Mobile communicator and system

• US 8,995,945 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Charles T., Garmany, Douglas L., Ewell, Jr., Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rego, Dominic E
• Application Number:
  US13/221,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20130052945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/41.5, 455/456.4, 455/456.1, 455/567, 455/401, 455/434, 455/553.1, 455/521, 4551611-1613, 455/550.1, 455/238.1, 455/441, 342/357.2, 342/357.22
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed. The mobile communicator further includes a sleep mode wherein both the speed detection system and a second function of the mobile communicator are disabled. An attempt to use the second function causes the mobile communicator to enable the speed detection system. Further, the mobile communicator includes a disabling circuit configured to disable the second function of the mobile communicator if the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed.

Claims

1. A mobile communicator comprising:

a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed;

a sleep mode wherein the speed detection system of the mobile communicator is disabled, wherein the sleep mode is enacted when a text input interface is not accessed by a user for a predetermined period of time; and

a disabling circuit configured to disable the text input interface of the mobile communicator if the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed.

2. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the speed detection system is an internal GPS device.

3. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the sleep mode is automatically entered into by the mobile communicator after a user does not attempt to use the text input interface for a predetermined period of time.

4. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the sleep mode is manually entered into by a user.

5. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the attempt to use the text input interface causes the mobile communicator to enable the speed detection system, wherein the text input interface remains disabled if the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed.

6. The mobile communicator of claim 1, further comprising a notification system that is configured to notify a user when the mobile communicator is in the sleep mode and when the mobile communicator is being awakened from the sleep mode.

7. The mobile communicator of claim 1, further comprising a message system that is configured to provide a message to a caller that the text input interface is disabled.

8. The mobile communicator of claim 1, further comprising an accessible data storage location for storing data pertaining to the speed of the mobile communicator over time.

9. A system comprising:

a mobile communicator, the mobile communicator including;

a first speed detection system for determining the speed of the mobile communicator;

a sleep mode wherein the first speed detection system of the mobile communicator is disabled, wherein the sleep mode is automatically enabled when a text input interface is not in use for a predetermined period of time, wherein the sleep mode is automatically disabled when the text input interface is in use; and

a disabling circuit configured to disable the text input interface of the mobile communicator if the first speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed.

10. The mobile communicator system of claim 9, further comprising a kit that includes a second speed detection system, wherein the mobile communicator is connectable to the kit such that the secondary speed detection system is configured to determine the speed of the mobile communicator and forward the determination to the mobile communicator, wherein the kit further disables the first speed detection system when the mobile communicator is connected.