Vehicle Monitoring Using Cellular Phones

• US 20080272906A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Application Number:
  US11/927,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272906A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 : with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 : responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 : using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/433 : using reflection from the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 : Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 : for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3742 : using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/006 : for emergency situations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 : with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19613 : Recognition of a predetermined image pattern or behaviour pattern indicating theft or intrusion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Method and system for using a cell phone or PDA includes coupling the cell phone or PDA to a vehicle-resident computer, using the cell phone or PDA to provide information and providing the information from the cell phone or PDA to the vehicle-resident computer to enable the vehicle-resident computer to use the information. It can establish communications between the cell phone or PDA and a remote location to provide information obtained via the cell phone or PDA to the remote location. The cell phone or PDA can monitor received sounds at the cell phone or PDA, e.g., via a microphone, and analyze the received sounds and transmit a signal indicative of the received sounds to a remote facility. The cell phone or PDA may be trained to recognize the sounds of accidents and transmit an accident indication signal to the remote facility.

Claims

1. A method of using a cell phone or PDA, comprising:

coupling the cell phone or PDA to a vehicle-resident computer;

using the cell phone or PDA to provide information; and

providing the information from the cell phone or PDA to the vehicle-resident computer to enable the vehicle-resident computer to use the information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the cell phone or PDA to send a signal to a remote location when its battery is low.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing communications between the cell phone or PDA and a remote location to provide information obtained via the cell phone or PDA to the remote location.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring received sounds at the cell phone or PDA and programming the cell phone or PDA to analyze the received sounds and transmit a signal indicative of the received sounds to a remote facility.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cell phone or PDA is trained to recognize the sounds of accidents and transmit an accident indication signal to the remote facility.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is the location of the cell phone or PDA.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is information about an environment around the cell phone or PDA.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell phone or PDA includes a chemical sensor and the information is information about chemicals around the cell phone or PDA.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging an energy harvesting system in connection with the cell phone or PDA to generate energy to power the cell phone or PDA during movement of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is information about a person carrying the cell phone or PDA.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging at least one sensor in association with the cell phone or PDA selected from a group of a temperature sensor, radiation sensor, optical sensor, humidity sensor, chemical sensor, biochemical sensor, biological sensor, acceleration sensor, velocity sensors, displacement sensor, location sensor, vibration sensor, acoustic sensor and pressure sensor.

12. A system in a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle-resident computer; and

an attachment device for coupling a cell phone or PDA to the vehicle-resident computer, the cell phone or PDA being arranged to generate and provide information to the vehicle-resident computer to enable the vehicle-resident computer to use the information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the cell phone or PDA is arranged to send a signal to a remote location when its battery is low.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the cell phone or PDA is arranged to establish a communications channel with a remote location to provide information obtained via the cell phone or PDA to the remote location.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the cell phone or PDA includes a microphone and is arranged to monitor received sounds, analyze the received sounds and transmit a signal indicative of the received sounds to a remote facility.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the cell phone or PDA is trained to recognize the sounds of accidents and transmit an accident indication signal to the remote facility.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the information is the location of the cell phone or PDA or information about a person carrying the cell phone or PDA.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the cell phone or PDA includes an environment sensor or a chemical sensor and the information is information about the environment or chemicals around the cell phone or PDA.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising an energy harvesting system in connection with the cell phone or PDA to generate energy to power the cell phone or PDA during movement of the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the cell phone or PDA includes at least one sensor selected from a group of a temperature sensor, radiation sensor, optical sensor, humidity sensor, chemical sensor, biochemical sensor, biological sensor, acceleration sensor, velocity sensors, displacement sensor, location sensor, vibration sensor, acoustic sensor and pressure sensor.