Special device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving

Abstract

A device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle, this disable a driver from texting and being distracted by combining a blocking signal component from an ECM of an engine or a discrete electronic blocking device to notify the cellphone application that the vehicle engine is functioning and operation movement is occurring with at least one blocking application that signals the cellphone to block all incoming and outgoing communication signals to a set of temporarily unwanted cellphone applications and functions but still leaving a set of emergency applications working and available for use; the device also has a manner of communicating to the blocked application which are temporarily disabled and way to clear and re-enable the applications when the period is done.

Claims

1. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation of a vehicle comprised of: (a) a blocking signal component on the vehicle used to notify a cellphone application that an engine of the vehicle functioning and that movement is imminent; (b) a blocking application (39) loaded on the cellphone of a user that can block on the cell phone all incoming and outgoing communication signals to a set of cellphone applications and functions; (c) at least one blockage signal (33) emitted from the blocking signal component that is used to signal the blocking application (39) of the cellphone (40,42); (d) a set of emergency applications and functions desired to be enabled and available for usage for a period of time; (e) a means of internal to the cellphone and blocking application for communicating to the applications and functions which are to be temporarily disabled and blocked from usage; and (e) a means of clearing and re-enabling the applications and functions which were temporarily disabled and blocked to return to normal usage wherein the cellphone is temporarily disabled as to certain applications and function and wherein the user/driver of the vehicle is not distracted and tempted to use the cellphone while operating the vehicle.

2. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein blocking signal component is selected from the group consisting of a built-in feature of the ECM and discrete electronic blocking apparatus (36).

3. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 2 wherein the discrete electronic blocking apparatus (36) is mounted in a place selected from the group consisting of a dash panel, a mirror support structure, and a dashboard of the vehicle.

4. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein the blockage signal (33) is selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot spot, satellite and radar.

5. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein the applications and functions temporarily disabled are selected from the group consisting of telephone calls incoming, telephone calls outgoing, texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, video calling, E-mails, Internet alerts, weather alerts, and GPS/Maps

6. A system to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein the applications and functions mot temporarily disabled are selected from the group consisting of 911 call outs and emergency call-ins.

7. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation of a vehicle comprised of: Step 1: Install a No Text/blocking and disabling Application (39) on the cell phone (40,42) of the user/driver; Step 2: Open and Run Application (39); Step 3: Confirm signal from Vehicle blocking component (34,36) which indicates a movement of the vehicle is imminent; in moving mode Step 4: Power-up and turn on blocking component (34, 36); Step 5: Check cellphone (40,42) by attempting to text, call out or contact the internet; Step 6: Continue to run application (39) while driving; Step 7: Turn Application (39) off when completed driving; Step 8: Check to see if Blocked functions and applications are restored to service; Step 9: Repeat at net usage of vehicle by user/driver wherein the method with the cellphone temporarily disables certain applications and function and wherein by using the method, the user/driver of the vehicle is not distracted and tempted to use the cellphone while operating the vehicle.

8. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 7 wherein the blocking signal component is selected from the group consisting of a built-in feature of the ECM and discrete electronic blocking apparatus (36).

9. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 8 wherein the discrete electronic blocking apparatus (36) is mounted in a place selected from the group consisting of a dash panel, a mirror support structure, and a dashboard of the vehicle.

10. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 7 wherein the blockage signal (33) is selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot spot, satellite and radar.

11. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein the applications and functions temporarily disabled are selected from the group consisting of telephone calls incoming, telephone calls outgoing, texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, video calling, E-mails, Internet alerts, weather alerts, and GPS/Maps

12. A method to disable a cellphone of a user/driver from texting and from being distracted during a driving operation in claim 1 wherein the applications and functions mot temporarily disabled are selected from the group consisting of 911 call outs and emergency call-ins.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIGURES

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the special cellphone disabling device. It is understood, however, that the special cellphone disabling device is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0039] FIGS. 1A through 1G are sketches of the general use and mis-use of cellphones in vehicles with distractions to safe driving.

[0040] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general signals coming from cell towers to cellphones in vehicles as well as interrupted signals to cellphones noted.

[0041] FIGS. 3A through 3D are sketches of an automatic interruption signal from the vehicle ECM or an auxiliary device to a disabling application loaded on a cellphone.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a step-by-step process for disabling driver usage of the cellphone and messaging application while the vehicle is in use.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a sample list of applications disabled and enabled while the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is activated.

[0044] FIG. 6A through 6C and FIGS. 7A through 7C are sketches of prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0045] The following list refers to the drawings:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Reference numbers Ref # Description 30 device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle 31 cellphone signal tower 31 32 signal 32 from tower 31 of telephone communications and internet signals with various messaging and video data 32A discrete signal 32A from tower 31 of telephone 40, 42 33 blockage method 33 signal to cell phone from ECM (Electronic Engine Control Module) 34 or discrete electronic blocking apparatus 36 placed in vehicle interior 37. Signal may be (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot spot, satellite, radar, and others etc.) 34 ECM (Electronic Engine Control Module) 34 with blockage signal 33 35 method of operation 35 of the device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting 49 and being distracted 46 during driving 36 discrete electronic blocking apparatus 36 placed into the dash panel, mirror support structure, and dashboard of the vehicle 37- emits blockage method 33 signal to cell phone 37 vehicle and vehicle interior 37 with dash panel, mirror support structure, and dashboard 38 typical engine block 38 with various components including ECM 34 39 blocking application 39 signaled from the ECM 34 or discrete blocking device 36 and signaled to the cell phone 40, 42 to disable or switch off 40 smart cellphone 40 with blocking application 39 41 tablet or laptop 41 42 older version cellphone 42 45 no texting signage 45 to outlaw or dissuade usage while driving 46 crisis of distractions and current dangers missed 46 while texting 49 47 talking or telephoning 47 on a cellphone 40, 42 while driving 48 operating a tablet or laptop 48 and being distracted during driving 49 texting 49 on a cellphone 40, 42 50 chart 50 of examples of blocked and allowed applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42 52 examples of blocked 52 applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42 54 examples of permitted and available 54 applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42 60 user 60 70 prior Art 70 Pat. No. 8,217,800 71 prior Art 71 Pat. No. 8,380,176 72 prior Art 72 Pat. No. 9,462,110 73 prior Art 73 Pat. No. 9,661,127 74 prior Art 74 Pat. No. 9,386,447 75 prior Art 75 Pat. No. 8,295,854

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046] This invention relates to a device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle. This invention relates to the field of cellular phones and cellular communications technology including text messaging, emailing, and voice communications technology, GPS technology, related computer systems and software, and vehicular transportation modalities. Particularly this device or system is related to products and manners to prevent distraction while driving a vehicle. The subject matter described herein generally relates to restricting services of a communication device. Some implementations of the subject matter relate to selectively disabling services provided by an individual's communication device based on a location of the communication device or other determination that the individual is engaged in an activity for which the distractions of the communication device usage can be dangerous or should otherwise be restricted. The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications devices and, in particular, to techniques for disabling ALL EXCEPT certain device functionalities (Emergency 911 Calls) based on motion of the device.

[0047] This invention further relates in general to improving the safety of drivers as it relates to the use of cellular phones and other portable electronic communication devices. This invention relates to increasing the safety and wellbeing of a cellular phone user if he should be simultaneously driving a vehicle. Specifically, this invention relates to a means for disabling a driver's cellphone so that when a cellphone is in motion, except for specific situations, the availability of the cellphone for communication purposes is curtailed to allow the cellphone owner to remain totally focused on the control of the moving vehicle. The disclosure relates to inhibiting many of the functions of a multi-function portable personal communications device and inhibiting one or more functions of a cellular telephone handset when the handset is moved at an average velocity greater than a predetermined value. The inhibited functions generally relate to restricting the use of a mobile communication device by an operator of a vehicle, and in particular, to restricting operator use of mobile services such as texting, watching videos, and playing games while, e.g., driving an automobile.

[0048] The advantages for the device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle or special cellphone disabling device 30 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: [0049] Easy to install as compared to other devices [0050] Most components are available and tested [0051] Universal designs for attachments to fit different telephone cell phones [0052] May be integrally adapted with vehicle computer control modules [0053] May be separately adapted with add-on and separate signal devices [0054] Does not interfere with other passenger devices [0055] Able to receive emergency calls and use 911 features

[0056] The preferred embodiment of a device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is comprised of: (a) a blocking signal component from an ECM of a vehicle engine or a discrete electronic device to notify the cellphone application that the vehicle engine is functioning and operation movement is occurring or is imminent; (b) at least one blocking application that signals the cellphone to block all incoming and outgoing communication signals to a set of cellphone applications and functions; (c) a set of only emergency applications and functions desired to be available for usage for a period of time; (d) a means of communicating in the blocking application to the applications and functions which are to be temporarily disabled and blocked from usage; and (e) a means of clearing or re-enabling the applications and functions which are to be temporarily disabled and blocked from usage

wherein the cellphone is temporarily disabled as to certain applications and function and wherein the drive of a vehicle is not distracted or tempted to use the cellphone while operating the vehicle.

[0057] There is shown in drawings FIGS. 1-7 a complete description and operative embodiment of the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that the FIGS. 1-7 demonstrate the general configuration and use of this product and system. The various example uses are in the operation and use section, below.

[0058] FIGS. 1A through 1G are sketches of the general use and mis-use of cellphones in vehicles with distractions to safe driving. In these sketches, the “problems” with distracted drivers are depicted. Shown in these sketches are a smart cellphone 40 with blocking application 39 signaled from the ECM 34 or discrete blocking device 36 and signaled to the cell phone 40, 42 to disable or switch off; a tablet or laptop 41; an older version cellphone 42; a typical no texting signage 45 to outlaw or dissuade usage while driving; a sketch of a crisis of distractions and current dangers missed 46 while texting 49;

a sketch talking or telephoning 47 on a cellphone 40, 42 while driving; operating a tablet or laptop 48 and being distracted during driving; a scene texting 49 on a cellphone 40, 42; and a user 60.

[0059] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general signals coming from cell towers 31 to cellphones 40, 42 in vehicles 37 as well as interrupted signals to cellphones noted. These sketches include: a device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle; a cellphone signal tower 31; a signal 32 from tower 31 of telephone communications and internet signals with various messaging and video data; a discrete signal 32A from tower 31 of telephone 40, 42; a blockage method 33 signal to cell phone from ECM (Electronic Engine Control Module) 34 or discrete electronic blocking apparatus 36 placed in the dash panel, mirror support structure, or dashboard of the vehicle interior 37—emits blockage method 33 signal to cell phone [Signal may be (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot spot, satellite, radar, and others, etc.]; a vehicle interior 37 with dash panel and dash board; a typical engine block 38 with various components including ECM 34; a blocking application 39 signaled from the ECM 34 or discrete blocking device 36 and signaled to the cell phone 40, 42 to disable or switch off; a smart cellphone 40 with blocking application 39; and an older version cellphone 42. One notes that the Blocking package 36 is of a small profile.

[0060] FIGS. 3A through 3D are sketches of an automatic interruption signal 33 from the vehicle ECM 34 or an auxiliary device 36 to a disabling application 39 loaded on a cellphone 40, 42. These views show the following: a device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle; a cellphone signal tower 31; a signal 32 from tower 31 of telephone communications and internet signals with various messaging and video data; a discrete signal 32A from tower 31 of telephone 40, 42; a blockage method 33 signal to cell phone from ECM (Electronic Engine Control Module) 34 or discrete electronic blocking apparatus 36 placed in the dash panel, mirror support structure, or dashboard of the vehicle interior 37—emits blockage method 33 signal to cell phone [Signal may be Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot spot, satellite, radar and others, etc.]; an ECM (Electronic Engine Control Module) 34; a discrete electronic blocking apparatus 36 placed in the dash panel, mirror support structure, or dashboard of the vehicle 37; a vehicle interior 37 with dash panel and dash board; a typical engine block 38 with various components including ECM 34; a blocking application 39 signaled from the ECM 34 or discrete blocking device 36 and signaled to the cell phone 40, 42 to disable or switch off; a smart cellphone 40 with blocking application 39; and an older version cellphone 42. One notes that the Blocking package 36 is of a small profile.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a step-by-step process for disabling driver usage of the cellphone and messaging application while the vehicle is in use. It is described below in the Operation section.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a sample list 50 of applications disabled 52 and enabled 54 while the device and system 30 to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is activated. Shown here are a chart 50 of examples of blocked and allowed applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42; a set of examples of blocked 52 applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42; and a set of examples of permitted and available 54 applications and functions on the cellphone 40, 42. Here also are the examples of applications and functions blocked including (but not limited to): [0063] 1) Telephone calls incoming [0064] 2) Telephone calls outgoing [0065] 3) Texting [0066] 4) Facebook [0067] 5) Twitter [0068] 6) Instagram [0069] 7) Video calling [0070] 10) Weather Alerts [0071] 11) GPS/Maps
Finally, also shown are the examples of very few applications and functions not blocked including (but not limited to): [0072] a) 911 call outs [0073] b) Emergency call-ins

[0074] FIG. 6A through 6C and FIGS. 7A through 7C are sketches of prior art. Here former patents and applications for various disabling systems and devices are shown. These include: a prior Art 70 U.S. Pat. No. 8,217,800 entitled Motion Based Disabling Of Messaging On A Wireless Communications Device; a prior Art 71 U.S. Pat. No. 8,380,176 entitled Method Of Inhibiting Functions Of A Mobile Communications Device; a prior Art 72 U.S. Pat. No. 9,462,110 entitled Methods And Systems For Disabling One Or More Text Messaging Features While Driving; a prior Art 73 U.S. Pat. No. 9,661,127 entitled Locking-Out A Driver Handheld Mobile Device During Driving Of A Vehicle For Texting And Browsing; a prior Art 74 U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,447 entitled Method And System For Controlling A Mobile Communication Device; and a prior Art 75 U.S. Pat. No. 8,295,854 entitled System For Preventing Text Messaging While Driving. As can be seen, the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is a unique combination of components and system as described herein.

[0075] The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the disabling devices for electronic systems and cellphones and their uses well appreciates.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0076] The device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle. The preferred embodiment of a device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is comprised of: (a) a blocking signal component from an ECM of a vehicle engine or a discrete electronic device to notify the cellphone application that the vehicle engine is functioning and operation movement is occurring or is imminent; (b) at least one blocking application that signals the cellphone to block all incoming and outgoing communication signals to a set of cellphone applications and functions; (c) a set of only emergency applications and functions desired to be available for usage for a period of time; (d) a means of communicating in the blocking application to the applications and functions which are to be temporarily disabled and blocked from usage; and (e) a means of clearing or re-enabling the applications and functions which are to be temporarily disabled and blocked from usage wherein the cellphone is temporarily disabled as to certain applications and function and wherein the drive of a vehicle is not distracted or tempted to use the cellphone while operating the vehicle.

[0077] FIG. 4 describes a step-by-step process for disabling driver 60 usage of the cellphone 40, 42 and messaging application while the vehicle 37 is in use. The essential operation is: [0078] Start: [0079] Step 1: Install a No Text/blocking and disabling Application (39) on the cell phone (40,42) of the user/driver; [0080] Step 2: Open and Run Application (39); [0081] Step 3: Confirm signal from Vehicle blocking component (34,36) which indicates a movement of the vehicle is imminent; [0082] in moving mode [0083] Step 4: Power-up and turn on blocking component (34, 36); [0084] Step 5: Check cellphone 40,42 by attempting to text, call out or contact the internet; [0085] Step 6: Continue to run application (39) while driving; [0086] Step 7: Turn Application (39) off when completed driving; [0087] Step 8: Check to see if Blocked functions and applications are restored to service; [0088] Step 9: Repeat at net usage of vehicle by user/driver
wherein the method with the cellphone temporarily disables certain applications and function and wherein by using the method, the user/driver of the vehicle is not distracted and tempted to use the cellphone while operating the vehicle.

[0089] Many uses are anticipated for the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

TABLE-US-00003 ITEM DESCRIPTION 1 Smart cellphones 2 flip top/standard cellphones 3 Electronic tablets with messaging and even telephone options 4 Laptop computers with messaging and even telephone options

[0090] With this description it is to be understood that the device and system to disable a driver from texting and being distracted during driving a vehicle is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the special cellphone disabling device and system 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

[0091] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, this is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

[0092] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.

[0093] Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments described above.

[0094] The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

[0095] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0096] The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.