SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING USAGE OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A system for limiting usage of a wireless communication device, comprising:
- a wireless transmission device mounted in a vehicle, comprising;
at least one sensor configured to identify at least one state of the vehicle;
an infrared (IR) modulation circuit configured to transmit a wireless IR signal in response to a control signal; and
a first processor in communication with the IR modulation circuit and the at least one sensor, the first processor being configured to receive the at least one state of the vehicle from the at least one sensor, determine if the at least one state of the vehicle includes a restricted state, and if it does, transmit the control signal to the IR modulation circuit; and
a wireless communication device comprising;
a display;
an IR modulation detection circuit for receiving the wireless IR signal; and
a second processor in communication with the display and the IR modulation detection circuit, the second processor being configured to receive information from the IR modulation detection circuit and to disable at least one feature of the wireless communication device if the information indicates that the wireless IR signal has been received.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is provided for limiting or disabling cellular telephone usage during operation of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a cell phone. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least an IR modulation circuit, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a wireless signal toward a driver of the motor vehicle. The cell phone, which includes at least an IR modulation detection circuit, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the cell phone. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetooth™, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for limiting usage of a wireless communication device, comprising:
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a wireless transmission device mounted in a vehicle, comprising; at least one sensor configured to identify at least one state of the vehicle; an infrared (IR) modulation circuit configured to transmit a wireless IR signal in response to a control signal; and a first processor in communication with the IR modulation circuit and the at least one sensor, the first processor being configured to receive the at least one state of the vehicle from the at least one sensor, determine if the at least one state of the vehicle includes a restricted state, and if it does, transmit the control signal to the IR modulation circuit; and a wireless communication device comprising; a display; an IR modulation detection circuit for receiving the wireless IR signal; and a second processor in communication with the display and the IR modulation detection circuit, the second processor being configured to receive information from the IR modulation detection circuit and to disable at least one feature of the wireless communication device if the information indicates that the wireless IR signal has been received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for limiting usage of a wireless communication device, comprising:
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sensing at least one state of a vehicle; determining whether the at least one state includes a restricted state; transmitting a particular wireless infrared (IR) signal toward at least a driver seat of the vehicle if the vehicle is in the restricted state; receiving by a wireless communication device at least one wireless IR signal; determining by the wireless communication device whether the at least one wireless IR signal is the particular wireless IR signal; and disabling by the wireless communication device at least one feature of the wireless communication device if the particular wireless IR signal has been received by the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for limiting usage of a cellular telephone, comprising:
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a wireless transmission device mounted in a vehicle, comprising; at least one sensor configured to identify at least one state of the vehicle; an infrared (IR) modulation circuit configured to transmit a wireless IR signal in response to an activation signal; and a first processor in communication with the IR modulation circuit and the at least one sensor, the first processor being configured to receive the at least one state of the vehicle from the at least one sensor, determine if the at least one state of the vehicle is a restricted state, and if it is, transmit the activation signal to the IR modulation circuit, wherein the restricted state is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle, a state of a transmission of the vehicle, and a state of at least one brake of the vehicle; and a cellular telephone comprising; a display; at least one of a hard and soft keyboard; an IR modulation detection circuit for receiving the wireless IR signal; and a second processor in communication with the display, the keyboard, and the IR modulation detection circuit, the second processor being configured to receive information from the IR modulation detection circuit and to disable a plurality of features of the cellular telephone if the information indicates that the wireless IR signal has been received, including physically interacting with the keyboard of the cellular telephone to initiate a telephone call and physically interacting with the keyboard of the cellular telephone to at least one of generate and send a text message.
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Specification