APPARATUS FOR AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING A MOBILE COMMUNICATOR

• US 20100197351A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Charles T., Garmany, Douglas L., Ewell, Robert C. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,437,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of a plurality of functions are disabled. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied.

Claims

1. A mobile communicator comprising:

a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality;

a display;

a notification mechanism for alerting a user;

a user interface configured for allowing a user to enter a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputs associated with an alphanumeric combination of numbers and letters;

a transmitter in operable communication with the user interface and configured to send a transmission from the mobile communicator to a destination corresponding with the destination input;

a receiver capable of receiving a transmission from a transmitting device; and

an enabling system;

wherein the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, a voice to text interface, a text messaging interface, an image messaging interface, a video messaging interface, an internet browser, an image capturer, a voice capturer, a video capturer, a GPS graphical map viewer, an inertial navigation system, a game player, a video player, a digital music player, an alarm clock, a digital memo pad, a digital calendar, a two-way radio, an e-book reader, an electronic contact rolodex, and a calculator is disabled;

wherein the mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete; and

wherein a logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, the voice to text interface, the text messaging interface, the image messaging interface, the video messaging interface, the internet browser, the image capturer, the voice capturer, the video capturer, the GPS graphical map viewer, the inertial navigation system, the game player, the video player, the digital music player, the alarm clock, the digital memo pad, the digital calendar, the two-way radio, the e-book reader, the electronic contact rolodex, and the calculator become enabled, when a speed detection system of the mobile communicator determines that the mobile communicator is moving at a speed that is less than a setpoint speed.

2. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the speed detection system selected from the group consisting of GPS, triangulation, multilateration, vehicle diagnostics, inertial navigation, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

3. The mobile communicator of claim 2, wherein the speed detection system is deactivated until a second condition is met.

4. The mobile communicator of claim 3, wherein the second condition is that a user attempts to activate the text messaging interface.

5. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator is a communicator selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, an IPAD®

, a tablet, a mobile computer, a BLACKBERRY®

, an IPHONE®

, and a GPS device.

6. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator is attachable to a separate signal generating device.

7. The mobile communicator of claim 6, wherein the signal generating device is configured to determine the speed of the mobile communicator and send a speed signal to the mobile communicator.

8. The mobile communicator of claim 6, wherein the signal generating device is configured to determine the speed of the mobile communicator and send an enabling signal to the mobile communicator if the speed is less than a certain setpoint speed.

9. The mobile communicator of claim 6, wherein a separate attachable device is attachable between the signal generating device and the mobile communicator, wherein the separate attachable device is configured to convert signals sent by the kit to the mobile communicator into a format that is receivable and discernable by the mobile communicator.

10. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein a speed sensing system of the mobile communicator is configured to enter into a “

sleep mode”

automatically.

11. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein a speed sensing system of the mobile communicator is configured to enter into a “

sleep mode”

wherein the speed sensing system is disabled until an activating event.

12. The mobile communicator of claim 11, wherein the activating event is the mobile communicator receiving a call, and wherein the mobile communicator is configured to provide a message to a caller.

13. The mobile communicator of claim 6, wherein the separate signal generating device is connected to a vehicle diagnostic system.

14. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator is automatically enabled by the enabling system for a predetermined amount of time after an emergency communication is made by the mobile communicator.

15. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator stores a log of enabled and disabled functions.

16. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator stores a log of incoming and transmitted signals that take place and the corresponding enabled and disabled functions at the time of the incoming and transmitted signals.

17. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator stores a log of at least one of incoming and transmitted signals that take place and the mobile communicator stores a log of a determination of whether the mobile communicator is moving at a speed that is less than a setpoint speed at the time of the incoming and transmitted signals.

18. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein data stored on the mobile communicator is remotely removable.

19. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator is programmable with at least one pre-authorized destination device, and wherein the mobile communicator is only communicable with the at least one pre-authorized destination device.

20. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator is programmable with at least one pre-authorized destination device, and wherein an alert is sent to a controlling authority when the mobile communicator communicates with a non-authorized destination device.

21. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the enabling system is configured to enable at least one function based on a span of time in a day.

22. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicator forwards a communication to another device when the mobile communicator is in the initial default disabled state.

23. The mobile communicator of claim 1, further comprising a voice translator for converting voice inputs to text, wherein the mobile communicator is configured to enable voice inputs to text when the mobile communicator is in the initial default disabled state.

24. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the initial default disabled state includes at least one enabled function and where the condition disables the at least one enabled function.

25. The mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to the enabled state when the user inputs an voluntary override command.

26. A mobile communicator, comprising:

a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the Mobile Communicator and providing the Mobile Communicator with functionality;

a display;

a notification mechanism for alerting a user;

a user interface configured for allowing a user to enter a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputs associated with an alphanumeric combination of numbers and letters;

a transmitter in operable communication with the user interface and configured to send a transmission from the mobile communicator to a destination corresponding with the destination input;

a receiver capable of receiving a transmission from a transmitting device; and

an enabling system;

wherein the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, a voice to text interface, a text messaging interface, an image messaging interface, a video messaging interface, an internet browser, an image capturer, a voice capturer, a video capturer, a GPS graphical map viewer, an inertial navigation system, a game player, a video player, a digital music player, an alarm clock, a digital memo pad, a digital calendar, a two-way radio, an e-book reader, an electronic contact rolodex, and a calculator is disabled;

wherein the mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete; and

wherein a logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, the voice to text interface, the text messaging interface, the image messaging interface, the video messaging interface, the internet browser, the image capturer, the voice capturer, the video capturer, the GPS graphical map viewer, the inertial navigation system, the game player, the video player, the digital music player, the alarm clock, the digital memo pad, the digital calendar, the two-way radio, the e-book reader, the electronic contact rolodex, and the calculator become enabled, when a hands-free mode of the mobile communicator is activated.

27. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein a logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, the voice to text interface, the text messaging interface, the image messaging interface, the video messaging interface, the internet browser, the image capturer, the voice capturer, the video capturer, the GPS graphical map viewer, the inertial navigation system, the game player, the video player, the digital music player, the alarm clock, the digital memo pad, the digital calendar, the two-way radio, the e-book reader, the electronic contact rolodex, and the calculator become enabled, when the mobile communicator is moving at a speed that is less than a setpoint speed.

28. The mobile communicator of claim 27, wherein the speed is determined by a system selected from the group consisting of GPS, triangulation, multilateration, vehicle diagnostics, inertial navigation, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

29. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator is a communicator selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, an IPAD®

, a tablet, a mobile computer, a BLACKBERRY®

, an IPHONE®

, and a GPS device.

30. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator is attachable to a separate signal generating device.

31. The mobile communicator of claim 30, wherein the signal generating device is configured to determine the speed of the mobile communicator and send a speed signal to the mobile communicator.

32. The mobile communicator of claim 30, wherein the signal generating device is configured to determine the speed of the mobile communicator and send an enabling signal to the mobile communicator if the speed is less than a certain setpoint speed.

33. The mobile communicator of claim 30, wherein a separate attachable device is attachable between the signal generating device and the mobile communicator, wherein the separate attachable device is configured to convert signals sent by the kit to the mobile communicator into a format that is receivable and discernable by the mobile communicator.

34. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein a speed sensing system of the mobile communicator is configured to enter into a “

sleep mode”

automatically.

35. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein a speed sensing system of the mobile communicator is configured to enter into a “

sleep mode”

wherein the speed sensing system is disabled until an activating event.

36. The mobile communicator of claim 35, wherein the activating event is the mobile communicator receiving a call, and wherein the mobile communicator is configured to provide a message to a caller.

37. The mobile communicator of claim 30, wherein the separate signal generating device is connected to a vehicle diagnostic system.

38. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator is automatically enabled by the enabling system for a predetermined amount of time after an emergency communication is made by the mobile communicator.

39. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator stores a log of enabled and disabled functions.

40. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein data stored on the mobile communicator is remotely removable.

41. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator is programmable with at least one pre-authorized destination device, and wherein the mobile communicator is only communicable with the at least one pre-authorized destination device.

42. The mobile communicator of claim 41, wherein the mobile communicator is programmable with at least one pre-authorized destination device, and wherein an alert is sent to a controlling authority when the mobile communicator communicates with a non-authorized destination device.

43. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the enabling system is configured to enable at least one function based on a span of time in a day.

44. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the mobile communicator forwards a communication to another device when the mobile communicator is in the initial default disabled state.

45. The mobile communicator of claim 26, further comprising a voice translator for converting voice inputs to text, wherein the mobile communicator is configured to enable voice inputs to text when the mobile communicator is in the initial default disabled state.

46. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein a volume of at least one function is automatically adjusted when the hands free mode is activated.

47. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the hands free mode is activated automatically when the mobile communicator is moving at a speed that is above a setpoint speed.

48. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the hands free mode additionally disables at least one function.

49. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein a button activates the hands free mode of the mobile communicator.

50. The mobile communicator of claim 26, wherein the initial default disabled state includes at least one enabled function and where the condition disables the at least one enabled function.

51. A mobile communicator comprising:

a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality;

a display;

a notification mechanism for alerting a user;

a user interface configured for allowing a user to enter a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputs associated with an alphanumeric combination of numbers and letters;

a transmitter in operable communication with the user interface and configured to send a transmission from the mobile communicator to a destination corresponding with the destination input;

a receiver capable of receiving a transmission from a transmitting device; and

an enabling system;

wherein the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, a voice to text interface, a text messaging interface, an image messaging interface, a video messaging interface, an internet browser, an image capturer, a voice capturer, a video capturer, a GPS graphical map viewer, an inertial navigation system, a game player, a video player, a digital music player, an alarm clock, a digital memo pad, a digital calendar, a two-way radio, an e-book reader, an electronic contact rolodex, and a calculator is disabled;

wherein the mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete; and

wherein a logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the display, the notification mechanism, the user interface, the transmitter, the receiver, the voice to text interface, the text messaging interface, the image messaging interface, the video messaging interface, the internet browser, the image capturer, the voice capturer, the video capturer, the GPS graphical map viewer, the inertial navigation system, the game player, the video player, the digital music player, the alarm clock, the digital memo pad, the digital calendar, the two-way radio, the e-book reader, the electronic contact rolodex, and the calculator become enabled, when the mobile communicator receives an enabling signal from a third party source that is separate from the mobile communicator.