APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A WIRELESS, PORTABLE, AND/OR HANDHELD, DEVICE WITH SAFETY FEATURES

• US 20140085445A1
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Michael Joao, Gregory Thomas Joao, Raymond Anthony Joao
• Original Assignee: Gregory Thomas Joao, Raymond Anthony Joao
• Inventors: JOAO, RAYMOND ANTHONY, JOAO, GREGORY THOMAS, JOAO, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL
• Granted Patent: US 9,961,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An apparatus, including a processing device, a camera for obtaining a view, a picture, or video, a display device for displaying information, the view, picture, or video obtained by the camera, and a global positioning system for determining a position or a location of the apparatus. The global positioning system determines a position or location of the apparatus. The apparatus identifies a municipal subdivision in which the apparatus is located, identifies a nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, generates a report containing information regarding the identified nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, located in the municipal subdivision, and contact information for the nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, and provides at least a portion of the information contained in the report via the display device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processing device for controlling an operation of the apparatus,

a camera for obtaining a view, a picture, or video;

a display device for displaying information, the view, the picture, or the video obtained by the camera, and

a global positioning system for determining a position or a location of the apparatus,

wherein the global positioning system determines a position or location of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus identifies a municipal subdivision in which the apparatus is located, and further wherein the apparatus identifies a nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, located in the municipal subdivision, and further where the apparatus generates a report containing information regarding the identified nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, located in the municipal subdivision, and contact information for the identified nearest police department, fire department, hospital, hotel, point of interest, or individual, and further wherein the apparatus provides at least a portion of the information contained in the report via the display device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is a night vision camera, an infrared camera, or a thermographic camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus or the processing device automatically detects a mode of operation of the apparatus, wherein the mode of operation is a texting operational mode, an e-mail operational mode, a game or gaming operational mode, a picture taking or video recording operational mode, or a videophone or speakerphone operational mode, wherein the processing device activates the camera to obtain a view, a picture, or video in a direction of movement of the apparatus or from the apparatus, and further wherein the apparatus provides the view, picture, or video, obtained by the camera via the display device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus or the processing device activates the at least one collision avoidance sensor to detect an object, structure, or individual in the direction of movement or in the vicinity of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus generates an audible indication or a visual indication to provide information regarding a detection by the collision avoidance sensor of an object, a structure, or an individual in the direction of movement or in the vicinity of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a speaker, wherein the apparatus provides the audible indication via a speaker.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus provides the visual indication via the display device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus processes information for composing a text message or an e-mail message, and further wherein the global positioning device determines a current position or location of the apparatus at the time of the composing of the text message or the e-mail message, and further wherein the apparatus attaches or includes information regarding the current position or location of the apparatus to or in the text message or to or in the e-mail message, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the information regarding the current position or location of the apparatus with the text message or with the e-mail message

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus stores information regarding a safe area radius of travel or a safe area municipal subdivision within which the apparatus is to remain, and further wherein the apparatus detects a change of position or location, identifies a new municipal subdivision in which the apparatus is located, and further wherein the apparatus generates an alert message containing information regarding the current position or location of the apparatus and the current municipal subdivision in which the current position or location is located, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the alert message to a communication device associated with an authorized individual or police or law enforcement personnel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the alert message contains contact information or a telephone number for a nearest police department or law enforcement office.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus records and stores a video clip.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus transits the video clip to a central processing computer or to a communication device, wherein the communication device is associated with an authorized individual, a police department, or a law enforcement office.

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mode of operation is a texting operational mode or an e-mailing operational mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wherein the mode of operation is a picture taking or video recording operational mode.

15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wherein the mode of operation is a a videophone or speakerphone operational mode.

16. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wherein the mode of operation is a a game playing or a gaming operational mode.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus detects a driving mode, and further wherein the apparatus de-activates a keyboard or keypad of the apparatus, de-activates a display device, provides a voice synthesized reading of a message or provides composes a message from dictation.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a smartphone.

19. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the display device displays a night vision, an infrared, or a thermographic, view, picture, or video, in a direction of movement of the apparatus or from the apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a cellular telephone or a videophone, a tablet computer, a portable gaming device, a handheld gaming device, a handheld video game console, or a portable game console.