In-Vehicle Electronic Device Usage Blocker
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the operability of an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether an electronic device is located within the vehicle and proximate to an operator of the vehicle using a sensor;
determining whether at least one usage prohibition condition exist;
disabling at least a portion of the functionality of the electronic device in response to the electronic device being located proximate to the operator of the vehicle and further in response to the determined prohibition condition; and
enabling at least a portion of the functionality of the electronic device in response to determining that the electronic device is not located proximate to the operator, and in response to the electronic device being located proximate to the operator of the vehicle enabling the electronic device if no prohibition condition exist.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling the operability and functionality of an electronic device with an electronic device detection system begins by determining whether an electronic device is located within the vehicle and proximate to an operator of the vehicle. The electronic device detection system defines a restricted zone in which electronic device use is partially or fully prohibited and a safe zone in which all or some of the functionality of electronic devices is enabled. Once it is determined that an electronic device is in use and within a restricted zone, a determination is made as to whether any usage prohibition conditions are satisfied. If usage prohibition conditions are satisfied, then particular functions of the electronic device may be disabled in a restricted zone. If prohibition conditions are not met, the electronic device may be totally enabled, partially enabled to allow certain functions, or the electronic device is never disabled.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the operability of an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether an electronic device is located within the vehicle and proximate to an operator of the vehicle using a sensor; determining whether at least one usage prohibition condition exist; disabling at least a portion of the functionality of the electronic device in response to the electronic device being located proximate to the operator of the vehicle and further in response to the determined prohibition condition; and enabling at least a portion of the functionality of the electronic device in response to determining that the electronic device is not located proximate to the operator, and in response to the electronic device being located proximate to the operator of the vehicle enabling the electronic device if no prohibition condition exist. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling the operability of an electronic device, said method comprising:
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determining if the electronic device is located proximate to an operator seat of a vehicle using directional sensors located within the vehicle; determining a prohibition condition of the electronic device; disabling the transmitter on the electronic device in response to the electronic device being located proximate to an operator seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined prohibition condition; and enabling the transmitter on the electronic device in response to determining that the electronic device is not located in a restricted zone; and
in response to the electronic device being located proximate to the operator seat of a vehicle, enabling the transmitter if the prohibition condition is not indicative of a restriction being necessary. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification