Method and system for selectively limiting wireless communication in a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. A transmission device configured to selectively limit operation of a portable electronic communication device, comprising:
- a transceiver selectively coupled to a power supply, wherein upon being coupled to the power supply the transmission device is configured to transmit an activation signal that communicates with a portable electronic communication device, wherein the portable electronic communication device is configured to execute a control software application that limits functionality if a detected condition of the portable electronic communication device violates a predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality; and
one or more motion sensors configured to detect physical activity of a vehicle, wherein upon detecting physical activity of the vehicle, the one or more motion sensors couple the power supply to the transceiver.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a communication system that selectively limits functionality of one or more portable electronic communication devices. More particularly, in one embodiment the apparatus for selectively limiting functionality may comprise a transmission device comprising a transmitter configured to transmit an activation signal to an activation radius. The transmission device may further comprise one or more motion sensors configured to provide power from a battery to the transmission device upon physically detecting activity (e.g., motion, vibration) of a vehicle. The activation signal allows the transmission device to communicate with a plurality of portable electronic communication devices that detects a condition of the portable electronic communication devices and that execute a control software application that limits functionality if the detected condition violates the predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A transmission device configured to selectively limit operation of a portable electronic communication device, comprising:
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a transceiver selectively coupled to a power supply, wherein upon being coupled to the power supply the transmission device is configured to transmit an activation signal that communicates with a portable electronic communication device, wherein the portable electronic communication device is configured to execute a control software application that limits functionality if a detected condition of the portable electronic communication device violates a predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality; and one or more motion sensors configured to detect physical activity of a vehicle, wherein upon detecting physical activity of the vehicle, the one or more motion sensors couple the power supply to the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A transmission device configured to selectively limit operation of a portable electronic communication device, comprising:
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a transmission device housing; a battery comprised within the transmission device housing and configured to provide power; a transceiver comprised within the transmission device housing and selectively coupled to the battery, wherein upon being coupled to the battery the transceiver is configured to transmit an activation signal that communicates with a portable electronic communication device, wherein the portable electronic communication device is configured to execute a control software application that limits functionality if a detected condition of the portable electronic communication device violates a predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality; and a receiver configured to receive two or more confirmation signals from two or more portable electronic communication devices that are within an activation radius of the activation signal; wherein upon reception of the two or more confirmation signals, the transmission device is configured to query the portable electronic communication devices that provided the two or more confirmation signals to determine which portable electronic communication device is a vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A transmission device configured to selectively limit operation of a portable electronic communication device, comprising:
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a transceiver selectively coupled to a power supply, wherein upon being coupled to the power supply the transceiver is configured to transmit an activation signal that communicates with a portable electronic communication device, wherein the portable electronic communication device is configured to execute a control software application that limits functionality if a detected condition of the portable electronic communication device violates a predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality; and one or more motion sensors configured to detect physical activity of a vehicle, wherein upon detecting physical activity of the vehicle, the one or more motion sensors are configured to couple a battery to the transceiver to provide power to the transceiver to generate the activation signal; wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with multiple portable electronic communication devices within an activation radius of the activation signal.
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Specification