Pedestrian warning system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9286794-B2
Application number	US-201314132795-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2013
Priority date	Oct 18, 2013
Publication date	Mar 15, 2016
Grant date	Mar 15, 2016

Abstract

A pedestrian warning system monitors an attention level of a pedestrian and alerts the pedestrian of traffic areas or detected vehicles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pedestrian warning device, comprising:
a computing device configured to be worn or carried by a pedestrian and to monitor an attention level of the pedestrian; and
an alarm configured to warn the pedestrian of a vehicle detected by the computing device, wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an alarm response history of the pedestrian.

2. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the pedestrian warning device includes a camera configured to detect the vehicle.

3. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the pedestrian warning device includes a microphone configured to detect the vehicle.

4. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian only if a predicted collision probability is determined to be above a threshold.

5. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian only if the attention level is determined to be below a threshold.

6. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to the attention level of the pedestrian.

7. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in a mode selected in response to the attention level of the pedestrian.

8. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in a mode selected in response to an activity type of the pedestrian.

9. The pedestrian warning device of claim 8 , wherein the activity type is selected from the group consisting of typing, talking, taking a picture, taking a video, having a video conference, playing a timed game, playing an untimed game, reading, watching a display, and using a display-based application.

10. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attention history of the pedestrian.

11. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an eye position of the pedestrian.

12. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an eye position history of the pedestrian.

13. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to a head orientation of the pedestrian.

14. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to a head orientation history of the pedestrian.

15. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to a position of the pedestrian.

16. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to a motion of the pedestrian.

17. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to a position of the computing device.

18. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an orientation of the computing device.

19. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a mobile telephone.

20. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a wearable device.

21. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , further comprising a GPS configured to identify a location of the pedestrian.

22. The pedestrian warning device of claim 21 , wherein the GPS is configured to identify whether the pedestrian is crossing a street at an intersection.

23. The pedestrian warning device of claim 21 , wherein the pedestrian warning device is configured to monitor the gaze of the pedestrian, and the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attempt to cross a street without looking in a direction of oncoming traffic.

24. The pedestrian warning device of claim 21 , wherein the pedestrian warning device is configured to monitor the head position of the pedestrian, and the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attempt to cross a street without looking in a direction of oncoming traffic.

25. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the pedestrian warning device is configured to monitor the gaze of the pedestrian, and the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attempt to cross a street without looking in a direction of oncoming traffic.

26. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the pedestrian warning device is configured to monitor the head position of the pedestrian, and the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attempt to cross a street without looking in a direction of oncoming traffic.

27. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to monitor a traffic signal.

28. The pedestrian warning device of claim 27 , wherein the alarm is configured to warn the pedestrian in response to an attempt to cross a street in contravention of the traffic signal.

29. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is audible.

30. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is visible.

31. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is haptic.

32. The pedestrian warning device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory.

33. The pedestrian warning device of claim 32 , wherein the memory is configured to store a record of the pedestrian's actions.

34. The pedestrian warning device of claim 32 , wherein the memory is configured to store a record of vehicle detections.

35. The pedestrian warning device of claim 32 , wherein the memory is configured to store a record of alarms issued.

36. A method of warning a pedestrian of a vehicle, comprising:
monitoring an attention level of the pedestrian by monitoring an electronic device carried or worn by the pedestrian;
detecting a vehicle; and
in response to the detected vehicle, the monitored attention level, and an alarm response history of the pedestrian, alerting the pedestrian to the presence of the vehicle.

37. A method for monitoring the behavior of a pedestrian, comprising:
monitoring an attention level of the pedestrian by monitoring an electronic device carried or worn by the pedestrian;
monitoring a position of the pedestrian;
monitoring a motion of the pedestrian; detecting a vehicle; and
alerting the pedestrian if the pedestrian is determined to be in danger from a vehicle in response to the monitored attention level, the monitored position, and the monitored motion of the pedestrian and to an alarm response history of the pedestrian.

38. The method of claim 36 , wherein alerting the pedestrian includes warning the pedestrian in response to the attention level of the pedestrian.

39. The method of claim 36 , wherein alerting the pedestrian includes warning the pedestrian in response to an attention history of the pedestrian.

40. The method of claim 36 , wherein alerting the pedestrian includes warning the pedestrian in respons

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Duncan William D
• Hyde Roderick A
• Nugent Elizabeth E
• Petroski Robert C
• Urzhumov Yaroslav A

Classifications

• G02B2027/0138

  comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera · CPC title

• B60Q9/008

  for anti-collision purposes · CPC title

• G02B2027/0178

  Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C) · CPC title

• G02B2027/0167

  Emergency system, e.g. to prevent injuries · CPC title

• G02B27/017

  Head mounted · CPC title