Methods and Apparatus for Device Detection in Response to Signal Broadcast

• US 20140266758A1
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Gritz, Michael A., Bauer, Marc C., Hernandez, Rafael
• Granted Patent: US 9,191,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/136 Magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiation systems, e.g. ground penetrating radars or metal-detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for detecting a device, such as a cell phone, by transmitting signals in various formats and detecting a response from the device. In general, different devices respond to different signal formats. Upon detecting the device, an alert can be generated.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting a first signal in a first format;

transmitting a second signal in a second format;

detecting, using an array, a wireless device within a given range generating a signal in response to the first signal; and

generating a detection signal upon detecting the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first signal format corresponds to a signal from a first wireless network provider.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a cell phone.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises a focal plane array

5. The method according to claim 1, further including transmitting the first signal from a vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including generating an alert when the device is detected.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the array comprises a two-dimensional staring array.

8. The method according to claim 1, further including determining a distance from the array to the device.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including tracking the device as the device moves.

10. A system, comprising:

an array to detect a device generating a signal in response to signals transmitted in a variety of formats by a base station;

a detector module coupled to the array to generate an alert signal in response to detection of the device; and

a controller coupled to the array.

11. The system according to claim 10, further including the base station, wherein the base station is configured to transmit a first signal in a first format and transmit a second signal in a second format.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the device comprises a cell phone.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the array comprises a focal plane array

14. The system according to claim 10, further including a vehicle to support the array.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the array comprises a two-dimensional staring array.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the array is configured to determine a distance from the array to the device.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the array is configured to track the device as the device moves.

18. A system, comprising:

an array means to detect a device generating a signal in response to signals transmitted in a variety of formats by a base station;

a detector means coupled to the array means to generate an alert signal in response to detection of the device; and

a controller coupled to the array means.

19. The system according to claim 18, further including a vehicle to support the array means.