Method and Apparatus for Providing Intelligent Deactivation of Electronic Devices in Aircraft

• US 20120200384A1
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Locate Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bailin, David R., Abraham, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,805,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically deactivating an electronic device during flight of an aircraft. The method utilizes a global positioning system (GPS) or assisted global positioning system (AGPS) circuit to facilitate computing the acceleration, velocity and altitude of the electronic device and comparing this information to a profile to determine whether the acceleration, altitude and velocity meets a profile threshold of an airliner taking off. If the profile is that of the take-off of an aircraft, then the circuitry connected to the GPS/AGPS circuit will be deactivated.

Claims

1. A method for deactivating an electronic device comprising:

processing satellite positioning system signals to determine at least one motion parameter of the electronic device;

comparing the at least one motion parameter to a profile; and

in response to the comparison, deactivating at least a portion of the electronic device.

2-20. -20. (canceled)