Method and apparatus for automatic mobile communications restriction

• US 9,066,210 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2012
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Morley, Dorothy Beau, Kalita, Samantha J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHUONG, DAI
• Application Number:
  US13/624,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20140087708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455418-419, 455440-441, 4554561-4564, 455/457, 455/575.9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Methods and related systems monitor a mobile communications device to determine if it is in a moving vehicle. If the device is determined to be in a moving vehicle, a database is accessed. The database contains information on locally imposed restrictions on usage of mobile communications devices while driving. The obtained information is used to impose appropriate communication restrictions on the mobile device. As long as the mobile communications device continues to be in the moving vehicle, its geographical location is monitored and, if it is determined that the device has entered a new geographical location, the database is again accessed and the restrictions are modified accordingly.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a time interval as a function of estimated travel time or estimated travel distance for arrival of a mobile communications device disposed in a moving vehicle at a next geographic location having different communication restrictions including legislatively enacted restrictions on usage of the mobile communications device while disposed in the moving vehicle in a geographical area than at a current location where the mobile communications device is positioned, wherein the time interval is determined by;

calculating a proximity to a boundary border between the current location and the next geographic location;

calculating a direction of travel of the vehicle with respect to the boundary border, including determining whether the vehicle is moving towards, away, or parallel to the boundary border;

calculating a speed of travel of the vehicle;

calculating a soonest possible time that the vehicle reaches the boundary border based on the calculated proximity to the boundary border, the calculated direction of travel with respect to the boundary border, and the calculated speed of the vehicle; and

setting the time interval such that the time interval is scheduled for the calculated soonest possible time that the vehicle reaches the boundary border;

determining a geographical location of the mobile communications device disposed in the moving vehicle and that the geographical location of the mobile communications device is at the next geographic location at the determined time interval;

after determining the geographical location of the mobile communications device is at the next geographic location, obtaining information relating to the communication restrictions on the mobile communications device, the communication restrictions due to the mobile communications device being in the moving vehicle and specific to the next geographic location; and

controlling communications of the mobile communications device in accordance with the obtained communication restrictions on the mobile communications device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining the information from a network-accessed database containing information on communication restrictions on a mobile communications device, due to being in a moving vehicle, over various geographical locations.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring the geographical location of the mobile communications device and modifying the communication restrictions imposed on the mobile communications device in response to determining that the mobile communications device has entered a new geographical location in which different communication restrictions are imposed on the mobile communications device due to being in the moving vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the mobile communications functions include at least one of voice call, video call, web browsing, text messaging, or instant messaging.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling communications of the mobile communications device comprises:

upon determining that hands-free operation is restricted from the obtained communication restrictions, preventing operation of the mobile communications device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling communications of the mobile communications device comprises:

upon determining that the mobile communications device is used to place an emergency communications call preventing the communication restrictions from being imposed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimated travel time or estimated travel distance for arrival is based on at least one of:

road conditions, weather conditions, or the road or area being traveled.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications restrictions include legislatively enacted restrictions on usage of the mobile communications device disposed in the moving vehicle that are different from a previous locality where the mobile communications device was positioned.

9. A system comprising:

a mobile device monitor arranged to;

determine a time interval as a function of estimated travel time or estimated travel distance for arrival of a mobile communications device disposed in a moving vehicle at a next geographic location having different communication restrictions including legislatively enacted restrictions on usage of the mobile communications device while disposed in the moving vehicle in a geographical area than at a current location where the mobile communications device is positioned, wherein the time interval is determined by;

calculating a proximity to a boundary border between the current location and the next geographic location;

calculating a direction of travel of the vehicle with respect to the boundary border, including determining whether the vehicle is moving towards, away, or parallel to the boundary border;

calculating a speed of travel of the vehicle;

calculating a soonest possible time that the vehicle reaches the boundary border based on the calculated proximity to the boundary border, the calculated direction of travel with respect to the boundary border, and the calculated speed of the vehicle; and

setting the time interval such that the time interval is scheduled for the calculated soonest possible time that the vehicle reaches the boundary border;

determine a geographical location of the mobile communications device disposed in the moving vehicle and that the geographical location of the mobile communications device is at the next geographic location at the determined time interval; and

a mobile device controller arranged to;

obtain information relating to the communication restrictions imposed on the mobile communications device, the communication restrictions due to the mobile communications device being in the moving vehicle and specific to the next geographical location,

control communications of the mobile communications device in accordance with the obtained communication restrictions on the mobile communications device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile device controller is further arranged to obtain the information from a database containing information on communication restrictions imposed on the mobile communications device, due to being in the moving vehicle, over various geographical locations.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile device monitor is further arranged to monitor the geographical location of the mobile communications device and in response to determining that the mobile communications device has entered a new geographical location in which different communication restrictions are imposed on the mobile communications device due to being in the moving vehicle, prompt the mobile device controller to revise the communication restrictions imposed on the mobile communications device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile communications functions include at least one of voice call, video call, web browsing, text messaging, or instant messaging.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile device controller is further arranged to, upon determining that hands-free operation is restricted from the obtained communication restrictions, prevent operation of the mobile communications device.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile device controller is further arranged to, upon determining that the mobile communications device is used to place an emergency communications call, prevent the communication restrictions from being imposed on the communications device.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the mobile device monitor is arranged to determine the estimated travel time or estimated travel distance for arrival based on road conditions, weather conditions, and the road or area being traveled.