System and method for preventing cell phone use while driving
First Claim
1. A method for locking a mobile device during vehicle operation, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a mobile device, data indicating a speed of the vehicle;
determining, by a processor of the mobile device, whether the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour;
when the processor determines the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour, transmitting a command request to a microcontroller separate from the mobile device and wirelessly coupled to the mobile device, the command request being configured to request the microcontroller to generate a locking operation signal;
in response to the command request, generating the locking operation signal by the microcontroller that is configured to mimic a wireless keyboard paired with the mobile device, such that the locking operation signal is configured to mimic a wireless keyboard command signal that prevents operation of the mobile device and configured to circumvent an operation system of the mobile device that is designed to restrict locking operation signals generated by software applications installed on the mobile device;
transmitting, by the microcontroller, the generated locking operation signal to the mobile device; and
locking the mobile device from operation upon receipt of the locking, operation signal received from the microcontroller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is provided for preventing cell phone use while driving. The method includes determining by a cell phone if the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour, and, if so, transmitting a command request to a locking module wirelessly coupled to the mobile device. In response to the command request, the microcontroller generates a locking operation signal that is sent to the cell phone. Upon receipt, the cell phone locks operation of the device by a user. In this aspect, the microcontroller generates the locking operation signal to mimic a locking command from a wireless keyboard paired with the cell phone in order to circumvent any control by the operating system of the cell phone to restrict such controls by software applications.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for locking a mobile device during vehicle operation, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a mobile device, data indicating a speed of the vehicle;
determining, by a processor of the mobile device, whether the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour;
when the processor determines the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour, transmitting a command request to a microcontroller separate from the mobile device and wirelessly coupled to the mobile device, the command request being configured to request the microcontroller to generate a locking operation signal;
in response to the command request, generating the locking operation signal by the microcontroller that is configured to mimic a wireless keyboard paired with the mobile device, such that the locking operation signal is configured to mimic a wireless keyboard command signal that prevents operation of the mobile device and configured to circumvent an operation system of the mobile device that is designed to restrict locking operation signals generated by software applications installed on the mobile device;
transmitting, by the microcontroller, the generated locking operation signal to the mobile device; and
locking the mobile device from operation upon receipt of the locking, operation signal received from the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- receiving, by a mobile device, data indicating a speed of the vehicle;
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8. A system for locking a mobile device during vehicle operation, the system comprising:
- a microcontroller; and
a mobile device wirelessly coupled to the microcontroller, the mobile device including;
a transceiver configured to receive data indicating a speed of the vehicle, and a processor configured to determine whether the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour, and, when the determined speed is greater than zero miles per hour, generate a command request to be transmitted to the microcontroller separate from the mobile device and wirelessly coupled to the mobile device, the command request being configured to request the microcontroller to generate a locking operation signal, wherein, in response to the command request, the microcontroller is configured to;
generate the locking operation signal that is configured to mimic a wireless keyboard command signal that prevents operation of the mobile device and configured to circumvent an operation system of the mobile device that is designed to restrict locking operation signals generated by software applications installed on the mobile device, and transmit the generated locking operation signal to the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device locks operation upon receipt of the locking operation signal received from the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a microcontroller; and
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15. A device for locking a mobile device during vehicle operation, the device comprising:
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a transceiver configured to wirelessly pair with the mobile device; and a microcontroller configured to; receive a command signal from the mobile device, wherein the command signal requests a locking command because the mobile device has determined a speed of the vehicle is greater than zero miles per hour, in response to the command request, generate a locking operation signal configured to mimic a wireless keyboard command signal that prevents operation of the mobile device and configured to circumvent an operation system of the mobile device that is designed to restrict locking operation signals generated by software applications installed on the mobile device, and wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the generated locking operation signal to the mobile device, which upon receipt, locks operation of the mobile device by a user.
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Specification