Method and system for using multiple transceivers for controlling mobile communication device functions

• US 9,332,125 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• 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:
  US13/461,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 370/329, 370/203, 370/208, 370/235, 370/252
• 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 where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• 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 using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device, said method comprising:

a mobile communication device communicating with a first transceiver of multiple transceivers;

said mobile communication device communicating with a second transceiver of said multiple transceivers;

wherein said multiple transceivers and said mobile communication device are located inside a vehicle;

determining a first signal power level or range indicator, based on a first wireless signal detected by said first transceiver;

comparing said first signal power level or range indicator with a first set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;

determining a second signal power level or range indicator, based on a second wireless signal detected by said second transceiver;

comparing said second signal power level or range indicator with a second set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;

determining position or coordinate of said mobile communication device with respect to said vehicle, based on comparing step of said first signal power level or range indicator with said first set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator and based on comparing step of said second signal power level or range indicator with said second set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;

receiving one or more zones in said vehicle;

based on step of determining said position or coordinate of said mobile communication device with respect to said vehicle, indicating in-range or out-of-range status of said mobile communication device with respect to said one or more zones in said vehicle;

modifying a first set of one or more functions or available choices for said mobile communication device for a first zone of said one or more zones, based on said in-range or out-of-range status of said mobile communication device with respect to said first zone of said one or more zones.

2. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

said mobile communication device communicating with a third transceiver of said multiple transceivers.

3. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 2, said method comprising:

determining a third signal power level or range indicator, based on a third wireless signal detected by said third transceiver;

comparing said third signal power level or range indicator with a third set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator.

4. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more zones correspond to different seats in said vehicle.

5. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

measuring time differences between signals.

6. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

measuring reflected signals.

7. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

measuring emitted signals.

8. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

using calibrated data for power, voltage, current, time, or distance measurements.

9. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

measuring voltage, current, time, or distance.

10. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

changing functions or parameters in said vehicle.

11. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

monitoring, recording, or tracking said position or coordinate of said mobile communication device inside said vehicle.

12. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mobile communication device is moved from said first zone of said one or more zones to a second zone of said one or more zones.

13. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12, wherein said first zone of said one or more zones overlaps partially with said second zone of said one or more zones.

14. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12, wherein said first zone of said one or more zones overlaps fully with said second zone of said one or more zones.

15. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12, wherein said first zone of said one or more zones does not overlap with said second zone of said one or more zones.

16. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12, said method comprising:

resolving said first zone of said one or more zones with respect to said second zone of said one or more zones.

17. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein all areas inside said vehicle is covered by said multiple transceivers.

18. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

using calibration data to correct for drift in power levels over time.

19. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

using triangulation method for location determination.

20. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1, said method comprising:

finding a blocked transceiver among said multiple transceivers.