PERSONAL COMPUTER CONTROL FOR VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A control system for an electronic device able to be used in a mobile vehicle having a vehicle sensor adapted to sense a first mobility status and a second mobility status of the mobile vehicle and output a status signal indicative of said first and second mobility statuses, said control system comprising:
- a monitor in communication with said vehicle sensor, said monitor adapted to change to a first state when said status signal indicates the mobile vehicle has the first mobility status, and to a second state when said status signal indicates the mobile vehicle has the second mobility status;
a communications channel between said monitor and the electronic device; and
software adapted to be run on the electronic device, said software determining whether said monitor is in said first state or said second state via said communications channel, said software disabling the electronic device when said software determines that said monitor is in the second state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer control system includes methods and devices for disabling an electronic device, such as a computer, when a mobility status of the vehicle changes. The mobility status may be measured with reference to the vehicle'"'"'s transmission, parking brake, odometer, speedometer, throttle, engine rpm, or a geographic locating system such as a GPS system. When the mobility status of the vehicle changes to one in which the vehicle is moving, or is more likely to move, the control system disables the electronic device. The control system thus prevents drivers of automobiles and trucks from simultaneously driving while using the electronic device. The system may include one or more override keys and enabling hubs that allow a person to use the device in locations remote from the automobile. The system may also allow the device to be used when it is inside the vehicle but the vehicle'"'"'s engine has been turned off. The software used by the system includes multiple security features adapted to prevent people from disabling the software such that they would be able to simultaneously drive and use the electronic device.
67 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A control system for an electronic device able to be used in a mobile vehicle having a vehicle sensor adapted to sense a first mobility status and a second mobility status of the mobile vehicle and output a status signal indicative of said first and second mobility statuses, said control system comprising:
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a monitor in communication with said vehicle sensor, said monitor adapted to change to a first state when said status signal indicates the mobile vehicle has the first mobility status, and to a second state when said status signal indicates the mobile vehicle has the second mobility status; a communications channel between said monitor and the electronic device; and software adapted to be run on the electronic device, said software determining whether said monitor is in said first state or said second state via said communications channel, said software disabling the electronic device when said software determines that said monitor is in the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of controlling an electronic device able to be used in a mobile vehicle having a vehicle sensor adapted to sense a first mobility status and a second mobility status of the mobile vehicle and output a status signal indicative of said first and second mobility statuses, said method comprising:
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monitoring said status signal of the vehicle sensor; and disabling the electronic device when the status signal indicates the mobile vehicle has switched from the first mobility status to the second mobility status. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification