System and Method for Deactivating Mobile Communication Devices within a Vehicle

• US 20120046020A1
• Filed: 08/18/2011
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Tomasini
• Original Assignee: John Tomasini
• Inventors: Tomasini, John
• Application Number:
  US13/213,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046020A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724634 With partially locked states, e.g. when some telephonic functional locked states or applications remain accessible in the locked states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information

Abstract

A system and method of deactivating complete functionality of mobile communication devices while in a moving automobile. The system comprises a series of integrated chips that communicate vehicle status to a universal cell phone mount, which communicates to corresponding cell phones within the vehicle. While the vehicle is in a state of motion or when the transmission is not in ‘Park’, all mobile communication functions are prohibited except that phone placed in the universal mount, which allows hands free and voice entry command via the vehicle sound system. The goal is to reduce the use of cell phones and other mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle, improving roadway safety for all drivers.

Claims

1. A vehicular safety system that restricts cell phone operation to hands free input only, comprising:

a plurality of imbedded hardware chips in (1) a vehicle, (2) within a cellular phone mount and (3) a cellular phone device;

said vehicular chip receives input from said vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) to determine a state of said vehicle, including speed and transmission position;

said cellular phone mount chip allows a cellular phone placed thereon to operate in hands-free mode only;

said cellular phone device chip receiving signals from said cellular phone mount that deactivates all non-hands free operation when said cellular phone is not attached to said mount and said vehicle is either moving or in ‘

Drive.’

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said cellular phone mount integrates said cell phone mounted thereon into said vehicle stereo system for improved speaker phone quality and volume.

3. A system as in claim 1, further comprising said cellular phone mount chip calculating a distance to nearby cellular phone device chips to determine if said cellular phones are within said vehicle cabin.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said voice input is accomplished through a microphone in said vehicle sound system, while sounds and auditory signals are transmitted through said vehicle sound system speakers.

5. A vehicular safety system that restricts cell phone operation to hands free input only, comprising:

a plurality of software algorithms in (1) a vehicle, (2) within a cellular phone mount chip and (3) a cellular phone device;

said vehicular algorithm receives input from said vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) to determine a state of said vehicle, including speed and transmission position;

said cellular phone mount chip allows a cellular phone placed thereon to operate in hands-free mode only;

said cellular phone device algorithm receiving signals from said cellular phone mount that deactivates all non-hands free operation when said cellular phone is not attached to said mount and said vehicle is either moving or in ‘

Drive.’

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said cellular phone mount integrates said cell phone mounted thereon into said vehicle stereo system for improved speaker phone quality and volume.

7. A system as in claim 5, further comprising said cellular phone mount chip calculating a distance to nearby cellular phone devices to determine if said cellular phones are within said vehicle cabin.

8. A method of restricting cell phone operation within a vehicle to hands free input only, comprising:

imbedding a plurality of hardware chips in (1) a vehicle, (2) within a cellular phone mount and (3) a cellular phone device;

sending a signal from said vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) to said cellular phone mount chip to relay a state of said vehicle, including speed and transmission position;

sending a signal from said cellular phone mount to said cellular phones within said vehicle to restrict functionally to only any hands-free operation if said vehicle is moving or is in ‘

Drive.’