System and method for controlling communication modes of a personal communication device traveling in a vehicle

• US 8,559,981 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tieman, Craig A., Bolduc, Timothy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US13/118,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20120309296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.4, 455/419, 455/418
• US Class Current: 455/456.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A system and method for controlling communication modes of a personal communication device traveling in a vehicle. The system includes a communication center configured to provide communication services, a personal communication device (PCD) configured to communicate with the communication center, and a controller installed in a vehicle. The communication center is configured to selectively disable any of the PCD communication modes when the PCD is residing or traveling in the vehicle. Which communication modes are disabled may be based on a customer profile. The system and method provide a way for a parent to limit the communication modes of PCD used by their child, especially when the child is traveling in and presumably operating a particular vehicle such as the family car. The system and method may also be used by employers to limit the PCD communication modes available to employees operating company vehicles.

Claims

1. A system for controlling communication modes of a personal communication device traveling in a vehicle, said system comprising:

a communication center configured to provide communication services;

a personal communication device configured to communicate data via one or more communication modes, wherein the personal communication device is configured to determine a device location of the personal communication device, and equipped with a first long-range transceiver configured to communicate the device location to the communication center via at least one of the communication modes; and

a controller installed in a vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to determine a vehicle location of the vehicle, and equipped with a second long-range transceiver configured to communicate the vehicle location to the communication center,

wherein the communication center is further configured to selectively disable any of the personal communication device communication modes when the device location and the vehicle location coincide.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a determination of which of the plurality of communication modes is disabled is based on a customer profile.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the customer profile is communicated to the communication center by a customer data center.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the personal communication device is equipped with a first short range transceiver configured to transmit a communication device identity code of the personal communication device,

the controller is equipped with a second short range transceiver configured to receive the communication device identity code when the personal communication device is residing in the vehicle, and

the communication center is further configured to determine that the personal communication device is traveling in the vehicle when the controller transmits the communication device identity code to the communication center.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein

the controller is further configured to determine a travel status of the vehicle and communicate the travel status to the communication center, and

the communication center is further configured to determine which of the communication modes are disabled based on the travel status.

6. The system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of vehicle speed.

7. The system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of a selected gear of the vehicle transmission.

8. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to determine a travel status of the vehicle, and

the communication center is further configured to determine which of the communication modes are disabled based on the travel status.

9. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of vehicle speed.

10. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of a selected gear of the vehicle transmission.

11. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the controller is equipped with a second short range transceiver configured to transmit a vehicle identity code of the controller,

the personal communication device is equipped with a first short range transceiver configured to receive the vehicle identity code when the personal communication device is residing in the vehicle, and

the communication center is further configured to determine that the personal communication device is traveling in the vehicle when the personal communication device transmits the vehicle identity code to the communication center.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein

the controller is further configured to determine a travel status of the vehicle and communicate the travel status to the personal communication device,

the personal communication device is further configured to communicate the travel status to the communication center, and

the communication center is further configured to determine which of the communication modes are disabled based on the travel status.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of vehicle speed.

14. The system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the travel status is based on an indication of a selected gear of the vehicle transmission.

15. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the communication center is further configured to determine which of the communication modes are disabled based on the time of day.