Telematics basic mobile device safety interlock

• US 20120006611A1
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Wallace, Erik, Morin, Drew, Pitt, Lance D., Murphy, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,336,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A vehicle includes a telematics controller and a single short range, low power interior transmitter focused substantially only on a vehicle'"'"'s driver'"'"'s seat only. Synergistic interaction is provided between a vehicle'"'"'s telematics controller and a wireless device used by the driver (e.g. a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, wireless laptop, etc.) to parametrically control at least one wireless service or other operation of a wireless device presumed operated by the driver of the vehicle. Example wireless services blocked or forced into a safe mode (such as hands-free operation) include SMS, Email, and Voice services.

Claims

1. A telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle, comprising:

a short range, low power transmitter mountable within a vehicle, said short range, lower power transmitter having a range of approximately a single seat in said vehicle;

a telematics controller in communication with said short range, low power transmitter; and

a safety module to force a safety mode of operation of said wireless device when operated from said driver'"'"'s seat.

2. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein:

said safety module forces said safety mode of operation only if said vehicle is currently being operated by a requestor of mobile services.

3. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, said telematics controller comprising:

a cellular front end communications module.

4. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein:

said safety module is triggered via said cellular front end communications module.

5. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein:

said short range, low power transmitter conforms to a Bluetooth protocol.

6. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein:

said short range, low power transmitter utilizes infrared communications.

7. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said wireless device comprises:

a laptop.

8. The telematics mobile device safety interlock for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said wireless device comprises:

a smartphone.

9. A method of restricting use of a mobile device in a non-parked vehicle, comprising:

detecting attempted use of a mobile device within an operator'"'"'s seat of a vehicle;

triggering a safety interlock module to cause transmission of a block use instruction substantially toward only a driver seat of said vehicle, said block use instruction causing said mobile device to temporarily implement restriction of use of at least one application on the mobile device from use by a driver of said vehicle.

10. The method of restricting use of a mobile device in a non-parked vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said restriction of use comprises:

prevention of operation of an Email application.

11. The method of restricting use of a mobile device in a non-parked vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said restriction of use comprises:

prevention of operation of a text messaging application.

12. The method of restricting use of a mobile device in a non-parked vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said restriction of use comprises:

forced hands-free mode of operation of said mobile device.

13. The method of restricting use of a mobile device in a non-parked vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising:

communicating between said safety interlock module and said mobile device using a Bluetooth signal.