Devices and methods for detecting proximal traffic

• US 8,082,014 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Causey, Mark Edward, Luu, Adrianne Binh, Andrus, Scott, Jones, Kevin Wray
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester
• Assistant Examiner(s): KELLEY, STEVEN SHAUN
• Application Number:
  US12/038,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/556.1, 455/566, 455/575.9, 340/435, 340/436, 340/901, 340/903, 340/933, 340/988, 342/20, 342/27, 342/52, 342/53, 342/57, 342/70, 342/107, 342/159, 342/176, 701/300
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• 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 telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

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 for detecting solid objects in a proximity from within an automobile, the device comprising:

a housing;

a cellular communication member within the housing;

a screen with at least a portion within the housing; and

a solid object detecting RADAR member within the housing, the RADAR member detecting a plurality of solid objects in real time; and

a logic unit that

calculates location, velocity, and mass of the detected plurality of solid objects,

references a database including a plurality of existing models and a signal profile for each existing model, and

differentiates between the automobile and the plurality of solid objects by accounting for a signal profile of a model of the automobile;

wherein the plurality of detected solid objects are displayed on the screen.

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

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

4. The device in claim 3, wherein the alerting member is one of a sound, light, and vibration.

5. A method for detecting solid objects in a proximity using only a wireless phone from within an automobile, the method comprising:

initiating a detection mode on the wireless phone;

referencing a database including a plurality of existing models and a signal profile for each existing model;

receiving information concerning a plurality of solid objects from the wireless phone;

differentiating between information concerning the automobile and the plurality of solid objects by accounting for a signal profile of a model of the automobile;

calculating location, velocity, and mass of the plurality of solid objects with respect to the wireless phone; and

displaying the plurality of solid objects on a display, wherein at least a portion of the display is within the wireless phone

wherein the wireless phone detects proximal solid objects using RADAR.