JP6067940B2 - Method and apparatus for controlling transmission and / or reception of safety messages by a portable wireless user device - Google Patents

Description

  [0001] Various embodiments are directed to controlling the transmission and reception of safety messages by portable wireless communication user devices, eg, mobile phones, laptops, and / or other handheld devices.

  [0002] The 802.11p standard has been proposed for use in the 5.9 GHz spectrum for vehicle safety and commercial use. The FCC assigned 7 channels of 10 MHz each for this purpose. It is assumed that the vehicle will periodically broadcast safety messages indicating the position and speed of the vehicle on the road.

  [0003] The current 802.11p based DSRC vehicle environment wireless access (WAVE) system allows a vehicle to determine the vehicle's position, speed, current operational status, and / or other attributes to other vehicles. It has a basic safety message format that allows nearby traffic vehicles to track their location, avoid collisions, improve traffic flow, and so on. This standard does not exclude that pedestrians use this spectrum and periodically send basic safety messages that can indicate the presence of a pedestrian to vehicles around the pedestrian. However, the spectrum assigned to the safety message is different from the spectrum normally used by mobile phones for voice communication.

  [0004] Typically, in a vehicle system, basic safety messages are sent and received periodically on a reserved channel, for example, a safety channel or a control channel, and the transmission interval can reach once every 50 milliseconds. There is. For vehicle systems, this frequency may not overload the battery or channel resources.

  [0005] However, transmitting a safety message too frequently on a pedestrian's phone in the spectrum assigned to the safety message would cause the transmitter to use the spectrum assigned to the safety message. If included, the phone battery may be wasted. In addition, if, for example, a large number of pedestrian phones send a safety message that has little practicality because the pedestrian is not near a road or traffic vehicle, the spectrum of 802.11p for the safety message is almost or There is a possibility of congestion without any profit.

  [0006] Various sensors in the vehicle system (eg, inertial guidance sensors) and GPS measurement modules may also always be effective to provide low-latency position and inertia information. Since the device is powered by the vehicle, power consumption is not a significant problem. However, in cell phones, such operations can quickly drain the cell phone battery. For example, mobile phone wireless local area network (WLAN) (eg, Wi-Fi®) modules, GPS modules, and (to a lesser extent) various inertial sensors can consume large amounts of energy. As a result, the battery may be depleted in hours, so that the user may be required to disable the feature completely or may run out of battery power too quickly.

  [0007] Enabling reception of safety messages communicated in the spectrum assigned to safety messages may require that the 802.11p radio be turned on for extended periods of time and battery power It may become a load in terms of consumption. Thus, leaving the receiver on for safety message operations in an environment where pedestrian users are not interacting with road vehicles can lead to non-productive use of battery resources. .

  [0008] In addition, a large number of pedestrian users who are not actively using the road may quickly crowd up the use of the safety channel. For example, a vehicle driver and a passenger's cell phone may both send a safety message that is likely to be redundant when the vehicle in which the driver and the passenger are located sends a safety message. is there.

  [0009] In view of the above discussion, it should be appreciated that a method and apparatus for controlling whether and / or when a device sends a safety message is needed. It would be desirable if at least some methods and / or devices would reduce and / or prevent the transmission of safety messages that seem unlikely useful and / or provide redundant or similar information Want to be understood.

  [0010] Various embodiments transmit and / or receive safety messages, eg, dedicated short range communication (DSRC) safety messages, by a portable wireless terminal, eg, a handheld or wireless communication device that can be carried by one person. Related to controlling. Some features of various embodiments are used to control the operation of a mobile phone or other portable wireless communication device in a vehicle that supports a DSRC radio, eg, an 802.11p radio. It relates to a method and a device to obtain.

  [0011] Wireless communication devices that can be carried by one person, eg, mobile phone devices, may transmit vehicle safety messages that are used to promote pedestrian and / or vehicle safety, In the embodiment of FIG. For example, a pedestrian using the road can use his mobile phone device to send his position and movement to a nearby vehicle / other pedestrian device, so that the vehicle Users and / or pedestrians can have congestion and / or recognition of other information useful in determining safe and fast routes.

  [0012] According to various embodiments, the transmission rate and / or reception rate of messages from a device that can be carried by one person, for example, a mobile phone and / or other user equipment devices, can include location information and / or Control is based on one or more received signals. In some embodiments, the rate at which safety messages are monitored and transmitted is controlled to be less than the rate used for the vehicle, thereby enabling battery power savings and radio link resource congestion. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the processing resources of the portable device being used.

  [0013] In one embodiment, the power and periodicity of the wireless device for use by pedestrians is controlled with respect to safety messages. The power and periodicity may be changed depending on the environment of the wireless device. In one embodiment, the location of the wireless device may be used and possibly used to adjust the power and / or periodicity of safety messages transmitted by the wireless device. In another embodiment, inertial measurements are used to predict pedestrian position and adjust power and periodicity accordingly. In yet another embodiment, basic safety messages are monitored and the power and / or periodicity of messages sent by the wireless device are adjusted. In some embodiments, the basic safety message may be requested or polled by other devices. Various embodiments may use a combination of the power and / or transmission control features described above, some in actual use, but all embodiments discussed in all It does not necessarily include features.

  [0014] One particular exemplary embodiment can identify that a mobile phone device is in a building and the DSRC of the mobile phone device for a period of time detecting that the mobile phone device is in a building. Target mobile phone devices that stop safety messages. Various methods of detecting whether a mobile phone is in a building are received from building audio identification signals and from a base station transmitter known to be located in the building. Detect a signal that exceeds a predetermined received power level, determine a GPS location known to be in the building based on the received GPS signal, and be in the building based on inertial guidance information Determining a position based on the detected RF signal and an RF fingerprint predication map corresponding to the building.

  [0015] Another specific exemplary embodiment is directed to a mobile phone device that can identify that the mobile phone device is in a moving vehicle, eg, a moving car. In some embodiments, a mobile phone device that detects that the mobile phone device is in a moving vehicle with DSRC functionality detects that the mobile phone device is in a moving vehicle; Stop the DSRC safety message for that mobile phone device. Receiving a signal from a vehicle, for example, a car audio system, detecting a speed consistent with the movement of the vehicle, and / or one radio signal or a plurality of radios from the vehicle, for example, a DSRC system of the car Various methods for detecting whether a mobile phone is in a moving vehicle, eg, a moving vehicle, including detecting a signal, eg, a safety message, are described.

  [0016] According to some embodiments, an exemplary method of operating a communication device generates device location information based on at least one of received signals or inertial guidance information; Controlling at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. According to some embodiments, an exemplary communication device (i) generates device location information based on at least one of received signals or inertial guidance information, and (ii) generated At least one processor configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the device location information. Exemplary communication devices further include a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

  [0017] Although various embodiments have been discussed in the foregoing summary, not all embodiments include the same features, some of the features described above may be found in some embodiments. It should be understood that is not required but may be desirable. Many additional features, embodiments, and benefits of various embodiments are discussed in the detailed description that follows.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example system that supports signaling safety messages, according to various example embodiments. [0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method of operating a communication device that supports signaling of safety messages, eg, a mobile wireless communication device, in accordance with various example embodiments. [0020] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example communication device, eg, a mobile wireless communication device, according to an example embodiment. [0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly of modules that can be used in the exemplary communication device shown in FIG. 3 and used in some embodiments. [0022] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method of operating a communication device, eg, a network server or base station, that controls a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices for signaling safety messages, according to various example embodiments. [0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary communication device, eg, a network server or base station, according to an exemplary embodiment. [0024] FIG. 7 illustrates an assembly of modules that can be used in the exemplary communication device shown in FIG. 6 and used in some embodiments. [0025] A flowchart of a method of wireless communication. [0026] FIG. 5 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating data flow between different modules / means / components in an exemplary apparatus. [0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus using a processing system.

  [0028] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example system 100 that supports communication of safety messages, eg, DSRC safety messages, in accordance with various example embodiments. The exemplary system 100 includes a building 102 that includes a plurality of base stations (base stations 1 104,..., Base station N 106) and an acoustic building transmitter 108. The base stations (104, ..., 106) each transmit signals including RF reference signals (103, ..., 105), which are, for example, within the building 102 by an RF fingerprint map. May be used for mobile device location determination, and may be used in some cases. The acoustic building transmitter 108 transmits an acoustic signal 107, which may be used by the detecting mobile communication device to recognize that the detecting mobile device is currently located within the building 102. Yes, used in some cases. In some embodiments, multiple acoustic transmitters are located at different locations within a building that facilitate ranging determination within the building by a mobile wireless communication device. System 100 further includes a plurality of cellular base stations (cellular base station 1 126, ..., cellular base station N 128). The cellular base stations (126,..., 128) transmit signals including reference signals (111,..., 113), respectively, which are used for mobile device location determination. May be used in some cases. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes a server node 130, eg, a safety message control node. In some embodiments where the location of the mobile wireless communication device is tracked using a centralized approach, the system 100 includes a mobile node (MN) location determination server 109. Various nodes (104,..., 106, 126,..., 128, 130, 109) are coupled to a backhaul network 132, through which the various devices can transmit data. And exchange information.

  [0029] The system 100 further includes a plurality of GPS satellites (GPS satellite 1 118, ..., GPS satellite N 120) that respectively transmit GPS signals (122, ..., 124). The GPS signals (122, ..., 124) are received by a device having a GPS receiver and are used to determine time, device position, device speed, device elevation, and / or device orientation. May be used in some cases.

  [0030] The exemplary system 100 also includes a plurality of roads (Road A 144, ..., Road B 146), an intersection smart traffic signal 186, and a track 192. A plurality of automobiles exist on the road, including vehicle 1 148, vehicle 2 158, and vehicle N 168). Each of the vehicles (148, 158, ..., 168) includes a wireless communication module (150, 160, ..., 170), respectively, which supports sending and receiving safety messages. The wireless communication modules (150, 160, ..., 170) transmit safety messages (156, 166, ..., 176), respectively. Each of the vehicles (148, 158, ..., 168) includes a GPS receiver module (154, 164, ..., 174), respectively, which receives GPS signals from GPS satellites. Support receiving. Each of the vehicles (148, 158, ..., 168) includes an acoustic transmitter module (152, 162, ..., 172), respectively, which acoustic signals (117, 119, ..., 121) respectively. The acoustic signals (117, 119, ..., 121) respectively transmitted by the transmitter modules (152, 162, ... 172) are respectively detected by the mobile wireless communication devices detected by the vehicles (148, 158, ..., 121). 168) may be used by mobile wireless communication devices located in vehicles (148, 158, ..., 168), respectively, to be recognized as being in each case . In some embodiments, an acoustic signal is transmitted from multiple speakers in the vehicle that facilitates, a mobile communication device that receives the acoustic signal performs a distance determination, and the mobile communication device is located in the vehicle. Decide whether or not.

  [0031] The smart traffic signal 186 includes a wireless communication module 188 that supports sending and receiving safety messages. Train 194 includes a wireless communication module 199 that supports transmission and reception of safety messages. The wireless communication module 199 transmits a safety message 197. Train 194 also includes a GPS receiver module 196 that supports receiving GPS signals from GPS satellites. Train 194 further includes an acoustic transmitter module 198 that transmits acoustic signal 123. The acoustic signal 123 transmitted by the transmitter module 198 may be used by a mobile wireless communication device located in the train 194 to recognize that the mobile wireless communication device to detect is in the train 194. , Used in some cases.

  [0032] The system 100 also includes a plurality of portable mobile wireless communication devices (mobile node 1 136, mobile node 2 112, mobile node 3 193, mobile node 4 180, ..., mobile node N 183), The portable mobile wireless communication devices are held by operators (operator 1 134, operator 2 110, operator 3 195, operator 4 178, ..., operator N 185), respectively. Each of the mobile wireless communication devices (136, 112, 193, 180, ..., 183) is respectively a wireless communication module (138, 114, 191, 182, ..., 177) of the mobile wireless communication device ( Supports the transmission and reception of safety messages via “DSRC module”. Each of the mobile wireless communication devices (136, 112, 193, 180, ..., 183) is a GPS receiver module (140, 116, 189, 184, ..., 179) of the mobile wireless communication device, respectively. Supports reception of GPS signals via Each of the mobile wireless communication devices (136, 112, 193, 180, ..., 183) includes a microphone and an acoustic interface module (135, 137, 139, 141, ..., 143), respectively. The microphone and acoustic interface module supports the ability to receive acoustic signals and identify that the mobile wireless communication device is in a building or vehicle or in a particular building or vehicle. In addition, each of the mobile wireless communication devices (136, 112, 193, 180, ..., 183) includes an inertial induction including a gyroscope and an accelerometer (125, 127, 129, 131, ..., 133). Each of these modules includes an inertial guidance module that is used to determine position, velocity, orientation, assist GPS, compensate for GPS pauses, and measure velocity and acceleration. In some embodiments, speed and acceleration measurements are used to identify that the mobile wireless communication device is in a moving vehicle.

  [0033] In some embodiments, the rate at which safety messages are transmitted by the personal mobile wireless communication device is intentionally controlled to be less than the rate at which safety messages are transmitted by the vehicle.

  [0034] One exemplary embodiment in which a mobile wireless communication device generates device location information and controls monitoring of safety messages and / or transmission of safety messages based on the generated device location information. Think. Operator 1 134 with MN1 136 is not in the building or vehicle. MN1 136 is currently located relatively far from the roads and tracks. MN1 136 receives received GPS signals (122, ..., 124), received signals (111, ..., 113) from cellular base stations (126, ..., 128), respectively, and inertia. Based on one or more of the inertial measurement information from module 125, the location of that MN1 is determined. MN1 136 determines that MN1 is outside the vehicle and not in the building. MN1 136 receives, for example, the number of messages received, the level of signal strength of received safety messages, and received within a given time interval to determine the level of vehicle activity within MN1's area. The number of safety messages, the number of different vehicles from which safety messages were received, the number of different vehicles from which safety messages were received within a given time interval, and / or the monitoring in which safety messages were received Monitor the safety message from the vehicle for the percentage of time. In this example, MN1 136 determines to transmit its MN1 safety message 142 at a relatively low rate and a relatively low transmit power level. MN1 136 also decides to monitor safety messages at a relatively low rate.

  [0035] Continuing with this example, operator 2 110 with MN2 112 is in the building. MN2 112 receives received acoustic signals 107, signals (103, ..., 105) received from base stations (104, ..., 106), respectively, and received GPS signals (122, ..., 105). 124), and based on one or more of the inertial measurement information from the inertial module 127, it is determined that MN2 is in the building 102. MN2 112 determines to refrain from sending and receiving safety messages while MN2 is in the building.

  [0036] Continuing with this example, operator 3 195 with MN3 193 is not in a building or vehicle. Currently, MN3 193 is relatively close to road A 144. MN3 193 receives received GPS signals (122, ..., 124), received signals (111, ..., 113) from cellular base stations (126, ..., 128), respectively, and inertia. Based on one or more of the inertial measurement information from module 129, the location of that MN3 is determined. MN3 193 determines that MN3 is outside the vehicle and not in the building. MN3 193 determines, for example, the number of messages received, the level of signal strength of received safety messages, and received within a given time interval to determine the level of vehicle activity within the MN3 area. The number of safety messages, the number of different vehicles from which safety messages were received, the number of different vehicles from which safety messages were received within a given time interval, and / or the monitoring in which safety messages were received Monitor the safety message from the vehicle for the percentage of time and determine that the level of activity is relatively high. In this example, MN3 193 determines to transmit its MN3 safety message 187 at a relatively high rate and a relatively high transmit power level. MN3 193 also decides to monitor safety messages at a relatively high rate.

  [0037] Continuing with this example, operator 4 178 with MN4 180 is located in a moving vehicle 168. The MN4 180 receives the received acoustic signal 121, the received safety message 176 transmitted by the vehicle 168, the received GPS signal (122, ..., 124), and the information obtained from its inertia module 131. Based on one or more of them, it is determined that MN4 is in vehicle 168 and the vehicle is moving. MN 4 decides to refrain from sending a safety message while MN 4 is in vehicle 168. MN 4 decides to monitor safety messages at a relatively low rate while MN 4 is in vehicle 168.

  [0038] Continuing with this example, operator N 185 having MN N 183 is located near the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146 and wants to cross from one side of road A to the other side of road A. Operator N 185 selects the cross-push button of MN N 183 resulting in the generation and transmission of safety message 181. The safety message 181 is received by the module 188 of the smart traffic signal 186, which changes, eg shortens, the lighting transition time of the traffic signal 186. Safety message 190 may include a message indicating the remaining time until a lighting transition occurs.

  [0039] Mobile wireless communication devices (136, 112, 193, 180, ..., 183) may travel throughout the system 100, and individual wireless communication devices may detect that wireless communication device. Whether the wireless communication device is monitoring safety messages, the periodicity of safety message monitoring, the percentage of time to monitor safety messages, and whether the wireless communication device is sending safety messages, depending on the environment It should be appreciated that the status of the wireless communication device may change with respect to the safety message transmission periodicity and / or the safety message transmission power level. For example, consider that MN1 136 is transmitting safety messages at a low rate and low power level and monitoring safety messages at a low rate, as shown in FIG. Consider that MN1 136 is moving within building 102 and stops monitoring and transmitting safety messages while in building 102. Further consider that MN1 136 leaves building 102 and resumes sending safety messages at low power levels and monitoring safety messages at a low rate. When MN1 136 approaches the ongoing traffic, it further considers that it increases its MN1 safety message transmit power level and increases its MN1 safety message monitoring rate. MN1 136 enters the vehicle, detects that the vehicle is moving, and in response, because the vehicle has its own safety message signaling capability, monitoring MN1's safety message and sending a safety message; Think further when you stop.

  [0040] A network node, eg, a server node 130, that is a safety message control node generates device location information for the mobile wireless communication device and, based on the generated device location information, the mobile wireless communication device safety message. Consider another exemplary embodiment for controlling the transmission of monitoring and / or safety messages. Accordingly, in one embodiment, server node 130 controls the monitoring of safety messages and / or the transmission of safety messages for MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180, and MN N 183. Server node 130 is information about MNs and vehicles in the system, eg, MN location, vehicle location, information used to derive MN location, information used to derive vehicle location, MN self-determination as to whether the MN is in the building, MN self-determination as to whether the MN is in the vehicle, speed information, inertia information, safety message transmission rate, safety message power level information, And collect the remaining battery power of the MN. A server node 130 that knows the overall picture of the system 100 (i) whether a particular MN should be sending and / or monitoring a safety message, (ii) a particular MN monitoring a safety message When it is determined that it should be, safety message monitoring information for a particular MN, eg, monitoring rate and / or duty cycle of monitoring, (iii) determining that a safety message should be sent by the MN When the server node 130 determines that the safety message transmission rate for a particular MN, and (iv) the safety message should be transmitted by the MN, the power level of the safety message transmission is determined. The server node 130 generates a control message and transmits it to each of the MNs in order to control the operation of monitoring and transmitting the safety message. The control message is communicated to the MN via one of the base stations (104, ..., 106, 126, ..., 128). The MN to which the control message is directed receives the control message and performs control operations on the safety message. In this example, MN1 136 is controlled to monitor safety messages at a relatively low rate and transmit safety messages at a relatively low rate and a relatively low power level. In this example, MN2 112 is controlled to refrain from monitoring and sending safety messages. In this example, MN3 193 is controlled to monitor safety messages at a relatively high rate and transmit safety messages at a relatively high rate and a relatively high power level. In this example, MN4 180 is controlled to monitor safety messages at a relatively low rate and refrain from sending safety messages. In this example, MN N 183 is controlled to monitor safety messages at a relatively high rate and transmit safety messages at a relatively high rate and a relatively high power level.

  [0041] In some embodiments, the relatively high monitoring rate is a fixed predetermined rate HM and the relatively low monitoring rate is a fixed predetermined rate LM. Yes, rate HM> rate LM. In some embodiments, the relatively high transmission rate is a fixed predetermined rate HT and the relatively low transmission rate is a fixed predetermined rate LT, where rate HT> Rate LT. In some embodiments, the relatively high transmission power level is a fixed predetermined transmission power level HP, and the relatively low transmission power level is a fixed predetermined transmission power level LP. And HP> LP. In various embodiments, the HT is less than the transmission rate of safety messages used by the vehicle to send basic safety messages.

  [0042] FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 of an exemplary method of operating a communication device, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the communication device performing the method of flowchart 200 is a mobile communication device that supports signaling of safety messages, eg, a portable mobile wireless communication device, that can be carried by an individual. For example, a communication device that implements the method of flowchart 200 is one of the mobile wireless communication devices (MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180,..., MN N 183) of the system 100 of FIG. is there. Operation of the exemplary method begins at step 202 where the communication device is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step 202 to step 204.

  [0043] In step 204, the communication device generates location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information. In some embodiments, the received signal is a GPS signal or a signal received from a cellular network. In some embodiments, the received signal is from a non-cellular base station. In some embodiments, the received signal is a reference signal from a base station. In some embodiments, the received signal may be used to derive a position of the communication device, for example, a position measurement result of the communication device determined by a base station or a location determination server, or a position of the communication device. Communicate information. In some embodiments, the received signal is an acoustic signal. In some embodiments, the received signal communicates a safety message, eg, a safety message from the vehicle. In some embodiments, the received signal is from a pedestrian communication device. In some such embodiments, the received signal from the pedestrian communicates a safety message. In some embodiments, the received signal is an explicit message from the vehicle requesting the pedestrian to send a safety message. In various embodiments, inertial guidance information is obtained and / or derived from an inertial measurement device, such as an accelerometer and / or gyroscope, included in the communication device. In various embodiments, step 204 includes one or more of all of optional steps 206, 208, 210, 212, and 207. The various steps 206, 208, 210, 212, and 207 may be performed sequentially, in parallel, or a combination of sequential and parallel.

  [0044] In step 206, the communication device determines the position of the communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path. In some embodiments, the generated device location information does not determine the exact location of the communication device, eg, the absolute location, and the vehicle or vehicle route, eg, road, street, railroad, subway Determine the location of the communication device relative to the track.

  [0045] In step 208, the communication device determines whether the communication device is located in the vehicle, and in step 210, the communication device determines whether it is located in the vehicle in which the communication device is moving. In some embodiments, determining whether the communication device is located within the vehicle includes user input, a strength and / or rate of a safety message received from the vehicle, a vehicle, eg, a vehicle with a communication device. Based on at least one of a signal received from a safety message system, a determined rate of motion relative to a rate of motion indicative of vehicle motion, or a received acoustic signal indicating that the communication device is in a vehicle. .

  [0046] Various techniques are used to determine whether a communication device is located in a vehicle and / or whether the vehicle is moving. Several approaches are described below. In some embodiments, the communication device receives a signal from the vehicle's in-vehicle DSRC device through a safety channel or external channel signaling that would be sending the safety message. The communication device examines its position relative to the DSRC device and determines that the communication device is in the vehicle.

  [0047] In some embodiments, the communication device receives GPS signals, the communication device is moving at a speed and / or direction that exceeds the speed of the pedestrian, and / or a normal pedestrian. Identify that they are exposed to a level of acceleration that exceeds the pattern of acceleration, and identify that the communication device is in a vehicle, eg, a vehicle.

  [0048] In some embodiments, the communication device receives safety messages from multiple vehicles, including nearby vehicles and vehicles on which the communication device is located. Consider that a communication device observes that the position and speed of a particular vehicle is very close to the self-determined position and speed of the communication device itself. The communication identifies that the communication device is likely to be in the matching vehicle housing.

  [0049] In some embodiments, the communication device broadcasts a request signal that is answered by the vehicle through 802.11 or Bluetooth or a general communication system. The communication device performs a ranging operation by requesting the vehicle to emit an audio signal from the vehicle speaker that helps the communication device locate the communication device relative to the vehicle, eg, acceptable With certainty, it is determined that the communication device is in the vehicle that is transmitting the audio signal.

  [0050] In some embodiments, the vehicle, when detected, transmits a particular audio signal that can be used to identify that the communication device is located within the vehicle.

  [0051] In some embodiments, the communication device receives a signal from the vehicle's in-vehicle DSRC device through signaling on a safety channel or external channel that would be sending a safety message. The communication device examines its position relative to the DSRC device and determines that the communication device is in the vehicle.

  [0052] In step 212, the communication device determines whether the communication device is in a building. In various embodiments, the communication device is found to be in the building, user input, received GPS signals and map information identifying the location of the building, communication device location based on the RF fingerprint map of the building, Based on at least one of a received signal from a mobile device, a signal received from a transmitter at a fixed location in the building, and a received acoustic signal indicating that the communication device is in the building , Determine whether the communication device is located in a building.

  [0053] In step 207, the communication device determines the position of the communication device relative to other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum.

  [0054] Operation proceeds from step 204 to step 214. In step 214, the communication device controls at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. In some embodiments, the safety message may include current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle steering information, vehicle size information, and / or airbag. This message contains status information. In some embodiments, the safety message includes acceleration and / or elevation. In some embodiments, the safety message indicates whether the sender is a vehicle or a pedestrian. In some embodiments, the safety message indicates the type of vehicle. In some embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the communication device. For example, the user profile information may indicate that the user is blind or that the user has a disability. In some embodiments, the safety message may include some profile information, for example, information identifying that the person carrying the device sending the safety message is walking, the person carrying the device sending the safety message Information indicating that the user is on the road, information indicating that the person carrying the device sending the safety message is on a specific side of the street, and the like. In some embodiments, the safety message indicates an intention, such as an intention to change lanes by a vehicle, an intention to cross a road by a pedestrian, or the like. In various embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating the intention of crossing the road. For example, pressing a button on a mobile phone is used to generate a safety message to inform a traffic signal in the area of the intention of crossing the road. In some embodiments, such a safety message controls the traffic signal, eg, changes the time when the traffic signal changes, so that a pedestrian who signs the safety message does not send a safety message. It may be used as soon as possible to be able to safely cross the road as soon as possible.

  [0055] In some embodiments, the safety message sent by the device corresponding to the pedestrian user includes a different set of information than the safety message sent by the device corresponding to the vehicle. For example, a safety message sent by a device corresponding to a pedestrian may include user profile information, eg, user age information and user disability information, current time, latitude, longitude, orientation Vehicle-specific information such as vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle handle operation information, vehicle size information, and / or airbag status information that are usually included in safety messages from devices mounted on the vehicle Information is omitted. Examples of user disability information that can be included in a pedestrian safety message include, for example, information indicating that the user is blind, information indicating that the user's vision is weak, and indicating that the user needs a wheelchair Information, information indicating that the user uses a cane, information indicating that the user is deaf, or information indicating that the user has a hearing impairment.

  [0056] Step 214 includes one or more or all of optional steps 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, and 227. In step 216, the communication device enables at least one of a safety message transmission operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the communication device is outside the vehicle. . In step 218, the communication device disables at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the communication device is in a moving vehicle. To. In step 220, the communication device reduces or disables safety message signaling while the communication device is in the building.

  [0057] In step 222, the communication device determines the time interval at which safety message monitoring is performed, or the safety message monitoring periodicity that determines the time between transmissions of safety messages performed by the communication device. Control transmission periodicity. In some embodiments, when the safety message monitoring periodicity or the safety message transmission periodicity is determined to be in another location with relatively high vehicle traffic rather than a location with relatively low vehicle traffic. To be raised. In various embodiments, safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is controlled in response to proximity to vehicle traffic. In some embodiments, when it is determined that a large amount of pedestrian traffic, for example, exceeding a predetermined threshold, is found to be using the DSRC band, the safety message transmission periodicity is reduced. In some such embodiments, the predetermined threshold is a congestion threshold for pedestrian traffic in the DSRC band.

  [0058] In step 224, the communication device controls the transmit power level of the safety message transmitted by the communication device. In some embodiments, when a communication device is close to the coming vehicle, it wants the communication device's safety message to be heard by more devices, and therefore transmits at a higher power level than when it is far from the coming vehicle. To do. In some embodiments, if the communication device is far from vehicle traffic, the communication device may send safety messages to save power and reduce interference to devices that are more likely to be in the traffic. , The transmission power of the communication device is lower than the transmission power that would have been used if the vehicle was close to vehicle traffic.

  [0059] In step 226, the communications device controls the duty cycle of monitoring the safety message. In various embodiments, the safety message monitoring duty cycle is controlled in response to proximity to vehicle traffic, for example, as the communication device approaches traffic, the safety message monitoring becomes more frequent. In various embodiments, the duty cycle for monitoring safety messages is controlled in response to the estimated level of vehicle traffic, for example, the higher the level of detected vehicle traffic, the more monitoring. In various embodiments, the safety message monitoring duty cycle is controlled as a function of the percentage of monitored safety message channels being utilized, eg, the detected level of safety message channel utilization is high. The more monitoring is done.

  [0060] In step 226, the communication device transmits a safety message signal based on the proximity of the communication device to at least one of the other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum, or the safety message signal Adjust the transmission periodicity.

  [0061] Operation proceeds from step 214 to step 204 to generate device location information at a later point in time.

  [0062] In some embodiments, the method of flowchart 200 includes steps 250 and 252. In step 250, the communication device receives a message from the vehicle requesting the pedestrian to send a safety message. Operation proceeds from step 250 to step 252. In step 252, the communication device sends at least one safety message in response to the received message from the vehicle requesting the pedestrian to send a safety message. In some embodiments, a received message from a vehicle requesting a pedestrian to send a safety message is information that communicates safety message periodicity information and / or safety message transmission power information. Including. In some embodiments, at least some secure message transmission operations are controlled by step 214.

  [0063] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example communication device 300, eg, a mobile wireless device, according to an example embodiment. Exemplary communication device 300 is, for example, one of the portable mobile wireless devices (136, 112, 193, 180,..., 183) of system 100 of FIG. The communication device 300 may implement the method according to the flowchart 200 of FIG.

  [0064] The communication device 300 includes a processor 302 and a memory 304 that are coupled together via a bus 309 through which various elements (302, 304) can exchange data and information. Communication device 300 further includes an input module 306 and an output module 308 that can be coupled to processor 302 as shown. However, in some embodiments, the input module 306 and the output module 308 are located inside the processor 302. The input module 306 can receive an input signal. Input module 306 includes a wireless receiver 307 for receiving input including a safety message. The wireless receiver module 307 is configured to transmit wide area network (WAN) signals (eg, cellular communication signals based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard) and / or wireless local area network (WLAN) signals (eg, Wi- Fi signal). In some embodiments, the input module 306 also includes a wired or optical input interface for receiving input. The output module 308 includes a wireless transmitter 305 for transmitting output including a safety message. The wireless transmitter 305 may be configured to transmit WAN signals and / or WLAN signals. In some embodiments, the output module 308 also includes a wired or optical output interface for transmitting output. In various embodiments, the wireless receiver module 307 and the wireless transmitter module 305 form a wireless communication module (also referred to as a “DSRC module”) that supports DSRC signaling, eg, 802.11p signaling. In some embodiments, the memory 304 includes routines 311 and data / information 313.

  [0065] The communication device 300 further includes a wireless communication receive antenna 324 coupled to the wireless receiver module 307 and a wireless communication transmit antenna 326 coupled to the wireless transmitter module 305. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for both input and output wireless communication signaling. Communication device 300 further includes a GPS module 316 coupled to GPS antenna 328 through which communication device 300 can receive GPS signals. A GPS module 316, for example, an embedded GPS receiver, processes the received GPS signal and provides GPS information, for example, GPS time information, position measurement result information determined by GPS, speed information determined by GPS, The altitude information determined by GPS, the orientation information determined by GPS, and the GPS accuracy information are output. The output GPS information is used when determining device location information.

  [0066] Inertial guidance module 318, for example, a module that includes a plurality of gyroscopes and a plurality of accelerometers, provides inertial guidance information used in generating device location information. In some embodiments, inertial guidance module 318 is included as part of a navigation unit included in communication device 300. In some embodiments, the inertial guidance module 318 includes a plurality of separate inertial measurement components, such as separate accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. In some embodiments, the inertial guidance module 318 includes a gyroscope on the chip. In some embodiments, the inertial guidance module 318 includes an on-chip accelerometer. In some embodiments, the inertial guidance module 318 is an inertial measurement unit (IMU) on a chip. In some embodiments, inertial guidance module 318 is included in a chip that includes processor 302. In various embodiments, the GPS module 316 is coupled to the inertial guidance module 318. In some embodiments, inertial guidance module 318 assists GPS module 316, for example, during intervals when GPS reception is poor. GPS module 316 and inertial guidance module 318 are coupled to bus 309.

  [0067] The communication device 300 further includes a microphone 330 coupled to the acoustic interface module 332, which is coupled to the bus 309. An acoustic signal is detected by the microphone 330 and processed by the acoustic interface module 332. Exemplary detected acoustic signals include, for example, an acoustic signal corresponding to a transmitter located in a building, an acoustic signal corresponding to a transmitter located in a vehicle, and an acoustic corresponding to a noise profile indicating being in a building. The signal includes an acoustic signal corresponding to a noise profile indicating that the vehicle is in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the received acoustic signal is used to identify that communication device 300 is located in a building or vehicle. In some embodiments, the received acoustic signal is used to perform ranging, eg, localization, of the communication device 300 in the vehicle with an acceptable probability.

  [0068] Communication device 300 further includes a user input module 320 and a user output module 322 coupled to bus 309. User input module 320, eg, keypad and / or touchscreen, indicates user input, eg, user input identifying a location, user input identifying that the user is in a building, user being in a vehicle. User input, receiving user input indicating that the user intends to cross the street. A user output module 322, eg, a display, presents options to the user regarding the communication of safety messages, displays safety message information, and displays collective safety message information.

  [0069] The communication device 300 further includes a battery power monitoring module 334 configured to determine an amount of remaining battery power for the communication device 300. In some embodiments, the determined amount of remaining battery power is used by the communication device 300 in controlling at least one of a safety message operation and a safety message transmission operation. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of time that the receiver of the communication device is powered on for the purpose of monitoring the safety message is controlled in response to the remaining battery power, eg, the detected battery power. The lower the level, the less monitoring time. As another example, when it is detected that the remaining battery power level is low, the rate of transmission of safety messages and / or the power level of transmissions for safety messages are controlled to be lower.

  [0070] In various embodiments, the processor 302 generates device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information, and a safety message based on the generated device location information. It is configured to control at least one of a monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation. In some embodiments, the safety message may include current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle steering information, vehicle size information, and / or air. This message includes bag status information. In some embodiments, the message indicates whether the sender is in a vehicle or a pedestrian. In various embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the communication device. In some embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating the intention of crossing the road.

  [0071] In various embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to determine the position of the communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path as part of being configured to generate device location information. In some embodiments, the processor 302 is a time interval during which safety message monitoring is performed as part of being configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation. Or a safety message transmission periodicity that determines a time between safety message transmissions performed by the communication device.

  [0072] In some embodiments, the processor 302 may monitor the safety message for periodicity when it is determined that the communication device is in another location with relatively high vehicle traffic rather than a location with relatively low vehicle traffic. Or it is comprised so that the transmission periodicity of a safety message may be raised. In various embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to control the monitoring periodicity of safety messages or the transmission periodicity of safety messages in response to proximity to vehicle traffic. In some embodiments, the processor 302 may determine the transmission periodicity of the safety message when, for example, it is determined that a large amount of pedestrian traffic exceeding a predetermined threshold is found to be using the DSRC band. Configured to lower.

  [0073] In some embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. The unit is configured to control a transmission power level of a safety message transmitted by the communication device.

  [0074] In various embodiments, a portion of the processor 302 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message sending operation based on the generated device location information. Configured to disable at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the communication device is in a moving vehicle Is done.

  [0075] In some embodiments, the processor 302, as part of being configured to generate device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information, as described above. It is configured to determine whether the communication device is located in the vehicle. In some such embodiments, the processor 302 may receive user input, the strength and / or rate of a safety message received from the vehicle, a signal received from a vehicle, for example a vehicle safety message system in which a communication device is located, Based on at least one of a determined rate of movement relative to a rate of movement indicative of movement of the vehicle or a received acoustic signal indicating that the communication device is in the vehicle, the communication device is in the vehicle. Configured to determine if located.

  [0076] In various embodiments, a portion of the processor 302 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message sending operation based on the generated device location information. As configured to enable at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the communication device is outside the vehicle .

  [0077] In some embodiments, the processor 302 communicates as part of being configured to generate device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information. Configured to determine whether the device is in a building. In some such embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. As a part, the communication device is further configured to reduce or disable signaling of safety messages while in the building. In some embodiments, the processor 302 may determine the user input, a location measurement result of the communication device based on the building RF fingerprint map, a received signal from a mobile device known to be in the building, a decision in the building. Determining whether the communication device is in a building based on at least one of a signal received from a transmitter at a particular location, a received acoustic signal indicating that the communication device is in a building Configured as follows.

  [0078] In some embodiments, the processor 302 as part of being configured to generate device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information. It is configured to determine the position of the communication device relative to other pedestrian users of the spectrum. In some such embodiments, the processor 302 transmits a safety message signal based on the proximity of the communication device with at least one of the other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum, or the safety message. It is configured to adjust the transmission periodicity of the signal.

  [0079] In some embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to receive a message from a vehicle that requests a pedestrian to send a safety message. In some such embodiments, the processor 302 is further configured to send at least one safety message in response to the received message from the vehicle requesting the pedestrian to send a safety message. Composed.

  [0080] FIG. 4 is an assembly 400 of modules that may be used in the exemplary communication device 300 shown in FIG. 3, and in some embodiments. Modules in assembly 400 may be implemented in hardware within processor 302 of FIG. 3, for example, as individual circuits. Alternatively, the module may be implemented in software and stored in the memory 304 of the communication device 300 shown in FIG. In some such embodiments, module assembly 400 is included in routine 311 of memory 304 of device 300 of FIG. Although shown as a single processor, eg, a computer, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, it should be understood that the processor 302 may be implemented as one or more processors, eg, a computer. When implemented in software, a module contains code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor, eg, computer 302, to implement functionality corresponding to the module. In some embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to implement each of the modules of the module 400 assembly. In embodiments in which the assembly 400 of modules is stored in the memory 304, the memory 304 may include code for causing the at least one computer, eg, the processor 302, to implement the functions to which the module corresponds, eg, individual code for each module. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium.

  [0081] Completely hardware-based or fully software-based modules may be used. However, it should be understood that any combination of software modules and hardware (eg, implemented in a circuit) modules may be used to implement functionality. The modules shown in FIG. 4 perform the functions of the corresponding device illustrated and / or described in the method of flowchart 200 of FIG. It should be understood that the control and / or configuration.

  [0082] FIG. 4 is an assembly 400 of modules according to various embodiments. The module assembly 400 includes a module 404 configured to generate device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information, and a safety based on the generated device location information. And a module 414 configured to control at least one of a message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation. Module 404 is configured to determine the position of the communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path, module 406 configured to determine whether the communication device is located in the vehicle, and communication device Module 410 configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a moving vehicle, module 412 configured to determine whether the communication device is in a building, and other walks of the DSRC spectrum And a module 407 configured to determine a position of the communication device relative to the user. In some embodiments, one or more of all of modules 406, 408, 410, 412, and 407 are located external to module 404.

  [0083] The module 404 includes a position comparison module 411, a pedestrian movement profile comparison module 413, a vehicle movement profile comparison module 415, a position / speed comparison module 417, an audio signal request module 419, and an audio signal module 421. In addition. The output from one or more of modules 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, and 421 is used by modules 406, 408 and / or module 410 to make a decision. The position comparison module 411 compares the position of the communication device including the module assembly 400 with the position received from the safety message from the vehicle to determine whether the communication device including the module assembly 400 is in the vehicle. Configured as follows. The pedestrian motion profile comparison module 413 is based on, for example, received GPS signals and / or internal inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, and the speed and acceleration of the communication device in which the assembly 400 of the module is located. Determine orientation, whether the speed exceeds the pedestrian speed, whether the determined acceleration profile deviates from the predicted pedestrian profile, and orientation is typical pedestrian path Configured to determine whether the route being moved is along a sidewalk or hiking trail, for example. The vehicle motion profile comparison module 415 may, for example, based on received GPS signals and / or internal inertial sensors, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, movement speed and acceleration of the communication device in which the module assembly 400 is located, Determine the direction, whether the speed is within the predicted vehicle speed envelope, whether the acceleration profile matches the predicted vehicle profile, and the direction of the typical vehicle path In accordance with, for example, whether the route being traveled is along a highway lane, track, or subway track. In some embodiments, different profiles corresponding to different types of vehicles are stored in memory, and the vehicle motion profile module 415 determines which type of vehicle the communication device that includes the assembly 400 of the module is located on, for example, Identify whether it is a car or a train. The position / speed verification module 417 compares the position and speed of the communication device that includes the assembly of module 400 with multiple sets of received position / speed information from received safety messages from multiple nearby vehicles. Determine which one vehicle has the position and speed that best matches the position and speed information of the communication device that includes the assembly 400 of modules, for example, identifying which vehicle the communication device is located in To do. The audio signal request module 419 locates the communication device that includes the module assembly 400, for example, to determine with some acceptable certainty whether the communication device that includes the module assembly 400 is in a vehicle. To help do so, it asks the audio signal request module 419 to send an audio signal from the speaker, eg, asks the vehicle to do so. The audio signal module 421 performs a ranging operation, for example, by processing received audio signals, eg, received audio signals transmitted through a plurality of vehicle speakers, in response to a request, It is determined whether a communication device including the assembly 400 is in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the transmitted audio signal used for ranging is inaudible to the majority of people, but is detectable by some communication devices including the module assembly 400. Is intentionally selected to use the frequency within.

  [0084] The module 414 may enable at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the communication device is outside the vehicle. Disabling at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the configured device 416 and the communication device is in a moving vehicle And a module 420 configured to reduce or disable signaling of safety messages while the communication device is in the building. Module 414 controls safety message monitoring periodicity, which determines the time interval over which safety message monitoring is performed, or safety message transmission periodicity, which determines the time between transmissions of safety messages performed by the communication device. And a module 424 configured to control a transmission power level of a safety message transmitted by the communication device. Module 414 further includes a module 426 configured to control the duty cycle of the monitoring of safety messages. Module 414 transmits a safety message signal or adjusts the transmission periodicity of the safety message signal based on the proximity of the communication device to at least one of the other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum. Further included is a module 427 configured as follows. In some embodiments, one or more of all of the modules 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, and 427 are located external to the module 414.

  [0085] In some embodiments, the safety message includes current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle handle operation information, vehicle size information, and And / or a message including airbag status information. In various embodiments, the safety message indicates whether the sender is in a vehicle or a pedestrian. In some embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the communication device. In some embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating an intention to cross the road.

  [0086] In various embodiments, the module 422 configured to control the safety message monitoring periodicity or the safety message transmission periodicity can be configured to allow the communication device to control relatively low vehicle traffic from relatively low vehicle traffic. When it is determined that the user has moved to many different locations, control is performed to increase the monitoring periodicity of the safety message or the transmission periodicity of the safety message.

  [0087] In various embodiments, a module 422 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity may be configured to monitor safety message monitoring periodicity or proximity according to proximity to vehicle traffic. Control the transmission periodicity of safety messages. In some such embodiments, the control is performed more frequently when monitoring or sending safety messages when the communication device is closer to vehicle traffic than when the communication device is far from vehicle traffic. It is like that.

  [0088] In various embodiments, the module 422 configured to control the safety message monitoring periodicity or the safety message transmission periodicity may include a safety message monitoring periodicity or a safety message depending on the speed of a nearby vehicle. Control the transmission periodicity of safety messages. In some such embodiments, the control may be a safety message monitoring or safety message when the communication device is in an area where the vehicle is high speed than when the communication device is in an area where the vehicle is low speed. Is sent more frequently. In some embodiments, the control can monitor safety messages or monitor safety messages when there is a communication device in an area where the sign rate is high, rather than when the communication device is in an area where the sign rate is low. It is like sending more frequently.

  [0089] In various embodiments, a module 422 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity may include one nearby vehicle type or multiple vehicle types. For example, depending on a bicycle, a motorcycle, a car, a truck, a bus, a train, a tram, and / or a subway vehicle, the monitoring periodicity of the safety message or the transmission periodicity of the safety message is controlled. In various embodiments, the module 422 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity may be one vehicle type or multiple vehicle types detected to be nearby. For example, depending on a bicycle, a motorcycle, a car, a truck, a bus, a train, a tram, and / or a subway vehicle, the monitoring periodicity of the safety message or the transmission periodicity of the safety message is controlled.

  [0090] In some embodiments, the module 422 controls the transmission periodicity of safety messages in response to the traffic volume of pedestrians that are found to be using the DSRC band. In some embodiments, the module 422 operates at a reduced rate, for example, when it is determined that a large amount of pedestrian traffic exceeding a predetermined threshold is found to be using the DSRC band. Controls the transmission periodicity of safety messages.

  [0091] In some embodiments, the module 408 configured to determine whether the communication device is located in a vehicle includes user input, strength and / or rate of a safety message received from the vehicle, At least one of a signal received from a vehicle safety message system, a determined rate of motion relative to a rate of motion indicative of vehicle motion, or a received acoustic signal indicating that the communication device is in a vehicle To determine whether the communication device is located in the vehicle.

  [0092] The module assembly 400 includes a module 450 configured to receive a message from a vehicle that requests a pedestrian to send a safety message, and a vehicle that requests the pedestrian to send a safety message. And a module 452 configured to send at least one safety message in response to the message from.

  [0093] FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 of an exemplary method of operating a communication device, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the communication device that performs the method of flowchart 500 is a network node, eg, a server node or a base station. A communication device that performs the method of flowchart 500 is, for example, server node 130 or base station 126 or base station 105 of system 100 of FIG. Operation of the exemplary method begins at step 502 where the communication device is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step 502 to step 504. The steps of flowchart 500 may be performed by a communication device for each of a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices that are controlled by the communication device for at least one safety message monitoring operation or safety message transmission operation. For example, in one embodiment, the server node 130 may be a mobile wireless communication device (MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180,..., MN N 183) for secure message monitoring and / or secure message transmission operations. Is controlling.

  [0094] In step 504, the communication device generates location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information. In some embodiments, the received signal is a GPS signal or a signal received from a cellular network. In some embodiments, location measurements determined by the mobile wireless communication device are communicated to a communication device that implements the method of flowchart 500, for example, via a cellular network and / or a backhaul. In some embodiments, information used to derive the location of the mobile wireless communication device, eg, a power strength measurement of a received reference signal, is received from the mobile wireless communication device according to the method of flowchart 500. Communicated to the implementing communication device. In some embodiments, the mobile wireless communication device determines the position of the mobile wireless communication device based on, for example, GPS measurements and / or inertial measurements, and determines the determined position of the mobile wireless communication device, Communicate to a communication device that implements the method of flowchart 500. In various embodiments, step 504 includes one or more of all of optional steps 506, 508, 510, 512, and 507. In step 506, the communication device determines the position of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path. In some embodiments, the generated device location information does not determine the exact location of the communication device, eg, the absolute location, and the vehicle or vehicle route, eg, road, street, railroad, subway Determine the location of the communication device relative to the track. In some embodiments, a communication device that implements the method of flowchart 500 that has a more accurate overview of the surroundings of the mobile wireless communication device than the mobile wireless communication device includes a map, and others The position of the mobile communication device relative to the vehicle, street, etc. can be determined. In step 508, the communication device determines whether the mobile wireless communication device is located in the vehicle, and in step 510, the communication device determines whether it is located in the vehicle in which the mobile wireless communication device is moving. . In some embodiments, determining whether the mobile wireless communication device is located in the vehicle includes determining user input, the strength and / or rate of a safety message received from the vehicle, the vehicle, eg, the mobile wireless communication device. A signal received from a vehicle safety message system located, a determined rate of movement of the mobile wireless communication device relative to a rate of movement indicative of vehicle movement, or mobile wireless indicating that the mobile wireless communication device is in the vehicle Based on at least one of the acoustic signals received by the communication device. In step 512, the communication device determines whether the mobile wireless communication device is in a building. In various embodiments, the communication device may include a user input, a location measurement result of the communication device based on the RF fingerprint map of the building, a received signal from another mobile wireless communication device known to be in the building, a building Based on at least one of a signal received by the mobile wireless communication device from a transmitter at a fixed location within the device, an acoustic signal received by the mobile wireless communication device indicating that the mobile wireless communication device is in a building To determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is in a building. In step 507, the communication device determines the position of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the position of other pedestrian users in the DSRC spectrum.

  [0095] Operation proceeds from step 504 to step 514. In step 514, the communication device controls at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. In some embodiments, the safety message may include current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle steering information, vehicle size information, and / or airbag. This message contains status information. In some such embodiments, the safety message indicates whether the sender is a vehicle or a pedestrian. In some embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the communication device that transmits the safety message. For example, the user profile information may indicate that the user is blind or that the user has a disability. In various embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating the intention of crossing the road. For example, pressing a button on a mobile phone is used to generate a safety message to inform a traffic signal in the area of the intention of crossing the road.

  [0096] Step 514 includes one or more or all of optional steps 516, 518, 520, 522, and 524. Step 514 also includes steps 526 and 528. In step 516, the communication device enables at least one of a safety message transmission operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is out of the vehicle. To do. In step 518, the communication device is at least one of a safety message transmission operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is in a moving vehicle. Disable. In step 520, the communication device reduces or disables safety message signaling while the mobile wireless communication device is in the building. In step 522, the communication device determines the time interval over which the monitoring of the safety message is performed, or the transmission of the safety message that determines the time between transmissions of the safety message performed by the mobile wireless communication device. Control periodicity. In some embodiments, the safety message monitoring periodicity or the safety message transmission periodicity is determined that the mobile wireless communication device is in a different location with relatively high vehicle traffic than a location with relatively low vehicle traffic. Raised when In various embodiments, safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is controlled in response to the proximity of the mobile wireless communication device to vehicle traffic. In various embodiments, the transmission periodicity of safety messages is controlled according to the observed level of pedestrian traffic using the DSRC band. For example, a safety message sent from a mobile communication device at a given time interval in response to a detected high level of pedestrian traffic using the DSRC band, eg, exceeding a predetermined pedestrian traffic threshold level Is reduced, for example, to reduce congestion in the DSRC band. In step 524, the communication device controls the transmit power level of the safety message transmitted by the mobile wireless communication device. In some embodiments, when the mobile wireless communication device is close to a traffic vehicle, the communication device wants the mobile wireless communication device's safety message to be heard by more devices, and thus the mobile wireless communication device is traffic It is controlled to transmit at a higher power level than when it is far from the vehicle. In some embodiments, if the mobile wireless communication device is far from vehicle traffic, the communication device may be configured to send a safety message when the mobile wireless communication device is close to vehicle traffic. Control the mobile wireless communication device to reduce its transmit power over the transmit power it would have used to save power and reduce interference to devices more likely to be in traffic To do.

  [0097] Operation proceeds to step 526 from one or more of steps 515, 518, 520, 522, and 524. In step 526, the communication device generates a control message for controlling at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation of the mobile wireless communication device. In step 526, the communication device incorporates information for performing one or more of the determinations of steps 516, 518, 520, 522, and 524 into the generated control message. Operation proceeds from step 526 to step 528. In step 528, the communication device transmits the generated control message to the mobile wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the transmitted message is communicated from a communication device implementing the method of flowchart 500 to a mobile wireless communication device through a backhaul network and a wireless communication channel, eg, a cellular communication signal. In some embodiments, a control message from a communication device that implements the method of flowchart 500 to a wireless communication device includes a command, for example, a command that enables or disables a safety message monitoring operation and / or a safety message transmission operation, safety Command to communicate message transmission periodicity, command to communicate safety message monitoring periodicity information, command to indicate safety message transmission power level, command to communicate maximum allowable safety message transmission periodicity, maximum Communicating a command indicating the allowable safety message transmission power level. Operation proceeds from step 514 to step 504 to generate device location information corresponding to the mobile wireless communication device at a later time.

  [0098] In some embodiments, including step 507, the communication device transmits a safety message signal based on the proximity of the mobile wireless communication device with at least one of the uses of the DSRC spectrum by the pedestrian. To control the mobile wireless communication device or to adjust the transmission periodicity of the safety message signal. In some such embodiments, control information for performing control is included in the control message generated in step 526 and the generated control message is transmitted in step 528.

  [0099] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example communication device 600, eg, a network device such as a server node or a base station node, according to an example embodiment. Exemplary communication device 600 is, for example, one of the server nodes or base station nodes of system 100 of FIG. The communication device 600 may, and in some cases, implement the method according to the flowchart 500 of FIG. Communication device 600 controls at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation for a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices.

  [00100] The communication device 600 includes a processor 602 and a memory 604 that are coupled together via a bus 609 through which various elements (602, 604) can exchange data and information. Communication device 600 further includes an input module 606 and an output module 608 that can be coupled to processor 602 as shown. However, in some embodiments, input module 606 and output module 608 are located within processor 602. The input module 606 can receive an input signal. Input module 606 may include a wireless receiver and / or a wired or optical input interface for receiving input, and certainly includes in some embodiments. The output module 608 may include a wireless transmitter and / or a wired or optical output interface for transmitting output, and certainly includes in some embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 604 includes routines 611 and data / information 613.

  [00101] In various embodiments, the processor 602 generates device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information and a safety message based on the generated device location information. It is configured to control at least one of a monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation. In some embodiments, the safety message may include current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle steering information, vehicle size information, and / or air. This message includes bag status information. In some such embodiments, the message indicates whether the sender is in a vehicle or a pedestrian. In various embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the communication device that transmits the safety message. In some embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating the intention of crossing the road by the device sending the safety message.

  [00102] In various embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to determine the location of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path as part of being configured to generate device location information. The In some embodiments, the processor 602 determines a time interval during which safety message monitoring is performed as part of being configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a transmission operation. Configured to control the monitoring periodicity of the safety message to be transmitted, or the transmission periodicity of the safety message to determine the time between transmissions of the safety message performed by the mobile wireless communication device.

  [0100] In some embodiments, the processor 602 monitors the safety message when it is determined that the mobile wireless communication device is in another location with relatively high vehicle traffic rather than a location with relatively low vehicle traffic. It is configured to increase the periodicity or transmission periodicity of safety messages. In various embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to control a safety message monitoring periodicity or a safety message transmission periodicity of the mobile wireless communication device as a function of proximity to vehicle traffic.

  [0101] In some embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. As a part, it is configured to control a transmission power level of a safety message transmitted by the mobile wireless communication device.

  [0102] In various embodiments, a portion of the processor 602 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. At least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation of the mobile wireless communication device when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is in a moving vehicle Configured to disable.

  [0103] In some embodiments, as part of being configured to generate device location information based on at least one of received signals or inertial guidance information, processor 602 It is configured to determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is in the vehicle. In some such embodiments, processor 602 may receive user input, the strength and / or rate of a safety message received from a vehicle, a signal received from a safety message system of a vehicle (eg, a vehicle with a communication device). A determined rate of movement of the mobile wireless communication device relative to a rate of movement indicative of movement of the vehicle, or a received acoustic signal received by the mobile wireless communication device indicating that the mobile wireless communication device is in a vehicle Based on at least one, the mobile wireless communication device is configured to determine whether it is in a vehicle.

  [0104] In various embodiments, a portion of the processor 602 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. Enabling at least one of a safety message transmission operation or a safety message monitoring operation of the mobile wireless communication device when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is outside the vehicle Configured to be.

  [0105] In some embodiments, the processor 602 is mobile as part of being configured to generate device location information based on at least one of received signals or inertial guidance information. It is configured to determine whether the wireless communication device is in a building. In some such embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to control at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation based on the generated device location information. As a part, the mobile wireless communication device is further configured to reduce or disable signaling of safety messages while in the building. In some embodiments, the processor 602 may include user input, a location measurement result of a mobile wireless communication device based on a building RF fingerprint map, a received signal from another mobile device known to be in the building, The mobile based on at least one of a signal received by a mobile wireless communication device from a transmitter at a fixed location in the building, a received acoustic signal indicating that the mobile wireless communication device is in the building It is configured to determine whether the wireless communication device is located in a building.

  [0106] In some embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to determine the location of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the location of other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum. In some such embodiments, the processor 602 may transmit a safety message signal based on the proximity of the mobile wireless communication device to at least one other pedestrian user in the DSRC spectrum, or secure It is further configured to control the mobile wireless communication device to adjust the periodicity of message signaling.

  [0107] In various embodiments, the processor 602 controls a control message for controlling at least one of a secure message monitoring operation or a secure message transmission operation of the mobile wireless communication device, eg, controlled mobile wireless communication. It is configured to generate a control message that communicates the control message safety enablement and rate and / or safety message transmission enablement, rate, and transmission power level for the device. The processor 602 is further configured to transmit the generated control message to the controlled mobile wireless communication device, for example, directly or indirectly.

  [0108] FIG. 7 is an assembly 700 of modules that may be used in the exemplary communication device 600 shown in FIG. 6 and used in some embodiments. Modules in assembly 700 may be implemented in hardware within processor 602 of FIG. 6, for example, as individual circuits. Alternatively, the module may be implemented in software and stored in the memory 604 of the communication device 600 shown in FIG. In some such embodiments, module assembly 700 is included in routine 611 of memory 604 of device 600 of FIG. Although shown as a single processor, eg, a computer, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, it should be understood that processor 602 can be implemented as one or more processors, eg, computers. When implemented in software, a module includes code that, when executed by a processor, causes a processor, eg, computer 602, to implement functionality corresponding to the module. In some embodiments, the processor 602 is configured to implement each of the modules of the module assembly 700. In embodiments where the assembly 700 of modules is stored in the memory 604, the memory 604 stores code for causing the processor 602 to implement the functions to which the module corresponds, for example, at least one computer, eg, individual code for each module. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium comprising, for example, a non-transitory computer readable medium.

  [0109] Modules based entirely on hardware or based entirely on software may be used. However, it should be understood that any combination of software modules and hardware (eg, implemented in a circuit) modules may be used to implement functionality. The modules shown in FIG. 7 perform communication device 600, or elements in communication device 600, such as processor 602, to perform the functions of the corresponding steps shown and / or described in the method of flowchart 500 in FIG. It should be understood that the control and / or configuration.

  [0110] FIG. 7 is an assembly 700 of modules according to various embodiments. The module assembly 700 includes a module 704 configured to generate device location information based on at least one of the received signal or inertial guidance information, and a safety based on the generated device location information. And a module 714 configured to control at least one of a message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation. Module 704 is configured to determine a position of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the vehicle or vehicle path, and module 708 is configured to determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is located within the vehicle. A module 710 configured to determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is located in a moving vehicle, and a module 712 configured to determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is in a building. Including. Module 704 includes a module 707 configured to determine the position of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the position of other pedestrian users in the DSRC spectrum. In some embodiments, one or more of all of modules 706, 708, 710, 712, and 707 are external to module 704.

  [0111] Module 714 enables at least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is out of the vehicle. At least one of a safety message sending operation or a safety message monitoring operation when the generated device location information indicates that the mobile wireless communication device is in a moving vehicle And a module 720 configured to reduce or disable safety message signaling while the mobile wireless communication device is in the building. Module 714 controls the safety message monitoring periodicity, which determines the time interval during which safety message monitoring is performed, or the safety message transmission periodicity, which determines the time between transmissions of safety messages performed by the mobile wireless communication device. And a module 722 configured to control a transmission power level of a safety message transmitted by the mobile wireless communication device. Module 714 transmits a safety message signal based on the proximity of the mobile wireless communication device to at least one of the other pedestrian users of the DSRC spectrum or adjusts the transmission periodicity of the safety message signal And further includes a module 725 configured to control the mobile wireless communication device.

  [0112] The module 714 is configured with a module 726 configured to generate a control message for controlling at least one of a safety message monitoring operation or a safety message transmission operation of the mobile wireless communication device, and a generated control. And a module 728 configured to transmit the message to the mobile wireless communication device. In some embodiments, one or more of all of modules 716, 718, 720, 722, 724, 725, 726, and 728 are located external to module 714.

  [0113] In some embodiments, the safety message may include current time, latitude, longitude, speed, direction, vehicle braking information, vehicle throttle information, vehicle steering information, vehicle size information, and / or Or it is a message containing the status information of an airbag. In various embodiments, the safety message indicates whether the sender is in a vehicle or a pedestrian. In some embodiments, the safety message includes at least some user profile information obtained from a file stored on the device that sent the message. In some embodiments, the safety message includes information indicating an intention to cross the road.

  [0114] In various embodiments, a module 722 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity may cause the mobile wireless communication device to move from a relatively low vehicle traffic location to a relatively When it is determined that the vehicle has moved to another place with high traffic, control is performed so as to increase the monitoring periodicity of the safety message or the transmission periodicity of the safety message.

  [0115] In various embodiments, the module 722 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is dependent on the proximity of the mobile wireless communication device to vehicle traffic. Control message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity. In some such embodiments, the control may monitor safety messages or send safety messages when the mobile wireless communication device is closer to vehicle traffic than when the mobile wireless communication device is far from vehicle traffic. It is like being controlled to occur more frequently.

  [0116] In various embodiments, a module 722 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is configured to control the speed of a vehicle near the mobile wireless communication device being controlled. Accordingly, the monitoring periodicity of the safety message or the transmission periodicity of the safety message is controlled. In some such embodiments, the control is more secure when the mobile wireless communication device is in an area where the vehicle is faster than when the mobile wireless communication device is in an area where the vehicle is slow. It is like sending monitoring or safety messages more frequently. In some embodiments, the control can monitor the safety message when the mobile wireless communication device is in a region with a high speed limit for a sign than when the mobile wireless communication device is in a region with a low speed limit for a sign. Or it is like sending safety messages more frequently.

  [0117] In various embodiments, a module 722 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is allowed by one of the allowed mobile wireless communication devices being controlled. Control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity according to vehicle type or multiple vehicle types, for example, bicycle, bike, car, truck, bus, train, tram, subway car, etc. . In various embodiments, a module 722 configured to control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity is one detected to be in proximity to the controlled mobile wireless communication device. Control safety message monitoring periodicity or safety message transmission periodicity according to vehicle type or multiple vehicle types, for example, bicycle, bike, car, truck, bus, train, tram, subway car, etc. .

  [0118] In some embodiments, module 722 controls the transmission periodicity of safety messages in response to observed pedestrian traffic using the DSRC band near the controlled mobile wireless communication device. Configured to do. For example, against observed high levels of pedestrian traffic using DSRC bands near the controlled mobile wireless communication device, the controlled mobile wireless communication device is less, for example, to reduce congestion Controlled to send safety messages at a frequency.

  [0119] In some embodiments, the module 708 configured to determine whether the mobile communication device is located in the vehicle receives user input to the mobile wireless communication device, received from the vehicle by the mobile wireless communication device The received safety message strength and / or rate, the signal received by the mobile wireless communication device from the vehicle safety message system, the determined rate of movement of the mobile wireless communication device relative to the rate of movement indicative of the movement of the vehicle, or Whether the mobile wireless communication device is located in the vehicle based on at least one of the received acoustic signals received by the mobile wireless communication device indicating that the mobile wireless communication device is in the vehicle Determined.

  [0120] Various aspects and / or features of some embodiments, but not necessarily all, are further described below. In some embodiments, the power and / or periodicity of safety messages transmitted by the wireless device is adjusted depending on the environment. The environmental inputs that may be used and possibly used are, for example, GPS signals received by the wireless device, gyroscopes and accelerometers that can be used to predict the position of a pedestrian with the wireless device Measurement of inertial systems of wireless devices made by equipment such as, as well as basic safety messages from other vehicles, such as 802.11p transmissions from vehicles.

  [0121] For example, if the GPS signal used in conjunction with a map indicates that the user is in a building or indoor environment, in some embodiments, transmission of safety messages is completely turned off Or reduced, for example, to less than one transmission per second. In addition to GPS signals, a phone inertia system such as a gyroscope can be used to predict the position / movement direction of a pedestrian. If the pedestrian is not close to the traffic vehicle on the road, the periodicity is lowered and may be raised when the pedestrian later approaches the traffic vehicle on the road again. Detection of road traffic basic safety messages from other vehicles, for example, 802.11p transmissions from other vehicles, and detection of received power in those messages also determines how close the user is to the road / traffic vehicle. It may also be used to show and in some cases used.

  [0122] Various exemplary embodiments identify when a pedestrian's mobile wireless device should be controlled to send a safety message, for example, when the pedestrian is about to cross a road And one or more or all of the above inputs to reduce the periodicity to a lower value, eg, less than once per second transmission, if not specified in a traffic related situation May be used and in some cases.

  [0123] Since a significant amount of energy is still spent in keeping the receiver on for 802.11p signals, the receiver duty of the wireless device is particularly important when battery drain is an important consideration. It may be useful to regulate the cycle based on the environment of the wireless device. Also, controlling the receive duty cycle can utilize inputs from the above-described inputs, such as GPS, gyroscope / accelerometer, and detected 802.11p transmission. The duty cycle for observing safety transmissions can be lowered based on the estimated location / activity of the pedestrian and whether the pedestrian is near roads and traffic vehicles, and in some embodiments Be lowered.

  [0124] In addition, the duty cycle for observing 802.11p transmissions may be based on the density of channel occupancy within the observed period and also the received power. For example, if a telephone receiver is in the current state of observing a channel for a period of 100 ms every second and observes more than 50% of the channel occupancy within this 100 ms period, It suggests that the receiver is near the vehicle's transmission. Channel occupancy can be observed from the vehicle (measurements are more reliable) or measured from other pedestrians (which is less reliable).

  [0125] Similarly, if a Basic Safety Message (BSM) packet from several vehicles is received at very high power, it also suggests that the pedestrian is very close to vehicle traffic, as a response In some embodiments, the duty cycle is increased and the receiver is kept on for a longer time.

  [0126] Similarly, if the 802.11p basic safety message is very weak or the channel occupancy is very low, the pedestrian device switches to a relatively low periodicity listening to the channel.

  [0127] Various aspects and / or features for controlling the transmission of safety messages are further described below. In some embodiments, the power and periodicity of the pedestrian transmitter is controlled based on the identified environment and situation in which the pedestrian is present. Exemplary inputs used to identify the environment include phone / devices such as GPS signals received by the phone / device, gyroscope and accelerometer measurements used to predict pedestrian location As well as detection of measurements by other inertial system components, as well as road traffic basic safety messages from other vehicles, such as 802.11p transmissions from other vehicles.

  [0128] In some embodiments, transmission of safety messages is completely turned off or reduced when the GPS signal used in conjunction with the map indicates that the user is in a building or indoor environment. For example, reduced to less than one transmission per second. In addition to GPS signals, a phone inertia system such as a gyroscope is used to predict the position / direction of movement of the pedestrian. If the pedestrian is not so close to the traffic vehicle on the road, the periodicity is lowered and may be raised when the user later approaches the traffic vehicle on the road. The detection of road traffic basic safety messages from other vehicles, such as 802.11p transmissions and the received power of those messages, also indicates how close the user is to the road / traffic.

  [0129] Various embodiments may be used when a pedestrian's mobile wireless communication device is controlled to send a safety message, for example, to identify when a pedestrian is about to cross a road, and related to traffic One or more or all of the above inputs are used to reduce the periodicity to a low value, eg, no more than once per second transmission, if it is specified that the situation is not.

  [0130] Various aspects and / or features of some embodiments that control the receipt of a safety message, eg, turn on a receiver to receive a safety message, are discussed further below. Since a significant amount of energy is still spent in keeping the receiver on for 802.11p signals, the receiver's duty cycle of the mobile wireless communication device is regulated based on the environment of the mobile wireless communication device It is useful.

  [0131] In some embodiments, controlling the receive duty cycle utilizes inputs from the inputs described above, eg, GPS inputs, gyroscope / accelerometer inputs, 802.11p transmission detection information. The duty cycle for observing the transmission of safety messages may be reduced based on the pedestrian's estimated location and / or activity and whether the pedestrian is near roads and traffic vehicles, In some embodiments, it is reduced.

  [0132] Further, the duty cycle for observing 802.11p transmissions, eg, monitoring 802.11p transmissions, in some embodiments, is the density of channel occupancy within the observed time period, and also the received power. And based on. For example, in some embodiments, the mobile phone receiver is in the current state of observing the channel for a period of 100 ms every second, and in this period of 100 ms, more than 50% of the channel is occupied. , It implies that the receiver is near the vehicle's transmission. Similarly, if BSM packets from several vehicles are received at very high power, this also suggests that the pedestrian is very close to vehicle traffic, and in response, in some embodiments The duty cycle is increased and the receiver is kept on for a longer time.

  [0133] Similarly, if the detected 802.11p basic safety message observed by monitoring is observed to be very weak or occupy very little channel occupancy, in some embodiments, walking One's device listens to the channel and switches to a relatively low periodicity, eg, monitoring.

  [0134] The problem of controlling the transmission of a portable wireless communication device depends on whether the device is in a vehicle, for example, a vehicle having DSRC communication capability. Various features are directed to determining whether a portable device, eg, a mobile phone, is in a vehicle, eg, a car, in which case the portable device has a period during which it is in the car, The DSRC secure messaging capability may be disabled.

  [0135] In some embodiments, a mobile phone device can be identified as being in a moving vehicle, eg, a moving car. In some such embodiments, the mobile phone sends a DSRC message and, in response to determining that the mobile phone is in a moving vehicle being monitored, the mobile phone's safety message Stop.

  [0136] In one embodiment, the mobile phone device receives a signal from the vehicle's in-vehicle DSRC device through signaling on the safety channel or external channel that would be sending the safety message. The mobile phone checks its location relative to the DSRC device, determines that the mobile phone is in the vehicle, and turns off the mobile phone's safety broadcast.

  [0137] In another embodiment, the mobile phone device receives the GPS signal of the mobile phone device and at a speed and direction that the mobile phone device exceeds the pedestrian speed and normal pedestrian acceleration pattern. Identify that it is moving and identify that the mobile phone device is in a vehicle, eg, a car. The mobile phone device then turns off DSRC messaging or reverts to a very infrequent update.

  [0138] In another embodiment, the mobile phone device receives a safety message from a nearby vehicle, but observes that the location and speed of a given vehicle is very close to the location and speed of the mobile phone device itself. , Identifying that the mobile phone device is in the car casing. In this situation, the mobile phone turns off the DSRC safety message broadcast.

  [0139] In another embodiment, the mobile phone device broadcasts a request signal that is answered by the vehicle through 802.11 or Bluetooth or a general communication system. The mobile phone device then performs a ranging operation by requesting the vehicle to emit an audio signal from the vehicle speaker that helps the mobile phone device locate the mobile phone device relative to the vehicle. Run. If the mobile phone device identifies that the mobile phone device is in the car housing at some acceptable level of reliability, it turns off the basic safety message transmission of the mobile phone device.

  [0140] In one embodiment, the mobile phone device receives signals from the vehicle's in-vehicle DSRC device through signaling on a safety channel or external channel that would be sending a safety message. The mobile phone checks its location relative to the DSRC device, determines that the mobile phone is in the vehicle, and turns off the broadcast of the mobile phone's safety message.

  [0141] In various embodiments, of the communication device of the system 100 of FIG. 1, and / or the communication device 300 of FIG. 3, and / or the communication device 600 of FIG. 6, and / or the communication device of any of the figures One includes modules corresponding to each of the individual steps and / or operations shown with respect to any of the figures of the application and / or described in the detailed description of the application. In some embodiments, the module is implemented in hardware, eg, in the form of a circuit. Thus, in at least some embodiments, a module may be implemented in hardware and is optionally implemented. In other embodiments, the module may be implemented as a software module that includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor of the communication device, cause the device to perform corresponding steps or operations, and possibly Is implemented. In still other embodiments, some or all of the modules are implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

  [0142] In an aspect, referring to FIG. 1, MN2 112 determines that MN2 112 is located inside building 102 using, for example, acoustic signal 107 from acoustic building transmitter 108. MN2 112 may further determine, for example, using MN2 112's inertial guidance module 127, whether the status of MN2 112 is currently stationary or moving. If MN2 112 is located inside building 102 and is currently stationary, one or more wireless communication modules of MN2 112, such as DSRC module 114 and / or GPS module 116, may And may not be needed. Thus, in one configuration, MN2 112 may reduce the power consumption of DSRC module 114 and / or GPS module 116. For example, when MN2 112 determines that the current location of MN2 112 is inside building 102 and / or when the status of MN2 112 indicates that MN2 112 is currently stationary, DSRC module 114 The power consumption of the DSRC module 114 can be reduced by turning off the power of the. As another example, MN2 112 may receive a DSRC message when the current location of MN2 112 is determined to be inside building 102 or when the status of MN2 112 indicates that MN2 112 is currently stationary. By reducing the monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of the DSRC module 114, the power consumption of the DSRC module 114 may be reduced.

  [0143] In another configuration, MN2 112 may determine that MN2 112 is near or approaching the exit of building 102. For example, MN2 112 uses base stations such as base stations 104 and 106 located in building 102 or uses acoustic signal 107 from acoustic building transmitter 108 located in building 102. By performing indoor positioning, it may be determined whether MN2 112 is close to or near the exit of building 102. If MN2 112 determines that that MN2 112 is close to or near the exit, then the DSRC module 114 of MN2 112 may be needed immediately. Accordingly, MN2 112 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 114. For example, the MN2 112 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 114 by turning on the DSRC module 114 when the MN2 112 is close to or near the exit of the building 102. As another example, MN2 112 may reduce the power consumption of DSRC module 114 by increasing the monitoring or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages when MN2 112 is close to or near the exit of building 102. Can increase. As another example, MN2 112 may turn on DSRC module 114 and / or monitor or transmit periodicity of DSRC messages when MN2 112 determines that MN2 112 is currently running. Can increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 114.

  [0144] In an aspect, referring to FIG. 1, MN1 136 receives received GPS signals (122, ..., 124), respectively, from cellular base stations (126, ..., 128). Based on one or more of the signals (111,..., 113) and the inertial measurement information from the inertial guidance module 125, the position of MN1 is determined. MN1 136 determines that MN1 is outside the vehicle and not in the building. In such aspects, the MN1 136 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 138 by turning on the DSRC module 138 and / or increasing the monitoring or transmission periodicity of the DSRC message.

  [0145] In an aspect, a wireless communication device (eg, MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180, or MNN 183) may determine the current battery level of the wireless communication device. For example, the current battery level may be expressed as a percentage indicating the remaining charge relative to the capacity of the battery (eg, “100%” may indicate full charge and “50%” may indicate half charge. ,Such). In one configuration, the wireless communication device may determine a current battery level. The wireless communication device then increases power consumption when the current battery level is above a first threshold (eg, “75%”), and the current battery level is above a second threshold (eg, “25%”). By reducing power consumption when low, the power consumption of the wireless communication module of the wireless communication device may be controlled. For example, the wireless communication device may increase the power consumption of the wireless communication module by turning on the wireless communication module and / or increasing the duty cycle of the wireless communication module. For example, the wireless communication device may reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication module by turning off the wireless communication module and / or reducing the duty cycle of the wireless communication module. In another aspect, the wireless communication device may control the power consumption of the wireless communication module based on the user profile of the wireless communication device.

  [0146] In an aspect, a wireless communication device (eg, MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180, or MNN 183) may include two or more wireless communication modules. A wireless communication device may adjust one duty cycle of two or more wireless communication modules based on the performance of another of the two or more wireless communication modules. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if the GPS module 140 is unable to determine the current location of the MN1 136 with sufficient certainty, the MN1 136 may reduce the transmission periodicity of the DSRC module 138. As another example, if the inertial guidance module 125 is unable to determine the position of the MN1 136 with sufficient certainty, the MN1 136 will frequently use the GPS module 140 to determine the position of the MN1 136. Get an inquiry.

  [0147] In an aspect, a wireless communication device (eg, MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180, or MNN 183) may include two or more wireless communication modules. The wireless communication device may turn on the two or more wireless communication modules in a certain order based on the power consumed by each of the two or more wireless communication modules. For example, referring to MN1 136 of FIG. 1, including inertial guidance module 125, DSRC module 138, and GPS module 140, inertial guidance module 125 has the lowest power consumption and DSRC module 138 has the highest power consumption. In some cases, MN1 136 may turn on inertial guidance module 125 before GPS module 140 and DSRC module 138. After the inertial guidance module 125 is powered on, the MN1 136 may proceed to turn on the GPS module 140 before the DSRC module 138 to reduce battery power consumption.

  [0148] In an aspect, a wireless communication device may receive a communication indicating a vehicle approach or emergency (eg, a DSRC safety message). For example, this communication may be a DSRC safety message broadcast from a police vehicle indicating that emergency tracking is in progress. As another example, this communication may be a DSRC message from an ambulance asking to give way to nearby vehicles and pedestrians. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN3 193 may receive a communication, such as a DSRC safety message, alerting operator 195 about approaching vehicle 1 148 and / or vehicle 2 158. In one configuration, the DSRC safety message may indicate that vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 is approaching at a speed, such as 80.0 miles per hour (mph). MN3 193 may then determine that vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 will approach the location of operator 195 and MN3 193 within a period of time, such as approximately 5.0 seconds. If vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 determines that it will approach within about 5.0 seconds, MN3 193 increases the duty cycle of one or more wireless communication modules after receiving a DSRC safety message to The power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules may be controlled. For example, MN3 193 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 191 by increasing the monitoring periodicity of the DSRC message when MN3 193 receives the DSRC safety message.

  [0149] In an aspect, a wireless communication device (eg, MN1 136, MN2 112, MN3 193, MN4 180, or MNN 183) receives location statistics from a server (also referred to as a "network" or "cloud"). Can do. In one configuration, the server can derive the location of the wireless communication device based on the GPS data and push statistical information about the location to the wireless communication device. In another configuration, the server may send statistical information to the wireless communication device in response to a query from the wireless communication device. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the statistical information indicates that there is a high probability of an accident occurring at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146, and / or a number of traffic accidents occurring at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146. Can be shown. As another example, the statistical information may indicate a high probability that a fatal accident will occur at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146. The wireless communication device may turn on one or more wireless communication modules when the current location of the wireless communication device is at or near the location where the statistics are received, and / or Or, the power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules may be controlled by increasing the duty cycle of the one or more wireless communication modules. For example, MN3 193 may turn on DSRC module 191 when MN3 193 is near or near the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146 and / or the monitoring period of the DSRC message. By increasing the performance, the power consumption of the DSRC module 191 may be increased.

  [0150] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device. In step 802, the wireless communication device determines the current location, relative location, environmental information, and / or status of the wireless communication device. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN1 136 receives received GPS signals (122,..., 124) and received signals (111,..., 128) from cellular base stations (126,. , 113), and one or more of the inertial measurement information from the inertial guidance module 125, the current location of MN1 may be determined. In one configuration, the current location of the wireless communication device may be represented as geographic coordinates. As another example, the current location of the wireless communication device may be a location within a building and one or more access points (eg, base stations 104, 106) located within the building (eg, building 102). ) May be used to perform indoor positioning. For example, the relative position of a wireless communication device may be a distance to another wireless communication device and may be determined using a DSRC safety message received from another wireless communication device. For example, the status of the wireless communication device may relate to whether the wireless communication device is currently stationary or moving. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN1 136 may determine the status of MN1 136 using inertial guidance module 125.

  [0151] In step 804, when the current location is an indoor area, the wireless communication device determines whether the wireless communication device is approaching an outdoor area. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN2 112 performs an indoor positioning using one or more base stations such as base stations 104 and 106 of FIG. It may be determined whether the building 102 is near or is approaching the exit.

  [0152] In step 806, the wireless communication device determines the current battery level of the wireless communication device. For example, the current battery level may be expressed as a percentage indicating the remaining charge relative to the capacity of the battery (eg, “100%” may indicate full charge and “50%” may indicate half charge. ,Such).

  [0153] In step 808, the wireless communication device receives the communication. For example, this communication may be a wireless DSRC safety message indicating a vehicle approach or emergency. For example, this communication may be a wireless DSRC safety message broadcast by a police vehicle to indicate that emergency tracking is in progress. As another example, this communication may be a wireless DSRC safety message broadcast by an ambulance asking to give way to nearby vehicles and pedestrians.

  [0154] In step 810, the wireless communication device receives statistical information about the location from the server. For example, statistical information may indicate a high probability that an accident or death will occur at a particular intersection. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the statistical information indicates that there is a high probability of an accident occurring at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146, and / or a number of traffic accidents occurring at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146. Can be shown. As another example, the statistical information may indicate a high probability that a fatal accident will occur at the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146.

  [0155] In step 812, the wireless communication device controls power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules based on the current location, relative location, environmental information, and / or status of the wireless communication device. . For example, the one or more wireless communication modules can be an acoustic interface module, a GPS module, a WAN module, a WLAN module, an inertial guidance module, and / or a DSRC module.

  [0156] It should be understood that steps 804, 806, 808, and 810, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8, represent optional steps. For example, in one embodiment, steps 802 and 812 may be performed without performing steps 804, 806, 808, and 810. It should further be appreciated that various combinations of steps 804, 806, 808, and 810 may be performed in accordance with various embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, steps 802, 810, and 812 may be performed without performing steps 804, 806, and 808.

  [0157] In an aspect, the one or more wireless communication modules may include a DSRC module. In one configuration, the wireless communication device (e.g., MN1 136 of FIG. 1) may have a DSRC module power consumption when the current location is an outdoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently operating. May control the power consumption of a DSRC module (eg, DSRC module 138). For example, power consumption may be increased by increasing the monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages. In another configuration, the wireless communication device (e.g., MN2 112 in FIG. 1) may be configured in the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently stationary. By reducing power consumption, the power consumption of a DSRC module (eg, DSRC module 114) may be controlled. For example, power consumption can be reduced by reducing the monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages.

  [0158] In an aspect, the one or more wireless communication modules may include a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module. In such an aspect, the wireless communication device may provide power to the first wireless communication module prior to the second wireless communication module if the power consumption of the second wireless communication module is greater than the first wireless communication module. By turning on, the power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules is controlled. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN3 193 includes an inertial guidance module 133, a GPS module 179, and a DSRC module 177, all of which can be powered off. In such an example, if the power consumption of the inertial guidance module 133 is minimal and the power consumption of the DSRC module 177 is maximized, the MN3 193 may have the inertial guidance module 133 before the GPS module 179 and the DSRC module 177. The power can be turned on. After the inertial guidance module 133 is powered on, the MN3 193 may power on the GPS module 179 before the DSRC module 177.

  [0159] In an aspect, a wireless communication device can turn on one or more wireless communication modules by turning on one or more wireless communication modules when the wireless communication device is approaching an outdoor area. Power consumption can be controlled. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN2 112 may determine that MN2 112 is near or approaching the exit of building 102. If MN2 112 determines that that MN2 112 is close to or near the exit, MN2 112 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 114. For example, the MN2 112 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module by turning on the DSRC module 114 when the MN2 112 is near or near the exit of the building 102. As another example, MN2 112 may increase DSRC message monitoring or transmission periodicity when MN2 112 when MN2 112 is near or near the exit of building 102. It can increase the power consumption of the module.

  [0160] In an aspect, the wireless communication device may supply power to one or more wireless communication modules when the current location is an indoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently stationary. By turning off, the power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules may be controlled. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if MN2 112 determines that MN2 112 is located in building 102, MN2 112 may power off DSRC module 114 and / or GPS module 116. As another example, referring to FIG. 1, if the MN2 112 determines that the MN2 112 is currently stationary, the MN2 112 may turn off the DSRC module 114 and / or the GPS module 116.

  [0161] In an aspect, the wireless communication device increases power consumption when the current battery level power consumption is higher than the first threshold and decreases power consumption when the current battery level is lower than the second threshold. Thereby, the power consumption of the wireless communication module of the wireless communication device may be controlled. For example, referring to FIG. 1, MN3 193 may increase the power consumption of the DSRC module 177 by turning on the DSRC module 177 and / or increasing the duty cycle of the DSRC module 177. For example, the MN3 193 may reduce the power consumption of the DSRC module 177 by turning off the DSRC module 177 and / or reducing the duty cycle of the DSRC module 177. In another aspect, the wireless communication device may control the power consumption of the wireless communication module based on the user profile of the wireless communication device.

  [0162] In an aspect, the wireless communication device may include a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication device is based on the performance of the second wireless communication module. By adjusting the duty cycle of the wireless communication module, the power consumption of the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module may be controlled. For example, referring to MN1 136 in FIG. 1, if the GPS module 140 is unable to determine the current location of the MN1 136 with sufficient certainty, the MN1 136 will reduce the transmission periodicity of the DSRC module 138. obtain. As another example, if the inertial guidance module 125 of MN1 136 is unable to determine the position of MN1 136 with sufficient certainty, MN1 136 may use GPS module 140 to determine the position of MN1 136. You can inquire more frequently.

  [0163] In an aspect, the wireless communication device may turn on one or more wireless communication modules, or one or more wireless communications when the communication indicates an approach or emergency of the vehicle By increasing the module duty cycle, the power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules may be controlled. For example, a police vehicle may broadcast a DSRC safety message indicating that emergency tracking is in progress. For example, referring to FIG. 1, this communication may be received by MN3 193. In such an example, a DSRC safety message from a police vehicle alerts operator 195 about approaching vehicle 1 148 and / or vehicle 2 158. In one configuration, the DSRC safety message may indicate that vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 is approaching at a speed, such as 80.0 mph. MN3 193 may then determine that vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 will approach the location of operator 195 within a period of time, such as approximately 5.0 seconds. If vehicle 1 148 or vehicle 2 158 determines that it will approach within about 5.0 seconds, MN3 193 receives one of its communications by increasing the duty cycle of one or more wireless communication modules. Or the power consumption of a plurality of wireless communication modules may be controlled. For example, MN3 193 may increase the power consumption of DSRC module 177 by increasing the monitoring periodicity of the DSRC message when MN3 193 receives its communication.

  [0164] In an aspect, the wireless communication device powers on one or more wireless communication modules when the current location is at or near the location where statistics were received from the server. Controlling power consumption of the one or more wireless communication modules by doing and / or increasing the duty cycle of the one or more wireless communication modules. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the statistical information may relate to the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146. In such an example, MN3 193 may turn on DSRC module 177 and / or DSRC when MN3 193 is near or near the intersection of road A 144 and road B 146 and / or DSRC. By increasing the message monitoring periodicity, the power consumption of the DSRC module 177 of MN3 193 may be increased.

  [0165] FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram 900 illustrating the data flow between different modules / means / components in an exemplary apparatus 902. The apparatus can be a wireless communication device. The device includes a module 904 that determines the current location, relative location, environmental information, and / or device status. In an aspect, the module 904 determines whether the device is approaching an outdoor area when the current location is an indoor area. In an aspect, module 904 determines the current battery level of the device. The apparatus further includes a module 906 that controls power consumption of the one or more wireless communication modules 908 based on the current location, relative location, environmental information, and / or status of the wireless communication device. In one aspect, the one or more wireless communication modules 908 may include a DSRC module 914, a GPS module 916, a WAN module 918, a WLAN module 920, an acoustic interface module 922, and / or an inertial guidance module 924. The apparatus further includes a receiving module 910 that receives the wireless signal 912 via the wireless communication module 908. In an aspect, the receiving module 910 receives communications through the wireless signal 912. In an aspect, the receiving module 910 receives statistical information regarding the location through the wireless signal 912. In such an aspect, the signal can be transmitted from the server.

  [0166] FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 902 'using the processing system 1014. Processing system 1014 may be implemented by a bus architecture, represented generally by bus 1024. Bus 1024 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges depending on the specific application of processing system 1014 and the overall design constraints. Bus 1024 couples various circuits including processor 1004, modules 904, 906, 908, and 910 and one or more processors and / or hardware modules represented by computer-readable medium 1006 to one another. Bus 1024 may also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and thus It is not explained above.

  [0167] The processing system 1014 may be coupled to a transceiver 1010. The transceiver 1010 is coupled to one or more antennas 1020. The transceiver 1010 provides a means for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1010 receives signals from one or more antennas 1020, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1014, particularly the receiving module 404. Further, the transceiver 1010 receives information from the processing system 1014, particularly the transmission module 410, and generates signals to be applied to the one or more antennas 1020 based on the received information. Processing system 1014 includes a processor 1004 coupled to a computer readable medium 1006. The processor 1004 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium 1006. The software, when executed by the processor 1004, causes the processing system 1014 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium 1006 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 1004 when executing software. The processing system further includes at least one of modules 904, 906, 908, and 910. These modules are software modules operating in processor 1004 resident / stored in computer readable medium 1006, or one or more hardware modules coupled to processor 1004, or Can be some combination of.

  [0168] In one configuration, the device 902/902 'for wireless communication includes a means for determining at least one of current location, relative location, environmental information, and / or device status, Means for controlling power consumption of one or more wireless communication modules based on location, relative location, environmental information, and / or device status, and device when current location is an indoor area Means for determining whether the vehicle is approaching an outdoor area, means for determining the current battery level of the device, means for receiving communications, and for receiving location statistics from the server Means.

  [0169] The means described above are one or more of the above-described modules of apparatus 902 and / or processing system 1014 of apparatus 902 'configured to perform the functions listed by the means described above. obtain.

  [0170] The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, and / or a combination of software and hardware. Various embodiments are directed to devices, eg, network nodes, mobile nodes such as mobile terminals that support peer-to-peer communication, access points such as base stations, and / or communication systems. Various embodiments are also directed to methods, eg, methods of controlling and / or operating network nodes, mobile nodes, access points such as base stations, and / or communication systems, eg, hosts. Various embodiments are also directed to a machine including machine readable instructions for controlling the machine to perform one or more steps of the method, eg, a computer readable medium, eg, ROM, RAM, CD, hard disk, etc. And The computer readable medium is, for example, a non-transitory computer readable medium.

  [0171] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed processes is an example of an exemplary approach. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the process may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

  [0172] In various embodiments, a node described herein may perform one or more methods, for example, steps corresponding to signal processing, signal generation, and / or transmission steps. Implemented using one or more modules. Thus, in some embodiments, various features are implemented using modules. Such a module may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Many of the methods or method steps described above have a machine, eg, additional hardware, such as to implement all or part of the method described above at one or more nodes. Machine-executable instructions, such as software, contained in a memory device, eg, a machine-readable medium such as RAM, floppy disk, etc., for controlling a general purpose computer without additional hardware. Can be implemented using. Thus, among other things, various embodiments comprise a machine-readable medium comprising machine-executable instructions for causing a machine, eg, a processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the method steps described above. For example, for non-transitory computer readable media. Some embodiments are directed to a device, eg, a communication node, that includes a processor configured to perform one, more than one, or all of the one or more method steps of the present invention.

  [0173] In some embodiments, one or more devices, eg, one processor or multiple processors of a communication node, such as a wireless terminal, network node, and / or access node, eg, a CPU, is a communication node Is configured to perform the method steps described as being performed. The configuration of the processor is by using one or more modules, eg, software modules, to control the processor configuration and / or to perform the listed steps and / or control the processor configuration This can be accomplished by including hardware, eg, hardware modules, in the processor. Thus, some, but not all, embodiments include a device having a processor, eg, a communication node, that includes a module corresponding to each of the various described method steps performed by the device in which the processor is included. set to target. In some but not all embodiments, a device, eg, a communication node, includes a module corresponding to each of the various described method steps performed by the device in which the processor is included. A module may be implemented using software and / or hardware.

  [0174] Some embodiments provide code for causing one or more computers to perform various functions, steps, acts, and / or operations, eg, one or more steps described above. For a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium. Depending on the embodiment, the computer program product may include, and possibly includes, different code for each step to be performed. Thus, a computer program product may include, and possibly includes code for each individual step of a method, eg, a method of controlling a communication device or node. The code may be machine-executable instructions, such as a computer, stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or other type of storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. It can be in the form of executable instructions. In addition to targeting computer program products, some embodiments provide one or more of the various functions, steps, acts, and / or operations of one or more methods described above. Directed to a processor configured to implement Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a processor, eg, a CPU, configured to perform some or all of the method steps described herein. The processor may be for use with, for example, the communication devices described in this application or other devices.

  [0175] Various embodiments are well suited for communication systems using peer-to-peer signaling protocols. Some embodiments use a wireless peer-to-peer signaling protocol based on direct frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), eg, a WiFi® signaling protocol or another OFDM based protocol.

  [0176] Although described in connection with an OFDM system, at least some of the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments are applicable to a wide range of communication systems including many non-OFDM and / or non-cellular systems.

[0177] Numerous additional changes to the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Such changes should be considered in scope. The method and apparatus may be used with code division multiple access (CDMA), OFDM, and / or various other types of communication technologies that may be used to provide a wireless communication link between communication devices, Used in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the one or more communication devices establish a communication link with the mobile node using OFDM and / or CDMA, and / or the Internet or another over a wired or wireless communication link Implemented as an access point that can provide a connection to the network. In various embodiments, a mobile node is implemented as a notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other portable device that includes a receiver / transmitter circuit and logic and / or routines for performing the method. The
The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the application of the present application will be added below.
[C1] A wireless communication method for a wireless communication device,
Determining at least one of current location, relative location, environmental information, or status of the wireless communication device;
Controlling power consumption of at least one wireless communication module based on at least one of the current location, the relative location, the environmental information, or the status of the wireless communication device.
[C2] The method of C1, wherein the at least one wireless communication module comprises a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module.
[C3] Controlling the power consumption may reduce the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an outdoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently operating. The method of C2, comprising increasing.
[C4] The method of C3, wherein increasing the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module comprises increasing a monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of the DSRC message.
[C5] The power consumption of the DSRC module when controlling the power consumption is when the current location is an indoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently stationary The method of C2, comprising reducing.
[C6] The method of C5, wherein reducing the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module comprises reducing monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages.
[C7] The at least one wireless communication module includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module, and the power consumption of the second wireless communication module is higher than that of the first wireless communication module. The method of C1, wherein the first wireless communication module is powered on prior to the second wireless communication module.
[C8] further comprising determining whether the wireless communication device is approaching an outdoor area when the current location is an indoor area, and controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module The method of C1, comprising turning on the at least one wireless communication module when the wireless communication device is approaching the outdoor area.
[C9] Controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is when the current location is an indoor area or when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently stationary The method of C1, comprising turning off the at least one wireless communication module.
[C10] further comprising determining a current battery level of the wireless communication device, wherein controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is when the current battery level is higher than a first threshold. The method of C1, comprising increasing the power consumption at a time and reducing the power consumption when the current battery level is lower than a second threshold.
[C11] The at least one wireless communication module comprises a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module, and controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module; The method of C1, comprising adjusting a duty cycle of the first wireless communication module based on a performance of the wireless communication module.
[C12] The at least one wireless communication module is at least one of an acoustic interface module, a global positioning signal (GPS) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, an inertial guidance module, or a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module. The method of C1, comprising.
[C13] further comprising receiving a communication, wherein controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module indicates when the communication indicates a vehicle approach or emergency, the at least one wireless communication module The method of C1, comprising at least one of turning on a power supply or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module.
[C14] further comprising receiving statistical information about a location from a server, wherein controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is when the current location is the location or near the location The method of C1, comprising at least one of turning on at least one of the at least one wireless communication module or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module.
[C15] A device for wireless communication,
Means for determining at least one of current location, relative position, environmental information, or status of the device;
Means for controlling power consumption of at least one wireless communication module based on at least one of the current location, the relative location, the environmental information, or the status of the device.
[C16] A device for wireless communication,
Determine at least one of current location, relative position, environmental information, or status of the device;
Control power consumption of at least one wireless communication module based on at least one of the current location, the relative location, the environmental information, or the status of the device
An apparatus comprising a processing system configured as described above.
[C17] The apparatus of C16, wherein the at least one wireless communication module comprises a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module.
[C18] The power consumption control comprises increasing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an outdoor area or when the status indicates that the device is currently operating. , C17.
[C19] The apparatus of C18, wherein increasing the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module comprises increasing a monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of the DSRC message.
[C20] The power consumption control may reduce the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area or when the status indicates that the device is currently stationary. The apparatus according to C17, comprising:
[C21] The apparatus of C20, wherein reducing the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module comprises reducing monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages.
[C22] The at least one wireless communication module includes a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module, and the power consumption of the second wireless communication module is higher than that of the first wireless communication module. The apparatus of C16, wherein the first wireless communication module is powered on prior to the second wireless communication module.
[C23] The processing system is further configured to determine whether the device is approaching an outdoor area when the current location is an indoor area, the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module The apparatus of C16, wherein controlling comprises turning on the at least one wireless communication module when the apparatus is approaching the outdoor area.
[C24] The power consumption control of the at least one wireless communication module is the at least one when the current location is an indoor area, or when the status indicates that the device is currently stationary. The apparatus of C16, comprising turning off the power of two wireless communication modules.
[C25] The processing system is further configured to determine a current battery level of the device, and controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is such that the current battery level is a first The apparatus of C16, comprising increasing the power consumption when higher than a threshold and reducing the power consumption when the current battery level is lower than a second threshold.
[C26] wherein the at least one wireless communication module comprises a first wireless communication module and a second wireless communication module, and controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module; The apparatus of C16, comprising adjusting a duty cycle of the first wireless communication module based on a performance of the wireless communication module.
[C27] The at least one wireless communication module is at least one of an acoustic interface module, a global positioning signal (GPS) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, an inertial guidance module, or a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module. The apparatus according to C16, comprising:
[C28] The processing system is further configured to receive a communication, and the control of the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is the at least one when the communication indicates a vehicle approach or emergency. The apparatus of C16, comprising at least one of powering on one wireless communication module or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module.
[C29] When the processing system is further configured to receive statistical information about a location from a server and controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module, the current location is the location Or the apparatus of C16, comprising at least one of powering on the at least one wireless communication module or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module when close to the location .
[C30] A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, wherein the computer readable medium comprises:
Determining at least one of current location, relative location, environmental information, or status of the wireless communication device;
Controlling power consumption of at least one wireless communication module based on at least one of the current location, the relative location, the environmental information, or the status of the wireless communication device;
A computer program product comprising code for.

Claims (28)

A wireless communication method for a wireless communication device, comprising:
Generating inertial guidance information from the inertial guidance module;
Determining a status of the wireless communication device based on the inertial guidance information;
Controlling power consumption of a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module based on the status of the wireless communication device; and when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is stationary Reduced by turning off the power of the DSRC module;
Determining a current location of the wireless communication device, wherein controlling the power consumption comprises reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area;
A method comprising:   The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one wireless communication module.   The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the power consumption comprises increasing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is currently operating.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein increasing the power consumption of the DSRC module comprises increasing DSRC message monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module comprises reducing monitoring periodicity or transmission periodicity of DSRC messages.   The method of claim 1, wherein the inertial induction module is powered on before the DSRC module if the DSRC module consumes more power than the first wireless communication module. Determining whether the wireless communication device is approaching an outdoor area when the current location is an indoor area, the controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module; wherein when approaching the outdoor area, it comprises turning on the power of the DSRC module the method of claim 1. Said controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module, wherein when the current location is indoor area comprises turning off the power of the DSRC module The method of claim 1.   Further comprising determining a current battery level of the wireless communication device, wherein controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module increases the power consumption when the current battery level is higher than a first threshold. And reducing the power consumption when the current battery level is below a second threshold. If controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module is impossible for the at least one wireless communication module to determine the current location of the wireless communication device with sufficient certainty, the transmission of the DSRC module The method of claim 2, comprising reducing periodicity .   The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one wireless communication module comprises at least one of an acoustic interface module, a global positioning signal (GPS) module, or a wide area network (WAN) module.   Further comprising receiving a communication, wherein controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module powers the at least one wireless communication module when the communication indicates a vehicle approach or emergency. The method of claim 2, comprising at least one of turning on or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module. Receiving statistical information about a specific location from a server, wherein controlling the power consumption of the at least one wireless communication module is when the current location is the specific location, or the specific The method of claim 2 , comprising at least one of turning on the at least one wireless communication module or increasing a duty cycle of the at least one wireless communication module when close to a location. the method of. A device for wireless communication,
Means for generating inertial guidance information;
Means for determining a status of the device based on the inertial guidance information;
Means for controlling power consumption of a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module based on the status of the apparatus; and the power consumption is when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is stationary Reduced by turning off the power of the DSRC module;
Means for determining a current location of the device, wherein control of the power consumption comprises reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area;
An apparatus comprising: A device for wireless communication,
Generate inertial guidance information,
Determining the status of the device based on the inertial guidance information;
Control power consumption of a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module based on the status of the apparatus, the power consumption when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is stationary Reduced by turning off the power of the
Determining a current location of the device, wherein controlling the power consumption comprises reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area;
An apparatus comprising a processing system configured as described above. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising at least one wireless communication module. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the power consumption control comprises increasing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the status indicates that the apparatus is currently running. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein increasing the power consumption of the DSRC module comprises increasing DSRC message monitoring or transmission periodicity. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module comprises reducing DSRC message monitoring or transmission periodicity. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the power of the at least one wireless communication module is turned on before the DSRC module if the power consumption of the DSRC module is greater than the at least one communication module. The processing system is further configured to determine whether the device is approaching an outdoor area when the current location is an indoor area, and controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module; 16. The apparatus of claim 15 , comprising turning on the DSRC module when the apparatus is approaching the outdoor area. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module comprises turning off the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area. The processing system is further configured to determine a current battery level of the device, and controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module is such that the power when the current battery level is higher than a first threshold. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 , comprising increasing consumption and reducing the power consumption when the current battery level is below a second threshold. If controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module is impossible for the at least one communication module to determine the current position of the wireless communication device with sufficient certainty, the transmission period of the DSRC module The apparatus of claim 16 , comprising reducing gender . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the at least one wireless communication module comprises at least one of an acoustic interface module, a global positioning signal (GPS) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, or an inertial guidance module. . The processing system is further configured to receive a communication, and the power consumption control of the DSRC module turns on the DSRC module when the communication indicates a vehicle approaching or emergency situation. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 , comprising at least one of increasing a duty cycle of the DSRC module. The processing system is further configured to receive statistical information about a particular location from a server and controlling the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is the particular location; or 16. The apparatus of claim 15 , comprising at least one of powering on the DSRC module or increasing the duty cycle of the DSRC module when close to the specific location. Generating inertial guidance information;
Determining a status of the wireless communication device based on the inertial guidance information;
Controlling power consumption of a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) module based on the status of the wireless communication device; and when the status indicates that the wireless communication device is stationary Reduced by turning off the power of the DSRC module;
Determining a current location of the wireless communication device, wherein controlling the power consumption comprises reducing the power consumption of the DSRC module when the current location is an indoor area;
A computer- readable storage medium comprising a code for: