System And Method To Inhibit User Text Messaging On A Smartphone While Traveling In A Motor Vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for selectively inhibiting text message operation of a smartphone being used by a user while travelling in a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle incorporates a vehicle audio subsystem, the system comprisinga smartphone present including:
- a detection circuit for detecting a signal from the audio system that indicates to the smartphone that the smartphone is located within the vehicle;
a processor in communication with the detection circuit and configured to run a software module;
a navigation system in communication with the processor for generating navigation signals indicating when the smartphone is in motion; and
the processor further configured to receive the navigation signals and to inhibit text messaging operation on the smartphone while the vehicle is detected to be in motion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for selectively inhibiting text message operation of a smartphone being used by a user while travelling in a motor vehicle, where the motor vehicle incorporates a vehicle audio subsystem. A smartphone may have a detection circuit and a processor. The detection circuit detects a signal from the audio system that indicates to the smartphone that the smartphone is located within the vehicle. A navigation system may also be included in the smartphone that generates navigation signals indicating when the smartphone is in motion. The processor receives the navigation signals and, using a software module, inhibits text messaging operation on the smartphone while the vehicle is detected to be in motion.
18 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for selectively inhibiting text message operation of a smartphone being used by a user while travelling in a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle incorporates a vehicle audio subsystem, the system comprising
a smartphone present including: -
a detection circuit for detecting a signal from the audio system that indicates to the smartphone that the smartphone is located within the vehicle; a processor in communication with the detection circuit and configured to run a software module; a navigation system in communication with the processor for generating navigation signals indicating when the smartphone is in motion; and the processor further configured to receive the navigation signals and to inhibit text messaging operation on the smartphone while the vehicle is detected to be in motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for selectively inhibiting text message operation of a smartphone being used by a user while travelling in a motor vehicle, the system comprising
a vehicle audio system configured to output at least one of a pulsed tone or a continuous tone from an output thereof; a smartphone present within the vehicle, the smartphone including; a port for receiving the at least one of a pulsed tone or a continuous tone from the vehicle radio system via a conductor coupling the port of the smartphone to the output of the vehicle audio system, the at least one of a pulsed tone or a continuous tone indicating that the smartphone is present within a vehicle; a processor configured to run a software module; the processor further configured to receive a navigation signal indicating when the smartphone is experiencing motion; and the processor further being configured to inhibit text messaging operation on the smartphone while the vehicle is in motion. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for inhibiting text messaging on a smartphone while the smartphone is detected as being located within a vehicle and in motion, the method comprising:
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using the smartphone to receive a signal from the vehicle when the smartphone is within the vehicle, the signal indicating to the smartphone that the smartphone is present within the vehicle; using a navigation system to provide navigation signals to the smartphone which the smartphone uses to deduce that it is in motion, and thus that the vehicle is moving; and when the smartphone is detected as being present within the vehicle and in motion, inhibiting text messaging operation on the smartphone; and based on the navigations signals, detecting when the smartphone is no longer in motion and re-enabling text messaging operation on the smartphone. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification