System and method for wireless communications activity within a predetermined area and for generating messages to selected communication devices
A system and method is disclosed for detecting the presence and level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosing the identity of the wireless users, and for generating a message to certain information and communications devices in response to the detection of a predetermined level of wireless communications activity within the predetermined area. The information detected also may include information relating to the general direction and rate of movement of detected wireless devices. The message generated in response to the detection of wireless communications activity may include wireless messages, including Short Message Service (SMS) messages, to persons desiring or needing to receive such information; messages to public officials and other interested persons; and automatic signals to devices such as computers, computer networks (including the internet and wireless networks), facsimile machines, signs, lights, loudspeakers, and other devices providing information through other communication and information media.
1. A system comprising:
a processor; and
a computer-readable medium being in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, for providing an output message responsive to detection of a plurality of wireless transmissions between a plurality of wireless communications devices located within a predetermined area and a wireless communications network, comprising:
comparing a characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions detected to a threshold, comprising determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a first relation to the threshold;
generating, in response to results of the operation of comparing, an output control signal, the generating comprising generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the first relation to the threshold, a first control signal; and
transmitting, in response to the output control signal, the output message to a recipient communication device, being distinct from the plurality of wireless communications devices, to convey information regarding the predetermined area, the transmitting comprising transmitting, if the first control signal is generated, a first message.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of comparing operation further comprises determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a second relation to the threshold.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the operation of generating the output control signal comprises generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the second relation to the threshold, a second control signal.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein:
the computer-readable medium is non-transitory; and
the operation of transmitting the output message to the recipient device comprises transmitting, if the second control signal is generated, a second message being distinct from the first message.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the operations further comprise determining (i) a location of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, (ii) a direction of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, and (iii) a rate of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area; and
the operation of comparing comprises comparing, to the threshold, (i) the locations, (ii) the directions of travel, and (iii) the rates of travel.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to the recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message for providing, to users of the plurality of wireless communications devices, the information regarding the predetermined area.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency receiver configured to detect the plurality of wireless transmissions between the wireless communications network and the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to the recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message to an electric sign.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to the recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message to a light.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to the recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message to an electronic audio speaker.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message to a facsimile machine.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operation of transmitting the output message to recipient communication device comprises transmitting the output message to a computer network.
13. A method, for providing an output message responsive to detection of a plurality of wireless transmissions between a plurality of wireless communications devices located within a predetermined area and a wireless communications network, comprising:
comparing, in a comparison operation, by a system having a processor, a characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions detected to a threshold, comprising determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a first relation to the threshold;
generating, by the system, in response to results of the comparison operation, an output control signal, the generating comprising generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the first relation to the threshold, a first control signal; and
transmitting, by the system, in response to the output control signal, the output message to a recipient communication device, being distinct from the plurality of wireless communications devices, to convey information regarding the predetermined area, the transmitting comprising transmitting, if the first control signal is generated, a first message.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the comparison operation comprises determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a second relation to the threshold.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein generating the output control signal comprises generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the second relation to the threshold, a second control signal.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining, by the system, (i) a location of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, (ii) a direction of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, and (iii) a rate of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area;
wherein comparison operation comprises comparing, by the system, (i) the locations, (ii) the directions of travel, and (iii) the rates of travel to the threshold.
17. A tangible computer-readable storage device comprising:
a processor; and
a computer-readable medium being in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, for providing an output message responsive to detection of a plurality of wireless transmissions between a plurality of wireless communications devices located within a predetermined area and a wireless communications network, comprising:
comparing a characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions detected to a threshold, comprising determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a first relation to the threshold;
generating, in response to results of the operation of comparing, an output control signal, the generating comprising generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the first relation to the threshold, a first control signal; and
transmitting, in response to the output control signal, the output message to a recipient communication device, being distinct from the plurality of wireless communications devices, to convey information regarding the predetermined area, the transmitting comprising transmitting, if the first control signal is generated, a first message.
18. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein the operation of comparing further comprises determining whether the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears a second relation to the threshold.
19. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 18 , wherein the operation of generating the output control signal comprises generating, if it is determined that the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions bears the second relation to the threshold, a second control signal.
20. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein:
the operations further comprise determining (i) a location of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, (ii) a direction of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area, and (iii) a rate of travel of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices located within the predetermined area; and
the operation of comparing the characteristic associated with the plurality of wireless transmissions to the threshold comprises comparing, to the threshold, (i) the locations, (ii) the directions of travel, and (iii) the rates of travel.