjacent to the valet parking service station. This may require the valet driver to travel to the vehicle's parking location and locate the vehicle among a large number of vehicles. Since the valet driver may have parked dozens or more vehicles since parking the user's vehicle, it may be difficult for them to remember the location of a specific vehicle. While a welcome mode can assist in vehicle location, the range is not unlimited, and there are other reasons why the welcome mode cannot be enabled if the user is not near the vehicle. Therefore, in this example, additional location assistance features can be provided for the valet parking label, including, for example, voice location and / or remote start.

[0044] In this example, the label may be a buttonless label, but the motion sensor carried on the label allows it to act like a button in response to various gesture-based controls. For example, tapping the label in the palm of your hand activates a chirping function, and moving the label in multiple circular motions activates a remote start function. These specific gestures are illustrative in nature, demonstrating how multiple functions can be controlled by gestures using a buttonless label.

[0045] In this example, once the tag is in motion 301, the process enables function detection 303. As the valet moves around looking for the vehicle, the tag can broadcast a signal detectable by the vehicle. If the valet makes a gesture 307 corresponding to a chirp request, the process can send a signal 309 to the vehicle indicating an audible output, such as an alarm or horn chirp. In some examples, the tag can send multiple chirp commands one after another with each gesture (e.g., continuously at a slow rate such as once per second) until the valet grasps the door handle.

[0046] Alternatively, if the valet makes a movement corresponding to the remote start command 311, the process can send a locking signal 313 to the vehicle, followed by a remote start signal 315. This locking signal is not mandatory, but it helps ensure the vehicle is locked before remote start, which could prevent the car from being driven away if the valet tag or key fob is not very close to the vehicle. Therefore, valet operators can use various gestures to quickly locate and / or start the vehicle while searching for it.

[0047] Valet parking mode can also be disabled (until the next use) and / or enabled via tag gestures. In such an example, the owner would disable and enable the tag, while using the tag to disable valet parking mode would help prevent the tag from being left behind. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle can search for the tag's presence in each engagement cycle or at other periodic intervals to ensure it hasn't been removed or left behind. The vehicle can even store the last location where the tag responded, allowing the vehicle to notify the owner (in a location-based manner) of the last detected tag location whenever the tag becomes unresponsive.

[0048] Figure 4A An illustrative tag tracking process is shown. In this example, the process, for instance, incorporates a user's mobile device to track the valet parking tag's movement. This may require signals from the tag that include measurable intensity and directionality, or the directionality may be determined by triangulation of the tag's signal.

[0049] In this example, the vehicle receives a 401 signal from the tag, which can also be transmitted when the tag is in motion, but not when the tag is stationary. This avoids damaging the tag or the vehicle's battery if the tag is within the vehicle's detectable range when at a valet parking service station. The vehicle uses the tag signal to determine 403 the distance to the tag (through a process such as Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurement or other suitable method) and the tag's direction of travel, allowing the vehicle to determine the tag's position relative to a known vehicle location. The vehicle then sends the tag's position (and possibly the vehicle's position) 405 to the driver's mobile device or other device. The vehicle can also send tag data to determine the tag's relative position to the mobile device, and the mobile device can perform tag position calculations if needed.

[0050] One useful aspect of this concept is that, because the tags can be small and portable, drivers can place them in their wallets, on pets or children, or on other trackable objects, and the vehicle can track the object's location based on the tag. This allows the driver to know if the wallet, child, or pet has left the vehicle, and if such tracking is needed, an alarm can be set based on the tag leaving a certain proximity range of the vehicle. The alarm can be issued by the vehicle as an audible or visual alert, and / or sent by the vehicle to the driver's phone.

[0051] Figure 4BAn illustrative label tracking display process is shown. In this example, the driver's device receives information 411 indicating the vehicle's location from the vehicle. The device also receives information indicating the location of the label or the label's position relative to the vehicle's location. The device can then use this information in conjunction with a digital map to display the movement and travel of the valet parking label as the valet moves toward the vehicle.

[0052] Figure 5 The illustration demonstrates the valet parking mode adjustment process. In this example, the vehicle is equipped with a driver welcome mode that can be activated when the driver moves within a certain proximity range of the vehicle (e.g., 3 feet). This mode may include illuminating the area outside one or more doors, activating the vehicle's interior lights, flashing, or activating the vehicle's exterior lights, etc.

[0053] In this example, once the driver activates the 501 valet parking mode, the vehicle makes several changes to its functionality. The vehicle enables 503 communication with the detected valet parking tag, which essentially enables the tag to be used. The vehicle can also adjust the proximity range associated with this welcome mode to a larger perimeter (e.g., 30 feet), which can help the valet find the vehicle in a dark parking lot.

[0054] Figure 6 An illustrative vehicle location process is shown. In this example, the process determines that valet parking mode has been activated for the vehicle at 601. Since the tag may be within detectable communication range at this time (because the driver may be carrying the tag or the tag may be elsewhere on the vehicle), it may not be desirable to activate features such as "welcome mode" based on the presence of the tag until some measures have determined that the tag is actually owned by the valet and that the valet is actually looking for the vehicle rather than parking it. This cycle can occur after an ignition event or other suitable indication of a key cycle.

[0055] In this example, the process remains inactive until it determines that the vehicle is locked 603 and the engine is not started 605. This is an example of a preliminary determination that the vehicle is actually parked, rather than simply sitting at the building entrance waiting for a valet to park the vehicle. Because users can stop, lock, and leave their vehicles if there is a long valet parking queue, the process that occurs with each ignition cycle still allows the process to occur after the valet restarts, drives, parks, and locks the vehicle.

[0056] If the vehicle detects tag 607, it also determines whether the tag has stopped moving 609 for a predetermined period of time. This often indicates that the tag is present and has been left at the valet parking service station, rather than in the pocket of the car owner waiting for a valet. If the tag is out of detection range, the stop-movement detection can be internally stored on the tag and indicated to the vehicle once the tag is back in detection range. That is, the tag is notified of the fact that it has stopped moving for a period of time and that it is likely to move with the valet rather than remain stationary at that point in time.

[0057] After the tag has remained stationary for a predetermined period of time (which can be as short as desired), the process determines whether the 611 tag is currently in motion. This determination helps resolve situations where the vehicle is parked within the tag's range, preventing the activation of incorrect welcome modes based on the vehicle's proximity to the valet parking station.

[0058] If the tag is moving, the process determines 613 whether the tag is within a predefined welcome mode range after it has come to a stop. This can be less than the detectable range of the tag signal, and if the tag is within range, the vehicle then determines 615 whether the welcome mode has been executed for the current key cycle. This final determination prevents the vehicle from activating the welcome mode if the valet keeps walking towards the parking lot with the driver's key in their pocket. While this may result in the welcome mode not being executed when the valet is actually looking for the vehicle, other key fob functions such as gesture control can still allow the valet to locate the vehicle, and this can prevent vehicle battery overload by always activating the welcome mode whenever the valet passes through the vehicle's welcome mode range with the tag in hand.

[0059] If welcome mode has not already been executed for the key cycle, the process enables welcome mode event 617 and logs the occurrence of event 619. It is also worth noting that welcome mode can be enabled once per time cycle instead of once per key cycle, as a suitable and illustrative example of how there can be an alternative way to control welcome mode activation when needed.

[0060] These illustrative embodiments provide examples of how a small valet tag can be provided and enabled for valet parking events, allowing the vehicle owner to continue holding the key fob while allowing the valet driver to easily locate, access, and drive the vehicle.

[0061] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, this does not imply that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used herein are descriptive rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, features of various implementation embodiments can be logically combined to produce suitable variations in the context of the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A system for valet parking of vehicles, comprising: Processor, the processor being configured to: Put the vehicle into valet parking mode to restrict vehicle use; When the vehicle is in valet parking mode, it is determined that the valet parking tag, which is wirelessly connected to the vehicle and handed over to the parking attendant, is in motion. as well as In response to movement of the valet tag and detection of increased wireless signal strength from the valet tag, an external indication output from the vehicle is activated, which can be used to locate the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to place the vehicle into valet parking mode in response to a request from the vehicle owner.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to place the vehicle in valet parking mode in response to detecting movement of the valet tag independent of vehicle movement.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to place the vehicle in valet parking mode in response to detecting separation of the valet parking tag from a predefined attachment location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the external indication includes the illumination of the vehicle lighting system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the external indication includes activation of a vehicle audible system that can be heard from outside the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: The distance to the valet parking tag and the direction of travel of the valet parking tag are determined based on the signals received from the valet parking tag; and A wireless message is sent to the pre-identified vehicle owner's portable device to indicate the location of the valet parking tag.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the location of the valet parking tag is relative to the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the location of the valet parking tag is in the form of GPS coordinates, the location being determined by the processor based on the vehicle's GPS coordinates, the tag's distance from the vehicle, and the tag's orientation.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: When the vehicle is not in valet parking mode, it periodically searches for a signal from the valet parking tag; and An alert is issued to the user in response to the absence of the signal from the valet parking tag.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to store vehicle GPS coordinates whenever the signal from the valet tag is detected during the periodic search.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the alarm includes the GPS coordinates saved at the most recent time of detecting the signal from the valet tag.

13. A system for valet parking of vehicles, comprising: Processor, the processor being configured to: Put the vehicle into valet parking mode to restrict vehicle use; When the vehicle is in valet parking mode, it is determined that the valet parking tag, which is wirelessly connected to the vehicle and handed over to the parking attendant, is in motion. as well as In response to detecting movement of the valet parking tag and determining that the valet parking tag stops moving for at least a predetermined period of time after the valet parking mode is activated, an external indication output from the vehicle is activated to locate the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to activate the external instruction in response to: Detecting the movement of valet parking tags; After the valet parking mode is activated, the valet parking tag stops moving for at least a predetermined period of time; and Determine that the valet parking tag is within a predefined distance from the vehicle.

15. A computer-implemented method for valet parking of a vehicle, comprising: Determining that the valet parking tag is in motion after a predetermined period of inactivity confirms that the valet parking tag has been handed over to the parking attendant; The vehicle is identified as being in valet parking mode, thereby restricting vehicle functions; as well as In response to determining that the valet parking tag handed over to the valet parking attendant is in motion and that the vehicle is in valet parking mode, the vehicle provides visual or audible indications that can be used to locate the vehicle from its external location.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Determine that the valet parking tag is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; In addition to responding to determining that the valet parking tag is in motion and the vehicle is in valet parking mode, the visual or auditory indication is also provided once the valet parking tag is within the predetermined distance.

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