Method and apparatus for providing intelligent deactivation of electronic devices in aircraft

• US 8,160,577 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Locate Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Abraham, Charles, Bailin, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHAI MINH
• Application Number:
  US11/207,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20070042765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,433 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/410, 455/411, 4554561-4566, 455/431, 455/414.1, 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 455/431
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically deactivating an electronic device during flight of an aircraft. The method utilizes a global positioning system (GPS) or assisted global positioning system (AGPS) circuit to facilitate computing the acceleration, velocity and altitude of the electronic device and comparing this information to a profile to determine whether the acceleration, altitude and velocity meets a profile threshold of an airliner taking off. If the profile is that of the take-off of an aircraft, then the circuitry connected to the GPS/AGPS circuit will be deactivated.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electronic device comprising:

processing satellite positioning system signals to determine at least one motion parameter of the electronic device;

wherein the at least one motion parameter is altitude;

comparing the at least one motion parameter to a threshold; and

in response to the comparison, deactivating at least a transmitter portion of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is at least one of a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or computer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the satellite positioning system is at least one of GPS, Galileo or Glonass.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step further comprises:

receiving satellite signals;

receiving assistance data; and

using the assistance data and satellite signals to determine a position of the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising processing the position to determine the at least one motion parameter.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the entire electronic device is deactivated.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the electronic device is a cellular telephone transceiver.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein a receiver portion of the electronic device remains active and a transmitter portion of the electronic device is deactivated.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

while the transmitter portion is deactivated, processing satellite positioning system signals to determine at least one motion parameter to a threshold; and

in response to the comparison, reactivating the transmitter portion of the electronic device that was previously deactivated.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein deactivating the transmitter portion of the electronic device further comprises deactivating a transceiver portion of the electronic device, and wherein the transceiver portion of the electronic device further comprises the transmitter portion.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating a GPS receiver portion of the electronic device.

12. Apparatus for operating an electronic device comprising:

a satellite signal receiver for processing satellites positioning system signals to determine position information for the electronic device; and

a processor, coupled to the satellite signal receiver, for determining at least one motion parameter of the electronic device form the position information, wherein the at least one motion parameter is altitude, comparing the at least one motion parameter to a threshold, and, in response to the comparison, deactivating at least a transmitter portion of the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the electronic device is at least one of a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or computer.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the satellite positioning system is at least one of GPS, Galileo or Glonass.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein satellite signal receiver comprises:

a first circuit for receiving satellite signals;

a second circuit for receiving assistance data; and

a processing circuit for using the assistance data and satellite signals to determine a position of the electronic device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the processing circuit is used for processing the position to determine the at least one motion parameter.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the entire electronic device is deactivated.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the portion of the electronic device is a cellular telephone transceiver.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a receiver portion of the electronic device remains active and a transmitter portion of the electronic device is deactivated.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

while the transmitter portion is deactivated, the satellites signal receiver processes satellite positioning system signals to determine at least one motion parameters of the electronic device, compares the at least one motion parameter to a threshold, and, in response to the comparison, reactivates the transmitter portion of the electronic device that was previously deactivated.