# US 10,118,552 B1 · System for deterring use of a mobile communications device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,552 B1 - Document ID: US10118552B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/725,470 - Filed: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-05 - Applicants: Alexander Constantine; Patricia Clare Landis - Inventors: Alexander Constantine; Patricia Clare Landis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118552B1 ## CPC - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - H04W 4/48: for in-vehicle communication - H04W 4/027: {using movement velocity, acceleration information} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A system is disclosed for deterring use of a mobile communications device, such as a mobile phone, in a moving vehicle. The system can comprise a case comprising a housing adapted for containing the mobile communications device therein, and at least one touch sensor positioned on an outer surface of the housing, an alarm unit for producing an alarm, and a motion detection device. The motion detection device can detect motion of the alarm unit. A computing device can be operatively connected to the capacitive touch sensor(s), the motion detection device and the alarm device, and activates the alarm when the touch sensor(s) senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion of the alarm unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A kit for deterring use of a mobile communications device in a moving vehicle comprising: (a) a case comprising a housing adapted for containing a mobile communications device therein, and at least one touch sensor positioned on an outer surface of the housing; (b) an alarm device adapted for producing an alarm comprising visible light or audible sound; (c) a motion detection device adapted for detecting motion of the case or adapted for detecting motion of the alarm device; and (d) a computing device operatively connected to the at least one capacitive touch sensor, the motion detection device, and the alarm device, wherein the computing device causes the alarm device to produce visible light or audible sound to emanate from the alarm device when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The kit according to claim 1, wherein the computing device and the alarm device are adapted for wireless communication with each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The kit according to claim 2, further comprising BLUETOOTH wireless communication technology, whereby the computing device transmits a wireless signal to the alarm device that causes the alarm device to produce visible light or audible sound to emanate from the alarm device when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The kit according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the case is substantially rectangular, and the at least one touch sensor comprises a plurality of elongate capacitive touch sensor sections positioned longitudinally on the case housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The kit according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile phone, and the housing of the case is adapted for containing the mobile phone therein, the housing having a substantial rectangular prism shape, and comprising first and second opposed major faces, first and second opposed side faces, and first and second opposed end faces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The kit according to claim 5, wherein the at least one touch sensor comprises a first plurality of elongate capacitive touch sensor sections positioned longitudinally on at least one of the first and second opposed major faces, and a second plurality of elongate capacitive touch sensor sections positioned longitudinally on at least one of the first and second opposed side faces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The kit according to claim 1, wherein the motion detection device comprises at least one from the group consisting of an accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, and a global positioning system receiver. ### Claim 8 A kit for deterring use of a mobile communications device in a moving vehicle comprising: (a) a case comprising a housing adapted for containing a mobile communications device therein, and at least one touch sensor positioned on an outer surface of the housing; (b) an alarm device adapted for producing an alarm; (c) a motion detection device adapted for detecting motion of the case or adapted for detecting motion of the alarm device; (d) a computing device operatively connected to the at least one capacitive touch sensor, the motion detection device, and the alarm device, wherein the computing device activates the alarm when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion; (e) wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile phone, and the housing of the case is adapted for containing the mobile phone therein, the housing having a substantial rectangular prism shape, and comprising first and second opposed major faces, first and second opposed side faces, and first and second opposed end faces; and (f) wherein the at least one touch sensor comprises a first plurality of elongate capacitive touch sensor sections positioned longitudinally on one of the first and second opposed major faces, and a second plurality of elongate capacitive touch sensor sections comprised of a first elongate section positioned longitudinally on the first side face, and a second elongate section positioned longitudinally on the second side face. ### Claim 9 A kit for deterring use of a mobile communications device in a moving vehicle comprising: (a) a case comprising a housing adapted for containing a mobile communications device therein, and at least one touch sensor positioned on an outer surface of the housing; (b) an alarm device adapted for producing an alarm; (c) a motion detection device adapted for detecting motion of the case or adapted for detecting motion of the alarm device; (d) a computing device operatively connected to the at least one capacitive touch sensor, the motion detection device, and the alarm device, wherein the computing device activates the alarm when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion; and (e) an alarm unit housing the alarm device, and wherein the motion detection device is positioned in the alarm unit and is adapted for detecting motion of the alarm unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The kit according to claim 9, wherein the alarm comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of light and sound. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The kit according to claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises a first microcontroller positioned in the case and operatively connected to the at least one touch sensor, and a second microcontroller positioned in the alarm unit and operatively connected to the alarm device and the motion detection device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The kit according to claim 11, wherein the first microcontroller sends a signal to the second microcontroller activating the alarm when the at least one capacitive touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects movement of the alarm unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The kit according to claim 12, wherein the first microcontroller sends the signal to the second microcontroller via BLUETOOTH wireless communication technology. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The kit according to claim 9, wherein the motion detection device comprises at least one from the group consisting of an accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, and a global positioning system receiver. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The kit according to claim 9, wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile phone or a case adapted for containing the mobile phone therein, the mobile communications device having a substantial rectangular prism shape, and comprising first and second opposed major faces, first and second opposed side faces, and first and second opposed end faces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The kit according to claim 15, wherein the at least one capacitive touch sensor comprises a plurality of elongate sections comprised of a first elongate section positioned longitudinally on the first side face, and a second elongate section positioned longitudinally on the second side face. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The kit according to claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises a computer processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having programming instructions that, when executed, cause the computing device to send a signal to the alarm unit that causes the alarm unit to produce the alarm when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion. ### Claim 18 A kit for deterring use of a mobile communications device in a moving vehicle comprising: (a) a case comprising a housing adapted for containing a mobile communications device therein, and at least one touch sensor positioned on an outer surface of the housing; (b) an alarm device adapted for producing an alarm; (c) a motion detection device adapted for detecting motion of the case or adapted for detecting motion of the alarm device; (d) a computing device operatively connected to the at least one capacitive touch sensor, the motion detection device, and the alarm device, wherein the computing device activates the alarm when the at least one touch sensor senses contact by a person and the motion detector device detects motion; and (e) an alarm unit housing the alarm device, and wherein the alarm unit is adapted for releasable attachment to an interior part of an automobile. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The kit according to claim 18, wherein the alarm unit comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a suction cup that can be releasably attached to a dashboard in an automobile, and a clip adapted to receive and frictionally engage a portion of an automobile sun visor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The kit according to claim 18, wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile phone or a case adapted for containing the mobile phone therein, the mobile communications device having a substantial rectangular prism shape, and comprising first and second opposed major faces, first and second opposed side faces, and first and second opposed end faces, wherein the at least one capacitive touch sensor comprises a first capacitive touch sensor positioned longitudinally on the first side face, and a second capacitive touch sensor positioned longitudinally on the second side face.