Dual-mode vehicle mobile phone disabler

A system prevents operation of a land vehicle having an interior when a communication functionality of a mobile phone is in use within the interior. The system includes a power source and a dual-mode mobile phone disabler including a processor powered by the power source and an antenna operably connected to the processor. Before the vehicle is on, the antenna detects a communication signal from the mobile phone within the interior when the communication functionality including communication with a cell site is in use. In response, the processor prevents the vehicle from being turned on until the antenna detects no use of the communication functionality. The communication signal indicates use of the communication functionality. After the vehicle is on, the processor, via the antenna, periodically communicates with the mobile phone within the interior to keep disabled the communication functionality. When the vehicle is off, the antenna ceases to communicate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mobile communication devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dual-mode vehicle mobile phone disabler.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones are widely used for communication and entertainment. Mobile phone use while driving is common, but frequently dangerous. Due to the number of accidents that are related to mobile phone use while driving, some jurisdictions have made the use of a mobile phone while driving illegal. Others have enacted laws to ban handheld mobile phone use, but allow use of a headset. In some cases restrictions are only directed to minors or those who are newly qualified license holders.

Unfortunately though, penalties resulting from violation of such laws are relatively lax and do not serve as a sufficient deterrent. Also, inadequate law enforcement, partially resulting from a recent economic downturn and continuing terrorist threat, contributes to violations of such laws. Furthermore, when operating a vehicle, many individuals hide the mobile phone when a law enforcement officer is nearby and resume its use when the law enforcement officer is away.

To reduce the number of accidents that are related to mobile phone use while driving, some mobile phone makers have incorporated voice activated features into the mobile phones. However, the software enabling the voice activated features is inadequate. Also, the voice activated features often cause a vehicle operator, especially a new driver or a minor learning how to drive, to become distracted during vehicle operation. Moreover, new drivers or minors learning how to drive often do not have the skills required to operate a vehicle proficiently on top of the complexities of operating a mobile communication device.

Similarly, driving while using a headset is often not safer than using a mobile phone as the increased cognitive workload involved in holding a conversation, not the use of hands, causes the increased risk. Hence, many individuals still operate vehicles, while using a mobile phone, thus endangering themselves and others.

Although some methods of reducing mobile phone use within a vehicle have been developed, the methods suffer from various drawbacks. For example, some signal scrambling devices are somewhat helpful in reducing mobile calls during vehicle operation, but illegal according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Also, signal scramblers are inadequate in effectively reducing the use of mobile phones for entertainment purposes, such as video games.

Accordingly, more efficient ways of dealing with at least the foregoing disadvantages are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is an object of an example embodiment of the present invention to provide a system, which effectively disables at least one communication functionality of a mobile phone before operating a vehicle. Accordingly, an example embodiment of the present invention is a dual-mode vehicle mobile phone disabler installed in a vehicle. The disabler enables a vehicle ignition system upon confirming that the mobile phone is not in use and at least one communication functionality except for emergency functionality is self-disabled by the mobile phone.

It is another object of another example embodiment of the present invention to provide a system, which effectively maintains disabled at least one communication functionality of a mobile phone during operation of a vehicle. Accordingly, an example embodiment of the present invention is a dual-mode vehicle mobile phone disabler installed in the vehicle. The disabler maintains disabled at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone during operation of the vehicle by periodically sending a continue disable signal to the mobile phone. Upon receipt of the continue disable signal, the mobile phone remains disabled except for emergency use until the vehicle is turned off and then the disabler ceases to transmit the continue disable signal to the mobile phone. In response, the mobile phone self-enables the least one disabled communication functionality.

An example embodiment of the present invention is a system for effectively preventing operation of a land vehicle having an interior when at least one communication functionality of a mobile phone is in use within the interior. The system includes a dual-mode mobile phone disabler and a power source. The dual-mode mobile phone disabler includes a processor powered by the power source and an antenna operably connected to the processor. In a first mode, prior to the vehicle being turned on, the processor, via the antenna, searches for and detects a communication signal from the mobile phone within the interior of the vehicle when the at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone is in use. In response to the detected communication signal, the processor prevents the vehicle from being turned on until the processor, via the antenna, detects no use of the at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone. The at least one communication functionality includes communication with a cell site. The communication signal is indicative of use of the at least one communication functionality. In a second mode, after the vehicle has been turned on, the processor, via the antenna, periodically communicates with the mobile phone within the interior of the vehicle to keep disabled the at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone. Upon the vehicle being turned off, the antenna ceases to communicate.

Another example embodiment of the present invention is a dual-mode land vehicle mobile phone disabler for use within an interior of a land vehicle having an ignition switch with a first position and a second position. The disabler includes an antenna and a processor operably connected to the antenna. When the ignition switch is set to the first position, the processor via the antenna searches for a communication link between a mobile phone within the interior and a cell site. The disabler also includes a means for immediately disabling operation of the ignition switch when the communication link is detected. The disabler further includes a means for continuously sending a disable signal to the mobile phone within the interior when the ignition switch is set to the first position and ceasing the sending of the disable signal when the ignition switch is set to the second position. The disable signal prevents the mobile phone within the interior from establishing the link with the site.

Yet another example embodiment of the present invention is a method for effectively preventing operation of a land vehicle having an interior when a mobile phone within the interior is in communication with a cell site. The method includes prior to the vehicle being turned on, searching for a communication link between the phone within the interior and the cell site. The method also includes detecting the link and preventing the vehicle from being turned on until the link is severed. The method further includes allowing the vehicle to be turned on when the link is severed and periodically communicating with the phone within the interior to prevent the phone within the interior from establishing the link with the site. The method even further includes ceasing communicating with the phone within the interior when the vehicle is turned off.

To the accomplishment of at least one of the above and related objects, the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1is a schematic system diagram of an example embodiment of a dual-mode automotive mobile phone disabler system according to the present invention. An automobile includes a circuit100. The automobile is operated by an operator.

Circuit100includes an automobile battery110, an automobile ignition switch130, a mobile phone disabler140and an automobile ignition system147. A mobile phone155is within operational proximity of mobile phone disabler140. Mobile phone155can include a chip which communicates with mobile phone disabler140in order to determine if at least one communication functionality of mobile phone155is currently being used.

Battery110includes a negative terminal115and a positive terminal117. Although battery110has a voltage of twelve volts, battery110can have other voltages. A connection120connects positive terminal117and ignition switch130.

Ignition switch130is actuated by the operator. Ignition switch130has five settings: an accessory powering setting132, an ignition lock setting134, an off setting136, a run setting138and a start setting139.

Accessory powering setting132switches on power to many auto accessories, such as radio or power windows.

Run setting138keeps an automobile engine running after the automobile is started.

Start setting139powers an electric starter to start the automobile's engine.

A connection148connects mobile phone disabler140to connection120. Mobile phone disabler140continuously receives power via connection148.

Mobile phone disabler140is connected to automobile ignition system147and an automobile body/chassis ground143. Mobile phone disabler140includes an antenna145, which actively listens for signals emitted from mobile phone155.

In an example mode of operation, within operational proximity of mobile phone disabler140, mobile phone155is not in use and emits a signal, such as a connection to a cell site signal. In a first mode, via antenna145, mobile phone disabler140detects the signal, determines that mobile phone155is not currently used for a phone call, communicates with mobile phone155and disables at least one communication functionality of mobile phone155, such as making or receiving phone calls, emails, Internet browsing or text messaging. However, emergency communications are not disabled, such as making a phone call to emergency response service (911). Upon disabling of a communication functionality, mobile phone disabler140allows the operator to start the automobile via automobile ignition system147.

In a second mode, if mobile phone disabler140determines that mobile phone155is in use, such as during a phone call, mobile phone155is not automatically disabled by mobile phone disabler140. Rather, mobile phone disabler140instead prevents the operator from starting the automobile by disabling automobile ignition system147during the phone call. Via antenna145, mobile phone disabler140periodically scans the signals emitted from mobile phone155to determine when the phone call ends. When mobile phone disabler140determines that the phone call ended, mobile phone disabler140communicates with mobile phone155, disables at least one communication functionality of mobile phone155and enables the operator to start the automobile via automobile ignition system147. However, emergency communications are not disabled, such as making a phone call to emergency response service (911).

In another example embodiment, mobile phone disabler140disables at least one gaming or entertainment functionality of mobile phone155, such as solitaire or playing a video file.

In yet another example embodiment, at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone includes responsive/answering communications, such as phone calls/texting/emails between friends or organizations, thereby excluding communications associated with a global positioning system (GPS). Thus, mobile phone disabler140only monitors cell site communications, such as phone calls, texting, Internet browsing or emailing.

In yet even another example embodiment, at least one communication functionality of the mobile phone includes direct inter mobile phone communications between a plurality of mobile phones within the vehicle.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of an example embodiment of a dual-mode process of a dual-mode automotive mobile phone disabler according to the present invention. A process200includes blocks210-244.

In block212, an automobile ignition system is disabled, such as when an automobile is parked.

In block214, a mobile phone disabler periodically sends a handshake signal to a nearby mobile phone. The sending is performed via an antenna. Periodically includes any time period, such as every five seconds. The mobile phone can include a chip for communication with the mobile phone disabler.

In block216, the mobile phone disabler decides whether the mobile phone disabler has received a handshake signal response from the mobile phone. If yes, then process200continues to block218. If no, then process200continues to block228.

In block218, the mobile phone disabler decides whether the mobile phone is in use. The decision can be made if the mobile phone sends a signal to the mobile phone disabler and the signal indicates that the mobile phone is currently in use, such as for sending and receiving voice data for a phone call.

In block220, the mobile phone disabler waits for a period of time, such as five seconds. Then, process200continues to block218.

In block222, the mobile phone disabler sends a disable signal to the mobile phone.

In block224, the mobile phone receives the disable signal and self-disables except for emergency use. The disabling includes disabling at least one communication function, such as making or placing a phone call, texting, emailing or Internet browsing. The emergency use includes a enabling communication to an emergency response entity, such as police. Alternatively, the disabling includes disabling at least one gaming or entertainment functionality of the mobile phone, such as solitaire or playing a video file.

In block226, the mobile phone sends a disable confirmation signal to the mobile phone disabler.

In block228, upon receipt of the disable confirmation signal, the mobile phone disabler enables the automobile ignition system.

In block230, the automobile is started by an operator or remotely.

In block232, the mobile phone disabler periodically sends a continue disable signal to the mobile phone in order to maintain at least one communication function of the mobile phone disabled during the operation of the automobile. Periodically includes any time period, such as every fifteen seconds.

In block234, the mobile phone receives the continue disable signal.

In block236, in response to the receipt of the continue disable signal, the mobile phone remains disabled except for emergency use, such as police.

In block238, the automobile ignition system is turned off, such as during parking of the automobile.

In block240, the mobile phone disabler automatically ceases to transmit the disable signal to the mobile phone.

In block242, the mobile phone self-reenables. The enabling includes enabling at least one communication function, such as making or placing a phone call, texting, emailing or Internet browsing. Alternatively, the enabling includes enabling at least one gaming or entertainment functionality of the mobile phone, such as solitaire or playing a video file.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a dual-mode automotive mobile phone disabler according to the present invention. Some elements ofFIG. 3are described above with respect toFIG. 1. Thus, same reference characters identify same or like components described above and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified in order to avoid complication.

ROM330stores instructions for execution by CPU340.

RAM320stores instructions for communication with mobile phone155.

IO module315is connected to antenna145, which listens for mobile phone155, sends a handshake signal to mobile phone155, receives a handshake response signal from mobile phone155, sends a disable signal to mobile phone155and sends a continue disable signal to mobile phone155.

IO module350has two settings: a first setting360and a second setting370. In first setting360, IO module350does not facilitate activation of automobile ignition system147. In second setting360, IO module350facilitates activation of automobile ignition system147, thus allowing the automobile to be started.

FIG. 4is a view of an example embodiment of a dual-mode automotive mobile phone disabler installed in an automobile according to the present invention.

A front interior of an automobile is shown. A mobile phone disabler410is installed near a kick panel. A mobile phone420is near mobile phone disabler410, which continuously sends a continue disable signal to maintain at least one communication functionality of mobile phone420disabled until ignition is turned off.

Although the foregoing description is directed toward personal automobiles, other types of vehicles can also be used. Some example of such vehicles include taxis, vans, trucks, buses, trains or boats.

Further, although the foregoing description is directed to internal combustion propulsion system, other types of propulsion systems can also be used. Some examples of such systems include electricity, water, hydrogen or wind based.

In conclusion, herein is presented a dual-mode automotive mobile phone disabler. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by example in the drawing figures and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.