Method, system, and structure for disabling a communication device during the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions

• US 6,687,497 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Parvulescu, Adrian, Ellis, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Torres, Marcos L
• Application Number:
  US09/502,650
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/414, 455/409, 379/39.45, 340/426, 307/10.2, 307/10.3
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• 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 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A small transmitter built into the electric system of an environment, either stationary or potentially mobile, transmits a weak RF field capable of at least partially disabling a communication device in response to receiving a trigger signal. The trigger signal is generated by the electric system in response to the presence of one or more so-called “forbidden” conditions that require that the communication device be disabled. Disabling the communication device in this manner prevents the user from using the communication device under inappropriate conditions and thereby operates to greatly enhance public safety. Disabling the communication interface of the communication device may entail disabling all keypad functions of a cellular phone, for instance, disabling all but valid, predetermined emergency uses of the communication interface, or powering-down the communication device during the existence of the condition.

Claims

1. A method of selectively disabling a communication device in an environment, comprising the steps of:

generating a trigger signal indicative of the presence of one or more conditions within the environment for which the communication device is to be disabled;

an RF transmitter within the environment receiving the trigger signal;

the RF transmitter generating a weak RF signal in response to receiving the trigger signal;

the communication device receiving the weak RF signal;

a control element of the communication device disabling the communication device in response to receiving the weak RF signal, wherein disabling the communication device comprises;

determining whether an emergency portion of a communication interface has been programmed;

if the emergency portion has been programmed to automatically dial an emergency number when activated, enabling the emergency portion; and

if the emergency portion has not been programmed to automatically dial an emergency number when activated, powering-down the communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency portion of the communication interface is an emergency key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the emergency key is integral to the communication device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the emergency key is within the environment but is not integral to the communication device.

5. A method of selectively disabling a communication device in an environment, comprising the steps of:

the communication device receiving the weak RF signal generated in response to the presence of one or more conditions for which the communication device is to be disabled;

a control element of the communication device disabling the communication device in response to receiving the weak RF signal, wherein disabling the communication device comprises;

determining whether an emergency portion of a communication interface has been programmed;

if the emergency portion has been programmed to automatically dial an emergency number when activated, enabling the emergency portion; and

if the emergency portion has not been programmed to automatically dial an emergency number when activated, powering-down the communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the emergency portion is an emergency key.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the emergency key is integral to the communication device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the emergency key is within the environment but is not integral to the communication device.