Method and system for using a supervisory device with a mobile device

• US 9,699,645 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kid Case Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kid Case Incorporated
• Inventors: Einzig, David, Durand, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Diaby, Moustapha
• Application Number:
  US14/449,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20150038133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• 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: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system are provided for monitoring and controlling a mobile device using a supervisory device. In some embodiments, the supervisory device operates in conjunction with the mobile device to monitor an extent of usage of the mobile device as well as to ensure that certain software is being used appropriately. The supervisory device may take one or more responsive actions when an extent of usage of the mobile device reaches a threshold extent of usage, when certain software on the mobile device is not being used appropriately, and/or when certain settings of the mobile device have been changed. The supervisory device may operate in a non-permissible mode and determine that the mobile device is currently enabled. In response to this operation and determination, the supervisory device may disable the mobile device and/or transmit to an external device a notification message.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a mobile device via a supervisory device, the method comprising:

the supervisory device operating in a non-permissible operation mode, wherein the supervisory device is configured to operate in either a permissible operation mode or the non-permissible operation mode, and wherein the supervisory device comprises a case that substantially surrounds the mobile device;

the supervisory device determining that the mobile device is currently enabled; and

in response to the supervisory device operating in the non-permissible mode and the supervisory device determining that the mobile device is currently enabled, the supervisory device mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory device maintains a countdown timer, the method further comprising:

the supervisory device operating in the permissible mode when the timer has remaining time; and

the supervisory device operating in the non-permissible mode when the timer has no remaining time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the case comprises a cover with at least one sensor embedded therein that is configured to determine when the cover is closed upon the mobile device, the method further comprising:

the supervisory device determining via the at least one sensor that the cover is closed upon the mobile device; and

in response to the supervisory device determining that the cover is closed upon the mobile device, the supervisory device pausing the countdown timer.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor comprises one more sensors selected from the group consisting of:

a magnetic sensor, a light sensor, and a proximity sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a timer that defines blocked periods in which it is desired that the mobile device not be used;

the supervisory device operating in the permissible mode when the timer indicates that it is not in a blocked period; and

the supervisory device operating in the non-permissible mode when the timer indicates that it is in a blocked period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory device determining that the mobile device is currently enabled comprises:

the supervisory device receiving from the mobile device a signal indicative of the mobile device being currently enabled.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory device is electrically coupled to the mobile device via a headphone jack on the mobile device, and wherein the supervisory device determining that the mobile device is currently enabled comprises the supervisory device measuring a voltage at the headphone jack and determining that the measured voltage exceeds a threshold voltage level.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the mobile device comprises a button that, when depressed, operates to disable the mobile device,

wherein the case comprises a mechanism operable to depress the button, and

wherein the supervisory device mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device comprises the supervisory device operating the mechanism to depress the button.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mechanism is a solenoid.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a screen, and

wherein mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device comprises manipulating the screen such that viewing of the mobile device through the screen is inhibited.

11. A supervisory device comprising:

a case adapted to substantially surround a mobile device; and

one or more computing devices coupled to the case, the one or more computing devices being configured to carry out operations including;

operating in a non-permissible operation mode,

determining that the mobile device is currently enabled, and

in response to operating in the non-permissible mode and determining that the mobile device is currently enabled, mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device.

12. The supervisory device of claim 11, wherein the operations further include:

maintaining a countdown timer,

operating in a permissible mode when the timer has remaining time, and

operating in the non-permissible mode when the timer has no remaining time.

13. The supervisory device of claim 11, wherein the operations further include:

maintaining a timer that defines blocked periods in which it is desired that the mobile device not be used,

operating in a permissible mode when the timer indicates that it is not in a blocked period, and operating in the non-permissible mode when the timer indicates that it is in a blocked period.

14. The supervisory device of claim 11, wherein the case comprises a cover with at least one sensor embedded therein that is configured to determine when the cover is closed upon the mobile device, wherein the operations further include:

determining via the at least one sensor that the cover is closed upon the mobile device, and

in response to determining that the cover is closed upon the mobile device, pausing a countdown timer.

15. The supervisory device of claim 11, wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to be electrically coupled to the mobile device via a headphone jack on the mobile device, and wherein determining that the mobile device is currently enabled comprises measuring a voltage at the headphone jack and determining that the measured voltage exceeds a threshold voltage level.

16. The supervisory device of claim 11,

wherein the case comprises a mechanism operable to depress a button on a mobile device disposed within the case, and

wherein mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device comprises operating the mechanism to depress the button.

17. The supervisory device of claim 11, wherein the case comprises a screen, and

wherein mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device comprises manipulating the screen such that viewing of the mobile device through the screen is inhibited.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium (CRM) having program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to carry out functions comprising:

operating in a non-permissible operation mode,

determining that a mobile device is currently enabled, and

in response to operating in the non-permissible mode and determining that the mobile device is currently enabled, mechanically engaging the mobile device via a case that substantially surrounds the mobile device so as to disable the mobile device.

19. The CRM of claim 18, wherein the functions further comprise:

maintaining a timer,

operating in a permissible mode when either (i) the timer has remaining time, or (i) when the timer indicates that it is not in a blocked period,

operating in the non-permissible mode when either (i) the timer has no remaining time, or (ii) when the timer indicates that it is in a blocked period.

20. The CRM of claim 18, wherein mechanically engaging the mobile device via the case so as to disable the mobile device comprises operating a mechanism within the case so as to depress a button on the mobile device.