Driver Electronic Device Automatic Deactivation System and Method

• US 20130157574A1
• Filed: 12/14/2012
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean A. Craine
• Original Assignee: Dean A. Craine
• Inventors: Craine, Dean A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,386,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• 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: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• 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 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A system and method of automatically prevents an electronic device operated by a driver from receiving or transmitting text and email messages while driving a motor vehicle. The system includes a first Bluetooth transceiver located inside a motor vehicle that is configured to create a link, such as a piconet, with a compatible second Bluetooth receiver located in the electronic device that has text and email messaging capabilities. The electronic device includes a software program loaded into its memory designed to automatically disable the device'"'"'s text and mail messaging capabilities when the link is created. Upon entering and starting the motor vehicle, the link is established, which automatically blocks or deactivates the device'"'"'s transmission and receiving message capabilities. In one embodiment, the software program provides a menu page that allows the driver to selectively turn ON or OFF different features when the two transceivers are linked. Access to the menu page may be controlled by passwords.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device configured to automatically discontinue the receipt and transmission of text or email messages over a wireless network when driving a motor vehicle equip with a first Bluetooth transceiver, the electronic device, comprising:

a. a second Bluetooth transceiver located inside the electronic device and configured to automatically create a piconet with the first Bluetooth transceiver when the electronic device is activated in the vicinity of the motor vehicle; and

,

b. a software program that automatically discontinues the receipt and transmission of text and email messages over the wireless network by the electronic device when a piconet is created between the first Bluetooth transceiver and the second Bluetooth transceiver.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, therein said electronic device includes memory and said software program is loaded into said memory.

2. A system for automatically controlling the operation of a Bluetooth enabled electronic device when located in the vicinity of a motor vehicle equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver, the system comprising;

a. a motor vehicle;

b. a first Bluetooth transceiver located on or inside the motor vehicle, the first Bluetooth transceiver configured to create a piconet with a second Bluetooth transmitter located in the operational vicinity of the first Bluetooth transceiver;

c. an electronic device with a second Bluetooth transceiver configured to communicate with the first Bluetooth transceiver located in the motor vehicle when the electronic device is located inside the motor vehicle, the second Bluetooth transceiver configured to automatically create a piconet with the first Bluetooth transceiver when electronic device is operated in the operational vicinity of the first Bluetooth transceiver, the electronic device has wireless communication network components that enable the electronic device to receive and transmit voice or data communication signals with a compatible wireless communication network located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle; and

,

d. a software program adapted to selectively disable or inactivate the communication network components in the electronic device when a piconet is created between the first Bluetooth transceiver and the second Bluetooth transceiver.

4. A method for discontinuing the receipt or transmission of text to and from an electronic device configured to communicate with a nearby wireless communication network while driving a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

a. selecting a motor vehicle with a first Bluetooth transceiver located therein, said Bluetooth transceiver configured to communicate with a second Bluetooth transceiver located in a electronic device when the electronic device is in the vicinity of the first Bluetooth receiver and automatically create a piconet between the first Bluetooth transceiver and the second Bluetooth transceiver,

b. selecting an activated electronic device with text message communication capabilities, the electronic device includes a second Bluetooth transceiver adapted to automatically create a piconet with a first Bluetooth transceiver when the electronic device is in the vicinity of the first Bluetooth transceiver, the electronic device also includes a software program that automatically blocks or deactivates the text message communication capabilities of the electronic device with a piconet is created between the first Bluetooth receiver and the second Bluetooth receiver;

c. transporting the electronic device into the motor vehicle to be driven by a user of the electronic device; and

,

d. activating the motor vehicle and the first Bluetooth transceiver thereby automatically creating a piconet between the first Bluetooth transceiver and the second Bluetooth transceiver, and blocking or deactivating the text message communication capabilities on the electronic device.