Driver handheld computing device lock-out
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A handheld computing device comprising:
- a motion analyzer configured to detect whether the handheld computing device is in motion beyond a predetermined threshold level;
a scenery analyzer configured to determine whether the handheld computing device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle based on at least one of picture data and video data; and
a lock-out mechanism configured to automatically and selectively disable one or more functions of the handheld computing device based on outputs from the motion analyzer and the scenery analyzer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lock-out mechanisms for driver handheld computing devices. The lock-out mechanisms disable the ability of a handheld computing device to perform certain functions, such as texting, while one is driving. In one embodiment, a handheld computing device can provide a lock-out mechanism without requiring any modifications or additions to a vehicle by using a motion analyzer, a scenery analyzer and a lock-out mechanism. In other embodiments, the handheld computing device can provide a lock-out mechanism with modifications or additions to the vehicle, including the use of signals transmitted by the vehicle or by the vehicle key when engaged with the vehicle.
141 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A handheld computing device comprising:
-
a motion analyzer configured to detect whether the handheld computing device is in motion beyond a predetermined threshold level; a scenery analyzer configured to determine whether the handheld computing device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle based on at least one of picture data and video data; and a lock-out mechanism configured to automatically and selectively disable one or more functions of the handheld computing device based on outputs from the motion analyzer and the scenery analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method comprising:
-
detecting using a handheld computing device whether the handheld computing device is in motion beyond a predetermined threshold level; determining using the handheld computing device whether the handheld computing device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle based on at least one of picture data and video data; and automatically and selectively disabling using the handheld computing device one or more functions of the handheld computing device when both the handheld computing device is detected to be in motion beyond the predetermined threshold level and the handheld computing device is determined not to be located within the safe operating area of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A mobile telephone comprising:
-
a motion analyzer configured to detect whether the mobile telephone is in motion beyond a predetermined threshold level; a scenery analyzer configured to determine whether the mobile telephone is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle based on at least one of picture data and video data; and a lock-out mechanism configured to automatically and selectively disable one or more functions of the mobile telephone based on outputs from the motion analyzer and the scenery analyzer.
-
Specification