System for Initiating Geospatial Functional Control of Mobile Electronics
First Claim
1. A method for remotely controlling the functionality of local portable electronic devices, including cellular telephones, comprising:
- providing at least one control point with a radio frequency transmitter;
broadcasting a localized control signal from the transmitter, the signal not being addressed to a unique portable electronic device, the signal further being encoded with an instruction to induce a portable electronic device to perform a function in response to the signal;
receiving and decoding the signal by a portable electronic device; and
performing the function specified in the signal by the portable electronic device in response to the signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for universally controlling the functionality of portable electronic devices in a localized geospatial area is disclosed. A control signal encoded with instructions based on a predetermined protocol is sent from a RF control point transmitter. The encoded signal is received and decoded by portable electronic devices in the area and an action is performed in response to the control signal. Actions can include enabling or disabling a specific function of the portable electronic device, displaying messages on the portable electronic device, or transmitting information from the portable electronic device back to the control point. Actions remain active while in that area or for specified time periods to various levels of precision and reliability through a combination of settings or timing functions. Using portable electronic devices with preprogrammed control groups, the system can also be used to triage communications in emergency situations by restricting the functionality and communications ability of select groups of portable electronic devices.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for remotely controlling the functionality of local portable electronic devices, including cellular telephones, comprising:
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providing at least one control point with a radio frequency transmitter; broadcasting a localized control signal from the transmitter, the signal not being addressed to a unique portable electronic device, the signal further being encoded with an instruction to induce a portable electronic device to perform a function in response to the signal; receiving and decoding the signal by a portable electronic device; and performing the function specified in the signal by the portable electronic device in response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for remotely controlling the functionality of local portable electronic devices, including cellular telephones, comprising:
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providing at least one control point with a radio frequency transmitter; broadcasting a localized control signal from the transmitter, the signal not being addressed to a unique portable electronic device, the signal further being encoded with an instruction to induce a portable electronic device to perform a function in response to the signal; receiving and decoding the signal by a portable electronic device; and performing the function specified in the signal by the portable electronic device in response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification