Method and system for modifying mobile device functions

• US 9,325,850 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Tadayon, Saied, Halavi, Maryam
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D
• Application Number:
  US13/461,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 705/14
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/21 for calibration; for correcting measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver'"'"'s seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.

Claims

1. A method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device, said method comprising:

first module receiving a code from a short-range wireless transmitter at an in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter, wherein said first module runs in said mobile communication device and said short-range wireless transmitter is outside of said mobile communication device;

determining a signal power level detected by said mobile communication device from said short-range wireless transmitter;

in case said code indicates an in-range status and said signal power level is above a threshold, setting a configuration data in a memory location in said mobile communication device to modify one function for said mobile communication device; and

a second module modifying said one function for said mobile communication device, based on said configuration data, wherein said second module runs in said mobile communication device;

wherein said mobile communication device comprises a processing unit and a first antenna, wherein said mobile communication device uses said first antenna to wirelessly receive or transmit data or voice communication via a wireless network, and

said one function for said mobile communication device relate to said data or voice communication;

wherein said setting a configuration data step comprises calling an application programming interface of said second module.

2. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises checking or monitoring a hardware module, a firmware module, an operating system module, or a radio frequency module of said mobile communication device.

3. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises notifying via a hardware module, a firmware module, an operating system module, or a radio frequency module of said mobile communication device.

4. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said threshold is set according to said in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter.

5. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said setting a configuration data step is performed by said first module.

6. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first module makes said call to said method or application programming interface.

7. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein in said modifying said one function step, said configuration data is used dynamically.

8. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said modifying said one function step by said second module results in changing a function or choice provided by one or more application modules for voice or data communication.

9. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first module determines a signal power level of said short-range wireless transmitter.

10. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first module runs as background process or task.

11. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first module comprises said second module.

12. The method for modifying one function for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing said data or voice communication or forwarding a subset of said one function to a second communication device.

13. A mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network, said mobile communication system comprising:

a first antenna, wherein said first antenna wirelessly transmits data communication via said wireless network;

a second antenna for detection of a wireless signal from a short-range wireless transmitter at an in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter, wherein said short-range wireless transmitter is outside of said mobile communication system;

a first module, wherein said first module receives a code from said short-range wireless transmitter via said second antenna being at said in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter, wherein a signal power level from said short-range wireless transmitter detected by said second antenna is above a threshold at said in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter; and

one or more applications running on a processing unit in said mobile communication system;

wherein based on receiving said code, one function related to said one or more applications for said data communication in said mobile communication system are modified;

wherein a configuration data is set by calling an application programming interface of a second module.

14. A mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network, said mobile communication system comprising:

a first antenna, wherein said first antenna wirelessly transmits data communication via said wireless network;

a second antenna for detection of a wireless signal from a short-range wireless transmitter at an in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter, wherein said short-range wireless transmitter is outside of said mobile communication system;

a first module, wherein said first module receives an indicator modify one function for said mobile communication system, when a code is communicated wirelessly between said short-range wireless transmitter and said second antenna at said in-range vicinity of said short-range wireless transmitter; and

one or more applications running on a processing unit of said mobile communication system, wherein said one or more applications provide said data communication in said mobile communication system;

wherein based on receiving said indicator, a subset of said one function related to said one or more applications is modified;

wherein a configuration data is set by calling an application programming interface of a second module.

15. The mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network as recited in claim 14, wherein said wireless communication of said code between said short-range wireless transmitter and said second antenna is based on passive or active Radio Frequency Identification.

16. The mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network as recited in claim 14, wherein said indicator is received via said wireless network.

17. The mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network as recited in claim 14, wherein said code is wirelessly transmitted from said short-range wireless transmitter to said second antenna.

18. The mobile communication system for wireless communication in a wireless network as recited in claim 14, wherein a triggering event for receiving said indicator is a signal power level from said short-range wireless transmitter received by said second antenna being above a threshold.