Apparatus and method for disabling RF signal transmissions from wireless network modems

• US 7,813,763 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeoTrac International Inc.
• Original Assignee: GeoTrac International Inc.
• Inventors: Nasr, Amr Khaled
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Danh C
• Application Number:
  US11/859,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/557, 455/556.1, 340/438, 342/357.06
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for disabling radio frequency signal transmissions from a wireless communications network modem when in proximity to sites where explosive devices are being detonated. The apparatus includes an input switch to signal a command to the modem to disable the transmitter portion of the modem or to tune the transmitter to a null gateway on the wireless communications network. By disabling transmissions from the modem, accidental detonation of explosive devices is prevented When the modem is moved a safe distance away from the explosive devices, the transmitter is re-enabled automatically.

Claims

1. A method for disabling radio frequency (“

RF”

) signal transmissions from a global positioning system (“

GPS”

) modem operatively mounted in a motor vehicle, said GPS modem comprising an RF transmitter, a microprocessor, a memory, at least one external signal input port and at least one output signal port, said GPS modem further configured for storing user-defined parameters for the operation of said GPS modem, said method being embodied on a computer-readable medium such that, when implemented on a general purpose computer operatively connected to said GPS modem, said general purpose computer is capable of programming said GPS modem to carry out the method of disabling RF signal transmissions therefrom upon receiving a modem disable signal on said at least one external signal input port, the computer-readable medium characterized by;

a) a code segment for determining if the ignition of said vehicle is turned off;

b) a code segment for determining if the ignition of said vehicle is turned on and if said vehicle is stationary;

c) a code segment for determining if the ignition of said vehicle is turned on and if said vehicle is moving; and

d) a code segment for disabling RF signal transmissions from said GPS modem if a modem disable signal is received on said at least one external signal input port.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer readable medium is further characterized by a code segment for providing a visual indication that said GPS modem has been disabled from transmitting RF signals.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer readable medium is further characterized by a code segment for re-enabling RF signal transmissions from said GPS modem once said GPS modem has moved at least a predetermined distance from the location where said GPS modem was disabled from transmitting RF signals.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said computer readable medium is further characterized by a code segment for storing said predetermined distance as a user-defined parameter on said memory.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer readable medium is further characterized by a code segment for disabling RF signal transmissions from said GPS modem by disabling an RF transmitter disposed on said GPS modem.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer readable medium is further characterized by a code segment for of disabling RF signal transmissions from said GPS modem by tuning said RF transmitter to a non-existent or null satellite telecommunications gateway.