Travel route mapping based on radiation exposure risks

• US 8,810,425 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Tegreene, Clarence T., Weaver, Thomas A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US12/928,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20110313651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.6, 340/600, 340/545.3, 340/552, 340/567, 702/19, 702/127, 343/841
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure. A further aspect may include interaction with external EMR sources regarding possible modification of emissions as well as possible arrangements for other types of remedial action. Some embodiments may provide travel route mapping data indicative of EMR source locations and/or irradiation values in a given locale.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable storage media having encoded instructions for executing a method for providing informational data regarding electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure risks along a possible travel route, wherein the method includes:

receiving a user request for EMR risks along the possible travel route, wherein the possible travel route includes a start point, an end point, and a path from the start point to the end point;

providing an estimated irradiation value associated with EMR exposure at one or more locations along the path;

determining whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds a threshold level associated with a target person in the event of such target person proceeding via the possible travel route; and

making such determination accessible to the target person prior to the target person proceeding via the possible travel route.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

transmitting to a communication device associated with the target person or related target vehicle a textual or audio or sensory output indicating that the estimated irradiation value exceeds the threshold level.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

maintaining the estimated irradiation value in a data record or database or mapped display that is accessible to the targeted person.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature determining whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds the threshold level includes:

determining whether the estimated radiation value exceeds a real-time maximum threshold level determined by user selection or third party or health status or regulatory standard.

5. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature determining whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds the threshold level includes:

determining whether an estimate of cumulative EMR exposure from a plurality of sources along the path exceeds a cumulative maximum threshold level determined by user selection or third party or health status or regulatory standard.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature providing the estimated irradiation value includes:

providing an estimated maximum real-time irradiation value for two or more alternative future time periods along the possible travel route.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

transmitting to a communication device associated with the target person or related target vehicle a risk assessment based on a comparison between EMR exposure during two or more alternative future time periods along the possible travel route.

8. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature providing the estimated irradiation value includes:

providing the estimated irradiation value associated with EMR exposure at respective locations along two or more alternate travel routes.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the method further includes:

transmitting to a communication device associated with the target person or related target vehicle a risk assessment based on a comparison between EMR exposure along the two or more alternate travel routes.

10. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature providing the estimated irradiation value includes:

providing real-time irradiation data from a sensor or monitor during a current time period while the target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the method further includes:

transmitting to a communication device associated with the target person or related target vehicle a risk assessment based on a maximum real-time irradiation value obtained during the current time period while the target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

12. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the method further includes:

processing real-time irradiation data from a sensor or monitor situated on the target person or related target vehicle.

13. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

processing real-time irradiation data from a sensor or monitor situated on a communication device situated on or in close proximity to the target person.

14. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

processing real-time irradiation data from a sensor or monitor situated at or in close proximity to the one or more locations along the possible travel route.

15. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said method feature providing the estimated irradiation value includes:

providing a cumulative irradiation value based on previous EMR exposure of the target person along the possible travel route.

16. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

transmitting to a communication device associated with the target person or related target vehicle a risk assessment based on the cumulative irradiation value obtained from a sensor or monitor during a time period while the target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

17. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

maintaining a record of maximum and/or cumulative EMR exposure of the target person for a time period while the target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein said method feature:

enabling the record of maximum and/or cumulative EMR exposure of the target person to be accessible to one or more of the following designated entities;

parent, family member, friend, insurance entity, physician, nurse, health care entity.

19. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

providing a mapping display or printout showing the one or more locations along the possible travel route.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein said method feature providing the mapping display or printout includes:

providing the mapping display or printout showing one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

21. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein said method feature providing the mapping display or printout includes:

sending metadata indicating estimated EMR emission values associated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

22. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

sending metadata indicating remedial action available regarding modification or cessation of electromagnetic emissions generated by one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

23. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

facilitating certain remedial action from a designated entity associated with one or more radiation emission sources along the possible route, wherein the certain remedial action includes causing the one or more radiation emission sources along the path to modify or cease generated electromagnetic emissions.

24. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the method further includes:

facilitating certain remedial action that includes an exchange or payment of offsetting consideration between the target person and a designated entity associated with one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

25. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein said method feature making such determination accessible further includes:

making such determination accessible to one or more of the following designated entities associated with the target person;

parent, family member, friend, insurance entity, physician, nurse, health care entity.

26. A system for identifying electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure risks along a possible travel route, comprising:

a user interface operably connected with map data for determining the possible travel route, wherein the possible travel route includes a start point, an end point, and a path from the start point to the end point;

a communication device configured to obtain an estimated irradiation value associated with EMR exposure at one or more locations along the path; and

a processor operably linked with the communication device and configured to establish, prior to a target person proceeding via the possible travel route, whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds a threshold level associated with the target person in the event of such target person actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

a sensor located in close proximity to the target person or related target vehicle for obtaining the estimated irradiation value while such target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

28. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

map data that includes a data table accessible to the communication device, wherein the data table includes calibrated irradiation data for the one or more locations along the possible travel route.

29. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

map data that includes a mapped data display accessible to the communication device, wherein the mapped data display is configured to indicate one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the mapped data display further includes:

metadata indicating estimated EMR emission values respectively associated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the mapped data display further includes:

metadata indicating estimated EMR emission values obtained from a sensor or monitor situated at or in close proximity to at least one of the locations along the possible travel route.

32. The system of claim 26 wherein the processor is configured to establish whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds a threshold level using evaluation guidelines regarding a risk assessment based on a maximum real-time or cumulative threshold level determined by user selection or third party or health status or regulatory standard or default setting.

33. The system of claim 26 wherein said communication device includes a mobile unit proximate to and accessible by the target user.

34. The system of claim 26 wherein said communication device includes a communication unit configured to be accessible at a workplace or living place or bailiwick or vehicle of the target user.

35. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

map data including a data table accessible to the communication device, wherein said data table includes certain remedial action correlated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein said data table includes:

a listing of certain correlated remedial action that includes modification or cessation of electromagnetic emissions generated by one or more radiation emission sources along the possible route.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein said data table includes:

a listing of certain correlated remedial action that includes an exchange or payment of offsetting consideration between the target person and a designated entity associated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

38. A system for providing informational data regarding electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure risks along a possible travel route, comprising:

a data table or sensor configured to provide an estimated irradiation value associated with EMR exposure at one or more locations along the possible travel route, wherein the possible travel route includes a start point, an end point, and a path from the start point to the end point;

computerized processing means for making a determination whether the estimated irradiation value exceeds a threshold level associated with a target person in the event of such target person proceeding via the possible travel route; and

a communication module operably linked to said computerized processing means and configured for making such determination accessible to the target person or an associated designated entity prior to the target person proceeding via the possible travel route.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said communication module is configured to make such determination accessible to one or more of the following associated designated entities:

parent, family member, friend, insurance, entity, physician, nurse, health care entity.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein said computerized processing means is configured to receive a real-time irradiation value obtained by a sensor along the possible travel route.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein said computerized processing means is configured to determine whether the real-time irradiation value obtained by one or more sensors along the possible travel route exceeds a maximum real-time or cumulative threshold level associated with the target person.

42. The system of claim 38 wherein the communication module is configured to receive irradiation data from a sensor located in close proximity to the target person or related target vehicle while such target person is actually proceeding via the possible travel route.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein said computerized processing means is configured to determine whether irradiation data from the sensor exceeds a maximum real-time or cumulative threshold level associated with the target person.

44. The system of claim 38 wherein said computerized processing means is operably linked with a data table that includes calibrated EMR levels respectively associated with one or more emission sources along the possible travel route.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said computerized processing means is configured to determine whether the calibrated EMR level from the data table exceeds a maximum real-time or cumulative threshold level associated with the target person.

46. The system of claim 38 wherein said communication module is configured to provide mapped data accessible to the target person or target vehicle or related third party, wherein the mapped data indicates one or more emission sources along a primary or alternate travel route.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said communication module is configured to provide the mapped data that includes metadata indicating estimated EMR emission values respectively associated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein said communication module is configured to provide the mapped data that includes metadata indicating estimated EMR emission values obtained from sensors or monitors respectively situated near the one or more locations along the possible travel route.

49. The system of claim 38 wherein processing means further includes:

evaluation guidelines regarding a risk assessment based on a maximum real-time or cumulative threshold level determined by user selection or third party or health status or regulatory standard or default setting.

50. The system of claim 38, wherein said computerized processing means includes a processor unit situated remotely from the target user or related target vehicle.

51. The system of claim 38, wherein said computerized processing means includes a processor unit situated in close proximity to the target user or to the associated designated entity.

52. The system of claim 38, wherein said communication module includes a communication unit situated remotely from the target user.

53. The system of claim 38, wherein said communication module includes a communication unit situated in close proximity to the target person or to the related target vehicle or to the associated designated entity.

54. The system of claim 38, wherein said communication module includes a mobile unit proximate to and accessible by the target user.

55. The system of claim 38 wherein said communication device includes a communication unit configured to be accessible at a workplace or living place or bailiwick or vehicle of the target user.

56. The system of claim 38 further comprising:

mapped data including a data table operably linked with said computerized processing means, wherein said data table includes certain remedial action correlated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein said data table includes:

a listing of certain correlated remedial action that includes modification or cessation of electromagnetic emissions generated by one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.

58. The system of claim 56 wherein said data table includes:

a listing of certain correlated remedial action that includes an exchange or payment of offsetting consideration between the target person and a designated entity associated with the one or more radiation emission sources along the possible travel route.