Analyzing data from networked radar detectors

• US 8,842,004 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2010
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corp. (Cedar Electronics Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corp. (Cedar Electronics Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kabler, Ronald Byron, Brandys, Robert Ryan, Vondruska, Monica Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/514,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/905, 340/907, 340/933, 340/436, 340/438, 340/439, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/4.32, 340/539.17, 366/61, 366/349, 701/29, 701/32.3, 701/35, 701/93, 701/409, 420/13, 420/20, 420/27, 420/32.3, 420/104, 420/482, 455/404.2
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/022 Road traffic radar detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4806 Road traffic laser detectors

Abstract

A radar detector accesses a network interface module that enables communication of data to and from a server. The server executes analysis algorithms that analyze data received from multiple radar detectors to develop predictions about the likelihood of future alerts or threats in geographic locations. The server communicates the predictions to each of the radar detectors based on the geographic locations corresponding to each of the radar detectors. Each radar detector communicates alert levels as needed to its corresponding radar detector user based on predictions that correspond to the geographic locations corresponding to each of the radar detectors.

Claims

1. A networked electromagnetic signal detector, comprising:

an electromagnetic signal detector;

a transmission element that transmits data based on a detection of an electromagnetic signal by said electromagnetic signal detector to a server;

a reception element that receives a prediction of an alert level from said server, wherein said prediction is based on an analysis of data aggregated from at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector and a geographic location associated with said networked electromagnetic signal detector; and

a user interface to communicate said prediction to a user of said networked electromagnetic signal detector.

2. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic signal is one of a radar wave and a light wave.

3. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said transmission element and said reception element are components of a network interface.

4. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said data further comprises information related to at least one of a geographic location, a speed, and an acceleration associated with a motor vehicle that is using said electromagnetic signal detector.

5. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said data further comprises information related to at least one of a heading, a timestamp, and a time interval associated with a motor vehicle that is using said electromagnetic signal detector.

6. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said prediction of said alert level is based on at least two alert levels.

7. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 6, wherein said prediction of said alert level is further based on at least one of the time of the day, the day of the week, and the month of the year.

8. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 6, wherein said prediction of said alert level is further based on said geographic location.

9. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 6, wherein said prediction of said alert level is further based at least one of signal strength, signal intensity, and the band of said electromagnetic signal.

10. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said user interface communicates said prediction to said user based on a user-defined alert level.

11. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said user interface communicates said prediction to said user via one of an audible output, a visual output and a mechanical output.

12. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said prediction is based on a road segment.

13. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 12, wherein said road segment is suggested for travel by a navigation application.

14. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said prediction is based on at least one of a heading, a speed, an acceleration and a driving pattern associated with a motor vehicle that is using said electromagnetic signal detector.

15. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said prediction is based on a weighted factor.

16. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said weighted factor is based upon a time associated with said data.

17. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic signal detector is operably associated with a navigation application.

18. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said prediction of said alert level is communicated to said user as a probability.

19. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic signal detector receives an instruction from said server to execute in a proximity mode.

20. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, comprising:

a storage element that stores said data; and

a data processing element, wherein said data processing element calculates a second prediction of a second alert level based on said data stored in said storage element.

21. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said detection of an electromagnetic signal by said electromagnetic signal detector is associated with a detection alert level;

and said user interface further communicates to a user of said networked electromagnetic signal detector an output based upon said detection alert level.

22. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 21, wherein said output communicates one of said detection alert level and a combined alert level based upon said detection alert level and said prediction.

23. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 21, wherein said user interface communicates said prediction to said user via one of a first audible output, a first visual output and a first mechanical output;

and wherein said output comprises one of a second audible output, a second visual output and a second mechanical output.

24. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 1, wherein said analysis determines a statistical likelihood that said electromagnetic signal detector is in proximity to at least one of a school zone, a daycare, a hospital zone, and a location of law enforcement activity.

25. A server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector, comprising:

a reception element that receives data based on detection monitoring by at least one electromagnetic signal detector;

an analysis algorithm that analyzes said data, wherein analyzing said data generates a prediction of an alert level based on a geographic location associated with said at least one electromagnetic signal detector; and

a transmission element that transmits said prediction to said at least one electromagnetic signal detector based on a geographic location associated with said at least one electromagnetic signal detector;

wherein said at least one electromagnetic signal detector communicates said prediction to a user of said at least one electromagnetic signal detector.

26. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 25, wherein said transmission element transmits said prediction to said at least one electromagnetic signal detector by transmitting said prediction to a mobile communication device, wherein said mobile communication device transmits said prediction to said at least one electromagnetic signal detector.

27. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 25, wherein said data further comprises at least one of a traffic condition, a hazard, an alert, a school zone, a daycare, a hospital zone, a location of law enforcement activity, and a weather condition associated with said geographic location.

28. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 25, wherein said prediction is one of a prediction of whether a signal detected by said at least one electromagnetic signal detector is associated with an alert and a prediction of whether a location is associated with an alert.

29. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 25, wherein said server transmits said prediction to an other electromagnetic signal detector based on a geographic proximity between said other electromagnetic signal detector and said at least one electromagnetic signal detector;

wherein said other electromagnetic signal detector communicates said prediction to a user of said other electromagnetic signal detector.

30. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 29, wherein said server transmits said prediction to said other electromagnetic signal detector in near real time.

31. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 25, wherein said server receives said data from said at least one electromagnetic signal detector and transmits data in near real time when said at least one electromagnetic signal detector is in a proximity mode.

32. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 31, wherein said server transmits an instruction to said at least one electromagnetic signal detector to execute in said proximity mode.

33. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 32, wherein said server transmits said instruction based upon a determination that a first networked electromagnetic signal detector and a second networked electromagnetic signal detector are within a functional proximity.

34. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 33, wherein said functional proximity is based upon at least one of a time, a volume of data associated with said geographic location, a speed associated with said electromagnetic signal detector, and a heading associated with said electromagnetic signal detector.

35. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 33, further comprising a second transmission element that transmits said prediction and said geographic location associated with said at least one electromagnetic signal detector to at least one of a private communication network and a public communication network.

36. The server for at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 33, wherein said analysis algorithm determines a statistical likelihood that said electromagnetic signal detector is in proximity to at least one of a school zone, a daycare, a hospital zone, and a location of law enforcement activity, wherein said prediction of said alert level is based upon said statistical likelihood.

37. A system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors, the system comprising:

an electromagnetic signal detector that;

a) transmits data based on one of a detection of an electromagnetic signal and a parameter; and

a server that;

b) receives data from a plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors, wherein said plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors comprises said electromagnetic signal detector,

c) analyzes said data, wherein analyzing said data generates a prediction of an alert level based on a geographic location associated with at least one of said plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors, and

d) transmits said prediction of said alert level to said electromagnetic signal detector, wherein said prediction of said alert level is based on a geographic location associated with said electromagnetic signal detector;

wherein said electromagnetic signal detector communicates said prediction to a user of said electromagnetic signal detector.

38. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said parameter is at least one of a threshold quantity of data, a threshold data storage size, and a time schedule.

39. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said server transmits said prediction of said alert level to an other electromagnetic signal detector based on a geographic proximity between said other electromagnetic signal detector and said electromagnetic signal detector;

wherein said other electromagnetic signal detector communicates said prediction of said alert level to a user of said other electromagnetic signal detector.

40. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 39, wherein said server transmits said prediction of said alert level to said other electromagnetic signal detector in near real time.

41. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said electromagnetic signal detector transmits data in near real time when said electromagnetic signal detector is in a proximity mode.

42. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 41, wherein said server transmits an instruction to said electromagnetic signal detector to execute in said proximity mode.

43. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said server further:

generates said prediction of said alert level based on a geographic location associated with at least one mobile communication device; and

transmits said prediction of said alert level to said mobile communication device, wherein said mobile communication device communicates said prediction to a user of said mobile communication device.

44. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 43, wherein said mobile communication device is at least one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a satellite phone, a portable computer, a navigation system with wireless connectivity, and a citizens band radio.

45. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said server further comprises a database;

wherein said database stores each said prediction of said alert level and may be transferred to an external device;

wherein said external device communicates said prediction to a user of said external device.

46. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 45, wherein said external device is one of a mobile communication device and a device without wireless connectivity.

47. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 45, wherein said database in said external device is updatable using at least one of a public communication network, a private communication network, and a storage device.

48. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 37, wherein said electromagnetic signal detector transmits said data according to a packet protocol defined by said server.

49. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 48, wherein said packet protocol is updatable;

said server provides an update based upon at least one of data quality, bandwidth usage, a received volume of said data, and system requirements; and

said electromagnetic signal detector may download and implement said update.

50. The system for networked electromagnetic signal detectors of claim 49, wherein said update comprises at least one of a software update and a firmware update.

51. A method for networked electromagnetic signal detectors, the method comprising:

a) detecting an electromagnetic signal;

b) transmitting data based on detection of said electromagnetic signal;

c) receiving data based on a plurality of detections by a plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors;

d) analyzing said data, wherein analyzing said data generates a prediction of an alert level based on a geographic location associated with at least one of said plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors; and

e) transmitting said prediction to a mobile communication device based on a geographic location associated with said mobile communication device; and

f) communicating said prediction to a user of said mobile communication device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said mobile communication device is at least one of an electromagnetic signal detector and a mobile communication device subscribed to a prediction service, wherein said mobile communication device subscribed to said prediction service lacks radar and laser signal detection capabilities.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said mobile communication device subscribed to said prediction service is at least one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a satellite phone, a portable computer, a navigation system with wireless connectivity, and a citizens band radio.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein said analyzing determines a statistical likelihood that said mobile communication device is in proximity to at least one of a school zone, a daycare, a hospital zone, and a location of law enforcement activity, wherein said prediction of said alert level is based upon said statistical likelihood.

55. A computer program product for networked electromagnetic signal detectors, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer executable program code that, when executed by a processor, causes performance of a method comprising;

a) processing a detection of an electromagnetic signal;

b) transmitting data based on detection of said electromagnetic signal;

c) receiving data based on a plurality of detections by a plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors;

d) analyzing said data, wherein analyzing said data generates a prediction of an alert level based on a geographic location associated with at least two of said plurality of electromagnetic signal detectors; and

e) transmitting said prediction to an electromagnetic signal detector based on a geographic location associated with said electromagnetic signal detector; and

f) communicating said prediction to a user of said electromagnetic signal detector.

56. A networked electromagnetic signal detector, comprising:

an electromagnetic signal detector;

a transmission element that transmits data based on a detection of an electromagnetic signal by said electromagnetic signal detector to a server;

a reception element that receives a prediction of an alert level from said server, wherein said prediction is based on an analysis of data aggregated from at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector; and

a user interface to communicate said prediction to a user of said networked electromagnetic signal detector.

57. The networked electromagnetic signal detector of claim 56, wherein said prediction is further based upon a parameter associated with said networked electromagnetic signal detector, wherein said parameter is at least one of a geographic location, a speed, a heading, route, a timestamp, a time interval, and an acceleration associated with a motor vehicle that is using said electromagnetic signal detector.

58. A networked device, comprising:

a reception element that receives a prediction of an alert level associated with a geographic location from a server associated with a system of networked electromagnetic signal detectors, wherein said system, comprises at least one networked electromagnetic signal detector that transmits data based on one of a detection of an electromagnetic signal and a geographic location associated with said networked electromagnetic signal detector; and

said server that receives said data, and analyzes said data, wherein analyzing said data generates said prediction of said alert level associated with said geographic location; and

a user interface to communicate an alert to a user of said networked device based upon said prediction of said alert level associated with said geographic location and a geographic location associated with said networked device.

59. The networked device of claim 58, further comprising a storage element that stores a database, wherein said database comprises at least one said prediction of said alert level associated with said geographic location.