Patent Publication Number: US-2011059731-A1

Title: Techniques for discouraging cell phone usage while driving a vehicle

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to cell phones and, more particularly, techniques for discouraging cell phone usage while driving a vehicle. 
     DISCUSSION 
     It is well documented that using a cell phone while driving a vehicle causes distraction of the driver and can sometimes result in accidents. Consequently, driving while using cell phones should be discouraged. Some countries have completely banned the use of handheld or hands free phones while driving. In the United States, some states have made it illegal to use a handheld phone while driving, while other states and cities have enacted or are considering enacting legislation that restricts texting or talking on cell phones while driving. 
     A complete ban on all cell phone usage while driving has not been widely enacted for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless it is almost universally recognized that the use of cell phones while driving should be discouraged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, techniques are described for discouraging cell phone usage while driving yet not completely banning all such usage. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the cell phone user is charged a monetary amount if it is detected that the cell phone is being used under circumstances likely to indicate that the user is in a moving vehicle. In one embodiment, a surcharge is added to the cell phone user&#39;s statement if it is determined that it is likely that a call or text message was sent while the user was driving a vehicle. One technique for determining whether the use of a cell phone while driving has occurred is to use the GPS system that is found in most cell phones. These GPS systems can track the location of their respective cell phone. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the cell phone is moving from location to location while being used. Such movement would indicate with a high degree of probability that the user is driving a vehicle while using the cell phone. If this is detected, the user&#39;s cell phone account would automatically be charged with a surcharge in a suitable amount high enough to discourage such usage. On the other hand, if the driver considers the phone call to be important enough to incur such a surcharge, he is free to do so. This approach would discourage cavalier usage of cell phones while driving, while at the same time not requiring a complete ban of all such use. This technique is likely to be considered a suitable compromise and easier for countries and states to enact such laws. In addition, the collection of such surcharges would be a source of revenue. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates a system for carrying out an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a cell phone account management system for generating a statement to the cell phone user; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating broadly the techniques and methods for carrying out an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an example of a user&#39;s cell phone statement showing the implementation of the surcharge. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates a system showing the major components for carrying out the teachings of one embodiment of this invention. A cell phone  10  is shown in a vehicle  12  that is moving from location L 1  to L 2 . The term “cell phone” should be broadly construed to include all mobile phones including portable wireless devices capable of voice or text messaging as well as similar fixed devices mounted in a vehicle. The cell phone  10  has the capability of sending information about its location. For example, cell phone  10  can include a global position system (GPS) device  14  that uses well known techniques for determining the location of the cell phone  10  at any particular time. Various other techniques are also envisioned for sensing the location of the cell phone. 
     Conventionally, the cell phones transmit information to cell phone towers such as tower  16 . Tower  16  can relay the cell phone transmission to other locations. Here, the transmission from the cell phone tower  16  is sent to a cell phone account management location  18 . The management location determines and stores information about the timing of a cell phone call and the location of the cell phone  10 . This information would be in addition to transmission of the voice or text to the desired recipient. 
     The account management location  18  includes sufficient computerized systems to store the pertinent data and calculate any allocable surcharges. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , management location  18  includes a server  20  that receives wireless cell phone transmissions via antenna  22 . Of course, other modes of wireless transmissions such as over the internet can also be employed as will become apparent to one skilled in the art. The server  20  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  24  and associated memory  26 , as well as suitable devices for generating a statement for the cell phone user, such as printer  28 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , an example of a method of practicing this invention will be described. When the cell phone  10  is turned on, it generates a transmission at time T 1 . This transmission may include such information as the time that the call is initiated and the location of the cell phone as provided by GPS  14 . Alternatively, the management location can determine this information from data including in the transmission. After a suitable delay (perhaps after 15 seconds or so), the GPS signal from GPS  14  is again detected by management location  18 . The server  20  uses the CPU  24  and information stored in memory  26  to determine whether there has been a significant difference between the locations L 1  and L 2  of the cell phone between time T 1  and time T 2  to indicate that the cell phone  10  is moving and likely being used to send voice or text messages while driving a vehicle. For example, if a call is being made between times T 1  and T 2  and the location of the cell phone is detected to be over 300 meters or so, then it is likely that the user is using the cell phone  10  while driving a vehicle, as compared to walking. If it is determined that it is probable that the user is using the cell phone while driving a vehicle, then the server continues to monitor the cell phone usage and store pertinent information so that it can add a surcharge to the user&#39;s monthly statement to reflect use of the cell phone while driving. A sample of the user&#39;s cell phone statement is shown in  FIG. 4 . The surcharges are itemized, for example, by date and length of call. The fee is also indicated which may be prorated, depending upon the length of the call. In  FIG. 4 , a five-minute call may incur a one dollar surcharge fee while a more lengthy call incurs a two dollar fee. 
     It is envisioned that the location  18  and responsibility for monitoring such cell phone usage and generating the user&#39;s statement will probably be accomplished by the cell phone provider, although other entities can be contracted by the state or country enacting the cell phone usage law. It is envisioned that the revenue generated by these surcharges would be significant and could be shared by the cell phone provider responsible for monitoring the cell phone usage and the state or country enacting the law. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.