Method and apparatus for controlling input to a mobile computing device located inside a vehicle

• US 9,681,361 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2016
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luciano Tuluca
• Original Assignee: Invictus Technology Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuluca, Luciano
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Alex C
• Application Number:
  US15/231,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20160374002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A wireless transmission system is provided that includes a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter. The system includes a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal. The mobile computing device includes a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device. The processor is configured to run an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold. The processor is further configured to detect if the application is disabled.

Claims

1. A wireless transmission system comprising:

a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and

a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device, the processor being configured to run an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold, the processor being further configured to detect if the application is disabled, wherein the processor sends an alert if the application is disabled.

2. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor creates a log of each time the application is disabled.

3. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 2, wherein the log includes dates and times when the application is disabled.

4. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein the alert is sent to a previously established owner contact.

5. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein the alert is sent to a third party.

6. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 5, wherein the third party is an insurance company.

7. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 5, wherein the third party is an entity responsible for managing a number of vehicles and drivers.

8. A wireless transmission system comprising:

a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and

a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device, the processor running an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold, the processor creating a log that includes the vehicle parameter when the input device is disabled.

9. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8, wherein the vehicle parameter is speed of the vehicle.

10. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8, wherein the transmission apparatus is in communication with an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to detect the vehicle'"'"'s GPS location, the log including the vehicle'"'"'s GPS location when the input device is disabled.

11. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to detect the mobile computing device'"'"'s GPS location, the log including the mobile computing device'"'"'s GPS location when the input device is disabled.

12. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8, wherein the log includes dates and times when the input device is disabled.

13. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8, wherein the transmission apparatus is in communication with an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to store accident data that is included in the log.

14. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 13, wherein the processor compares the accident data with dates and times when the input device is disabled.

15. A method comprising:

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter to a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal;

running an application using a processor of the mobile computing device;

disabling the input device using the application if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold; and

creating a log using the application, the log including vehicle data at a time when the input device is disabled.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the log includes dates and times when the input device is disabled.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising pairing the application to an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to detect the vehicle data.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the vehicle data includes at least one of engine status, speed of travel and location.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the on board diagnostic system is configured to record accident data, the log including the accident data.