Patent Publication Number: US-2022219681-A1

Title: System and method for limiting mobile phone use by drivers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for limiting or preventing mobile phone use by a driver while driving a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form, part of the common general knowledge. 
     Using a mobile phone (such as, texting, messaging and phone calls) while driving is known to be a significant contributor to and cause of traffic accidents. 
     Around the world, thousands of drivers, passengers and pedestrians are injured or lose their lives due to mobile phone use while driving. 
     The practice of using a mobile phone with your hands has been banned in many countries to address this problem. However, it is difficult for police and law enforcement to monitor such use amongst their various other duties. 
     While governments invest considerable time and money into developing campaigns to dissuade drivers from using their mobile phones while driving, and law enforcement imposes significant penalties for individuals caught using their phones while driving, the dangerous practice continues. 
     Simply banning the handheld use of mobile phones while driving and imposing financial penalties appears to have proven insufficient. 
     Thus, there is a need for a way to limit or prevent drivers from using their mobile phones while driving. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aim of this invention to provide a system for limiting or preventing use of a mobile phone by driver while driving which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful commercial alternative. 
     Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system for limiting use of an electronic mobile device by a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:
         a mobile device controller for removable connection with a vehicle and for wireless communicating with one or more electronic mobile devices, the mobile device controller comprising a radio frequency receiver or transmitter; and   a electronic mobile device for wireless communicating with the mobile device controller, the electronic mobile device comprising:
           an application installed thereon;   a radio frequency transceiver in wireless communication with the radio frequency receiver or transmitter of the mobile device controller;   an electronic mobile device processor programmed to execute one or more instructions of the application stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium of the electronic mobile device, wherein the instructions comprise:
               temporarily disabling radio frequency signal transmission of the electronic mobile device;   requesting an input via the one or more electronic mobile devices that satisfies a predetermined criterion;   receiving the input that satisfies the predetermined criterion from at least one of the one or more electronic mobile devices; and   restoring radio frequency signal transmission of the at least one of the one or more electronic mobile devices.   
               
               

     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for limiting use of a electronic mobile device by a driver of a vehicle, the method including the steps of: 
     wirelessly associating one or electronic mobile devices with a mobile device controller; 
     temporarily disabling radio frequency signal transmission of the one or more electronic mobile devices; 
     requesting an input via the one or more electronic mobile devices that satisfies a predetermined criterion; 
     receiving the input that satisfies the predetermined criterion from at least one of the one or more electronic mobile devices; and 
     restoring radio frequency signal transmission of the at least one of the one or more electronic mobile devices. 
     Preferably, the mobile device controller comprises a Bluetooth device. Preferably, the Bluetooth device is a Bluetooth transceiver. 
     Preferably, the mobile device controller comprises a Radio-Frequency Identifier (RFID). Preferably, the RFID comprises an RFID tag. Preferably, the RFID tag is an active RFID tag or a passive RFID tag. Preferably, the RFID tag comprises a High Frequency (HF) RFID NFC tag. 
     Preferably, the mobile device controller is connected to an Onboard-Diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle. Preferably, the OBD port of the vehicle is an OBD-II port. Preferably, the mobile device controller reads a vehicle status code of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle status code is transmitted or read by the electronic mobile device in wireless communication with the mobile device controller. Preferably, the vehicle status code initiates the execution of the instructions stored on the electronic mobile device. 
     Preferably, the mobile device controller is adapted to connect to an Onboard-Diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle. Preferably, the OBD port of the vehicle is an OBD-II port. Preferably, the mobile device controller is adapted to read a vehicle status code of the vehicle from the OBD port. Preferably, the vehicle status code is transmitted or read by the electronic mobile device in wireless communication with the mobile device controller. Preferably, the vehicle status code initiates the execution of the instructions stored on the electronic mobile device. 
     Preferably, the method further comprises the step of detecting the vehicle has been turned on before wirelessly associating one or more electronic mobile devices with the mobile device controller. 
     Preferably, the predetermined criterion comprises a confirmation from a user of the electronic mobile device. 
     Preferably, the step of restoring radio frequency signal transmission comprises only restoring Bluetooth signal transmission. 
     Preferably, the system further comprises a passenger RFID device. 
     Preferably, the method further comprises the step of monitoring the movement of the electronic mobile device. Preferably, the step of monitoring comprises reading one or more inertial sensors of the electronic mobile device. Preferably, in response to detecting movement of the electronic mobile device over a predetermined threshold, input to the electronic mobile device is restricted or disabled. Preferably disabling or restricting input to the electronic mobile device comprises disabling input via the display or buttons of the electronic mobile device. In some embodiments, in response to detecting movement of the electronic mobile device, a warning or alert is issued from the electronic mobile device. Preferably, the alert may be in the form of an audio alert. Suitably, the audio alert may take the form of a voice recording. 
     Preferably, the predetermined criterion comprises presence of a Bluetooth connection to a handsfree system of the vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, the invention resides in a system for limiting use of an electronic mobile device by a driver while driving, the system comprising:
         an electronic mobile device having an application installed thereon; and   a mobile device controller installed within a vehicle,   wherein the mobile device controller communicates with the electronic mobile device when the electronic mobile device is within wireless range of the mobile device controller and, in response, the application disables radio frequency signal transmission from the electronic mobile device while the vehicle remains in operation.       

     Preferably, the application is always active on the electronic mobile device. 
     Preferably, the mobile device controller is installed or located on a steering column or dashboard of the vehicle. 
     Preferably, the system further comprises a vehicle. 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a flow chart of a method for limiting or preventing use of a mobile phone by a driver while driving a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a system for limiting or preventing use of a mobile phone by a driver while driving a vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of the system shown in  FIG. 2 , the system having a mobile device controller in the form of a Bluetooth transceiver; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of another embodiment of the system shown in  FIG. 2 , the system having a mobile device controller in the form of an RFID tag; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a confirmation screen of a software application shown on a display of a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention relates to a method and system for limiting mobile phone use by a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle is turned on. 
     Further to the above, embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for prevention of texting or messaging by a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a software application (that is preferably always on or always active) that is installed on a driver&#39;s smartphone or similar electronic mobile device, and a mobile device controller which is preferably located on the steering column or dashboard of the driver&#39;s vehicle, or built-in to the vehicle&#39;s existing componentry. Preferably, the mobile device controller is located in the vehicle such that the driver will always be within range of the device (e.g. in range of the RFID tag) but any passengers will not be within range of the device. 
     In use, the mobile device controller interfaces or communicates with the smartphone (or other device) when the vehicle is powered on (preferably by at least turning the key to the “accessories” switch) which provides power to the mobile device controller. In response to interfacing or communicating with the mobile device controller, the software application is configured to enable “airplane mode” (i.e. disable all outgoing and incoming wireless communication systems such as cellular radios, etc, for example) on the smartphone. In some embodiments, the software application may limit use of specific features and functionalities of the mobile phone (for example, disabling the touch screen or keyboard). 
     In some embodiments the mobile device controller may be powered by a battery rather than the vehicle itself. 
     The radio frequency signal transmission of the smartphone can be re-enabled by the user confirming that the smartphone is to be used in “handsfree mode”. In some embodiments, the software application will then monitor the movement of the smartphone (through the use of inertial sensors located within the smartphone) and disable the radio frequency signal transmission of the smartphone or limit or prevent input through the touchscreen display or buttons to limit and/or prevent illegal use of the smartphone. In some embodiments, in response to detecting movement of the electronic mobile device, a warning or alert is issued from the electronic mobile device. The alert may be in the form of an audio alert, such as a voice recording instructing whoever has picked up the device (either the driver or a passenger, for example) to return the device to its original position. 
       FIG. 1  shows a flow diagram for the steps of a method for limiting the use of a mobile phone by a driver of a vehicle. 
     In Step  102 , a driver turns a vehicle on, either to the “Accessories” or “Ignition” switch of the vehicle. 
     In Step  104 , the starting of the vehicle energises or otherwise activates a mobile device controller located in the vehicle. The mobile device controller is such that it is able to wirelessly interface or communicate with a mobile phone or similar wireless communication device. In this regard, the mobile device controller is preferably a Bluetooth transceiver or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. 
     In Step  106 , the mobile device controller interfaces or otherwise communicates with the mobile phone of the driver. The mobile phone (or similar device) has a software application or mobile application installed thereon. This software application is programmed to recognise communication with the mobile device controller and execute a series of instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable media located within the mobile phone. The software application is also programmed to control a number of features and functionalities of the phone which will become clear from the following description. 
     In Step  108 , the software application, in response to communication with the mobile device controller, suspends radio-frequency signal transmission by the mobile phone (e.g. places the mobile phone into “airplane mode”), thereby disabling Near-Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, telephony and Bluetooth functionality and devices. In some embodiments, the software application may be programmed to maintain either or both Bluetooth and NFC functionality. 
     In Step  110 , the driver, before beginning to drive the vehicle, is prompted by the software application via the mobile phone display to confirm that the phone is to be used in “handsfree mode.” 
     In Step  112 , in response to receiving a confirmation from the driver that the mobile phone is to be used in “handsfree mode”, the software application restores radio-frequency signal transmission for the mobile phone (e.g. disables airplane mode). In some embodiments, the software application may restore radio frequency signal transmission but limit or disable input via the touchscreen or buttons of the mobile phone to prevent driver use while driving. This would allow a driver to observe directions provided by a navigation application or answer calls through the use of a handsfree system of the vehicle but prevent them from texting or conducting other activities through the display of the mobile phone. 
     If no confirmation is received, the mobile phone remains in airplane mode unless the driver elects to re-enable the various features and functionalities that have been disabled. In some embodiments, the software application may be programmed not to allow reinstatement of the radio signal frequency signal transmission by the mobile phone until either a confirmation is received or the vehicle is turned off, thereby de-energising the mobile device controller in the vehicle. 
     In Step  114 , the software application monitors the movement of the mobile phone using in-built mobile device controllers of the mobile phone. Primarily, the software application will take readings from a motion detecting system of the mobile phone including an accelerometer, a magnetometer and a gyroscope of the mobile phone to monitor the movement of the mobile phone. 
     In Step  116 , the software application determines whether the mobile phone has been picked up. In response, if the mobile phone is determined to have been picked up, in Step  418 , the software application may either disable radio-frequency signal transmission or limit or disable input into the mobile phone (e.g. disable the touch screen/display or keyboard) until the mobile phone is put down or docked in a suitable holster or cradle in the vehicle, for example. Alternatively, in response to detecting movement of the electronic mobile device, a warning or alert is generated by the software application and issued. The alert may be in the form of an audio alert, such as a voice recording, instructing whoever moved the mobile phone to return the mobile phone to its original position (e.g. a handsfree cradle). 
     In Step  120 , the software application checks whether the driver has turned off the vehicle. 
     If not, no response is required. If the vehicle has been turned off, the software application reinstates or reactivates all radio-frequency signal transmissions and functionality of the mobile phone and suspends monitoring the movement of the mobile phone. 
     In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , there is a system  20  including a mobile device controller  200  in the form of a radio frequency transmitter/receiver (also referred to herein as a mobile device controller), typically in the form of either a Bluetooth device  300  (see  FIG. 3 ) or RFID tag  400  (see  FIG. 4 ) and an electronic mobile device in the form of a mobile phone  250  having a display  251 . In the illustrated embodiment, the RFID tag  400  takes the form of a High Frequency RFID tag but could be any type of RFID tag. 
     System  20  shows the mobile device controller  200  connected to vehicle  30  (which is a typical motor vehicle) having a vehicle port  31  (preferably an OBD-II port or similar) and a vehicle centre console  32  having built-in Bluetooth capabilities. As can be seen, the vehicle port  31  is typically below the steering wheel  33 . 
     System  20  may also include a passenger RFID  35  in the form of a passive RFID tag that is preferably mounted to the dashboard or storage compartment on the passenger seat side of the vehicle  30 . 
     The passenger RFID  35  performs a similar function to the mobile device controller  200  described herein. In use, a passenger having a mobile phone (similar to mobile phone  250  having an app installed thereon) would use an RFID reader of the mobile phone to read the passenger RFID  35  which would invoke the method  100  described above. This seeks to limit any distraction to a driver caused by a passenger using mobile device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the system  20   a  (which is substantially similar to system  20 ) of the Bluetooth device  300  connected to the vehicle  30  and the mobile phone  250 . 
     The mobile phone  250  has a software application (App  252 ) installed thereon for executing a method in accordance with the steps described above. These steps are stored in non-transitory computer readable media or storage and are executable by the software application when certain conditions or criteria (as set out above) are satisfied. 
     The mobile phone  250  comprises a microcontroller board  253  which includes a processor  254  that accesses a digital memory  256  that stores app  258  containing instructions to execute the steps of method  100  detailed above. 
     The microcontroller board  253  also operates radio communications Tx/Rx unit  260  to establish radio communications with a cellular network (not shown) for cellular communication. 
     The mobile phone  250  also includes a motion detecting system  261  in communication with microcontroller board  253 . The motion detecting system  263  includes a gyroscopic sensor  264  (such as an electronic gyroscope), an accelerometer  266  and a magnetometer  268 . 
     The mobile  250  also includes a mobile device controller in the form of a Bluetooth transceiver  270  for communicating with a Bluetooth transceiver  302  of Bluetooth device  300 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 3 , the Bluetooth device  300  is an aftermarket addition to the vehicle that is installed in a Vehicle Port, such as an On-Board Diagnostics Port (typically an OBD-II Port) that is present in almost all vehicles produced after 1996. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the Bluetooth device  300  (or other wireless transmission device) is connected to a 12V DC socket present in the vehicle (such as the cigarette lighter socket or dedicated 12V DC outlet). In some other alternative embodiments, the Bluetooth transceiver is built in to the vehicle  30 . 
     In use, the Bluetooth transceiver  302  and processor assembly  303  of Bluetooth device  300  allows the software application  252  to communicate with the Bluetooth transceiver  270  of mobile phone  250  and receive/read a signal indicating that the engine of the vehicle is currently turned on. In some embodiments this may be achieved by reading a status code through the OBD-II port. As described above, in use, the software application  252  running on the mobile phone  250  connects to the Bluetooth transceiver  302  when the driver switches the ignition of the vehicle  30  on (to either the “Accessories” switch or the “Ignition” or “On” switch). The software application  252  may be programmed to automatically detect that the vehicle  30  has been started through the Bluetooth device  300  and disable all radio frequency signal transmission by the mobile phone  250  without requiring the driver to activate the app/Bluetooth transceiver  270  of the mobile phone  250 . Usefully, this means that the driver must always use the software application  252  and cannot selectively avoid using the system and methods described herein to allow them to continue to use their mobile phone  250  while driving. 
     The software application  252  then provides a request for a confirmation  275  through the display  251  of the mobile phone  250  (an example is shown in  FIG. 5 ) to confirm that the mobile phone  250  is to be used in “handsfree mode”, preferably through the Bluetooth transceiver  32  built-in to the vehicle  30  if available. 
     In the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the driver of the vehicle  30  confirms that the mobile phone  250  is to be used in “handsfree mode” for this particular journey by selecting the “YES” button. Alternatively, if the driver wishes for the mobile phone  250  to remain unable to send/receive radio signals, the driver may select the “NO” button on the display  251  or make no selection at all. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a system  20   b  which is a substantially similar alternative embodiment of the system  20   a . The embodiment shown replaces the Bluetooth device  300  of system  20   a  with Radio Frequency Identifier Tag  400 . 
     The mobile phone  250  has a software application (App  252 ) installed thereon for executing a method in accordance with the steps described above. These steps are stored in non-transitory computer readable media or storage and are executable by the software application  252  when certain conditions or criteria (as set out above) are satisfied. 
     The mobile phone  250  comprises a microcontroller board  253  which includes a processor  254  that accesses a digital memory  256  that stores app  258  containing instructions to execute the steps of method  100  detailed above. 
     The microcontroller board  253  also operates radio communications Tx/Rx unit  260  to establish radio communications with a cellular network (not shown) for cellular communication. 
     The mobile phone  250  also includes a motion detecting system  261  in communication with microcontroller board  253 . The motion detecting system  263  includes a gyroscopic sensor  264  (such as an electronic gyroscope), an accelerometer  266  and a magnetometer  268 . 
     The mobile  250  also includes a mobile device controller in the form of a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) Reader  271  for communicating with a RFID Tag  402  of RFID device  400 . The RFID Tag  402  can comprise either an active RFID tag or a passive RFID tag. 
     In the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the RFID device  400  is an aftermarket addition to the vehicle  30  that is installed in vehicle port  31 , such as an On-Board Diagnostics Port (typically an OBD-II Port) that is present in almost all vehicles produced after 1996. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the RFID tag  402  (or other wireless transmission device) is connected to a 12V DC socket present in the vehicle (such as the cigarette lighter socket or dedicated 12V DC outlet). 
     In use, the RFID tag  402  and processor assembly  403  of RFID device  400  allows the software application  252  to communicate with the RFID reader  271  of mobile phone  250  and receive/read a signal indicating that the engine of the vehicle  30  is currently turned on. As described above, in use, the software application  252  running on the mobile phone  250  activates the RFID reader  271  to read RFID tag  402  (if using an active RFID tag) when the driver switches the ignition of the vehicle  30  on (to either the “Accessories” switch or the “Ignition”/“On” switch) and the driver places the mobile phone  250  within communication distance of the RFID tag  402  (typically 30 cm). In an alternative embodiment using a passive RFID tag, the driver would be able to read the RFID tag  402  using mobile phone  250  at any time. 
     The software application  252  is programmed to detect that the RFID tag  402  has been read and disable all radio frequency signal transmission by the mobile phone  250 . 
     The software application  252  then provides a request for a confirmation  275  through the display  251  of the mobile phone  250  (an example shown in  FIG. 5 ) to confirm that the mobile phone  250  is to be used in “handsfree mode”, preferably through the Bluetooth transceiver  32  built in to the vehicle if available. 
     Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein provide a way to discourage, limit and, in some embodiments, prevent use of a mobile phone (or similar device) by a driver of a vehicle that is currently in use. 
     In this specification, the terms “wireless communication device”, “electronic mobile device” and “mobile phone” are used substantially interchangeably. Wireless electronic mobile device and electronic mobile device is to be understood to refer to a device used to wirelessly receive and transmit signals and data from one or more sources for the purpose of communication or entertainment. Examples of communication or entertainment includes text messages, data-based messaging services, video streaming services and the like. 
     In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step, etc. 
     The above detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention. 
     In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. 
     Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term “substantially” or “about” will be understood to not be limited to the specific value or range qualified by the terms.