Key-fob locating method and apparatus

Methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining information on the whereabouts of a vehicle key-fob. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a motion detector, memory, and a controller operatively coupled thereto. The controller uses instructions stored in the memory to operate the transmitter in response to a first signal provided by the motion detector indicating that the key-fob is in motion and a second signal provided by the receiver when the key-fob is in range of a communication node, to send thereto via the transmitter information useful in tracking the key-fob. The user interrogates the node to retrieve the location information deposited thereon by the key-fob. The stored information may be a time dated list of nodes the key-fob has visited or current position information generated within the key-fob itself and/or the nodes, or a combination thereof.