Method of preventing cell phone use while vehicle is in motion

• US 6,771,946 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael F. Oyaski
• Original Assignee: Michael F. Oyaski
• Inventors: Oyaski, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thuan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/629,915
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 455/345, 455/414, 455/575, 455/96, 455/99, 455/456.4, 340/904, 340/905, 340/933, 340/936, 340/438
• US Class Current: 455/345
• 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 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while the motor vehicle is in motion. The invention comprises a step of determining a position of the gear shift lever in such motor vehicle and generating a first signal when the position of such gear shift lever is moved to and remains in one of drive, overdrive, second, low, and reverse. Another step involves transmitting such signal generated in a previous step to a means disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal. Another step involves generating such reverse phase signal when such first signal is received by such means. A next step is transmitting such reverse phase signal for a predetermined radius from such predetermined location. A last step is preventing any cellular telephone transmission within such predetermined radius when such reversed phase frequency signal is being transmitted.

Claims

1. A method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while said motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of a gear shift lever disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when said gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position, determined in step (a), which will allow said motor vehicle to move into said one of said forward motion and said reverse motion;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal;

(d) generating said reverse phase signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), is received by said means for generating said reverse phase signal;

(e) transmitting said reverse phase signal, generated in step (d), for a predetermined radius from said second predetermined location while said position of said gear shift lever, detected in step (a) remains in said one of said forward motion and said reverse motion; and

(f) preventing any cellular telephone transmission substantially within said predetermined radius while said reverse phase signal is being transmitted in step (e).

2. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 1, wherein said method includes the step of using a phase reversal transmitter in step (d) for generating said reverse phase signal.

3. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 2, wherein said method includes the step of using a frequency that is 180 degrees out of phase from a frequency used by cellular telephones for transmitting said reverse phase signal generated by said phase reversal transmitter, in step (e).

4. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 1, wherein said method includes a step of using a predetermined radius of generally about 3 feet for transmitting said reverse phase signal, in step (e).

5. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 1, wherein said method includes a step of using one of a dashboard, door and ceiling area of such motor vehicle as said second predetermined location for generating said phase reverse signal in step (d).

6. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 1, wherein said method further includes a step of monitoring occupants of such motor vehicle by one of a seat belt system and a seat sensing system.

7. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 6, wherein said method further includes an additional step of using an increased power output of said reverse phase signal to include an entire seating area of such motor vehicle when said step of monitoring occupants of such vehicle indicates that only a driver is present in such motor vehicle.

8. A method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while said motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of a gear shift lever disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when said gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position, determined in step (a), which will allow said motor vehicle to move into said one of said forward motion and said reverse motion;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a receiving and transmitting means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle for generating a second signal recognized only by such cell phone;

(d) generating said second signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), is received by said receiving and transmitting means;

(e) transmitting said second signal, generated in step (d), for a predetermined radius from said second predetermined location;

(f) receiving said second signal, transmitted in step (e), by an AM receiver section of a cellular telephone; and

(g) preventing any cellular telephone transmission substantially within said predetermined radius while said second signal is being received by said AM receiver section of such cellular telephone in step (e).

9. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 8, wherein said method includes a step of using one of an AM transmitter, an FM transmitter and a signal generator for transmitting said second signal recognized only by such cell phone.

10. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 9, wherein said method includes a step of using an AM transmitter for transmitting said second signal.

11. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 8, wherein said method includes a step of using a relay mechanism placed in such cellular telephone for preventing cellular telephone transmission.

12. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 8, wherein said method includes a step of using a hi-pitched coded signal for transmitting said second signal in step (d).

13. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone while such motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first means disposed in a first predetermined location on such motor vehicle for determining a position of a gear shift lever of such motor vehicle and for generating and transmitting a first signal when such position of such gear shift lever is moved to and remains at one which would allow such motor vehicle to move in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion;

(b) a phase reversal generator and transmitter disposed on such motor vehicle at a second predetermined location for receiving said first signal transmitted by said first means and for generating and transmitting a reverse phase power output signal when said phase reversal generator and transmitter is activated by said first signal; and

(d) a second means disposed for cooperation with said phase reversal generator and transmitter for controlling transmission of said reverse phase power output signal of said phase reversal generator and transmitter so as to transmit said reverse phase power output signal for a predetermined radius;

wherein said predetermined radius of said reverse phase power output signal from said phase reversal transmitter is at least sufficient to prevent any cellular telephone transmission within said predetermined radius when said phase reversal transmitter is transmitting said reverse phase power output signal.

14. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined radius is generally about 3 feet.

15. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 13, wherein said phase reversal transmitter transmits said reverse phase power output signal at a frequency that is 180 degrees out of phase from a frequency used by cellular telephones.

16. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined location of said phase reversal transmitter is one of a dashboard, door and ceiling area of such motor vehicle.

17. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 16, wherein said phase reversal transmitter is located in such dashboard.

18. An apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone, according to claim 17, wherein said phase reversal transmitter is located in a driver'"'"'s side of such dashboard generally intermediate a steering column and a driver'"'"'s door of such motor vehicle.

19. A method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while said motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of a gear shift lever disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when said gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position, determined in step (a), which will allow said motor vehicle to move into said one of said forward motion and said reverse motion;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a signal generating means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle for enabling said signal generating means to generate a third signal;

(d) generating and transmitting a second signal from such cellular telephone, within a predetermined radius, to said signal generating means thereby activating said signal generating means which had been enabled in step (c) to generate said third signal when said signal generating means also receives said second signal that such cellular telephone, within a predetermined radius, is transmitting;

(e) generating said second signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), and said second signal, transmitted in step (d), are both received by said signal generating means for generating said second signal;

(f) transmitting said second signal, generated in step (f), for a predetermined radius from said second predetermined location with a message to such cellular telephone within said predetermined radius telling such cellular telephone user that within a predetermined time one of such driver must stop cellular telephone transmission and such motor vehicle would be shut down; and

(g) shutting down such motor vehicle if such cellular telephone transmission has not ceased within said predetermined time.

20. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cell phone while such motor vehicle is in motion, said method comprises:

(a) determining a speed of such motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when such speed of such motor vehicle, determined in step (a), exceeds a predetermined speed;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a means disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal;

(d) generating said reverse phase signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), is received by said means for generating said reverse phase signal;

(e) transmitting said reverse phase signal, generated in step (d), for a predetermined radius from such predetermined location; and

(f) preventing any cellular telephone transmission substantially within said predetermined radius while said reverse phase signal is being transmitted in step (e).

21. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cell phone, according to claim 20, wherein said method includes a step of using one of a tachometer, venturi, vacuum sensor, wheel speed sensor, global positioning sensor and speedometer for determining a speed of such motor vehicle in step (a).

22. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cell phone, according to claim 21, wherein said method includes a step of using a speedometer for determining a speed of such motor vehicle.

23. A method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cell phone, according to claim 20, wherein said method includes a step of using a speed of between about 5 and about 15 miles per hour for generating said first signal.

24. In combination with a cellular telephone used for wireless communication, an improvement for use within a motor vehicle comprising a first means disposed one of on and within such cellular telephone for transmitting a short range signal for a distance of up to about 3 feet, said signal activating a reverse phase generating means disposed closely adjacent a driver of a motor vehicle for generating and transmitting a signal which will prevent cellular telephone transmission.

25. A method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while such motor vehicle is in a mode which would enable such motor vehicle to move, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of an ignition switch by a first means disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal by said first means when such ignition switch, determined in step (a) is moved to an on position;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a second means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal;

(d) generating said reverse phase signal by said second means when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), is received by said second means;

(e) transmitting said reverse phase signal, generated in step (d), for a predetermined radius from said second predetermined location while said position of said ignition switch is on; and

(f) preventing any cellular telephone transmission substantially within said predetermined radius while said reverse phase signal is being transmitted in step (e).

26. In combination with a cellular telephone, the improvement comprising a first means disposed one of on and within such cellular telephone for transmitting a short range signal for a distance of up to about 3 feet, a method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using said cellular telephone while said motor vehicle is in a mode which would enable said motor vehicle to move into one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of a gear shift lever disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when said gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position, determined in step (a), which will allow said motor vehicle to move into said one of said forward motion and said reverse motion;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a receiver and signal generating means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(d) transmitting a second signal by said means disposed one of on and within said cellular telephone to said receiver and signal generating means thereby activating said receiver and signal generating means which had been enabled in step (c) to generate a third signal;

(e) generating said third signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), and said second signal, transmitted in step (d), are both received by said receiver and signal generating means;

(f) transmitting said third signal, generated in step (e), to a message unit for transmitting a message to said cellular telephone disposed within a predetermined radius telling said cellular telephone user to remove said cellular telephone from such driver'"'"'s area of such motor vehicle and to a phase reversal transmitter, disposed in a third predetermined location, for transmitting a reverse phase signal for said predetermined radius from said third predetermined location;

(g) transmitting said reverse phase signal for said predetermined radius from said third predetermined location by said phase reversal transmitter; and

(h) preventing cellular telephone transmission within said predetermined radius while said cellular telephone is within said predetermined radius and said phase reversal generator is transmitting said reverse phase signal.

27. In combination with a cellular telephone, the improvement comprising a first means disposed one of on and within such cellular telephone for transmitting a short range signal for a distance of up to about 3 feet, a method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using said cellular telephone while said motor vehicle is in a mode which would enable said motor vehicle to move into one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of an ignition switch disposed in a first predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(b) generating a first signal when said position of said ignition switch determined in step (a) is moved to an on position;

(c) transmitting said first signal, generated in step (b), to a receiver and signal generating means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle;

(d) transmitting a second signal by said means disposed one of on and within said cellular telephone to said receiver and signal generating means thereby activating said receiver and signal generating means which had been enabled in step (c) to generate a third signal;

(e) generating said third signal when said first signal, transmitted in step (c), and said second signal, transmitted in step (d), are both received by said receiver and signal generating means;

(f) transmitting said third signal, generated in step (e), to a message unit for transmitting a message to said cellular telephone disposed within a predetermined radius telling said cellular telephone user to remove said cellular telephone from such driver'"'"'s area of such motor vehicle and to a phase reversal transmitter, disposed in a third predetermined location, for transmitting a reverse phase signal for said predetermined radius from said third predetermined location;

(g) transmitting said reverse phase signal for said predetermined radius from said third predetermined location by said phase reversal transmitter which had been activated by receiving said third signal in step (f); and

(h) preventing cellular telephone transmission within said predetermined radius while said cellular telephone is within said predetermined radius and said phase reversal generator is transmitting said reverse phase signal.

28. An apparatus in combination with a device disposed one of on and within a cellular telephone for transmitting a low powered signal for a predetermined distance for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using such cellular telephone while such motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first means disposed in a first predetermined location on such motor vehicle for determining a position of a gear shift lever of such motor vehicle and for generating and transmitting a first signal when such position of such gear shift lever is moved to and remains at one which would allow such motor vehicle to move in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion;

(b) a receiver and signal generating means disposed in a second predetermined location on said motor vehicle for receiving said first signal thereby enabling said receiver and signal generating means to generate a second signal and for receiving said low powered signal transmitted by said device when such cellular telephone is disposed within a predetermined radius, thereby activating said receiver and signal generating means for generating said second signal when said first signal and said low powered signal are both received by said receiver and signal generating means;

(c) a message unit disposed in a third predetermined location for receiving said second signal and for transmitting a message to such cellular telephone, disposed within said predetermined radius, telling such cellular telephone user to remove such cellular telephone from such driver'"'"'s area of such motor vehicle;

(d) a phase reversal generator and transmitter disposed on such motor vehicle at a fourth predetermined location for receiving said second signal transmitted by said receiver and signal generating means and for generating and transmitting a reverse phase power output signal for a predetermined radius when said phase reversal generator and transmitter is activated by said second signal;

wherein said predetermined radius of said reverse phase power output signal from said phase reversal transmitter is at least sufficient to prevent any cellular telephone transmission within said predetermined radius when said phase reversal transmitter is transmitting said reverse phase power output signal.