Method and apparatus for facilitating wireless communications with a nonautomotive roaming object

• US 20030119445A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jambhekar, Shrirang, Gardner, Robert M., Davis, Walter L., Bromham, Richard, Thompson, Maria
• Granted Patent: US 6,985,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator

Abstract

A radio (10) communicates compatibly with a dedicated short range roadside information service and is adapted and configured to be worn by a pedestrian or otherwise mounted on or installed in a variety of nonautomotive roaming objects. Various modes of operation are supported including a beacon mode (50), a remote transmitter mode (60), a remote disable mode (70), and a location based operating mode (80).

Claims

1. A device adapted and configured to be disposed on a nonautomotive roaming object, comprising a radio that is compatible with a dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service, wherein the radio comprises at least one of:

a transmitter that transmits information regarding the nonautomotive roaming object compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service; and

a receiver that receives information service information compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a beacon transmitter that transmits object information automatically at least from time to time.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the object information includes category information that identifies the nonautomotive roaming object as belonging to a particular pre defined category.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the object information includes personal identification information that identifies the nonautomotive roaming object as being a particular nonautomotive roaming object.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the information service information sometimes includes a first signal, and wherein the transmitter includes an actuator having an input operably responsive to the first signal and an output operably coupled to a transmit actuator control, such that the transmitter will automatically transmit the object information upon receiving the first signal.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a dedicated short range transmitter.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the transmitter includes a high power mode of operation.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the information service information sometimes includes a first signal, and wherein the transmitter includes an actuator having an input operably responsive to the first signal and an output operably coupled to a high power mode of operation actuator control, such that the transmitter will automatically transmit using the high power mode of operation upon receiving the first signal.

9. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a location determining unit that is operably coupled to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the information service information sometimes includes a first signal, and wherein the transmitter includes an actuator having an input operably responsive to the first signal and an output operably coupled to a disable actuator control, such that the transmitter will automatically be disabled upon receiving the first signal.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the object information includes location information regarding the object.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the location information comprises absolute location information that identifies a specific objective location of the object.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the location information comprises relative location information that identifies a relative location of the object with respect to at least one other object.

14. The device of claim 1 and further including a user interface operably coupled to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the user interface includes a visual display.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the user interface includes an audio transducer.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the user interface includes a tactile sensory output.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the user interface includes a text entry device.

19. A method for use with a device that is adapted and configured to be disposed on a nonautomotive roaming object, the device comprising a user interface and a radio that is compatible with a dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service, wherein the radio comprises at least one of:

a transmitter operably coupled to the user interface that transmits information regarding the nonautomotive roaming object compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service; and

a receiver operably coupled to the user interface that receives information service information compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service;

the method comprising automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface includes:

determining a present location of the nonautomotive roaming object;

transmitting the present location compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein transmitting the present location includes also transmitting category information that identifies the nonautomotive roaming object as belonging to a particular predefined category.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein determining a present location includes receiving global positioning system signals.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein determining a present location includes receiving location information compatible with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface includes:

receiving a first message compatible with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service;

determining a present location of the nonautomotive roaming object;

transmitting a message that includes at least the present location of the nonautomotive roaming object.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein transmitting a message includes transmitting a message compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein transmitting a message includes transmitting a message using a high power transmission mode.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein transmitting a message further includes transmitting a message that indicates at least a likelihood that the device will imminently become at least partially nonoperational.

28. The method of claim 19 wherein automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface includes:

determining that the nonautomotive roaming object is presently located proximal to a plurality of other nonautomotive roaming objects;

automatically initiating a predetermined action.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein automatically initiating a predetermined action includes automatically initiating a reduced transmission power mode of operation.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein automatically initiating a reduced transmission power mode of operation includes disabling the transmitter.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein automatically initiating a predetermined action includes automatically transmitting at least some information regarding the other nonautomotive roaming objects.

32. The method of claim 19 wherein the device further includes a memory and wherein the method further comprises storing at least some history regarding the nonautomotive roaming object in the memory.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein storing at least some history regarding the nonautomotive roaming object in the memory includes storing at least some history regarding location of the nonautomotive roaming object in the memory.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein storing at least some history regarding the nonautomotive roaming object in the memory includes storing at least some history regarding directional headings of the nonautomotive roaming object in the memory.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface includes:

storing at least some activity history regarding disablement of the transmitter in the memory;

transmitting at least some of the activity history, such that the activity history regarding disablement of the transmitter can be utilized to dynamically adjust insurance coverage terms and conditions.

36. The method of claim 35 and further including:

receiving information regarding dynamic adjustment of the insurance coverage terms and conditions compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

37. The method of claim 19 wherein automatically using location information to selectively control at least one of the transmitter and the user interface includes:

using location information to determine at least an approximate present velocity of the nonautomotive roaming object;

whenever the approximate present velocity at least exceeds a predetermined threshold, automatically disabling the transmitter.

38. A module constructed and arranged to physically and operably couple with and draw at least some operating power from a portable device, the module comprising a radio that is compatible with a dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service, wherein the radio comprises at least one of:

a transmitter that transmits information regarding the nonautomotive roaming object compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service; and

a receiver that receives information service information compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.

39. The module of claim 38 wherein the portable device comprises one of a portable two-way communications device, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, and a global positioning system receiver.

40. A dedicated short range roadside information service radio constructed and arranged for installation in a vehicle, the radio including a module constructed and arranged to physically and operably couple with and draw at least some operating power from the radio, the module comprising a portable radio that is compatible with a dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service, wherein the portable radio comprises at least one of:

a transmitter that transmits information regarding a nonautomotive roaming object compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service; and

a receiver that receives information service information compatibly with the dedicated short range radio frequency-based roadside information service.