System for selectively disabling cell phone text messaging function

• US 8,401,578 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric Inselberg
• Original Assignee: Eric Inselberg
• Inventors: Inselberg, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAHEED, KHALID W
• Application Number:
  US12/802,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20110294465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.4, 455/152.1, 455/151.4, 455/151.1, 455/297, 455/345, 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 455/99, 455/3.03, 455/414.1, 455/403, 340/904, 340/938, 340/426.16, 340/426.22, 340/472, 340/4.6, 340/5.72, 701/36, 701/45, 701/49, 701/53
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• 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 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks

Abstract

A selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system prevents a vehicle occupant from text messaging while driving. Other occupants of the vehicle can text message using their cell phones. The driver'"'"'s cell phone text messaging functionality is turned off by a signal broadcasting system as the driver enters the vehicle through the driver-side door. When the driver exits the vehicle through the driver-side door, the cell phone resumes its texting capability, preserving text messaging functionality while the driver is not operating the vehicle.

Claims

1. For use in a motor vehicle having a driver door providing access for a driver, a selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system, comprising a signal broadcasting system and a cell phone, and wherein:

a. said cell phone has a selectively deactivatable text messaging functionality and comprises;

i. a sensor adapted to receive characteristic signals from said signal broadcasting system;

ii. a central processing unit in communication with said sensor and including an internal memory configured to store machine executable instructions, said central processing unit being operable to execute said instructions to detect and process said characteristic signals and to enable and disable said text messaging functionality; and

b. said signal broadcasting system comprises an emitter configured to emit characteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate said driver door, said signal broadcasting system being activated upon opening of said driver door, first and second characteristic signals being emitted during alternate activations of said signal broadcasting system; and

c. said cell phone is configured to;

i. detect said first characteristic signal received by said sensor;

ii. disable said text messaging functionality in response to detection of said first characteristic signal;

iii. thereafter to detect a second characteristic signal received by said sensor; and

iv. re-enable said text messaging functionality in response to detection of said second characteristic signal,

d. said broadcast signal is a simple signal that commands said cell phone text messaging functionality off during entry through said driver door and turns on said cell phone text messaging functionality during exit through said driver door; and

e. said signal broadcasting system turns on a dash indicator light in the dashboard of said vehicle upon transmission of said first characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns on a phone indicator light in the cell phone upon receipt of said first characteristic signal;

whereby a driver of said motor vehicle is inhibited from text messaging while driving to thereby provide a higher level of safety for the driver and others on the roadway, and cell phones of passengers entering said vehicle through doors other than said driver-side door have text messaging functionality available.

2. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 1, wherein the signal broadcasting system is selected from a modulated radiofrequency signal means, a modulated low power piconet personal area network signal means, or a modulated infrared light signal means.

3. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 1, wherein said first signal further includes one or more first security authentication codes and said second characteristic signal further includes the same one or more second security authentication codes.

4. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 1, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns off said dash indicator light upon transmission of said second characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns off said phone indicator light upon receipt of said second characteristic signal.

5. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 3, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns on a dash indicator light in the dashboard of said vehicle upon transmission of said first characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns on a phone indicator light in the cell phone upon receipt of said first characteristic signal.

6. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 5, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns off said dash indicator light upon transmission of said second characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns off said phone indicator light upon receipt of said second characteristic signal.

7. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 1, wherein the cell phone sensor is permanently turned on regardless the cell phone is turned on or turned off and the passage of a turned off cell phone that is turned off through the driver side vehicle doorway broadcast unit sets a cell phone CPU interrupt so that when the cell phone is turned on inside the vehicle, the text messaging functionality is turned off.

8. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 7, wherein the turned off cell phone is never turned on by the driver and is passed through the driver side door way for a second time as the drive exits the vehicle, the cell phone sensor receives the signal from driver side doorway broadcast unit removing the cell phone CPU interrupt, thereby enabling the text messaging functionality when the driver turns on the cell phone outside the vehicle.

9. A method for deactivating a text messaging functionality of a cell phone carried by a driver operating a motor vehicle assumed to comprise:

(i) a driver door providing access for the driver and (ii) a signal broadcasting system adapted to emit characteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate said driver door, and the cell phone being assumed capable to;

(i) receive and process the characteristic signals and (ii) selectively enable and disable the text messaging functionality, the method comprising;

a. activating said signal broadcasting system to emit a first characteristic signal during a first opening of said driver door;

b. first detecting with said cell phone said emission of said first characteristic signal;

c. disabling said text messaging functionality of said cell phone in response to said first detecting of said first characteristic signal;

d. thereafter, activating said signal broadcasting system to emit a second characteristic signal during the next subsequent opening of said driver door;

e. second detecting with said cell phone said emission of said second characteristic signal; and

f. re-enabling said text messaging functionality of said cell phone in response to said second detecting of said emission of said second characteristic signal;

where said first characteristic signal comprises a first authentication code and said second characteristic signal comprises a second authentication code; and

said first and second activation codes are changed at each activation of said signal broadcasting system to emit a said first characteristic signal.

10. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said cell phone comprises a sensor operative to receive said characteristic signals and a central processing unit in communication with said sensor and comprising executable instructions stored in an internal memory operative to enable and disable said text messaging functionality.

11. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said transmission zone is confined to a region through which said driver enters and exits said motor vehicle.

12. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said signal is a simple signal.

13. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said first and second characteristic signals are substantially identical.

14. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said first detecting comprises processing said first characteristic signal to recover said first authentication code and store it in an internal memory of said cell phone and said second detecting comprises processing said second characteristic signal to recover said second authentication code, and said method comprises comparing said first and second authentication codes, and said re-enabling is carried out only if said first and second authentication codes match.

15. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said activation codes are selected from a repertoire of codes stored by said signal broadcast system.

16. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said cell phone comprises a phone indicator, and said method further comprises activating said phone indicator in response to said first detecting and deactivating said phone indicator in response to said second detecting.

17. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said signal broadcasting system in said vehicle comprises a dash indicator, and said method further comprises activating said dash indicator in response to emission of said first characteristic signal and deactivating said dash indicator in response to s emission of said first characteristic signal.

18. A method as recited by claim 9, wherein said cell phone has an off-state and an on-state and is configured to be turned reversibly from said off-state to said on-state by a user, said sensor and said central processing unit remain operative while said cell phone is in said off-state, said first detecting comprises setting a CPU interrupt in said central processing unit and said second detecting comprises clearing said CPU interrupt, and said method further comprises disabling said text messaging functionality of said cell phone if said phone is turned from said off-state to said on-state while said CPU interrupt is set.

19. A method as recited by claim 9, further comprising resetting said cell phone to enable said text messaging functionality, said resetting being effected by depressing a predetermined set of one or more keystrokes entered on a keypad of said cell phone.

20. A method as recited by claim 9, further comprising resetting said signal broadcasting system such that the next activation of said signal broadcasting system emits a said first characteristic signal.

21. For use in a motor vehicle having a driver door providing access for a driver, a selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system, comprising a signal broadcasting system and a cell phone, and wherein:

a. said cell phone has a selectively deactivatable text messaging functionality and comprises;

i. a sensor adapted to receive characteristic signals from said signal broadcasting system;

ii. a central processing unit in communication with said sensor and including an internal memory configured to store machine executable instructions, said central processing unit being operable to execute said instructions to detect and process said characteristic signals and to enable and disable said text messaging functionality; and

b. said signal broadcasting system comprises an emitter configured to emit characteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate said driver door, said signal broadcasting system being activated upon opening of said driver door, first and second characteristic signals being emitted during alternate activations of said signal broadcasting system; and

c. said cell phone is configured to;

i. detect said first characteristic signal received by said sensor;

ii. disable said text messaging functionality in response to detection of said first characteristic signal;

iii. thereafter to detect a second characteristic signal received by said sensor; and

iv. re-enable said text messaging functionality in response to detection of said second characteristic signal,

d. said signal broadcasting system turns on a dash indicator light in the dashboard of said vehicle upon transmission of said first characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns on a phone indicator light in the cell phone upon receipt of said first characteristic signal;

whereby a driver of said motor vehicle is inhibited from text messaging while driving to thereby provide a higher level of safety for the driver and others on the roadway, and cell phones of passengers entering said vehicle through doors other than said driver-side door have text messaging functionality available.

22. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein the signal broadcasting system is selected from a modulated radiofrequency signal means, a modulated low power piconet personal area network signal means, or a modulated infrared light signal means.

23. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein said broadcast signal is a simple signal that commands said cell phone text messaging functionality off during entry through said driver door and turns on said cell phone text messaging functionality during exit through said driver door.

24. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein said first signal further includes one or more first security authentication codes and said second characteristic signal further includes the same one or more second security authentication codes.

25. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 23, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns on a dash indicator light in the dashboard of said vehicle upon transmission of said first characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns on a phone indicator light in the cell phone upon receipt of said first characteristic signal.

26. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns off said dash indicator light upon transmission of said second characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns off said phone indicator light upon receipt of said second characteristic signal.

27. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns off said dash indicator light upon transmission of said second characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns off said phone indicator light upon receipt of said second characteristic signal.

28. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 21, wherein the cell phone sensor is permanently turned on regardless the cell phone is turned on or turned off and the passage of a turned off cell phone that is turned off through the driver side vehicle doorway broadcast unit sets a cell phone CPU interrupt so that when the cell phone is turned on inside the vehicle, the text messaging functionality is turned off.

29. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 28, wherein the turned off cell phone is never turned on by the driver and is passed through the driver side door way for a second time as the drive exits the vehicle, the cell phone sensor receives the signal from driver side doorway broadcast unit removing the cell phone CPU interrupt, thereby enabling the text messaging functionality when the driver turns on the cell phone outside the vehicle.