Method for limiting the use of a mobile communications device

• US 9,060,072 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 10N2 Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cirian Hynes
• Inventors: Hynes, Ciaran, McKenna, Brendan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D
• Application Number:
  US13/331,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/406, 455/441, 455/445, 455/456.1, 340/466, 340/670, 342/357.1, 342/357.22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

A method for limiting the use of a mobile communications device is disclosed. The mobile communications device includes a user interface. The method includes determining the physical speed at which the mobile communications device is travelling. The method includes comparing the physical speed to a preset threshold speed. The method includes limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device if the physical speed thereof is above preset threshold speed.

Claims

1. A method for limiting the use of a mobile communications device, the mobile communications device comprising a user interface, the steps of the method comprising:

determining the physical speed at which the mobile communications device is travelling;

comparing the physical speed to a preset threshold speed;

limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device if the physical speed thereof is above preset threshold speed, presenting a first attention verification test to a user via the user interface;

receiving a first user response to said first attention verification test via the user interface; and

presenting a second attention verification test to said user via the user interface for a second user response after a delay has expired when said first user response fails said first attention verification test.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the method comprises the additional step of:

restoring the functionality of the mobile communications device if an appropriate user response is received.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of increasing the time period of the preset delay if a further inappropriate user response is received.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the first attention verification test comprises a plurality of sub-tests.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2 in which an appropriate user response comprises a plurality of responses received within a preset time limit.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the step of limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device comprises an SAT application substantially monopolizing the user interface.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the step of limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device comprises limiting user-initiated functionality.

8. A method for limiting the use of a mobile communications device equipped with a global positioning service (GPS) receiver, the mobile communications device comprising a user interface, the steps of the method comprising:

determining whether the GPS receiver on the mobile communications device is on or off and limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device if the GPS receiver is off;

determining the physical speed at which the mobile communications device is traveling;

comparing the physical speed to a preset threshold speed;

limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device if the physical speed thereof is above preset threshold speed;

presenting a first attention verification test to a user via the user interface;

receiving a first user response to said first attention verification test via the user interface; and

presenting a second attention verification test to said user via the user interface for a second user response after a delay has expired when said first user response fails said first attention verification test.

9. The method as described in claim 8 wherein the mobile communications device is entirely disabled until the GPS receiver is turned on.

10. A method for limiting the use of a mobile communications device, the mobile communications device comprising a user interface, the steps of the method comprising:

determining the physical speed at which the mobile communications device is travelling;

comparing the physical speed to a preset threshold speed;

limiting the functionality of the mobile communications device if the physical speed thereof is above preset threshold speed by a SIM Application Tool Kit (SAT) application running on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of said mobile communications device so as to prevent a user from over-riding said method, wherein said SAT application running on said SIM is inaccessible by said user;

presenting a first attention verification test to a user via the user interface;

receiving a first user response to said first attention verification test via the user interface; and

presenting a second attention verification test to said user via the user interface for a second user response after a delay has expired when said first user response fails said first attention verification test.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of restoring the functionality of the mobile communications device if an appropriate user response is received.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of increasing the time period of the preset delay if a further inappropriate user response is received.