Method and system for preventing device operation when driving
First Claim
1. A method for restricting the use of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
- transmitting a signal configured to be transmissible over a body area network (BAN) using a vehicle device, wherein the signal includes vehicle information;
receiving the signal at the portable electronic device through a receiver in the device, the receiver receiving the signal after transmission through the BAN; and
carrying out an action responsive to the received vehicle information,wherein the BAN comprises a biological medium as a signal transmission path, and the biological medium is a human in the position of a passenger of the vehicle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are presented for restricting the use of a portable electronic device by a driver who is operating a vehicle. A body area network (BAN) signal is sent from a vehicle device in the vehicle in close proximity to the driver. The BAN signal is transmitted using the driver'"'"'s biological body as a signal transmission path. The portable electronic device includes a receiver configured to detect the BAN signal when the device is in close proximity to the driver. The portable electronic device is further configured to disable or restrict at least one function in response to detection of the BAN signal, thereby preventing or restricting use of the portable electronic device when the driver is seated in and operating the vehicle.
46 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for restricting the use of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
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transmitting a signal configured to be transmissible over a body area network (BAN) using a vehicle device, wherein the signal includes vehicle information; receiving the signal at the portable electronic device through a receiver in the device, the receiver receiving the signal after transmission through the BAN; and carrying out an action responsive to the received vehicle information, wherein the BAN comprises a biological medium as a signal transmission path, and the biological medium is a human in the position of a passenger of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for restricting the use of a portable electronic device in a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle device within the vehicle, configured to transmit a body area network (BAN) signal, the vehicle device including a BAN electrode mounted in the vehicle in a location having close proximity to a driver, wherein the driver is operating the vehicle; and a controller connected to the BAN electrode and configured to generate and transmit the BAN signal through the BAN electrode, wherein the BAN signal includes vehicle information and instructions for restricting a phone application associated with the portable electronic device to hands-free operation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a processor; a receiver, connected to the processor, and configured to receive a body area network (BAN) signal via a body area network; a phone application; a driver lock-out module having computer-executable instructions which, when executed, configure the processor to; detect receipt of the BAN signal at the receiver, the BAN signal including vehicle information; and
,in response to detection of receipt of the vehicle information signal, restrict the phone application to hands-free operation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A vehicle device for restricting the use of a portable electronic device in a vehicle, comprising:
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a BAN electrode mounted in the vehicle in a location having close proximity to a biological medium; and a controller connected to the BAN electrode and configured to generate and transmit a BAN signal through the BAN electrode, wherein the BAN signal includes vehicle information and instructions for restricting a phone application associated with the portable electronic device to hands-free operation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for restricting the use of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a vehicle device, an indication that the vehicle is in operation; and in response to receiving the indication, transmitting a signal configured to be transmissible over a body area network (BAN) using the vehicle device to the portable electronic device;
wherein the BAN signal includes vehicle information and instructions for restricting a phone application associated with the portable electronic device to hands-free operation. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification