AU2019101440A4

AU2019101440A4 - Mobile phone inhibition

Info

Publication number: AU2019101440A4
Application number: AU2019101440A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-30
Filing date: 2019-11-22
Publication date: 2020-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile phone. The phone includes a speed determination tool within the phone for determining the speed of the mobile phone. A permanent inhibitor inhibits use of the mobile phone when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed. Advantageously, the permanent inhibitor cannot be removed by a phone user, and may therefore provide for more reliable inhibition of use of the mobile phone when the phone exceeds the predetermined speed (e.g. 20km/h which is indicative of driving, or 2km/hr which is indicative of walking). The inhibitor may function irrespective of whether the mobile phone user is a driver or passenger in a vehicle. Speed determining tool detects that the mobile phone is in motion and moving above the predetermined speed. Inhibition device automatically activates in background. Mobile phone receives incoming call or notification. User attempts to use the mobile phone to respond to incoming call or notification by engaging with the interface. Controller identifies that the mobile phone is being used while the inhibition device is active and turns off the operating system. Once the mobile phone is stationary, the Inhibition device deactivates. Controller allows user to turn mobile phone operating system back on. Figure 2.

Description

MOBILE PHONE INHIBITION

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to mobile phone inhibition, particularly for drivers.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] In spite of significant risks and law enforcement penalties, drivers continue to use their mobile phone when driving. Semi-trailer, courier and professional drivers using their phones contribute heavily to accident statistics. The problems are well documented, and all motoring bodies (e.g NRMA, RACQ, Heavy Vehicle Operators and bike riders) agree that there is a need for a solution to this widespread problem.

[0004] Whilst there are existing products directed to eliminating the use of mobile phones by drivers, none of these are effective or had any significant impact on driver behavior. One product requires the installation of additional hardware in the vehicle which is expensive and cumbersome. Another involves the installation of application software (i.e. an App) on the phone, although undesirably the App is often uninstalled by the driver.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides for reliable inhibition of use of a mobile phone in a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone including:

a speed determination tool within the phone for determining the speed of the mobile phone; and

2019101440 22 Nov 2019 a permanent inhibitor for inhibiting use of the mobile phone when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

[0007] Advantageously, the permanent inhibitor cannot be removed by a phone user, and may therefore provide for more reliable inhibition of use of the mobile phone when the phone exceeds the predetermined speed (e.g. 20km/h which is indicative of driving, or 2km/hr which is indicative of walking). The inhibitor may function irrespective of whether the mobile phone user is a driver or passenger in a vehicle.

[0008] The permanent inhibitor may include software stored in firmware or the operating system of the phone.

[0009] The speed determination tool may include a GPS of the phone.

[00010] The phone may include an override tool for overriding the inhibitor. The override tool may override the inhibitor when the phone has a Bluetooth connection or is being used for GPS navigation.

[00011] The permanent inhibitor may be permanently activated or installed the first time the phone exceeds the predetermined speed.

[00012] The permanent inhibitor may be configured to turn off the phone if a user attempts to use the phone (e.g. receive or make a call or SMS) when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds the predetermined speed. The permanent inhibitor may enable turning on of the phone when the phone speed returns to about zero.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone inhibition method involving:

determining the speed of a mobile phone; and inhibiting use of the mobile phone using a permanent inhibitor when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

[00014] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

2019101440 22 Nov 2019 [00015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00016] 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 anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00017] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [00018] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a mobile phone inhibition method using the phone of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone 100 as shown in Figure 1.

[00020] The mobile phone 100 includes a speed determination tool 102 within the phone 100 which relies on a GPS unit 112 to determine the speed of the mobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 also includes a permanent inhibitor 104 which, when the GPS unit 112 determines that the mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed, activates and has the function of inhibiting use of the mobile phone 100. The speed determination tool 102 and permanent inhibitor 104 communicate through a controller 110 with an operating system 108 for the mobile phone 100.

[00021] Advantageously, the permanent inhibitor 104 built into the mobile phone 100 cannot be removed by a phone user, therefore providing a more reliable inhibition of use of the mobile phone 100 when the phone 100 exceeds the predetermined speed, indicating that the mobile phone 100 is in a moving vehicle. The inhibition device 104 takes instructions from the controller 110 with regards to data directly received from the speed determining tool 102. This means that the inhibition device 104 functions irrespective of whether the mobile phone user is a driver or passenger in a vehicle.

2019101440 22 Nov 2019 [00022] If the phone is connected to Bluetooth or is being used for GPS navigation, an override tool 106 overrides the permanent inhibitor 104, allowing the user to engage in hands-free calls and GPS navigation instructions.

[00023] The permanent inhibitor 104 is configured to be activated when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds the predetermined speed and will turn off the phone 100 if a user attempts to use the phone 100 (e.g. receive or make a call or SMS) during the inhibitor activated state. The permanent inhibitor 104 allows the mobile phone 100 to be turned back on when the determined speed falls under a predetermined lowest speed threshold close to zero.

[00024] A mobile phone inhibition method of use 200 using the mobile phone 100 is shown in Figure 2.

[00025] At 202, when a user is in a moving vehicle, the speed determining tool 102 detects that the mobile phone 100 is moving above a predetermined speed threshold, for example 20km/h.

[00026] At 204, the inhibition device 104 automatically activates after the predetermined speed threshold is exceeded, causing the controller 110 to disallow any functionality responsive to input controls.

[00027] At 206, the user receives an incoming call.

[00028] At 208, an attempt is made to answer the call by the user pressing a phone button.

[00029] At 210, the controller 110 identifies that the mobile phone 100 is being used while the inhibition device 104 is active. As no Bluetooth connection or GPS navigation utilities are engaged, the override tool 106 is not activated. The controller 110 turns off the phone.

[00030] At 212, once the user has come to a complete stop and is stationary, the permanent inhibition device 104 deactivates.

2019101440 22 Nov 2019 [00031] At 214, the controller 110 allows the user to turn mobile phone 110 operating system 108 back on.

[00032] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00033] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention provided a mobile phone 100 in the context of a moving vehicle, an alternative embodiment is used for the safety of pedestrians.

[00034] The permanent inhibitor 104 set at a low threshold (e.g. 2km/h) activates and inhibits pedestrians from performing any command input via buttons. This reduces the frequency of pedestrians walking into other people, obstacles, and traffic while using their mobile phone 100.

[00035] A further embodiment implements the permanent inhibitor 104 though software stored in firmware of the mobile phone 100.

[00036] A further embodiment implements the permanent inhibitor 104 through software stored in the operating system 108 of the mobile phone 100.

[00037] A further embodiment combines the speed determination tool 102 with the GPS unit 112 of the mobile phone 100.

[00038] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00039] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A mobile phone including:

a speed determination tool within the phone for determining the speed of the mobile phone; and a permanent inhibitor for inhibiting use of the mobile phone when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

2. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the permanent inhibitor includes software stored in firmware or the operating system of the phone, the speed determination tool includes a GPS of the phone, and/or the permanent inhibitor is permanently activated or installed the first time the phone exceeds the predetermined speed.

3. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the phone includes an override tool for overriding the inhibitor when the phone has a Bluetooth connection or is being used for GPS navigation.

4. A mobile phone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the permanent inhibitor is configured to turn off the phone if a user attempts to use the phone when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the permanent inhibitor enabling turning on of the phone when the phone speed returns to about zero.

5. A mobile phone inhibition method involving: determining the speed of a mobile phone; and inhibiting use of the mobile phone using a permanent inhibitor when the determined mobile phone speed exceeds a predetermined speed.