Method and System for Communicating Status or Warning Regarding Mobile Device Functions

• US 20120220284A1
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Tadayon, Saied, Halavi, Maryam
• Granted Patent: US 9,338,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/21 for calibration; for correcting measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver'"'"'s seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.

Claims

1. A method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system, said method comprising:

a first antenna of said mobile communication system receiving or transmitting voice or data communication via a wireless network;

communicating a first code between a first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver and said mobile communication system via a second antenna or transceiver of said mobile communication system, at an in-range vicinity of said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver;

wherein said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver is outside of said first mobile communication system;

determining a first in-range event, based on a first wireless signal transmitted between said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver and said second antenna or transceiver;

marking a first set of one or more functions or available choices related to said voice or data communication corresponding to said first mobile communication system for modification, based on said first in-range event; and

in case of a usage or attempted usage of a first function or available choice of said first set of one or more functions or available choices related to said voice or data communication via said first mobile communication device by a user, communicating a message or warning about said usage or attempted usage of said first function or available choice by said first mobile communication system.

2. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning comprises a marked status of said first function or available choice related to said voice or data communication.

3. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated to said user, said user'"'"'s parent, said user'"'"'s employer, an authority, police, or a designated entity or person.

4. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is stored in a computing device or a memory device.

5. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is received by a central server.

6. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning comprises time-stamp or number of occurrences of said usage or attempted usage.

7. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning comprises a status of a vehicle associated with said first short-range wireless transmitter.

8. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said status of said vehicle comprises one or more of following:

speed of said vehicle, detected weather condition, or detected road condition.

9. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is based on one or more attributes of said user, wherein said one or more attributes are stored in a memory or storage unit.

10. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated via one or more of following:

text, telephone call, ring, audio, multimedia, movies, video, siren, vibration, light, flashing light, predetermined message, or customized message.

11. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising:

sending or receiving communications via first antenna of said first mobile communication system, using a second function or available choice related to said voice or data communication corresponding to said first mobile communication system;

wherein said second function or available choice is not in said first set of one or more functions or available choices related to said voice or data communication.

12. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated from a controller module in a vehicle associated with said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver.

13. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated from said first mobile communication system.

14. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated from a voice or data service provider.

15. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning regarding a function or available choice for a mobile communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said message or warning is communicated to a predetermined person, entity, or device periodically.

16. A method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system, said method comprising:

a first antenna of said mobile communication system receiving or transmitting voice or data communication via a wireless network;

communicating a first code between a first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver and said mobile communication system via a second antenna or transceiver of said mobile communication system, at an in-range vicinity of said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver;

wherein said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver is outside of said first mobile communication system;

determining a first in-range event, based on a first wireless signal transmitted between said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver and said second antenna or transceiver;

determining an identity of a user associated with said mobile communication system, based on an identification of said mobile communication system;

querying one or more attributes or rules associated with said user;

wherein said one or more attributes or rules are stored in a database;

determining a status of a vehicle associated with said first short-range wireless transmitter or transceiver; and

based on said first in-range event, said status of said vehicle, and said one or more attributes or rules, communicating a message or warning.

17. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated to said user, said user'"'"'s parent, said user'"'"'s employer, an authority, police, or a designated entity or person.

18. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is stored in a computing device or a memory device.

19. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is received by a central server.

20. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning comprises time-stamp.

21. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning comprises said status of said vehicle.

22. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 21, wherein said status of said vehicle comprises one or more of following:

speed of said vehicle, detected weather condition, or detected road condition.

23. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated via one or more of following:

text, telephone call, ring, audio, multimedia, movies, video, siren, vibration, light, flashing light, predetermined message, or customized message.

24. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated from a controller module in said vehicle.

25. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated from said first mobile communication system.

26. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated from a voice or data service provider.

27. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said message or warning is communicated to a predetermined person, entity, or device periodically.

28. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said database is in said mobile communication system.

29. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said database is in a controller module associated or in said vehicle.

30. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said database is accessible via a network associated with a voice or data service provider.

31. The method for communicating a message, status, or warning using a mobile communication system as recited in claim 16, wherein said method comprises:

transmitting said status of said vehicle via a wireless link.