Cooperative vehicular identification system

• US 7,642,897 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Odyssey Wireless, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Odyssey Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Nam V
• Application Number:
  US11/855,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20080001718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.3, 340/10.1, 340/933, 340/426.11, 340/901, 340/905, 340/441, 340/466, 340/903, 340/928, 340/5.2, 340/988, 340/904, 701/117, 701/211
• US Class Current: 340/10.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

Cooperative Vehicular Identification Systems and Methods, capable of monitoring and recording vehicular law violations, with the assistance and cooperation of the vehicles in violation, are disclosed. Real-time information from vehicular sensors is communicated to a Central Processing Unit (CPU). Strategically located Interrogator devices, on roads/highways, at intersections, in and around school zones, integrated with traffic lights, etc., issue inquiries/interrogations to passing-by vehicles. Vehicles proximate to such Interrogators respond with unique identifying information and with parameter lists provided by their vehicular sensors. Each Interrogator inquiry can provide data, including the lawful parameter limits (i.e. speed limit) associated with its location. In response to having successfully decoded an inquiry, and in response to the state of its vehicular sensors, a vehicular Transponder may transmit information to the specific Interrogator that has issued an inquiry. The Interrogator then relays relevant identifying information to the CPU for further processing.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a state of an entity, the method comprising:

receiving a signal at the entity from a device external to the entity;

transmitting data responsive to the receiving; and

automatically refraining from responding to at least one other requesting signal from the same device external to the entity, that requests a response and that is received at the entity from the same device external to the entity, even though the at least one other requesting signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the entity,

wherein automatically refraining comprises automatically refraining over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing data responsive to having received the confirmation signal.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

retrieving data that has been stored; and

/or

providing data to be stored.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting data comprises transmitting a data element associated with the device external to the entity.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the data element associated with the device external to the entity is received at the entity from the device external to the entity.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving and transmitting are based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving comprises receiving at the entity first and second signals from respective first and second devices that are external to the entity and wherein transmitting comprises transmitting responsive to having received the first and second signals.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the first device is configured to transmit and receive and wherein the second device is configured to transmit and not to receive.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the entity is a motor vehicle.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

processing data that has been transmitted at a device external to the entity.

11. A transceiver comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive a first signal from a device; and

a transmitter that is configured to transmit data responsive to the receiver having received the first signal,

wherein the transmitter is configured to automatically refrain from responding to a second signal from the same device, that requests a response and that is received by the receiver from the same device, even through the second signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the transmitter; and

wherein the transmitter is configured to automatically refrain from responding over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

12. A transceiver according to claim 11, further comprising:

a memory configured to store data responsive to having received the confirmation signal.

13. A transceiver according to claim 11, wherein the transmitter transmits data comprising information that has been transmitted by the device.

14. A transceiver according to claim 13, wherein the information that has been transmitted by the device comprises an identity of the device.

15. A transceiver according to claim 11, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are configured to receive and transmit, respectively, based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol.

16. A transceiver according to claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to receive first and second signals from respective first and second devices and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit in response to having received the first and second signals.

17. A transceiver according to claim 16, wherein the first device is configured to transmit and to receive and wherein the second device is configured to transmit and not to receive.

18. A transceiver according to claim 11, wherein the device is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

19. A transceiver according to claim 11, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are in a motor vehicle.

20. An interrogator that is configured to communicate with a transceiver, the interrogator comprising:

a transmitter that is configured to transmit a signal that includes a data element associated with the interrogator; and

a receiver that is configured to receive data from the transceiver,

wherein the data includes the data element associated with the interrogator;

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a confirmation signal to the transceiver in response to having received the data from the transceiver;

wherein the transceiver is configured to automatically refrain from providing at least one additional response to a respective at least one additional requesting signal from the same interrogator, that requests the response and that is received by the transceiver from the same interrogator, even though the at least one additional requesting signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the transceiver; and

wherein the transceiver is further configured to automatically refrain from responding over a time interval following reception of the confirmation signal.

21. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are configured to transmit and receive, respectively, based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol.

22. An interrogator according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit using a frequency and the receiver is configured to receive using the frequency.

23. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein at least some data that is received by the receiver is transmitted to a processing unit for further processing.

24. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the transmitter and the receiver transmit and receive, respectively, based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol, wherein the transmitter transmits at a first frequency and over a first time slot and the receiver receives at the first frequency and over a second time slot that does not overlap with the first time slot and wherein the transmitter is also configured to transmit at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.

25. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the interrogator is configured to relay at least some data that is received by the receiver to a processing unit and wherein the processing unit is configured to perform a function responsive to the at least some data.

26. An interrogator according to claim 25, wherein the function relates to control of at least one traffic light.

27. An interrogator according to claim 25, wherein the interrogator is configured to relay the at least some data that is received by the receiver to the processing unit using a frequency of a cellular band of frequencies, a frequency of a PCS band of frequencies, a frequency of a satellite band of frequencies, a microwave link, cable/fiber, a base station and/or a satellite.

28. An interrogator according to claim 27, wherein the interrogator is further configured to receive information from the processing unit.

29. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a signal at least once every 0.5 seconds.

30. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the interrogator is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

31. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the transceiver is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle.

32. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the signal that includes a data element associated with the interrogator further includes a Time-of-Day (ToD) value and/or a measure of location of the interrogator.

33. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the signal further includes a request for information from the transceiver and/or information to the transceiver.

34. An interrogator according to claim 33, wherein information to the transceiver comprises:

a speed limit,

a Time-of-Day (ToD) value,

a geographic position,

a message identifier,

information regarding a traffic light,

information regarding a state of a traffic light,

a road/traffic/accident report,

a weather report,

a vehicular theft report,

commercial information,

parking information,

toll collection information and/or

a personal message.

35. An interrogator according to claim 33, wherein information from the transceiver comprises information associated with:

a speed of a motor vehicle,

a Time-of-Day (ToD) value,

a geographic position,

a state of a motor vehicle,

a content of a motor vehicle,

an entity that is associated with a motor vehicle,

a traffic light,

a state of a traffic light,

an inspection status of a motor vehicle,

a seat belt status of a motor vehicle,

a stop sign compliance or non-compliance of a motor vehicle,

a theft status of a motor vehicle,

a toll collection,

a personal message and/or

a request for commercial information.

36. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the data from the transceiver comprises information regarding:

a speed of a motor vehicle,

a Time-of-Day (ToD) value,

a geographic position,

a state of a motor vehicle,

a content of a motor vehicle,

an entity that is associated with a motor vehicle,

a traffic light,

a state of a traffic light,

an inspection status of a motor vehicle,

a seat belt status of a motor vehicle,

a stop sign compliance or non-compliance of a motor vehicle,

a theft status of a motor vehicle,

a toll collection,

a personal message and/or

a commercial request.

37. An interrogator according to claim 20, wherein the data that is received from the transceiver by the receiver and includes a data element associated with the interrogator further includes a Time-of-Day (ToD) value that is associated with the interrogator and/or a measure of location of the interrogator.

38. A system comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive a signal from a device; and

a transmitter that is configured to transmit data to the device responsive to the receiver having received the signal,

wherein the transmitter is further configured to automatically refrain from further transmitting data to the same device even though a subsequent requesting signal requesting data is received by the receiver from the same device, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the data by the transmitter; and

wherein the transmitter is still further configured to automatically refrain from further transmitting over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

39. A system according to claim 38, further comprising:

a memory configured to store data responsive to having received the confirmation.

40. A system according to claim 39, further comprising a unit that is used to extract the data that is stored in the memory.

41. A system according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter transmits data that relates to an entity that is associated with the transmitter and data that relates to the device;

wherein the data that relates to the device is received by the receiver from the device.

42. A system according to claim 38, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are configured to receive and transmit based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol;

wherein the receiver receives at a first frequency over a first time interval and transmits at the first frequency over a second time interval that does not overlap with the first time interval.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.

44. A system according to claim 38, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a first signal at a first frequency, process the first signal and tune to a second frequency, responsive to having processed the first signal, to receive further information at the second frequency.

45. A system according to claim 38, wherein the data that is transmitted responsive to the receiver having received the signal comprises at least one element of the signal.

46. A system according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter is activated or de-activated responsive to a signal that is received by the receiver.

47. A system according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter is activated by a person, a government authority or by an insurance company.

48. A system according to claim 38, further comprising the device and/or a processing unit, wherein the data that is transmitted by the transmitter is received by the device and the device is configured to relay at least some of the data to the processing unit.

49. A system according to claim 38, wherein the device is configured to transmit a signal at least once every 0.5 seconds.

50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the device is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

51. A system according to claim 38, wherein the device is connected to a traffic light.

52. A system according to claim 38, wherein the device is configured to relay at least some of the data to a processing unit using a frequency of a cellular band of frequencies, a frequency of a PCS band of frequencies, a frequency of a satellite band of frequencies, a microwave link, cable/fiber, a base station and/or a satellite.

53. A system according to claim 52, wherein the device is further configured to receive information from the processing unit.

54. A system according to claim 38, wherein the signal that is received by the receiver includes an identity of the device, a Time-of-Day (ToD) value and/or a measure of location of the device.

55. A system according to claim 54, wherein the data that is transmitted by the transmitter includes the identity of the device, the Time-of-Day (ToD) value and/or the measure of location of the device.

56. A system according to claim 38, wherein the data that is transmitted by the transmitter comprises a request for information from the device and/or information to the device.

57. A system according to claim 38, wherein the signal that is received from the device comprises information relating to:

a speed limit,

a traffic light,

a state of a traffic light

a road/traffic/accident report,

a weather report,

a vehicular theft report,

commercial information,

parking information,

toll collection and/or

a personal message.

58. A system according to claim 38, wherein the data that is transmitted by the transmitter comprises information associated with:

a speed of a motor vehicle,

a state of a motor vehicle,

a content of a motor vehicle,

an entity that is associated with a motor vehicle,

a traffic light,

a state of a traffic light,

an inspection status of a motor vehicle,

a seat belt status of a motor vehicle,

a stop sign compliance or non-compliance of a motor vehicle,

a theft status of a motor vehicle,

toll collection,

a personal message and/or

a request for commercial information.

59. A system according to claim 38, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are in a motor vehicle.

60. A system comprising:

a receiver that is configured to receive a first data packet from a device at a first frequency, to read a data content of the first data packet that was received, to determine from reading the data content of the first packet that was received that a second data packet is to be received at a second frequency, and to tune to the second frequency to receive the second data packet in response to the determination from reading the data content of the first packet that was received; and

a transmitter that is configured to transmit information responsive to the receiver having received the first and/or second data packet,

wherein the device is configured to transmit the first data packet repetitively and at least once every 0.5 seconds;

wherein the transmitter is further configured to automatically refrain from responding to at least one signal that is received by the receiver, even though the at least one signal is requesting a response; and

wherein the transmitter is configured to automatically refrain from responding over a time interval responsive to having received by the receiver a confirmation indicating that data that has been transmitted by the transmitter has been received and responsive to having read by the receiver a data content of the at least one signal.

61. A system according to claim 60, further comprising the device.

62. A system according to claim 60, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are further configured to receive and transmit, respectively, based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol wherein the receiver receives at a frequency and the transmitter transmits at the frequency and over a time interval that does not overlap with a time interval associated with the receiver receiving.

63. A system according to claim 60, further comprising a processing unit that is configured to process at least some of the information that is transmitted by the transmitter.

64. A system according to claim 60, wherein the receiver and the transmitter are in a motor vehicle and wherein the device is in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

65. A system comprising:

a device that is configured to receive information from a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit a signal using a first frequency, the signal including an identity of the transmitter,

wherein the device is further configured to wirelessly transmit a data packet using the first frequency responsive to having received the signal, the data packet including the identity of the transmitter; and

wherein the transmitter is further configured to provide additional data to the device using the first frequency responsive to receiving the data packet;

wherein responsive to having received the additional data, the device is further configured to automatically refrain from responding to a subsequent requesting signal from the same transmitter, that requests a response and that is received at the device from the same transmitter, even though the subsequent requesting signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the device; and

wherein the device is still further configured to automatically refrain from responding over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

66. A system according to claim 65, wherein the transmitter is further configured to wirelessly transmit the signal repetitively and at least once every 0.5 seconds.

67. A system according to claim 65, wherein the device is further configured to tune to a second frequency responsive to having received the signal and to receive information at the second frequency.

68. A system according to claim 65, wherein the device is configured to automatically refrain from responding to the subsequent requesting signal from the same transmitter responsive to the device having received the confirmation indicating that data that has been transmitted by the device, prior to the device receiving the confirmation and the subsequent requesting signal, has been received and responsive to a data content of the subsequent requesting signal, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the device.

69. A system according to claim 65, further comprising the transmitter.

70. A system according to claim 69, wherein the transmitter is further configured to be operative in a vehicle and/or to be installed in a vehicle.

71. A system according to claim 65, wherein the device is in a motor vehicle and wherein the transmitter is in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

72. A system comprising:

a mobile device that is configured to communicate wirelessly with a non-mobile device,

wherein the mobile device is configured to receive a request for information from the non-mobile device, to provide information to the non-mobile device responsive to the request for information and to automatically refrain from responding to at least one other requesting signal from the same non-mobile device, that requests a response and that is received at the mobile device from the same non-mobile device, even though the at least one other signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response by the mobile device;

wherein the non-mobile device is configured to provide information to a processing unit responsive to the information that is received at the non-mobile device from the mobile device;

wherein the processing unit is configured to control a state of at least one traffic light responsive to information that is received by the processing unit from the non-mobile device; and

wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically refrain from responding over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

73. A system according to claim 72, wherein the non-mobile device is configured to request information from the mobile device at least once every 0.5 seconds.

74. A system according to claim 72, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive a first signal at a first frequency, process the first signal and tune to a second frequency, responsive to having processed the first signal, to receive information at the second frequency.

75. A system according to claim 72, wherein the mobile device that is configured to communicate wirelessly with the non-mobile device is configured to receive and transmit based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol;

wherein the mobile device receives at a frequency over a first time interval and transmits at the frequency over a second time interval that does not overlap with the first time interval.

76. A system according to claim 72, wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive a first request for information from the non-mobile device, to provide information to the non-mobile device responsive to the first request for information and to refrain from providing information to the non-mobile device upon receiving a second request for information from the non-mobile device.

77. A system according to claim 72, wherein the mobile device is in a motor vehicle and wherein the non-mobile device is external to any motor vehicle.

78. A method comprising:

receiving a first signal at a receiver;

transmitting data responsive to the receiving; and

automatically refraining from responding to a second requesting signal that requests a response and that is received at the receiver, even though the second requesting signal is requesting the response, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the response,

wherein automatically refraining comprises automatically refraining over a time interval following reception of a confirmation signal.

79. A method according to claim 78, wherein automatically refraining from responding comprises automatically refraining from transmitting even though the second signal is requesting a transmission.

80. A method according to claim 78, further comprising:

storing data responsive to having received the confirmation signal.

81. A method according to claim 78, wherein receiving a first signal comprises receiving data and wherein transmitting data comprises transmitting at least some of the data that is received.

82. A method according to claim 78, wherein receiving and transmitting are based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol.

83. A method according to claim 79, wherein automatically refraining from transmitting comprises automatically refraining from transmitting over a time interval.

84. A method according to claim 78, wherein receiving comprises receiving first and second signals from respective first and second devices and wherein transmitting comprises transmitting data responsive to having received the first and second signals.

85. A method according to claim 84, wherein the first device is configured to transmit and receive and wherein the second device is configured to transmit and not receive.

86. A method according to claim 78, wherein the receiver is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle.

87. A method comprising:

transmitting a signal from a first device to a second device, the signal including first data that is associated with the first device;

receiving second data at the first device from the second device, the second data including an element of the first data that is associated with the first device;

sending a confirmation signal from the first device to the second device responsive to having received the second data at the first device; and

automatically refraining by the second device from providing data to the first device over a time interval, in response to the second device receiving the confirmation signal, even though a requesting signal that requests data is received at the second device from the first device, so as to reduce a redundant transmission of the data,

wherein automatically refraining comprises automatically refraining over the time interval following reception of the confirmation signal.

88. A method according to claim 87, wherein transmitting and receiving are based upon a Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocol and wherein transmitting uses a first frequency and a first time slot and receiving uses the first frequency and a second time slot that does not overlap with the first time slot.

89. A method according to claim 87, further comprising relaying at least some of the second data by the first device to a processing unit.

90. A method according to claim 88, further comprising using a second frequency by the first and/or second devices that is different than the first frequency.

91. A method according to claim 87, wherein transmitting a signal further comprises transmitting a signal at least once every 0.5 seconds.

92. A method according to claim 87, wherein the first device is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle or is external to any motor vehicle.

93. A method according to claim 87, wherein the second device is operative in a motor vehicle and/or is installed in a motor vehicle.

94. A method according to claim 89, wherein relaying comprises using a cellular band frequency, a PCS band frequency, a satellite band frequency, a microwave link, cable/fiber, a base station and/or a satellite.

95. A method according to claim 94, further comprising receiving information at the first device from the processing unit.

96. A method according to claim 87, wherein the first data that is associated with the first device comprises an identity of the first device, a Time-of-Day value (ToD) and/or a measure of location of the first device.

97. A method according to claim 87, wherein transmitting a signal comprises transmitting a request for information from the second device and/or information to the second device.

98. A method according to claim 97, wherein information to the second device comprises:

a speed limit,

road/traffic/accident report,

weather report,

vehicular theft report,

commercial information,

parking information,

toll collection information and/or

a personal message.

99. A method according to claim 97, wherein information from the second device comprises information associated with:

a speed of a motor vehicle,

a state of a traffic light,

an inspection status of the motor vehicle,

a seat belt status of the motor vehicle,

a stop sign compliance or non-compliance of the motor vehicle,

a theft status of the motor vehicle,

a toll collection,

a personal message and/or

a commercial request.

100. A method according to claim 87, wherein receiving second data at the first device comprises receiving information associated with:

a speed of a motor vehicle,

a state of a traffic light,

an inspection status of the motor vehicle,

a seat belt status of the motor vehicle,

a stop sign compliance or non-compliance of the motor vehicle,

a theft status of the motor vehicle,

a toll collection,

a personal message and/or

a commercial request.

101. A method according to claim 87, wherein the second data including an element of the first data comprises the second data including an identity of the first device, a Time-of-Day value (ToD) that is associated with the first device and/or a measure of location of the first device.

102. A method comprising:

receiving at least one first data packet from at least one device at a first frequency;

reading a content of the at least one first data packet;

determining from the reading that a second data packet is to be received at a second frequency;

tuning to the second frequency to receive the second data packet;

transmitting information responsive to having received a signal from the at least one device;

receiving a confirmation responsive to the transmitting; and

automatically refraining from transmitting over a time interval responsive to having received the confirmation.

103. A method according to claim 102, further comprising:

configuring the at least one device to transmit a data packet at least once every 0.5 seconds.

104. A method according to claim 102,

wherein the signal that is received from the at least one device is received at a frequency and wherein transmitting information comprises transmitting information using the frequency and over a time interval that does not overlap with a lime interval associated with the signal that is received.

105. A method according to claim 102, further comprising:

configuring the at least one device to be operative in a motor vehicle and/or to be installed in the motor vehicle or to be operative external to any motor vehicle.

106. A method according to claim 102, wherein the receiving, reading, determining and tuning are performed at a motor vehicle.