Driver electronic device automatic deactivation system and method

• US 9,386,142 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2012
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dean A. Craine
• Original Assignee: Dean A. Craine
• Inventors: Craine, Dean A
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US13/715,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20130157574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/414.4, 455/418, 455/412.2, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/79, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.9, 455/345
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• 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 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A system and method of automatically prevents a cellular telephone operated by a driver from receiving or transmitting text and email messages while driving a motor vehicle. The system includes a first Bluetooth transceiver located inside a motor vehicle configured to create a link, such as a piconet, with a compatible second Bluetooth receiver located in the cellular telephone that has text and email messaging capabilities. The cellular telephone includes a software program loaded into its memory designed to automatically disable the device'"'"'s text and mail messaging capabilities when the link is created. Upon entering and starting the motor vehicle, the link is established, which automatically blocks or deactivates the telephone'"'"'s transmission and receiving message capabilities. In one embodiment, the software program provides a menu page that allows the driver to selectively turn ON or OFF different features when the two transceivers are linked. Access to the menu page may be controlled by passwords.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone used by a driver operating a moving motor vehicle configured to send and receive text or email messages and also configured to automatically link with a first Bluetooth transceiver located in the motor vehicle and coupled to a motor audio entertainment system so that telephone calls to or from said cellular telephone are heard through said audio entertainment system, said cellular telephone, comprising:

a. a display;

b. a second Bluetooth transceiver located inside said cellular telephone that automatically links to and creates a piconet with said first Bluetooth transceiver when said cellular telephone is operated in said motor vehicle;

c. a software program that automatically discontinues the receipt and transmission of text messages or email messages to and from said cellular telephone when said piconet is formed between said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver;

d. at least one password menu page presented on said display configured by said software program; and

,

e. wherein when said cellular telephone is operated inside said motor vehicle and said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver automatically pair and create a piconet and telephone calls to said cellular telephone are heard through said audio entertainment system, and the receipt or transmission of text messages or email messages on said cellular telephone is also blocked or disabled.

2. A cellular telephone used by a driver operating a moving motor vehicle configured to send and receive text or email messages and also configured to automatically link with a first Bluetooth transceiver located in the motor vehicle and coupled to a motor audio entertainment system so that telephone calls to said cellular telephone are heard through said audio entertainment system, said cellular telephone, comprising:

a. a display;

b. a second Bluetooth transceiver located inside said cellular telephone that automatically links to and creates a piconet with said first Bluetooth transceiver when said cellular telephone is operated in said motor vehicle;

c. a software program that automatically discontinues the receipt and transmission of text messages or email messages to and from said cellular telephone when said piconet is formed between said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver;

d. an exception menu page presented by said software program that lists at least one telephone number or at least one email address of a receiver or sender that may receive or send a telephone call, a text message or an email message, and;

e. wherein when said cellular telephone is operated inside said motor vehicle and said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver automatically pair and create a piconet, telephone calls to said cellular telephone are heard through said audio entertainment system, and the receipt and transmission of text messages or email messages on said cellular telephone is blocked or disabled.

3. A system for automatically blocking or disabling by the receipt or transmission of text messages or email messages on a cellular telephone link to the motor vehicle'"'"'s audio entertainment system so that telephone calls are heard through said audio entertainment system, the system comprising;

a. a motor vehicle with an audio entertainment system;

b. a first Bluetooth transceiver located in said motor vehicle and connected to said audio entertainment system, said first Bluetooth transceiver configured to automatically send and receive telephone calls in a hands free manner through said audio entertainment system when paired to a Bluetooth-enabled cellular telephone operated inside said motor vehicle;

c. a cellular telephone operated by a driver with a second Bluetooth transceiver configured to pair and create a piconet with said first Bluetooth transceiver when said cellular telephone is operated inside said motor vehicle and automatically send and receive telephone calls in a hands free manner through said audio entertainment system when said second Bluetooth transceiver is paired to said first Bluetooth transceiver, said cellular telephone includes a display; and

,

d. a software program activated in said cellular telephone, said software program configured to automatically block or disable the receipt and transmission of text messages or email messages on said cellular telephone when a piconet is created between said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver, said software program configured to present an exception menu page that lists at least one telephone number or at least one email address of a receiver or sender that may receive or sent a text message or email message to said cellular telephone.

4. A method for blocking or disabling the receipt and/or transmission of text messages or email messages by a cellular telephone linked to a motor vehicle'"'"'s audio entertainment system enabling telephone calls to be heard in a hands free manner through said motor vehicle'"'"'s audio entertainment system coupled to a first Bluetooth transceiver, said method comprises the following steps:

a. selecting a cellular telephone with memory, a display, and a second Bluetooth transceiver configured to automatically pair with said first Bluetooth transceiver when operated in the vicinity;

b. loading a software program into said memory of said cellular telephone, said software program configured to automatically block or disable text messaging or email messages on said cellular telephone when a piconet is created between said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver, said software program configured to present an exception menu page on said display that lists at least one telephone number or at least one email address of a receiver or sender who may receive or sent a voice telephone message, a text message or email message to said cellular telephone, and,

c. transporting said cellular telephone operated by a driver to said motor vehicle thereby causing said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver to pair and create a piconet so that telephone calls to and from said cellular telephone are transmitted through said audio entertainment system while said software program blocks or disables text messaging or email messages on said cellular telephone.

5. A system for automatically blocking or disabling by the receipt or transmission of text messages or email messages on a cellular telephone link to the motor vehicle'"'"'s audio entertainment system so that telephone calls are heard through said audio entertainment system, the system comprising;

a. a motor vehicle with an audio entertainment system;

b. a first Bluetooth transceiver located in said motor vehicle and connected to said audio entertainment system, said first Bluetooth transceiver configured to automatically send and receive telephone calls in a hands free manner through said audio entertainment system when paired to a Bluetooth-enabled cellular telephone operated inside said motor vehicle;

c. a cellular telephone operated by a driver with a second Bluetooth transceiver configured to pair and create a piconet with said first Bluetooth transceiver when said cellular telephone is operated inside said motor vehicle and automatically send and receive telephone calls in a hands free manner through said audio entertainment system when said second Bluetooth transceiver is paired to said first Bluetooth transceiver, said cellular telephone includes a display; and

,

d. a software program activated in said cellular telephone, said software program configured to automatically block or disable the receipt and transmission of text messages or email messages on said cellular telephone when a piconet is created between said first Bluetooth transceiver and said second Bluetooth transceiver, said software program configured to present a password menu page on said display enabling a user to selectively activate or deactivate said software program.