Restriction Method and Apparatus for Texting Based on Speed

• US 20110077032A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clifford H. Kraft, Harry Benjamin Correale
• Original Assignee: Clifford H. Kraft, Harry Benjamin Correale
• Inventors: Correale, Harry Benjamin, Kraft, Clifford
• Application Number:
  US12/568,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20110077032A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing texting on cellular telephones while driving. A cellular telephone moving faster than a predetermined speed (for example 15 MPH) automatically locks out the texting function. Dialing of full telephone numbers under these conditions can also be locked out. If the phone becomes stationary for a predetermined period (say 3 minutes), the lockout can be removed. A passenger can enter an override code to prevent the lockout. In some embodiments the override code can only be entered when the phone is moving faster than the predetermined speed and/or when several buttons are depressed simultaneously requiring operation with two hands.

Claims

1. A method that prevents texting on a cellular telephone while driving comprising locking out texting functions when said cellular telephone is moving at a speed of greater than a predetermined speed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said telephone also locks out dialing numbers longer than 4 digits when said cellular telephone is moving at a speed of greater than said predetermined speed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined speed is around 15 MPH.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a passenger can enter an override code wherein said override code allows texting.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said passenger can only enter said override code when said cellular telephone is moving at a speed of greater than said predetermined speed.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said passenger can only enter said override code by simultaneously depressing at least two different buttons on said cellular telephone.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said locking is removed when said cellular telephone has been stationary for a predetermined time.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said predetermined time is around 3 minutes.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said cellular telephone contains a speed determining circuit, said speed determining circuit receiving data from a GPS receiver.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said cellular telephone contains a speed determining circuit, said speed determining circuit containing an accelerometer.

11. A method for preventing texting and full number dialing by a driver on a cellular telephone comprising:

determining whether said cellular telephone is moving faster than a predetermined speed;

determining whether an override code has been entered;

locking out texting and full number dialing if said cellular telephone is moving faster than said predetermined speed and no override code has been entered.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said override code can only be entered when said cellular telephone is moving faster than said predetermined speed.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said override code can only be entered when at least two different buttons on said cellular telephone are depressed simultaneously.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said cellular telephone contains a speed determining circuit that includes an accelerometer and input from a GPS receiver.

15. A cellular telephone comprising:

a processor;

a speed determining circuit coupled to said processor;

wherein said processor locks out texting functions when said speed determining circuit reports that said cellular telephone is traveling faster than a predetermined speed.

16. The cellular telephone of claim 15 wherein said processor also locks out full number dialing when said speed determining circuit reports that said cellular telephone is traveling faster than said predetermined speed.

17. The cellular telephone of claim 15 wherein said processor is adapted to receive an override code, and when said processor receives said override code, said processor allows texting regardless of speed.

18. The cellular telephone of claim 15 wherein said speed determining circuit is in electrical communication with a GPS receiver.

19. The cellular telephone of claim 15 wherein said speed determining circuit contains an accelerometer.

20. The cellular telephone of claim 17 further comprising two separate buttons which must be simultaneously pressed for said processor to receive said override code.