Patent Publication Number: US-2011076996-A1

Title: Automatic short messaging system and/or call suspension for wireless devices in motion

Description:
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional No. 61/272,473, filed Sept. 28, 2009, entitled “Automatic SMS and/or Call Suspension System and Method for Mobile Devices in Motion,” to Burton et al., the entirety of which is explicitly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to wireless communications, but more specifically to an automatic call and/or short messaging system (SMS) or other text message suspension system for a wireless device in motion. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     Advances in communication technology often bring unwanted problems. Our society has recently recognized the potential for dangerous situations in transportation and vehicle mobility with the use of texting and calling features of wireless devices. Texting and for that matter conversing on a wireless phone (hands-on) while driving can be dangerous and has been attributed to distractions that have caused countless accidents. In many states it is now illegal to use a hands-on cell phone or other communication device while driving or operating a moving vehicle; nevertheless, there are those that continue to do so. In 2009, it was estimated in one study that as many as 45% of drivers nationwide under 30 years old text message, e.g., send a short messaging system (SMS) text message, while driving. It also came to light that a train operator, responsible for the worst train accident in 15 years, was texting immediately before the accident occurred, leading to the inference that distractions associated with text messaging may have contributed significantly to the cause of that accident. 
     A Safe Driving System in Utah has addressed this problem with a device that plugs into an onboard diagnostic port of a vehicle and sends a local wireless suspension signal to a nearby cell phone when the vehicle starts. The suspension signal triggers the cell phone to suspend service for all incoming and outgoing SMS and voice calls, with the exception of 911 calls. However, the present inventors have realized that this device has a significant drawback in that it relies on the presumption that the driver will plug the device into the vehicle&#39;s onboard diagnostic port in the first place. Ultimately control of this device is given to the driver, who can disable its operation at any time by merely unplugging it from the onboard diagnostic port (intentionally or unintentionally). Furthermore, such a local solution is limited to use only in vehicles that provide an onboard diagnostic port: a feature that many if not most vehicles lack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method of automatically triggering suspension of a text messaging service on a wireless device while in a driven vehicle comprises obtaining a speed of a wireless device capable of a text messaging service. It is determined if the speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed. If the speed exceeds the predetermined threshold speed, suspension of the text messaging service is automatically triggered. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a wireless device providing automatic suspension of a text messaging service when in a driven vehicle comprises a speed detection module to obtain a speed of a wireless device capable of a text messaging service. A threshold detector determines if the obtained speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed. A suspension triggering module automatically triggers suspension of the text messaging service if the speed exceeds the predetermined threshold speed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a mobile wireless device in communication with a wireless network in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a method of automatic call/text message suspension for a wireless device in motion in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention comprises a system and method to provide autonomous detection and triggering of suspension relating to certain services based on a velocity of the wireless device. A suspension signal application module executed on a wireless device detects the velocity of that wireless device and causes automatic suspension of SMS and voice services while that wireless device is in motion. An appropriate suspension signal may be generated by the relevant wireless device itself and sent back to their service provider via the wireless network upon detection in excess of a given velocity of the wireless device. Thus, upon detection of the given velocity of the wireless device, functional operation of short messaging system (SMS), MMS, and/or other text messaging services are suspended as long as the wireless device continues to be presumed to be accessible to a driver in a driven vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  shows a wireless network with which the invention may be implemented. 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in customary operation, a wireless device  10  conveys voice and/or text messages with other devices in communication with network  20 . Suitable wireless devices include, for example, cell phones, VoIP phones, PDAs, laptops, etc. 
     The servicing wireless network  20  may include one or more communication towers  22  and associated equipment serving a region in which the wireless device  10  is operated. In a conventional wireless network, a base station system  24  couples a communication tower  22  to convey subscriber signals to and from a mobile switching center (MSC)  26 . Appropriate subscriber information is contained in a home location register  28 . Although only one MSC  26  is shown, multiple mobile switching centers (MSCs) handling other wireless devices may intercommunicate through an appropriate network (e.g., a SS7 network)  30 . 
     Links interconnecting the functional elements of  FIG. 1  are symbolic of standard communication protocols implemented in the industry. For example, communication between base station system  24  and the mobile switching center  26  may proceed under SS7 protocols while communication between the SMSC  40  and the network  32  may proceed under a TCP/IP protocol. 
     Subscriber calls may be routed to a remote device (not shown) (e.g., another cell phone) in communication with a remote mobile switching center through an SS7 network  30 . In addition, the network may include a short message service center  40  to convey SMS messages between and among wireless devices. Multiple SMSCs may intercommunicate with each other through a gateway  42  via a TCP/IP network  32 , as is known in the art. 
     TCP/IP-based subscribers access the TCP/IP network  32  via the gateway  34 . The wireless network  20  may also include a location service platform  52  to detect the location of a wireless device  10  within the service area of the communication tower  22 . 
     Velocity of the wireless device may be detected in any suitable manner, e.g., based on a time-based difference in position as determined by a local or remote location service. 
     Ideally the velocity at which suspension is caused may be that which is typically associated with driving. As an example, a velocity greater than 5 mph may be presumed to be associated with driving. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the need for suspension of text and voice services may be qualified against a location of the relevant wireless device. For instance, if the wireless device is currently located on a street, and is moving at a speed determined to be associated with driving along that street (e.g., greater than 5 mph), then suspension is ordered. On the other hand, if the wireless device is moving greater than a given velocity (e.g., greater than 5 mph) yet is not on a known street (which would ordinarily be required for driving), then transmission of the suspension signal may be voided until a time at which the wireless device becomes located on a mapped street. This would permit use of voice and text services when riding in a train, ferry, boat, plane, etc. Travel along a mapped street may additionally be sensed as an additional qualifier to cause generation of the suspension signal. 
     Suspension of SMS or other text messaging services may be affected by causing the text messaging program to close and/or not allowing the text messaging program to open. Alternatively, suspension may merely affect desired functions required to text, e.g., suspension may be accomplished by disabling alpha character entry into the wireless device, and/or disabling the text display screen, etc. 
     Network-based location-based services may employ time-of-arrival measurements, signal strength measurements, and/or other methods known in the art. The location of the wireless device  10  may also be obtained by a subscriber-based GPS or accelerometer chip installed in the wireless device  10 . 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, the speed or movement of the wireless device  10  along a path  18  over the surface of the earth is detected or calculated by an application module  14  executed in the wireless device  10  to trigger suspension of voice and SMS or other text messaging when the velocity (speed) or other detected movement presuming to be associated with driving in a vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold. 
     In one embodiment, the application module  14  periodically or intermittently samples GPS coordinates produced by a GPS chip  12 . Using an internal clock, the application module  14  then uses a change in the relevant GPS coordinates to determine a current velocity of the wireless device  10  based on a distance traveled per unit time (presumed to be linear between the two GPS locations). 
     In another embodiment, the application module  14  obtains or determines a velocity indication from an accelerometer chip  12  carried in the wireless device  10 . An accelerometer chip may be configured to directly provide a velocity indication or otherwise provide additive or/subtractive force indications from which velocity may be derived. Once the velocity of the wireless device  10  is ascertained by the application module  14 , the need for suspension of voice and SMS and other text messaging services may be determined, along with other factors. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, velocity of a given wireless device may be detected by a wireless network providing service to the moving wireless device. In this embodiment, in response to detection of probable involvement of the wireless device in a driven vehicle, a suspension command signal is sent to the relevant wireless device from the wireless network to affect suspension of voice and/or SMS, MMS, and/or other text messaging services. 
     Upon determination of movement of the given wireless device beyond a given threshold velocity level, the relevant wireless device is suspended from operable service of voice and SMS and other text messaging. As an example, if velocity of the wireless device is determined to be, e.g., a speed of “x” meters per second that distinguishes between, a user&#39;s walking speed and a typical vehicle speed when the device is operated in a vehicle, service to that wireless device is temporarily suspended. 
     Suspension may be for a predetermined period of time, e.g., for 1 minute, until a fresh determination of the velocity is obtained to determine if voice and SMS service may be once again resumed for that wireless device. 
     In the alternative embodiment where velocity of the wireless device is determined by a wireless network element other than the wireless device itself, suspension of voice and SMS and other text messaging services may be resumed as soon as the velocity is measured to be within an acceptable velocity. 
     An indication of the temporary suspension of voice and SMS services may be provided to the user via an appropriate indication on the display  16  of the wireless device  10 . In yet another embodiment, once suspension of voice and SMS or other text messaging services is initiated, the user may be required to manually request resumption of voice and text messaging services by selection of an appropriate menu choice on the relevant wireless device  10 . 
     The application module  14  may of course always retain the ability to permit the user to make any emergency call despite (in fact even during) suspension of voice and SMS or other text messaging services. In this way emergency calls and messages may proceed normally and unobstructed. 
     In situations where the wireless device  10  lacks an accelerometer, GPS or other chip capable of permitting an accurate determination of current velocity, suspension of voice and SMS or other text messaging services may alternatively be affected with the aid of the wireless network  20  based on a velocity presumed associated with driving from an appropriate location service or other platform  52 . In that case, velocity is determined based on changes in device location as detected by the operator&#39;s network. After such device velocity is determined, the wireless network  20  may affect suspension of certain features (e.g., voice and/or SMS, MMS, etc.) by, for example, use of an application executed in the MSC  26  to trigger suspension of voice and text messaging features once the velocity of the wireless device  10  reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the application module  14  may obtain time-based position information over the wireless network from an appropriate location service platform  52  from which to determine velocity and consequent instructions to suspend voice and SMS or other text messaging features. 
     Suspension of voice and SMS or other text messaging features as described herein relates not to the suspension of such services from a wireless network, but rather to specific features which will prevent the user of a given wireless device from being distracted by use of such services. The specific features for any given wireless device may differ from device to device. 
     An example of specific features that are disabled in an exemplary wireless device when suspended from voice and SMS or other text messaging features due to a presumption of driving include: automatic closing of the relevant feature on the relevant wireless phone (e.g., forced closure of the email application, forced closure of the SMS or other text messaging program); prevention of use of a keyboard; prevention of display altogether; prevention of display of features determined to be distracting (such as email, SMS, etc.), etc. 
     The invention is implemented by an application module  14  executed on the wireless handset  10  that may use a GPS chip in the handset to calculate velocity of the device at certain time intervals, e.g., every few seconds more or less. For devices moving faster than a certain threshold (e.g., faster than a walking of jogging speed), application module  14  automatically suspends SMS and/or voice services except for emergency 9-1-1 calls. Once the application module detects that the device&#39;s velocity exceeded the threshold, it may reduce the time interval between velocity calculation updates. For example, initial calculations may be performed every minute or fraction thereof but once the movement of device  10  exceeds the threshold, the application module  14  may perform calculation every five seconds, more or less. 
     When the application module  14  suspends SMS and/or voice calls, it may also produce a display of an appropriate graphic or message on display  16  of the wireless device  10  indicating that SMS and/or voice service has been temporarily suspended without an audible alert, as desired. 
     In cases where movement of device  10  momentarily stops for a stop light, traffic jam, or other reasons, for example, application module  14  may maintain suspension, e.g., up to 5 minutes thereafter to allow for temporary storage before automatically turning the suspended service back on to thereby reinstate call and message services. This buffer period enables confirmation that the device is, in fact, no longer involved with a driven vehicle. 
     In cases where there are several people occupying a mode of transportation, for instance in situations where the user of device  10  is a passenger on a transportation vehicle, e.g., a bus, train or a vehicle, the non-driving user can be permitted to override the autonomous nature of the application. Thus, the application module  14  preferably includes a module to enable the user to momentarily (e.g., 15-minute intervals) override autonomous blocking of calls and messages before reverting back to the service suspension mode of operation. This may be done after the application module  14  issues an appropriate warning to the wireless device operator (and the user acknowledges the message) by querying the user whether to disable or revert back to suspension mode in response to a user acknowledgement of the query. 
     By way of example, a user interface on device  10  may receive user input to allow disabling (e.g., turning-off) of the service suspension application for a given interval (e.g., for a 15-minute interval). The interval may be repeatable, e.g., for up to an hour after which time the application module  14  reverts back to its autonomous service suspension mode of operation. 
     Once the application module  14  is loaded on a wireless mobile device  10  the ability to turn it off permanently is preferably disabled. As indicated above, newer smart devices may include an accelerometer chip that produces signals from which device velocity may be calculated directly. As such, a software module is preferably included that queries the accelerometer chip to ascertain the device&#39;s velocity from which to implement the above features (together with a location based service to determine if/when the wireless device is moving along a known street.) 
       FIG. 2  shows a method  60  of providing automatic suspension of voice and/or short text message service for a mobile device in motion in accordance with another aspect of the invention. 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the method  60  comprises a step  62  of obtaining or detecting speed of the mobile device. 
     In step  64  it is determined whether or not the speed has reached a predetermined threshold. 
     In step  66  suspension of call and/or message service is automatically triggered in response to detection of its travel speed exceeding or reaching a given threshold. In given embodiments the suspension signal may be qualified by a location based services (LBS) determination of its position and/or travel on a known street. 
     In step  68  emergency call and/or message service is preferably retained even during suspension of service. 
     In step  70  an indication of service suspension is displayed on the mobile device. 
     In step  72  suspension is maintained for a predetermined period of time when the device momentarily stops. 
     In step  74  the user is optionally permitted to disable automatic suspension for a given period of time. 
     Advantageously, the method and system of the invention operates autonomously and is more likely to be effective in saving lives. The system and method hereof may be implemented by mobile device manufacturers and/or telecommunication service providers. 
     The invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiments as various modifications and adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art based on the above teachings. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.