Restriction Method and Apparatus for Texting Based on Speed
OwnerHarry Benjamin Correale, Clifford Kraftinventors
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Abstract
A method and apparatus with software supplied wirelessly as a downloaded application for preventing texting on cellular telephones while driving. A cellular telephone moving faster than a predetermined speed (for example 15 MPH) automatically locks out the texting function. Dialing of full telephone numbers under these conditions can also be locked out. If the phone becomes stationary for a predetermined period (say 3 minutes), the lockout can be removed. A passenger can enter an override code to prevent the lockout. In some embodiments the override code can only be entered when the phone is moving faster than the predetermined speed and/or when several buttons are depressed simultaneously requiring operation with two hands.
Claims20
A method that prevents texting on a cellular telephone while driving comprising locking out texting functions when said cellular telephone is moving at a speed of greater than a predetermined speed, wherein said method requires a speed-determining sensor in said telephone, and a processor that can execute a software application downloaded into the telephone wirelessly.
A method for preventing texting and full number dialing by a driver on a cellular telephone comprising:
- requiring a user to download a software application into said telephone from the internet, wherein said software application in concert with the telephone performs the following steps:
- determining whether said cellular telephone is moving faster than a predetermined speed;
- determining whether an override code has been entered;
- locking out texting and full number dialing if said cellular telephone is moving faster than said predetermined speed and no override code has been entered.
A cellular telephone comprising:
- a processor;
- a software application wirelessly downloaded into the telephone, said software application then executing on the processor;
- a speed determining circuit coupled to said processor;
- wherein said processor, under control of said software application, locks out texting functions when said speed determining circuit reports that said cellular telephone is traveling faster than a predetermined speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.