Abstract:
A system for restricting a functionality of a wireless device includes the wireless device and a movement sensor. The movement sensor determines a speed at which the wireless device is moving. The movement sensor transmits a signal when the speed is greater than a predetermined threshold. The signal is at least partially a basis to restrict the functionality, wherein the restriction does not completely disable the functionality.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A wireless device such as a mobile phone may be equipped with various features. One feature may be text messaging. A text messaging feature enables a user to type in a message for transmission to another device to be read. However, much like the use of the mobile phone while driving, text messaging while driving has become one of the major distractive behaviors to cause motor vehicle accidents. As of the year 2009, fourteen states and Washington D.C. have passed a law to ban text messaging while driving. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The exemplary embodiments describe a system for restricting a functionality of a wireless device includes the wireless device and a movement sensor. The movement sensor determines a speed at which the wireless device is moving. The movement sensor transmits a signal when the speed is greater than a predetermined threshold. The signal is at least partially a basis to restrict the functionality, wherein the restriction does not completely disable the functionality. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a wireless device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows a distance detector according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows a method for restricting a text messaging feature according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments describe a system and method for restricting a text messaging feature on a wireless device. Specifically, the text messaging feature is restricted when a movement is detected such as when the wireless device of a driver is located in a vehicle. The text messaging feature, the wireless device, the restriction, the movement detection, and a related method will be discussed in further detail below. 
         [0007]    It should be noted that the following describes the system and method of the exemplary embodiments with respect to a text messaging feature. However, the text messaging feature is used as an exemplary functionality of a wireless device in which the system and method of the exemplary embodiments cover. Thus, the text messaging feature may further exemplify any functionality of the wireless device that may be restricted. 
         [0008]    It should also be noted that the following describes the system and method of the exemplary embodiments with respect to a moving vehicle. However, the restriction of the text messaging feature may be performed in other locations. For example, the text messaging feature may be restricted in an office or school. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a wireless device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. The wireless device  100  may be, for example, a mobile phone. The wireless device  100  may include a variety of functionalities such as a telephone capability, a text messaging functionality, an address book feature, etc. The wireless device  100  may include a base station communication module  105 , a speech/text software package  110 , a wireless transceiver  115 , a downgrading module  120 , an emergency configuration module  125 , an alternate feature module  130 , a log  135 , an encrypted configuration and policy data  140 , a location component  145 , and other modules  150 . 
         [0010]    The base station communication module  105  may be a component to enable the wireless device  100  to communicate with a base station. For example, when the wireless device  100  is a mobile phone, the base station communication module  105  may be a cell phone radio communication module used to communicate with a 2.5/3G wireless base station of a cellular network that provides cellular service to the mobile phone. 
         [0011]    The speech/text software package  110  may enable the wireless device  100  to convert a text message to a speech message or convert a speech message to a text message. As discussed above, the wireless device  100  may be equipped with the text messaging feature. When a text message is received by the wireless device  100 , the speech/text software package  110  may convert the data into an audio message to be played. In relation to a driver of a moving vehicle, an audio message may provide less of a distraction to the user of the wireless device  100 . Furthermore, the speech/text software package  110  may convert audio data received from the user and convert the speech to text to send a text message without requiring a need to key in the message. Likewise, in relation to a driver of a moving vehicle, a speech conversion may provide less of a distraction to the user of the wireless device  100 . 
         [0012]    The wireless transceiver  115  may be a chipset and associated firmware of the wireless device  100  that enables a receiving of a signal to restrict the text messaging feature from a cell phone detection sensor. The wireless transceiver  115  may operate in any known wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. As will be described in further detail below, the restriction of the text messaging feature of the wireless device  100  may work in conjunction with the cell phone detection sensor. 
         [0013]    The downgrading module  120  may be a component of the wireless device  100  that restricts the text messaging feature. When the downgrading module  120  receives an indication that the wireless device  100  is in a moving vehicle, the downgrading module  120  may initiate a restriction protocol that limits the uses of the text messaging feature. As will be discussed in further detail below, the downgrading module  120  may either enable the speech/text option provided by the speech/text software package  110  or disable the text messaging feature entirely. 
         [0014]    The emergency configuration module  125  may be a component of the wireless device  100  that is used when the text messaging feature is restricted. As discussed above, the downgrading module  120  may allow the text messaging feature to be disabled. However, although disabled, the text messaging feature may still be configured to allow select types of text messages to be sent such as for emergency communications. The emergency configuration module  125  may configure soft keys (e.g., touch pad), hard keys (e.g., key pad), or a combination thereof to allow an easy way to send an emergency text message when the text messaging feature is disabled. 
         [0015]    The alternate feature module  130  may be a component of the wireless device  100  that enables an override of the downgrading module  120 . As discussed above, the emergency configuration module  125  may also override the downgrading module  120  to allow emergency text messages to be sent. The alternate feature module  130  may also enable other types of text messages or other types of downgrading options. For example, the emergency configuration module  125  may enable contacting emergency services such as the police or an EMT via text messaging when the text messaging feature has been disabled. The alternate feature module  130  may enable other emergency contacts to be reached when the text messaging feature has been disabled. In another example, the emergency configuration module  125  may enable an override of the downgrading module  120  entirely. For example, if the wireless device  100  is for a user that is part of the emergency services (e.g., police officer, fireman, EMT, etc.), the downgrading of text messaging may be overridden for these authorized users. 
         [0016]    The log  135  and the encrypted configuration and policy data  140  may be a data store of the wireless device  100 . The log  135  may store all changes and audit trails relating to a downgrading of the text messaging feature. The data may include, for example, all text messaging state change requests, actual state change frequencies, etc. The encrypted configuration and policy data  140  may include text messaging policies and current configuration information relating to the wireless device  100 . For example, the downgrading module  120  may include a functionality for a remote downgrading by a non-user of the wireless device  100 . The encrypted configuration and policy data  140  may include the protocol for a remote disabling. 
         [0017]    The location component  145  may include a global positioning system (GPS) chipset  145   a  and a movement detector  145   b . The GPS  145   a  may be an optional module that allows a GPS system to measure a speed of movement relative to the wireless device  100 . Using conventional movement determining algorithms, the GPS  145   a  may provide location data and corresponding time intervals for the speed to be determined. The movement detector  145   b  may detect movement of the wireless device  100  and further calculate a relative speed of the wireless device  100 . The movement detector  145   b  may be any conventional speed determining device such as an accelerometer. 
         [0018]    The above exemplary components of the wireless device  100  may be part of the restricting of the text messaging feature. However, the wireless device  100  may include further modules for respective functionalities that the wireless device  100  may provide. Thus, the other modules  150  may represent exemplary modules that provide the further functionalities. 
         [0019]    According to the exemplary embodiments, the wireless device  100  may include the necessary components to determine whether the text messaging feature is to be restricted. As discussed above, the wireless device  100  may include the location component  145  that may determine a speed at which the wireless device  100  is moving. The speed may be a determining factor that indicates if the text messaging feature is to be restricted. The encrypted configuration and policy data  140  may include a threshold speed at which the downgrading module  120  initiates a protocol to restrict the text messaging feature. 
         [0020]    The restricting protocol may include an initial alert to be displayed. The alert may indicate that the text messaging feature will be restricted in a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.). The alert may be visual, audio, or a combination thereof. Along with the alert may be a prompt to select a type of restriction for the text messaging feature. A first type of restriction may be to disable the text messaging feature of the wireless device  100 . A second type of restriction may be for a speech/text option only in which a keypad entry for a message is disabled. A default option may be automatically chosen if a selection is not made during the predetermined time period. For example, the default option may be to restrict the text messaging feature to the emergency mode. 
         [0021]    In either instance (i.e., disabled or speech/text), the emergency configuration module  125  may allow emergency text messages to be sent. As discussed above, soft keys or hard keys may be preconfigured for the emergency text messages. When the text messaging feature is disabled or the speech/text option is enabled (i.e., keypad entry is no longer viable), the preconfigured keys may become activated. If the emergency mode text messages are used, geo-coordinates may also automatically be sent. The location component  145  may be used to determine the geo-coordinates. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a distance detector  200  according to an exemplary embodiment. The distance detector  200  may be a device installed in a variety of locations. According to the exemplary embodiments in which the text messaging functionality is restricted as a function of speed, the distance detector  200  may be disposed in a vehicle such as an automobile. The distance detector  200  may include a detection range running module  205 , a signal detector  210 , a wireless transceiver  215 , a log  220 , an encrypted configuration and policy data  225 , a communication module  230 , a location component  235 , and other modules  240 . 
         [0023]    The detection range tuning module  205  may be configured to set a range in which the distance detector  200  performs the restricting of the text messaging feature. The detection range tuning module  205  may be equipped with an input device such as a keypad to set a range to detect wireless deices. 
         [0024]    The signal detector  210  may be a component that detects all wireless devices within the range set by the detection range tuning module  205 . Using any range detecting method such as infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RFID), etc., the signal detector  210  may detect a presence of a wireless device or multiple wireless devices from the distance detector  200 . 
         [0025]    The wireless transceiver  215  may be a chipset and associated firmware for the distance detector  200 . The wireless transceiver  215  may transmit signals to wireless devices in range. As will be discussed in detail below, when a speed associated with the wireless device passes a predetermined threshold, the wireless transceiver  215  may receive a signal from the signal detector  210  of a wireless device to transmit a signal to the wireless device to prompt a warning message indicating that the text messaging feature will be restricted. 
         [0026]    The log  220  and the encrypted configuration and policy data  225  may be substantially similar to the log  135  and the encrypted configuration and policy data  140  of the wireless device  100 . Thus, the log  220  and the encrypted configuration and policy data  225  may include all detection history and range change history and contain range detection policies and current configuration information for the distance detector, respectively. 
         [0027]    The communication module  230  may be a component of the distance detector  200  that enables the distance detector  200  to send logs or alerts to a remote device. As discussed above, the exemplary embodiments may enable a remote device to restrict the text messaging feature. The communication module  230  may send a signal to the remote device indicating that the detected wireless device via the signal detector  210  has surpassed the predetermined threshold and may further prompt to restrict the text messaging feature. 
         [0028]    The location component  235  may be substantially similar to the location component  145  of the wireless device  100 . The location component  235  may also include a GPS  235   a  and a movement detector  235   b . Similar to the wireless device  100 , the distance detector  200  may also include further modules for respective functionalities that the distance detector  200  may provide. Thus, the other modules  240  may represent exemplary modules that provide the further functionalities. 
         [0029]    As discussed above, the wireless device  100  may function individually or may work in conjunction with the distance detector  200  to restrict the text messaging feature. When functioning individually, the wireless device  100  may operate according to the above description with respect to  FIG. 1 . When operating in conjunction with the distance detector  200 , the wireless transceiver  215  of the distance detector  200  may transmit a signal to the wireless device  100 . As discussed above, the wireless device  100  may include the wireless transceiver  115  that receives the signal. 
         [0030]    According to the exemplary embodiments, the distance detector  200  may be preinstalled into a vehicle or may be manually installed if the text messaging feature restriction is desired. The distance detector  200  may be installed at a variety of locations. However, since the text messaging feature is to be restricted for a driver of the vehicle, the distance detector  200  is preferably installed on a steering wheel, on a dash board, on a driver&#39;s side door, on a radio board, etc. 
         [0031]    Those skilled in the art will understand that the signal detector  210  may receive signals from a wireless device that is activated. If a wireless device or all communication modules of the wireless device is deactivated, the signal detector  210  would not receive any signals therefrom. Thus, when the signal detector  210  determines that there is at least one wireless device in the predetermined range set by the detection range running module  205  and the location component  235  determines that the wireless device is in a state of movement that surpasses the predetermined threshold stored in the encrypted configuration and policy data  225 , the wireless transceiver  215  may send a signal to the wireless device. 
         [0032]    In a substantially similar manner as when the wireless device  100  solely restricts the text messaging feature, the signal received by the wireless device from the wireless transceiver  215 , an alert may be displayed indicating that the text messaging feature will be restricted in a predetermined time period. With the alert, a prompt may be displayed indicating a selection is to be made whether the text messaging feature is to be restricted or disabled. 
         [0033]    If the text messaging feature is disabled, the text messaging feature is no longer active. If the text messaging feature is restricted, the speech/text option may be activated. Again, whether the text messaging feature is disabled/restricted, the emergency mode text messages may still be active for use. 
         [0034]    It should be noted that the distance detector  200  may only affect those wireless devices that are within the range of the signal detector  210  that is set by the detection range tuning module  205 . If a wireless device is disposed outside the set range, a signal is not received by the transceiver of the wireless device for the subsequent steps to be executed for restricting the text messaging feature. 
         [0035]    The text messaging feature may be restricted using a variety of standardizations. For example, the restriction may be part of a subscription basis. Thus, if a user of the wireless device is a subscribed user, then the above methods may be executed to restrict the text messaging feature. In another example, a global standardization may be used where all wireless devices are configured to restrict the text message feature given predetermined parameters. The subscription basis or the global standardization may enable the remote restriction capability as well. In either instance, the service provider may be contacted by a user of a third device to be notified and/or have control to restrict the text messaging feature. 
         [0036]    It should be noted that the distance detector  200  may be used for other locations. For example, in a court room, mobile device use may be strictly prohibited. Thus, neither telephone capabilities nor text messaging may be allowed. The distance detector  200  may be configured to merely detect wireless devices in a given range (e.g., a size of the court room). When an activated wireless device is detected, the alert and prompt may be transmitted via the wireless transceiver  215  which restricts the text messaging feature. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a method  300  for restricting a text messaging feature according to an exemplary embodiment. The method  300  may apply to when the wireless device is solely configured to restrict the text messaging feature or when the wireless device works in conjunction with the distance detector to restrict the text messaging feature. The method  300  will be described with reference to the wireless device  100  of  FIG. 1  and the distance detector  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]    In step  305 , a movement is detected. In the case where the wireless device  100  determines the speed solely, the location component  145  may detect the movement. In the case where the distance detector  200  is used, the location component  235  may detect the movement. It should be noted that the wireless device  100  may be equipped with the components of  FIG. 1  in addition to the distance detector  200  being used. In such an exemplary embodiment, both location component  145  and the location component  235  may be used to determine the speed. 
         [0039]    In step  310 , a determination is made by the location component  145  and/or  235  whether the detected movement and corresponding speed is beyond a predetermined threshold. As discussed above, the encrypted configuration and policy data  140  and/or  225  may include the predetermined threshold to determine if the wireless device is in a moving vehicle. If the speed is not beyond the predetermined threshold, the method  300  returns to step  310  where the movement is continually determined. 
         [0040]    If the speed is beyond the predetermined threshold, the method  300  continues to step  315  where the alert is displayed on the wireless device  100 . In the exemplary embodiment where the wireless device  100  is solely capable of restricting the text messaging service, the alert may be displayed using appropriate modules of the wireless device  100 . In the exemplary embodiment where the distance detector  200  is used, the alert may be generated by initially transmitting a signal from the wireless transceiver  215  of the distance detector  200  to the wireless transceiver  115  of the wireless device  100 . The signal may indicate that the alert is to be displayed. 
         [0041]    In step  320 , the prompt may also be displayed with the alert using substantially similar means as described above with reference to step  315 . The prompt may further enable a user to select a restriction type for the text messaging feature. Thus, in step  325 , a determination is made whether the option to disable the text messaging feature is selected. If the disable option is chosen, the method  300  continues to step  330  where the text messaging feature is disabled. If the restriction type is selected to be the speech/text mode or no option was selected, the method  300  continues to step  335  where the speech/text mode is initiated on the wireless device  100 . 
         [0042]    As discussed above, whether the text messaging feature is restricted by disabling the feature or activated using the speech/text mode, the emergency mode for the text messaging feature may be activated to enable emergency services to be contacted. 
         [0043]    It should be noted that further steps may be included in the method  300 . For example, as discussed above, the text messaging service may be restricted by a third device. Thus, after step  310 , an additional step may include transmitting (e.g., via the communication module  230 ) a signal to the third device to indicate that the detected wireless device  100  has surpassed the predetermined threshold. Subsequent steps may include sending an alert indicating which restriction type has been selected by the third device. 
         [0044]    In another example, an ultimate step may be to update the log  135  and/or the log  220  of the changes that have occurred with the restricting of the text messaging service. In yet another example, a verification step may be included between steps  305  and  310  in which the encrypted configuration and policy data  140  and/or  225  is referenced to determine if subsequent steps are to be executed. For example, if the wireless device  100  is for a user of an emergency service, all subsequent steps may be bypassed as the text messaging service may never be restricted on that wireless device. 
         [0045]    The exemplary embodiments enable a feature of a wireless device such as text messaging to be restricted. The restriction may be, for example, for a driver of a moving vehicle. Thus, the distraction caused from using the text messaging feature may be limited. The alert/prompt used with the exemplary embodiments may further enable passengers of a moving vehicle to still maintain use of the text messaging feature. The alert/prompt may enable a disablement of the text messaging feature or a restriction of the text messaging feature in which a speech/text mode is enabled, thereby disabling a keypad entry for text messages. Furthermore, an emergency mode may be enabled in which selected keys are used to contact emergency services including geo-coordinates to locate the wireless device transmitting the text message to the emergency services. In addition, the exemplary embodiments may enable a remote restriction for the text messaging feature. 
         [0046]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
         [0047]    Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.