Exempt from automatic restriction of functionality moving phones accompanied by an override transmitter

• US 20110105082A1
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeff Haley
• Original Assignee: Jeff Haley
• Inventors: Haley, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• 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 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system for restricting uses of moving phones used by solo drivers, but not passenger phones, and sometimes interrupting voice calls, including: (a) Don'"'"'t depend on compliance by phone or car owners—make the restrictions automatic for phones moving above a threshold speed in selected areas; (b) unless the phone is not viewable by the driver or there is also a passenger in the vehicle, in which case the phone need not be restricted, to allow unrestricted use by passengers. (c) When a caller calls a person driving, play to the caller a query whether the call is important enough to put through, and put it through only if the caller responds affirmatively. (d) To delay and minimize cost of implementation while obtaining optimal initial benefit: (1) set up restricting first only in selected regions, and (2) implement first for newly issued phone numbers, then those issued in the last 2 or so years, then the last 4 or so years, etc. to about 15 years.

Claims

1. A method for reducing traffic accidents comprising:

implementing components of a mobile phone system with a network in a region so that each new phone of a plurality of new phones in the region is restricted in functionality when the new phone is determined to be moving faster than a threshold speed relative to the earth, unless there is an unrestricting override transmitter transmitting an override message to the new phone that allows the new phone to not be restricted.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the override transmitter establishes a communications link with the new phone and uses the communications link to convey authenticating information to authenticate to the mobile network that the override transmitter is valid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the authenticating information is generated by a crypto-authenticating chip built into the override transmitter.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the override transmitter is a neighbor phone near the new phone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the authenticating information is based on an identifying number for the neighbor phone confirmed with a non-voice message sent via the mobile network between the override transmitter and the network.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the wireless communications link between the neighbor phone and the new phone is a Bluetooth link.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the override transmitter is mounted in a vehicle in which the new phone is carried.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the override transmitter is mounted in a vehicle of mass transit.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the override transmitter detects the presence of human-like bodies in the vehicle and transmits an override message if it detects at least two human-like bodies in the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the override transmitter detects the presence of active cell phones and transmits an override message if it detects two or more active cell phones.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the override message is transmitted by the override transmitter in response to a first signal sent by the new phone.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the override transmitter is a neighbor phone and the first signal is a local radio connection request.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the override transmitter is a neighbor phone and the first signal is a simulation of a base station beacon of a mobile system antenna of the mobile phone system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the neighbor cell phone acting as an override transmitter conveys authenticating information to the new phone to authenticate the override transmitter as valid by transmitting an identifier of the neighbor cell phone known to the network.

15. A mobile telecom device that restricts its own functionality when moving faster than a threshold speed to enter a restricted state and ceases the restricted state in response to an override message sent by local radio signals, the device comprising:

(a) a screen that displays text and images;

(b) a speed receiving circuit that receives speed relative to the earth and, when the speed exceeds a threshold, issues a restrict command that restricts functions of the display;

(c) an override circuit that receives local radio signals and, when an override message is received in the radio signals, overrides the restrict command with an unrestrict command that allows the functions of the display.

16. The mobile telecom device of claim 15 wherein the radio signals are local radio connection signals from a second mobile telecom device also moving with the mobile telecom device and the two mobile telecom devices also exchange a message between them via a telecom network.

17. The mobile telecom device of claim 15 wherein the radio signals come from an override transmitter for a vehicle that includes with the radio signals an identification code which the mobile telecom device sends to a network for authentication of the override transmitter.

18. The mobile telecom device of claim 15 wherein the radio signals with the identification code comprise an encryption generated authentication code.

19. The mobile telecom device of claim 15 further comprising a circuit that allows an owner of the mobile telecom device to override the override circuit so that the device will remain limited in functionality when an override message is received.

20. The mobile telecom device of claim 15 wherein the speed receiving circuit receives the speed from one of:

an accelerometer in the device or a wireless telecom network.

21-46. -46. (canceled)