Managing Device Functionality During Predetermined Conditions

• US 20100062788A1
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nagorniak, David B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,712,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Functionality of a mobile device depends on detected speed of the mobile device. Global positioning system (GPS) technology or tower triangulation may be used to estimate the speed of a mobile device. In addition, the geographic location of the mobile device may be estimated. A set of rules regarding when functionality of the mobile device should be limited is accessed and if the mobile device exceeds a threshold speed or is located in a restricted area, selected features of the mobile device are disabled. For example, incoming calls and outgoing calls may be restricted according to local regulations. Other features such as emergency dialing, hands-free operation of the mobile device, and playing audio files (e.g., MP3 music files) may remain functional regardless of the geographic location or estimated speed of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A mobile device suitable for cellular communication, the mobile device comprising:

a speed determination subsystem to estimate a speed of the mobile device;

a processor adapted to disable at least one feature of the mobile device if the estimated speed of the mobile device exceeds a threshold speed.

2. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the speed determination subsystem includes satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) capability.

3. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to estimate the speed of the mobile device using triangulation.

4. A mobile device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a navigation subsystem, wherein the at least one disabled feature does not include navigation features.

5. A mobile device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audio play subsystem, wherein the at least one disabled feature does not include audio play features.

6. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature includes cellular communication.

7. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature includes manual incoming call answering.

8. A mobile device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one disabled feature does not include hands-free incoming call answering.

9. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature does not include hands-free outgoing call dialing.

10. A mobile device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one disabled feature includes outgoing call dialing by hand.

11. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature does not include emergency number dialing.

12. A mobile device according to claim 11, wherein emergency number dialing includes 911 dialing.

13. A mobile device according to the claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature includes sending outgoing text messages.

14. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one disabled feature includes receiving incoming text messages.

15. A mobile device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive an estimated location of the mobile device from a service provider.

16. A mobile device according to claim 15, wherein the estimated location is determined at least in part using triangulation.

17. A mobile device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a location determination subsystem to estimate a geographic location of the mobile device, wherein the processor is adapted to disable at least one feature of the mobile device if the geographic location of the mobile device is within a restricted geographic area.

18. A mobile device according to claim 17, further comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive regulation data indicative of prohibited communication features applicable to the geographic location.

19. A mobile device according to claim 17, wherein the geographic location is a school zone.

20. A method of providing wireless communication services, the method comprising:

dynamically estimating a speed of a wireless communication device; and

modifying availability of a wireless communication service when the estimated speed exceeds a threshold speed.

21. A method according to claim 20, the method further comprising:

dynamically estimating a location of the wireless communication device; and

modifying availability of the wireless communication service based at least in part on the estimated location.

22. A method according to claim 20, further comprising maintaining availability of an emergency number communication service regardless of the estimated speed.

23. A method according to claim 20, further comprising maintaining availability of hands-free features despite the estimated speed exceeding the threshold speed.

24. A method according to claim 20, wherein dynamically estimating a speed of the wireless communication device is performed at least in part by a global positioning system (GPS) network.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein dynamically estimating a speed of wireless communication device is performed local to the wireless communication device using, at least in part, triangulation of the wireless communication device relative to one or more remote transmission towers.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein dynamically estimating a speed of the wireless communication device is performed remotely from the wireless communication device using, at least in part, triangulation of signals received from the wireless communication device by one or more transmission towers.

27. A communication system, comprising:

a speed determination system to estimate a speed of a mobile device;

a processor to modify a feature set of the mobile device if the speed exceeds a threshold speed, wherein the feature set defines communication functionality of the mobile device; and

an automated notification system to provide an indication that the feature set is modified.

28. A communication system according to claim 27, wherein the indication that the feature set is modified is provided to a user of the mobile device.

29. A communication system according to claim 27, wherein the speed determination system is local to the mobile device, and wherein the speed determination system uses a global positioning system network.

30. A communication system according to claim 27, wherein the speed determination system is remote from the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device is enabled to receive speed data from a provider network.

31. A communication system according to claim 27, wherein the speed determination system is local to the mobile device, and wherein the speed determination system communicates with remote transmission towers to estimate the speed of the mobile device using triangulation.

32. A communication system according to claim 27, further comprising:

a position determination system configured to estimate a geographic location of the mobile device; and

a rule system for;

determining whether the mobile device is in a restricted area based on rules data relevant to the geographic location of the mobile device; and

modifying the feature set if the mobile device is in a restricted area.