Method and system for using multiple transceivers for controlling mobile communication device functions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9332125-B2
Application number	US-201213461989-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 2, 2012
Priority date	Oct 31, 2009
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver's seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device, said method comprising:
a mobile communication device communicating with a first transceiver of multiple transceivers;
said mobile communication device communicating with a second transceiver of said multiple transceivers;
wherein said multiple transceivers and said mobile communication device are located inside a vehicle;
determining a first signal power level or range indicator, based on a first wireless signal detected by said first transceiver;
comparing said first signal power level or range indicator with a first set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;
determining a second signal power level or range indicator, based on a second wireless signal detected by said second transceiver;
comparing said second signal power level or range indicator with a second set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;
determining position or coordinate of said mobile communication device with respect to said vehicle, based on comparing step of said first signal power level or range indicator with said first set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator and based on comparing step of said second signal power level or range indicator with said second set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator;
receiving one or more zones in said vehicle;
based on step of determining said position or coordinate of said mobile communication device with respect to said vehicle, indicating in-range or out-of-range status of said mobile communication device with respect to said one or more zones in said vehicle;
modifying a first set of one or more functions or available choices for said mobile communication device for a first zone of said one or more zones, based on said in-range or out-of-range status of said mobile communication device with respect to said first zone of said one or more zones.

2. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
said mobile communication device communicating with a third transceiver of said multiple transceivers.

3. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 2 , said method comprising:
determining a third signal power level or range indicator, based on a third wireless signal detected by said third transceiver;
comparing said third signal power level or range indicator with a third set of thresholds for signal power level or range indicator.

4. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said one or more zones correspond to different seats in said vehicle.

5. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
measuring time differences between signals.

6. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
measuring reflected signals.

7. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
measuring emitted signals.

8. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
using calibrated data for power, voltage, current, time, or distance measurements.

9. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
measuring voltage, current, time, or distance.

10. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
changing functions or parameters in said vehicle.

11. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
monitoring, recording, or tracking said position or coordinate of said mobile communication device inside said vehicle.

12. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said mobile communication device is moved from said first zone of said one or more zones to a second zone of said one or more zones.

13. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12 , wherein said first zone of said one or more zones overlaps partially with said second zone of said one or more zones.

14. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12 , wherein said first zone of said one or more zones overlaps fully with said second zone of said one or more zones.

15. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12 , wherein said first zone of said one or more zones does not overlap with said second zone of said one or more zones.

16. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 12 , said method comprising:
resolving said first zone of said one or more zones with respect to said second zone of said one or more zones.

17. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein all areas inside said vehicle is covered by said multiple transceivers.

18. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
using calibration data to correct for drift in power levels over time.

19. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
using triangulation method for location determination.

20. The method for using multiple transceivers for controlling one or more functions or available choices for a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 , said method comprising:
finding a blocked transceiver among said multiple transceivers.

Assignees

• Tadayon Saied
• Halavi Maryam
• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Tadayon Saied
• Halavi Maryam

Classifications

• H04M1/72463

  to restrict the functionality of the device · CPC title

• H04B17/21

  for calibration; for correcting measurements · CPC title

• H04M3/53 Primary

  Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages {, i.e. mailbox systems} · CPC title

• H04W4/027

  using movement velocity, acceleration information · CPC title

• H04W4/02

  Services making use of location information · CPC title