Driving distraction reduction system and method

• US 9,661,126 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith Micro Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Location Labs (Gen Digital Inc.)
• Inventors: Hodges, Daniel, Roumeliotis, Tasos
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TIMOTHY X
• Application Number:
  US14/329,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20160014262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 455419
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• 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 1/724634 With partially locked states, e.g. when some telephonic functional locked states or applications remain accessible in the locked states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A processor-implemented system for automatically controlling the functionality of a mobile device of a driver while driving so as to reduce driving distractions related to the mobile device. The system detects driving and automatically enters a driving mode when driving is detected. The driving mode implements an alternate user interface (UI) that limits interactions with the mobile device in accord with predetermined restrictions. The driving mode can be configured to automatically screen incoming calls and texts while suppressing potentially-distracting notifications. The system implements a PIN-based mechanism that ensures user compliance while enabling an opt-out feature usable under controlled circumstances.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

accessing location data and/or sensor data of a mobile device corresponding to a first user;

determining by a processor that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle based on the location data and/or the sensor data;

disabling at least one function of the mobile device based at least on determining that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle;

receiving an override request from a first user via the mobile device;

generating by the mobile device responsive to the override request a user-actuatable data recording interface on the mobile device configured to enable capturing a photo and/or a video and/or an audio recording;

providing instructions to the first user via the mobile device to capture the photo and/or the video and/or the audio recording responsive to receiving the override request;

capturing by the mobile device the photo and/or the video and/or the audio recording responsive to user actuation of the data recording interface on the mobile device;

transmitting the photo and/or the video and/or the audio recording captured via the user actuation of the data recording interface on the mobile device to a second user;

enabling the at least one function responsive to the override request and the user actuation of the data recording interface.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location and/or a path of the mobile device; and

transmitting the location and/or the path of the mobile device to the second user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

querying the first user for an explanation regarding the override request;

receiving the explanation from the first user via the mobile device; and

transmitting the explanation to the second user from the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a message screen on the mobile device indicating that the at least one function is disabled.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising enabling a screen button and receiving the override request via the screen button.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data and/or the sensor data comprises location data from a global positioning system (“

GPS”

) sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data and/or the sensor data comprises location data derived from handset-based or network-based cell tower triangulation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data and/or the sensor data comprises acceleration data from an accelerometer on the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one function of the mobile device comprises a feature and/or setting and/or capability and/or resource of the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, the mobile device comprising a device control application, wherein disabling the at least one function of the mobile device is performed by the device control application and the disabling comprises limiting voice calling and/or electronic text messaging and/or application execution on the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, the mobile device comprising a device control application, wherein disabling the at least one function of the of the mobile device is performed by the device control application and the disabling comprises partially disabling or completely disabling the at least one function.

12. The method of claim 1, the mobile device comprising a device control application, wherein disabling the at least one function of the mobile device is performed by the device control application and the disabling comprises disallowing communication except to at least one particular predetermined party.

13. The method of claim 1, the user-actuatable data recording interface comprising a photo recording interface and/or a video recording interface.

14. A method comprising:

accessing location data and/or sensor data of a mobile device corresponding to a first user;

determining that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle a plurality of times during a particular time period;

disabling at least one function of the mobile device a plurality of times based at least on determining that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle.

receiving a plurality of override requests from the first user to enable the at least one function during the particular time period;

determining if a first override request meets or exceeds a particular threshold number of override requests;

enabling the at least one function responsive to the first override request not meeting or exceeding the particular threshold number;

determining if a second override request meets or exceeds the particular threshold number of override requests; and

disallowing subsequent override requests after the second override request responsive to the second override request meeting or exceeding the particular threshold number.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a notification to a second user responsive to receiving the first override request.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing a notification of an override status to a second user corresponding to another device;

receiving from the second user via the other device a reset command; and

allowing the subsequent override requests enabling the at least one function responsive to the reset command received from the other device corresponding to the second user.

17. A method comprising:

accessing location data and/or sensor data of a mobile device;

determining by a processor that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle based on the location data and/or the sensor data;

disabling at least one function of the mobile device based at least on determining that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle;

receiving an override request from a first user via the mobile device;

enabling the at least one function responsive to the override request;

after enabling the mobile device, recording user inputs to the mobile device comprising keystrokes and/or texting patterns;

determining that the first user is driving based on the keystrokes and/or the texting patterns to the mobile device; and

re-disabling the at least one function responsive to determining that the first user is driving.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein recording the keystrokes and/or the texting patterns comprises logging text inputs to the mobile device, the method further comprising determining that the first user is driving based on the logged text inputs.

19. A method comprising:

accessing location data and/or sensor data of a mobile device;

determining by a processor that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle based on the location data and/or the sensor data;

disabling at least one function of the mobile device based at least on determining that the mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle;

receiving an override request from a first user via the mobile device;

receiving driving schedule data corresponding to the first user;

determining whether the first user is driving based on the driving schedule data and a time that the override is requested;

enabling the at least one function responsive to the override request and the driving schedule data relative to the time that the override is requested.