Wireless communication device management

• US 20060286930A1
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydra Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: John W Olivo Jr, Spenoer A. Rathus
• Inventors: Rathus, Spenoer A., Olivo, John W. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/26.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

A method and system that limits the use of a communication device present in an area controlled by an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller detects any present communication devices in the area and conducts an inventory providing information about each detected device. The intelligent controller compares that information to a standard of use data, which specifies the conditions need to be present for allowing the usage of a communication device. If such conditions are not met, the intelligent controller sends commands to the communication device to restrict its functionality. Else if, the intelligent controller is incapable of restricting the communication device, it can notify authorities of unauthorized usage of a communication device in the restricted area.

Claims

1. A system for communication device management within a vehicle comprising:

means for detecting at least one communication device in an area within said vehicle;

means for recognizing said at least one communication device; and

an intelligent controller comprising a standard of use data and means for controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device;

wherein said detection means and said recognition means are associated with said intelligent controller.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one communication device is selected from a group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal computer, a PDA, a pocket computer, and a hybrid device.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said controlling means disables at least one selected from a group consisting of transmitter, power, processor, and memory associated with said at least one communication device.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said controlling means disrupts incoming signals or transmitting signals associated with said at least one communication device.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said area within said vehicle comprises an area associated with an operator of said vehicle.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one communication device is associated with an operator of said vehicle.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said standard of use data is stored in said intelligent controller.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent controller communicates with an outside source.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said outside source is selected from a group consisting of a cellular tower, a radio transmitters, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and toll tag readers.

10. A system according to claim 8 wherein said standard of use data is communicated to said intelligent controller from said outside source.

11. A system according to claim 8 wherein said intelligent controller further comprises a positioning unit capable of determining the location of said vehicle.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said intelligent controller communicates said location to authorities using said outside source.

13. A system according to claim 8 wherein said intelligent controller notifies authorities if tampered with using said outside source.

14. A system according to claim 8 wherein said intelligent controller comprises vehicle information and communicates said vehicle information to said outside source.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent controller provides a warning to an operator of said vehicle when said controlling means is unable to control said at least one function of said at least one communication device.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said warning comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of an audio signal, an alarm, and a visual signal.

17. A system according to claim 15 wherein said intelligent controller issues a citation to a registered user of said at least one communication device after a predetermined number of said warnings.

18. A system according to claim 15 wherein said intelligent controller issues a citation to a registered said operator of said vehicle after a predetermined number of said warnings.

19. A system according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent controller is connected to a transmission of said vehicle.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein said standard of use data prohibits the use of said at least one communication device when said transmission is in drive.

21. A system according to claim 1 wherein said standard of use data only restricts the use of a cellular device within said area within said vehicle.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein said standard of use data allows the use of said cellular device when a specified number is entered into said cellular device.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein said specified number comprises an emergency telephone number.

24. A system according to claim 22 wherein said specified number is communicated to said cellular device via said intelligent controller.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein said specified number is pre-programmed into said intelligent controller.

26. A system according to claim 24 wherein said specified number is communicated to said intelligent controller via an outside source.

27. A system according to claim 21 wherein said standard of use data allows the use of said cellular device when said cellular device is connected to a peripheral device.

28. A system according to claim 1 wherein said intelligent controller is located within at least one selected from a group consisting of a door, console, steering wheel, ceiling, and floor of said vehicle.

29. A system for communication device management within monitored area comprising:

at least one means for detecting at least one communication device in said monitored area;

means for recognizing said at least one communication device; and

an intelligent controller comprising a standard of use data and means for controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device;

wherein said at least one detection means and said recognition means are associated with said intelligent controller.

30. A system according to claim 29 wherein said monitored area is selected from a group consisting of an airplane, a building, a hospital, a movie theater, a restaurant, a church, a school, a conference center, a casino, a government building, an event, and a government event.

31. A system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one detecting means is located within said monitored area.

32. A system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one communication device is selected from a group consisting of a cellular telephone, a personal computer, a PDA, a pocket computer, and a hybrid device.

33. A system according to claim 29 wherein said controlling means disables at least one selected from a group consisting of transmitter, power, processor, and memory associated with said at least one communication device.

34. A system according to claim 29 wherein said controlling means disrupts incoming signals or transmitting signals associated with said at least one communication device.

35. A system according to claim 29 wherein said standard of use data is stored in said intelligent controller.

36. A system according to claim 29 wherein said intelligent controller further comprises a positioning unit capable of determining the location of said at least one communication device in said monitored area.

37. A system according to claim 29 wherein said intelligent controller communicates a warning signal to said at least one communication device when said controlling means is unable to control said at least one function of said at least one communication device.

38. A system according to claim 37 wherein said warning comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of an audio signal, an alarm, and a visual signal.

39. A system according to claim 37 wherein said intelligent controller issues a citation to a user of said at least one communication device after a predetermined number of said warnings.

40. A system according to claim 29 wherein said intelligent controller further comprises a display unit.

41. A system according to claim 40 wherein said display unit provides information to personnel that monitor said monitored area.

42. A system according to claim 41 wherein said information is selected from a group consisting of recognized type, operating status, and number of detected of at least one communication device.

43. A system according to claim 29 wherein said intelligent controller further comprises a local network.

44. A system according to claim 43 wherein a selected said at least one communication device is connected to said local network.

45. A system according to claim 44 wherein a user of said at least one communication device is charged for using said local network.

46. A method for communication device management within monitored area comprising:

detecting at least one communication device in said monitored area;

recognizing said at least one communication device;

providing information about said at least one communication device;

comparing said information to a standard of use data; and

controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device;

wherein said standard of use data determines said controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device.

47. A method according to claim 46 further comprises displaying said information to personnel that monitor said monitored area.

48. A method according to claim 46 wherein said controlling at least one function of said at least one communication consisting of transmitter, power, processor, and memory associated with said at least one communication device.

49. A method according to claim 46 wherein said controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device comprises disrupting incoming signals or transmitting signals associated with said at least one communication device.

50. A method according to claim 46 further comprises communicating a warning signal to said at least one communication device when said controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device is ineffective.

51. A method according to claim 50 further comprises issuing a citation to a user of said at least one communication device after a predetermined number of said warnings.

52. A method according to claim 46 wherein said controlling at least one function of said communication device comprises connecting a selected said at least one communication device to a local network.

53. A system according to claim 52 further comprising charging for using said local network.