Vehicle safety system

Abstract

A system and method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device provided with a motion detection system which provides the motion of the vehicle to a micro-processing unit embedded in a communication device that disables certain functions of the communication device depending on the speed of the vehicle. The inventive system includes a sensor to detect vehicle motion and a set of instructions stored inside a non-volatile storage media coupled to processor. When a motion is detected, the system gets initiated and alters the functionality of the communication device depending upon the speed of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety system that automatically controls a communication device comprising: a motion detection system; wherein said motion detection system communicates the motion of the vehicle to said communication device. a processor communicatively coupled with the motion detection system, wherein said processor is capable of controlling a plurality of functions to or from said communication device.

2. The vehicle safety system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is selected from automobile vehicles, aircraft, boat or combination thereof.

3. The vehicle safety system of claim 1, wherein said communication device is any electronic device selected from the group of cellular phone, laptop, palmtop, PDA, computers, mobile data devices capable of receiving and transmitting RF signals or combination thereof.

4. The vehicle safety system of claim 1, wherein said motion detection system comprises a GPS receiver embedded inside the communication device.

5. The vehicle safety system of claim 1, wherein said processor is a microprocessor embedded in the communication device which controls user interface of said communication device.

6. The vehicle safety system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of functions is selected form a group of call, message reception and transmission, internet surfing, chatting, camera, listening songs, watching videos or combination thereof.

7. A method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device comprising the steps of: a) storing a preset threshold in non-volatile storage media. b) comparing an instantaneous speed of said vehicle with said preset threshold; and c) restricting a plurality of functionalities of communication device, as the speed surpasses said threshold.

8. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said vehicle can be selected from automobile vehicles, aircraft, boat or combination thereof.

9. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said communication device can be any communicating device selected from the group of cellular phone, laptop, palmtop, PDA, computers, mobile data devices capable of receiving and transmitting RF signals or combination thereof.

10. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said non-volatile storage media is selected from a group of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, MROM, flash memory, solid state storage or combination thereof.

11. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said instantaneous speed is detected using a detector housed in said communication device.

12. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 11 wherein said detector comprises of a sensor that detects instantaneous speed of said vehicle.

13. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 12, wherein said sensor provides shaft rotational speed of said vehicle to aforesaid communication device.

14. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said threshold comprises a safe speed limit.

15. The method for vehicle safety that automatically controls a communication device of claim 7, wherein said functionalities are selected from a group of call, message reception and transmission, internet surfing, chatting, camera, listening songs, watching videos or combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing the communication scheme between vehicle and mobile communication device.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a flow chart representing sequence of instructions executed during system processing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] FIG. 1 representing a primary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the vehicle motion can be detected using speedometer sensor (1) that is communicatively coupled to receiving sensor (2) housed in the communication device (3). The motion detection system comprises a GPS receiver or an inertial sensor embedded in the communication device (3) that is designed of detecting vehicle motion. The sensor (1) senses speed of the vehicle by detecting numbers of rotations of vehicle's shaft per unit time and transmits the same to the receiving sensor (2) of the communication device (3). This arrangement provides an instantaneous speed monitoring of the vehicle using the communication device.

[0032] According to the invention, the system would comprise of a detector that could measure the speed of vehicles, and would be a non-removable application or circuitry installed in the communication device (3) capable of controlling plurality of telecommunication functionalities such as answering a phone call, responding to a text message or dialing a phone call etc.

[0033] FIG. 2 referred to the sequence of steps involved in automatic motion dependent communication device control mechanism. At the first step (4) the processor checks the status of the hands free mode. The hands free operation comprises placing cellular phone in a universal mount providing a way to access the cellular phone engaged with vehicle sound system. The hands free operation executed generally using voice operated commands. However, when the communication device capable of performing telecommunication functionalities is operated in a manner that is not hands free, the system will be activated and would render the communication device capable of performing telecommunication, functionalities inoperable depending upon certain conditions like speed, emergency contact numbers etc. the device checks the status of the communication device at step (5) by analyzing the device status busy or idle. It checks whether the device is busy at incoming/outgoing call or text messages. Now the system fetches the list of emergency numbers at step (6) stored in storage media. The enlisted emergency numbers can be customized by the user and are not blocked by the communication device during a call or message or any other communication activities. List of these emergency numbers gets stored in non-volatile storage media as a list of exceptional numbers category.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment even if the electronic device capable of performing telecommunication functions were inoperable, the device would be capable of performing emergency functions, such as calling 911.

[0035] At step (7) the velocity of the vehicle as detected by the detector is evaluated. In this process the velocity detected by sensors is compared with a predefined threshold value. The threshold value could be any safe speed limit depending on the vehicle configuration and various other parameters like driving at day time or night time etc. The threshold limit could be modified depending upon the level of safety factor a user requires. Comparison of the instantaneous speed with predefined threshold leads to a signal generation during step (8) from the processor unit that is housed in communication device resulting in deactivation of a few or all functionalities of the communication device. Now user will not get interrupted by any notifications from his/her communication device while driving at a speed more than threshold, leading to enhanced safety. User will be able to get continuous notifications and the communication device remains in active state at step (9), leading to all else conditions discussed above in the flowchart. The allowable categories comprises hands free operation (4), an activity generated from a number that belongs to emergency category (6) or the speed is low as compared to threshold (7). The process keep on executing the same sequence of steps in a loop every time communication device detects a motion coupled to vehicle in motion.

[0036] This invention can also be designed to provide a system to reduce the amount of distraction faced by an operator of heavy machinery. The system disclosed herein can detect whether one or more communication devices, such as cellular telephones, PDAs, mobile data devices, and/or laptop computers, are transmitting and/or receiving RF signals in the context of text, and whether heavy machinery, such as a vehicle, automobile, aircraft, boat, etc. is also being operated. The system can then disable, alter, or interfere with the functionality of the device while the heavy machinery is being operated. By removing these distractions, drivers may be more likely to see an oncoming vehicle that has crossed a double yellow line or a stopped car ahead to avoid hazardous accidents.

[0037] Furthermore, the connectivity of these devices can use a plurality of communication standards, protocols, and technologies, and any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document. The present invention may be implemented on applications that run on either a single, or variety, of operating system platforms or embedded operating systems.

[0038] The various hardware platforms on which the applications that implement the present invention run may use one or more processors with different instruction-sets, architectures, clock-speeds, etc. and memory may include high speed random access memory and non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, and other kinds of solid state memory devices.

[0039] Also, the electronic device capable of performing telecommunicating activities is equipped with Global Positioning System service, or receives position from another GPS.

[0040] Display means used by these hardware platforms may be LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LED (light Emitting Diode) technology, CRT (Cathode ray tube) technology, or light emitting polymer technology, or any other display technologies.

[0041] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.

[0042] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.