Devices and Methods for Detecting Proximal Traffic

• US 20090215488A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Kevin Wray, Causey, Mark Edward, Luu, Adrianne Binh, Andrus, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9327 Sensor installation details
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the detection of automobiles within a proximity of a user'"'"'s automobile. A wireless phone is disclosed which can detect surrounding vehicles and display them on the phone'"'"'s screen without any peripherals. The wireless phone may employ a RADAR, a thermal camera, or a plurality of microphones to detect other automobiles.

Claims

1. A wireless device comprising:

a housing;

a cellular communication member within the housing; and

a solid object detecting RADAR member within the housing;

wherein the RADAR member detects a plurality of solid objects in real time.

2. The device in claim 1, further comprising a screen with at least a portion within the housing;

3. The device in claim 2, wherein the plurality of detected solid objects are displayed on the screen.

4. The device in claim 1, further comprising a logic unit that calculates location, velocity, and mass of the detected solid objects.

5. The device in claim 1, wherein the solid object detecting RADAR member detects the plurality of solid objects.

6. The device in claim 1, wherein the plurality of solid objects are automobiles.

7. The device in claim 1, further comprising an alerting member.

8. The device in claim 7, wherein the alerting member is one of a sound, light, and vibration.

9. A method for detecting solid objects in a proximity using only a wireless phone, comprising the steps of:

initiating a detection mode on the wireless phone; and

receiving information concerning proximal objects from the wireless phone,

wherein the wireless phone detects proximal objects using RADAR.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating information about the plurality of solid objects with respect to the wireless phone.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying the information on a display, wherein at least a portion of the display is within the wireless phone.

12. An engine detecting wireless phone comprising:

a housing;

a screen, at least a portion of which is enclosed within the housing;

a cellular communication member within the housing; and

an engine detecting member within the housing;

wherein a plurality of engines within a proximity are detected and displayed on the screen.

13. The device in claim 12, wherein the engine detecting member comprises at least four microphones.

14. The device in claim 13, wherein each microphone receives an untagged audio signal.

15. The device in claim 14, further comprising a logic unit that calculates the position of a source of the untagged audio signal.

16. The device in claim 12, wherein the engine detecting member comprises a thermal camera.

17. The device in claim 16, further comprising a logic unit that monitors the thermal camera for objects of having a much higher temperature than its surroundings.

18. A method of detecting and displaying engines in a proximity comprising:

detecting an automobile engine, using a wireless phone, within a proximity while driving an automobile;

calculating positions of the engines with respect to the user'"'"'s automobile; and

displaying on a screen a first icon representing the user'"'"'s automobile and a second icon representing the detected automobile engine;

wherein the second icon is positioned relative to the physical position of the user'"'"' automobile.

19. The method in claim 18, further comprising downloading additional data concerning upcoming traffic outside the proximity of the user'"'"'s automobile.

20. The method in claim 19, wherein the additional data is displayed on the display.

21. The method in claim 18, wherein the wireless phone uses a thermal camera to detect the automobile engine.

22. The method in claim 18, wherein the wireless phone uses at least four microphones to detect the automobile engine.