Google Inc.

Vinson Mok

Juan Vasquez

A computer-implemented method includes monitoring an environment external to a vehicle via a sensor of the vehicle or a mobile device. The monitoring includes recording audio or video signals based on an output of the sensor. Audio or image recognition is performed via the mobile device based on the audio or video signals. Based on results of the audio or image recognition, objects in an area through which the vehicle is to pass are detected. The method includes determining which ones of the detected objects satisfy a predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria includes object features that are indiscernible or marginally discernible to a vehicle operator with a perception deficiency. Selected ones of the detected objects that satisfy the predetermined criteria are monitored. The vehicle operator is alerted of the selected ones of the detected objects with an alert predetermined to be discernible to the vehicle operator.

Vehicle and mobile device traffic hazard warning techniques

In general, this disclosure discloses techniques for using a computing device as a smart vehicle key. The computing device may send a validation request signal to a vehicle via a first short-range communication protocol. After to sending the validation request signal, the computing device may establish a secure connection with the vehicle over a second short-range communication protocol. The computing device may send via the secure connection an ignition signal to the vehicle that activates an ignition system operable to activate a motor of the vehicle. The computing device may periodically send via the secure connection a keep-alive message to the vehicle as the motor of the vehicle is running.

Computing device as a vehicle key

In general, this disclosure describes techniques for using short-range wireless communication to automatically configure a telephony service to direct phone calls to one or more different devices. For example, a first device obtains configuration information associated with a second device from the second device using short-range wireless communication. The first device sends a first message, which includes at least a subset of the configuration information, to a telephone call controller to configure incoming phone calls to be routed to at least the second device. The first device determines that the second device is no longer reachable by the first device using the short-range wireless communication to the second device, and sends a second message to the telephone call controller to configure incoming phone calls to not be routed to the second device.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Vinson Mok