Automatic electronic device detection

• US 6,580,372 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2000
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Original Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/588,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 340/933, 340/988, 340/686.6, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/506, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/825.69, 340/422, 340/423, 340/573.4, 340/420, 340/686.5, 455/404, 455/456, 141/192, 141/94, 348/135, 348/136, 348/137, 348/150, 348/143, 382/103
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3236 relating to electrostatic charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/43 characterized by the control of the jamming power, signal-to-noise ratio or geographic coverage area
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/68 using passive jamming, e.g. by shielding or reflection shielding of apparatus or components against electric or magnetic field H05K9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/84 related to preventing electromagnetic interference in petrol station, hospital, plane or cinema
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

A system that detects cellular telephone and other electronic use within an unauthorized locations. The location can be detected by GPS or triangulation, and once detected can automatically produce certain operations.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a location detector, operating to automatically detect a location of a communicating device;

a processing element, receiving information from said location detector, and deternmining if a location represented by said information matches one of a plurality of use-restricted locations representing a location of a station for dispensing hazardous materials; and

an action producing element, taking action based on detecting said matching to permit communication to specified parties, but does not permit communication to others.

2. A method comprising:

automatically detecting a position of an electronic device using an electronic part which is installed as part of said electronic device;

automatically determining if said position represents a location for dispensing hazardous materials; and

taking an action based on said determining to allow certain calls to be made, and preventing other calls from being made.

3. A device, comprising:

a pump for delivery of combustible materials, having an outer area; and

a camera associated with the pump, said camera having at least an imaging part which is physically located on a spot on the pump to image information close to said pump; and

a processor, processing an output of said camera to automatically detect an image of a cellular telephone based on said camera output;

wherein the detection is used to determine permission to operate the pump.

4. A method as in claim 3, further comprising a connection between said camera and a remote location to allow viewing in said remote location.

5. A method of protecting against cellular telephone use, comprising:

determining a cellular telephone being in an area of a station for dispensing hazardous materials; and

taking an action by an action element to prohibit said cellular telephone use only if said cellular telephone is being used to make an unauthorized call, and not taking said action if said cellular telephone is being used to make an authorized call.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said authorized call is an emergency call number.