System for controlling a personal electronic device

• US 20090117919A1
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Hershenson, Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US10/263,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20090117919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.400
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A system and method of controlling a personal electronic device is described. The system includes a personal electronic device coupled to a sensor that can detect a safety signal. The system can also include a safety signal source.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A method comprising:

defining a danger area in which RF transmissions may be unsafe;

positioning one or more safety signal sources at or around the danger area;

transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) safety signal from the one or more safety signal sources, the first RF safety signal having a first unique identification code to identify itself as a first type of safety signal;

transmitting a second radio frequency (RF) safety signal from the one or more safety signal sources, the second RF safety signal having a second unique identification code to identify itself as a second type of safety signal;

the first type of safety signal operable to cause all electronic devices within the danger area to enter into a safe mode;

the second type of safety signal operable to disable RF communications on any electronic devices capable of RF communications;

the first type of safety signal being incorporated into a normal communications protocol of the electronic device;

the second type of safety signal being incorporated into the normal communications protocol of the electronic device;

directing the first type of safety signal to a zone of interest using beamforming techniques; and

directing the second type of safety signal to a zone of interest using beamforming techniques.

40. The method as in claim 39 wherein the safe mode comprises powering down the electronic devices.

41. The method as in claim 39 wherein the danger area comprises one of a passenger area of an airplane, a hospital or a blasting zone.

42. The method as in claim 39 wherein the first safety signal is transmitted periodically and the electronic devices will automatically exit the safe mode if a predetermined time has elapsed prior to receiving the periodic re-transmission of the first safety signal.

44. The method as in claim 39 wherein the second safety signal is transmitted periodically and the electronic devices will automatically re-enable RF communications if a predetermined time has elapsed prior to receiving the periodic re-transmission of the second safety signal.

43. (canceled)