Wireless based system for managing the use of wireless communications and micoprocessor-based systems

• US 20020123307A1
• Filed: 03/03/2001
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tyson Winarski
• Original Assignee: Tyson Winarski
• Inventors: Winarski, Tyson
• Application Number:
  US09/798,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123307A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/667 Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set H04M1/677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0206 in access points, e.g. base stations access point devices per se H04W88/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A short-range wireless communications system is used to manage long-range wireless communications and microprocessor-based activity within its operating range. This management includes forbidding long-range wireless communications and microprocessor-based activity during certain times, with the possibility of allowing only emergency long-range wireless communications. This management also includes allowing long-range wireless communications and microprocessor-based activity during other times.

The short-range wireless communications system runs in parallel with the long-range wireless communications system. The short-range wireless communications system gives instructions to the microprocessor in the long-range wireless communications system and microprocessor-based activity as to whether the long-range wireless communications or microprocessor-based activity can continue or must be interrupted for a period of time. This management is limited by the range of the short-range wireless communications system, and is thus highly suitable for use in controlling long-range wireless communication and microprocessor-based activity by passengers in airplanes, patrons of theatres, diners in restaurants, attendees in business meeting rooms, and the like.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the use of a wireless telephone, said wireless telephone having a speaker, a microphone, a channel, a first antenna, and a power source, said apparatus comprising:

an external controller, said external controller having a range of control;

a second antenna, said second antenna in said wireless telephone, said second antenna capable of receiving signals from said external controller;

a radio, said radio in electrical communication with said second antenna;

a control chip, said control chip in electrical communication with said radio; and

an on/off switch, said on/off switch in electrical communication with said control chip, whereby said external controller can control the use of said wireless telephone within the range of control.

2. The apparatus for controlling the use of a wireless telephone, as in claim 1, further comprising:

said radio and said external controller utilize a Bluetooth protocol.

3. The apparatus for controlling the use of a wireless telephone, as in claim 1, further comprising:

said on/off switch electrically interposed between said channel and said first antenna.

4. The apparatus for controlling the use of a wireless telephone, as in claim 1, further comprising:

said on/off switch electrically interposed between said power source and said channel.

5. A method for controlling a wireless telephone, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller; and

changing the status of an on/off switch.

6. A program storage device readable by a wireless telephone, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said wireless telephone, to perform method steps for operating wireless telephone, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller; and

changing the status of an on/off switch.

7. A logic array readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said wireless telephone, to perform method steps for operating wireless telephone, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller; and

changing the status of an on/off switch.

8. An apparatus for controlling the use of a computer, said computer having a microprocessor, a display, a memory, and a power source, said apparatus comprising:

an external controller, said external controller having a range of control;

an antenna, said antenna in said computer, said antenna capable of receiving signals from said external controller;

a radio, said radio in electrical communication with said antenna;

a control chip, said control chip in electrical communication with said radio; and

an on/off switch, said on/off switch in electrical communication with said control chip, whereby said external controller can control the use of said computer within the range of control.

9. The apparatus for controlling the use of a computer, as in claim 8, further comprising:

said radio and said external controller utilize a Bluetooth protocol.

10. The apparatus for controlling the use of a computer, as in claim 8, further comprising:

said on/off switch electrically interposed between said power source and said microprocessor.

11. A method for controlling a computer, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller;

changing the status of an on/off switch.

12. A program storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said computer, to perform method steps for operating a liquid crystal projector for the display of images on an external screen, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller; and

changing the status of an on/off switch.

13. A logic array readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer, to perform method steps for operating a liquid crystal projector for the display of images on an external screen, comprising the machine executed steps of:

contacting an external controller;

receiving instructions from an external controller; and

changing the status of an on/off switch.