Systems, devices and methods for vehicles

• US 9,707,928 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mill Mountain Capital LLC
• Original Assignee: Mill Mountain Capital LLC
• Inventors: Skelton, Clay
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUD, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US14/797,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20160068135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 737 Days
• Field of Search: 701 2, 701301, 455410, 4554122, 455418, 340438, 340439
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• 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 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 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices, systems and methods for use in vehicle operations. In some examples, the devices, systems and methods described herein can be used to permit safe operation of a vehicle where the vehicle operator may have one or more mobile devices in their possession.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a vehicle operator from sending text messages while operating the vehicle, the method comprising:

coupling a mobile device to the vehicle through a hard wired or wireless connection to permit operation of the vehicle, the hard wired connection comprising a circuit comprising a processor, the processor configured to prohibit starting of the vehicle when the mobile device is not coupled to the circuit and allow starting of the vehicle when the mobile device is coupled to the circuit, in which the processor permits starting of the vehicle when the mobile device is coupled to the circuit and is an authorized mobile device; and

disabling text messaging of the mobile device to prevent sending of text messages while the mobile device is coupled to the vehicle through the hard wired or wireless connection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the text messaging by rendering the mobile device dumb.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the text messaging by deactivating an interface screen of the mobile device or a keyboard of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a second mobile device to the vehicle to permit operation of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the mobile device to the vehicle through a coupler electrically coupled to an electrical system of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a status of the mobile device when it is coupled to the circuit.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the mobile device to the vehicle to permit shifting of the vehicle into drive.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the mobile device for hands free calling when the mobile device is coupled to the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the mobile device to receive a unique identifier to permit operation of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the mobile device to receive user specific information remotely.

11. A method of permitting hands free phone calls from a mobile device while operating a vehicle and preventing text messaging from the mobile device while operating the vehicle, the method comprising coupling the mobile device to vehicle through a hard wired connection or wireless connection between the mobile device and a processor of the vehicle to permit starting of the vehicle, permitting starting of the vehicle if the coupled mobile device is identified as an authorized mobile device, configuring user specific parameters based on the coupled mobile device to permit the user specific parameters to be operable during coupling of the mobile device to the vehicle, and monitoring whether the mobile device remains coupled to the vehicle during operation of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising disabling the text messaging by deactivating the text messaging capability of the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising disabling the text messaging by deactivating an interface screen of the mobile device or a keyboard of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling a second mobile device to the vehicle to permit operation of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling the mobile device to the vehicle through a coupler electrically coupled to an electrical system of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 11, further altering the user specific parameters of the coupled mobile device remotely from the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling the mobile device to the vehicle to permit shifting of the vehicle into drive.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising configuring the mobile device for hands free calling through a Bluetooth®

unit of the vehicle when the mobile device is coupled to the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising configuring the mobile device to receive a unique identifier from a remote transmitter to permit operation of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising configuring the mobile device to receive user specific information from a remote transmitter.