SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20130237207A1
• Filed: 04/29/2013
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lesher, Charles Michael, Sweeney, Jeffrey, Morrill, Robert J., Hull, Heather, Howarter, Jamie Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,750,905 B2
• 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 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device, said method comprising:

determining a geographic location of a vehicle;

determining a position of the mobile communication devices within the vehicle;

determining conditional parameters of the mobile communications device;

accessing database records correlating the geographic location with restrictions;

determining whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records; and

configuring the capabilities of the mobile communications device that are available in response to the restriction determination.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the geographical location of the vehicle is determined in response to a global positioning system of a vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position indicates whether a user of the mobile communications device is operating the vehicle, and wherein the capabilities of the mobile communications device are restricted in response to determining the user of the mobile communications device is operating the vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the database records are accessed from a remote location through a network.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the database records are accessed from within the mobile communications device, and wherein the database records specify restrictions by location.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuring further comprises:

selectively restricting the capabilities of the mobile communications device utilizing the restriction determination.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the database records include laws, ordinances, and location-based rules restricting the capabilities of the mobile communications device.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

enabling the operability of the mobile communications device in response to determining that an emergency has occurred.

9. The method according to claim 1, the conditional parameters include speed and altitude.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a plane.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the position of the mobile communications device is determined utilizing one or more sensors.

12. A database management system, the database management system comprising:

a processor configured to execute a set of instructions;

a memory configured to store a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

determine a geographic location of a vehicle;

determine a position of the mobile communication devices within the vehicle;

determine conditional parameters of the mobile communications device;

access database records correlating the geographic location with restrictions;

determine whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records; and

configure the capabilities of the mobile communications device that are available in response to the restriction determination.

13. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to receive information from a global positioning system to make a location determination.

14. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the position indicates whether a user of the mobile communications device is operating the vehicle, and wherein the capabilities of the mobile communications device are restricted in response to determining the user of the mobile communications device is operating the vehicle.

15. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the database records specify restrictions by location.

16. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the database records include laws, ordinances, and location-based rules restricting the capabilities of the mobile communications device.

17. The database management system according to claim 12, the conditional parameters include speed and altitude, and wherein the vehicle is a plane.

18. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

enabling the operability of the mobile communications device in response to determining that an emergency has occurred.

19. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein the conditional parameters include whether the vehicle is in motion.

20. The database management system according to claim 12, wherein determining the position of the mobile communications device is determined utilizing one or more sensors.