SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR VEHICLES

• US 20120253552A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clay Skelton
• Original Assignee: Clay Skelton
• Inventors: Skelton, Clay
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• 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 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices, systems and methods for use in vehicle operations. In some examples, the devices, systems and methods described herein can be used to permit safe operation of a vehicle where the vehicle operator may have one or more mobile devices in their possession.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle comprising:

a processor; and

a circuit electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive an input from a mobile device, the circuit constructed and arranged to prevent operation of the vehicle when the mobile device is not coupled to the circuit and to allow operation of the vehicle when the mobile device is coupled to circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, in which the circuit is configured to prevent starting of the vehicle when the mobile device is not coupled to the circuit and to allow starting of the vehicle when the mobile device is coupled to circuit.

3. The system of claim 1, in which the circuit is configured to prevent shifting of the vehicle into drive when the mobile device is not coupled to the circuit and to allow shifting of the vehicle into drive when the mobile device is coupled to circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, in which the system further comprises a coupler electrically coupled to the processor and configured to couple to the mobile device to provide the input from the mobile device to the processor.

5. The system of claim 4, in which the coupler comprises a cradle, socket, docking station or an device configured to receive the mobile device.

6. The system of claim 4, in which the coupler is positioned in a manner to be inaccessible to a vehicle operator.

7. The system of claim 4, in which the coupler is electrically coupled to a wireless unit to permit wireless coupling of the mobile device to the coupler.

8. The system of claim 4, in which the coupler is configured to charge the mobile device.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an override system configured to permit operation of the vehicle for a configurable period or a pre-determined period.

10. The system of claim 9, in which the override system is configured to permit operation of the vehicle at speeds less than a top speed selected by an administrator.

11. The system of claim 9, in which the override system is configured to only permit shifting of the transmission into neutral.

12. The system of claim 9, in which the override system is configured to be activated using a remote signal.

13. The system of claim 1, in which non hands free functions of the mobile device are disabled when the mobile device is coupled to the circuit.

14. The system of claim 1, in which the system is configured to implement at least one user-specified parameter based on an identifier on the mobile device.

15. The system of claim 1, in which the circuit is configured to permit operation of the vehicle once the mobile device is coupled without the use of a separate key.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a method that prevents operation of the vehicle when the mobile device is not electrically coupled to the circuit and to allow operation of the vehicle when the mobile device is electrically coupled to circuit.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second coupler electrically coupled to the processor and configured to couple to a second mobile device.

18. The system of claim 17, in which the circuit is configured to permit operation of the vehicle only when the mobile device and the second mobile device are both coupled to the system.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to provide feedback to a vehicle operator to retrieve the mobile device when an engine of the vehicle is switched off.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a GPS device electrically coupled to the processor.

21-200. -200. (canceled)