Controlling mobile device functions

• US 8,315,617 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: BTPatent, LLC
• Inventors: Tadayon, Saled, Halavi, Maryam
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, Willaim D
• Application Number:
  US12/610,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20110105097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,116 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/456.3, 455/456.4
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/21 for calibration; for correcting measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver'"'"'s seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.

Claims

1. A system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone, said system comprising:

one or more wireless sensors or detectors, located in a vehicle;

said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determine relative or absolute position or coordinate of said mobile phone; and

a controller,

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is within a first range, said controller receives a message indicating in-range status for said mobile phone, and said controller disables a first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said in-range status for said mobile phone;

wherein said first range is in vicinity of position for operating or driving said vehicle;

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is outside of a second range, said controller or said mobile phone enables said first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said second range;

wherein said first range and said second range are within said vehicle.

4. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said first range and said second range are the same.

5. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said first function or available choice on said mobile phone comprises receiving or sending texting capability for said mobile phone.

6. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller reassigns some or all functions of said mobile phone to a second mobile phone.

7. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller reassigns some or all functions of said mobile phone to two or more other mobile phones.

8. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller forwards some or all of text or voice messages of said mobile phone to two or more other mobile phones.

9. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller is located inside said mobile phone.

10. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller is located inside said vehicle.

11. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller or said mobile phone enables said first function or available choice on said mobile phone, based on an expiration of a time period.

12. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said controller checks status of ignition and status of gear box or driving mode of said vehicle.

13. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1, said system further comprising:

a short-range wireless module, a passive or active radio-frequency identification module, or an antenna module.

14. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said one or more rules associated with said in-range status or said one or more rules associated with said outside-range status are stored, maintained, or updated in a database, remote location, central location, computer, personal digital assistant, smart phone, smart card, magnetic card, storage, array of disks, memory device, memory stick, optical disk, read-only-memory, magnetic media, or server.

15. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1,

wherein said one or more rules associated with said in-range status or said one or more rules associated with said outside-range status are maintained, updated, designed, assigned, or set, through a user interface or graphical user interface, by local government, federal government, parents, business owner, manager at work, police, court, user, or driver.

16. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1, said system further comprising:

a security or biometrics module.

17. The system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone as recited in claim 1, said system further comprising:

telephones and users location and identification module;

rule priority and combination logic module;

features ranges module; and

manual control and override module.

2. A system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone, said system comprising:

one or more wireless sensors or detectors, located in a vehicle;

said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determine relative or absolute position or coordinate of said mobile phone; and

a controller,

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is within a first range, said controller receives a message indicating in-range status for said mobile phone, and said controller enables a first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said in-range status for said mobile phone;

wherein said first range is in vicinity of position for operating or driving said vehicle;

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is outside of a second range, said controller or said mobile phone disables said first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said second range;

wherein said first range and said second range are within said vehicle.

3. A system for modifying functions or available choices on a mobile phone, said system comprising:

one or more wireless sensors or detectors, located in a vehicle;

said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determine relative or absolute position or coordinate of said mobile phone; and

a controller,

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is within a first range, said controller receives a message indicating a first in-range status for said mobile phone, and said controller disables a first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said first in-range status for said mobile phone;

wherein said first range is in vicinity of position for operating or driving said vehicle;

in response to said one or more wireless sensors or detectors determining that said mobile phone is within a second range, said controller receives a message indicating a second in-range status for said mobile phone, and said controller or said mobile phone enables said first function or available choice on said mobile phone, according to one or more rules associated with said second range;

wherein said first range and said second range are within said vehicle.