CELLULAR PHONE IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING CELLULAR PHONE USAGE
First Claim
1. An ignition interlock device for a vehicle, the device comprising:
- a short-range wireless transceiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver;
a microcontroller for generating an ignition control signal; and
an ignition interlock switch for controlling vehicle ignition in response to the ignition control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ignition interlock device for a vehicle includes a short-range wireless transceiver (e.g. a Bluetooth® transceiver) configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver (e.g. another Bluetooth® transceiver). The device includes a microcontroller for generating an ignition control signal and an ignition interlock switch for controlling vehicle ignition in response to the ignition control signal. The device may also inhibit communications using the wireless communications device to ensure safe operation of the vehicle. The device may also send vehicle tracking data to a remote monitoring service (like a fleet manager). The device may also receive remote commands (e.g. from the fleet manager) to disable vehicle functions.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An ignition interlock device for a vehicle, the device comprising:
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a short-range wireless transceiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver; a microcontroller for generating an ignition control signal; and an ignition interlock switch for controlling vehicle ignition in response to the ignition control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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a vehicle having an electronic ignition system; a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver; an ignition interlock device connected to the electronic ignition system of the vehicle, the ignition interlock device comprising; a short-range wireless transceiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver; a microcontroller for generating an ignition control signal; and an ignition interlock switch for controlling vehicle ignition in response to the ignition control signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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wiring an ignition interlock device to an electronic ignition system of a vehicle, the ignition interlock device comprising; a short-range wireless transceiver configured to receive a wireless signal from a wireless communications device having a short-range wireless transceiver; a microcontroller for generating an ignition control signal; and an ignition interlock switch for controlling vehicle ignition in response to the ignition control signal; wirelessly connecting a short-range wireless transceiver of a wireless communications device to the short-range wireless transceiver of the ignition interlock device to enable ignition of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification