Safety for mobile device users while driving

• US 7,898,428 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Dietz, David Blaine, Sangary, Nagula Tharma, Simmons, Sean Bartholomew
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US12/043,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 340/670, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 340/669
• US Class Current: 340/670
• 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 1/72457 according to geographic location
• 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 2250/10 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

Abstract

A mobile device configured to have at least one function disabled when a speed of the mobile device exceeds a threshold. The mobile device includes an output component configured to provide a notification related to disabling the at least one function. The mobile device also includes a first input component configured to promote controlling whether to disable the at least one function.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first component configured to;

provide a notification related to disabling at least one function when a speed of the device exceeds a threshold;

provide an option to prevent disabling of the at least one function;

a second component configured to;

receive an override input to activate the option, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which disabling of the at least one function is inactive;

control whether to disable at least one function based on the override input;

wherein disabling the at least one function is prevented when the override input is received within a specified time period of providing the notification.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the notification is at least one of:

a text-based message;

a voice-based message;

an audible alarm;

a visible alarm; and

a tactile alarm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the device does not receive the override input within a specified time period, the at least one function is disabled.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which providing the notification is inactive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one function that is disabled is at least one of:

a capability to provide information on an output interface on the device; and

a capability to input into an input interface on the device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein, when at least one function is disabled, an automated message related to the disabled function is provided to a sender of an incoming message or call.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the disabling of the at least one function is overridden for at least one of:

a call from a pre-specified individual; and

a call designated as urgent.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which the disabling of the at least one function and providing the notification are inactive.

9. A system comprising:

a speed detection component configured to determine a speed at which a device is moving;

a safety component configured to disable at least one function of the device when the speed exceeds a threshold;

a first output component configured to provide a notification related to disabling the at least one function when the speed exceeds the threshold;

a second output component configured to provide an option to prevent disabling of the at least one function;

a first input component configured to receive an override input to enable the option;

an override component configured to override the disabling of the at least one function based on the override input when the override input is received within a specified time period of providing the notification.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which disabling of the at least one function is inactive.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which providing the notification is inactive.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein, when the override input is not received within a specified time period, the at least one function is disabled.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which disabling of the at least one function is prevented and providing the notification is prevented.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which the at least one function is disabled and providing the notification is prevented.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the function that is disabled is at least one of:

a capability to provide information on an output interface on the device; and

a capability to input into an input interface on the device.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein data related to implementation of the safety feature is captured and retained.

17. A method comprising:

determining a speed at which a device is moving;

when the speed exceeds a threshold, providing, by the device, a notification related to activating a safety feature;

providing an option to inactivate the safety feature;

receiving an override input to engage the option, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which the safety feature is deactivated;

controlling whether to activate the safety feature based on the override input.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating the safety feature when the override input is not received within a specified time period and deactivating the safety feature when the override input is received within a specified time period.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the safety feature is at least one of:

a disablement of a user interface on the device;

a disablement of a text-based message sending capability of the device; and

a disablement of a voice-based message sending capability of the device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the override input comprises a time period during which the providing the notification is prevented.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein, when the safety feature is activated an automated message related to the safety feature is provided to a sender of an incoming message or call.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein data related to implementation of the safety feature is captured and retained.