Assembly and method for preventing wireless communication while driving
AssigneeScott D. Smiley
InventorsScott D. Smiley, Frank A. Vassallo, Stephen R. Hershman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless communication network access controller assembly for preventing texting while driving includes a portion shaped to fit within a standard power port of a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one engagement member that places the assembly in a coupling arrangement with the power port of the vehicle and prevents removal of the assembly by the driver. A network access controller creates a local wireless network that is an overlay to a part of an existing wireless network and that prevents wireless communications access to the existing wireless network.
Claims20
A wireless communication network access controller assembly comprising:
- a first portion shaped to fit within a power port of a vehicle;
- at least one engagement member having:
- a retracted position;
- and
- an extended position that extends outwardly from the first portion and places the at least one engagement member in a coupling arrangement with a portion of the power port of the vehicle;
- a second portion having a locking mechanism operable to selectively move the at least one engagement member from the extended position to the retracted position;
- and
- a network access controller coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the network access controller operable to create a local wireless network that is an overlay to a part of an existing wireless network and that prevents wireless communications access to the existing wireless network.
A method of preventing wireless communication while a vehicle is in motion, the method comprising:
- providing a wireless communication network access controller assembly comprising:
- a first portion shaped to fit within a power port of a vehicle;
- at least one engagement member having:
- a retracted position;
- and
- an extended position that extends outwardly from the first portion and places the at least one engagement member in a coupling arrangement with a portion of the power port of the vehicle;
- a second portion having a locking mechanism operable to selectively move the at least one engagement member from the extended position to the retracted position;
- and
- a network access controller coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the network access controller operable to create a local wireless network that is an overlay to a part of an existing wireless network and that prevents wireless communications access to the existing wireless network.
- manipulating the locking mechanism to a first position where the at least one engagement member is in the retracted position;
- inserting the first portion within the power port;
- and
- manipulating the locking mechanism to a second position where the at least one engagement member is in the extended position and in a mating relationship with the portion of the power port.
A wireless communication network access controller assembly comprising:
- a body shaped to fit within a power port of a vehicle;
- at least one engagement member having an extended position that extends outwardly from the body and places the at least one engagement member in a coupling arrangement with a portion of the power port of the vehicle;
- a network access controller coupled to the body, the network access controller operable to create a local wireless network that is an overlay to a part of an existing wireless network and that prevents wireless communications access to the existing wireless network;
- an engagement member removal detector operable to determine when the engagement member is no longer in a coupling arrangement with the power port of the vehicle;
- and
- a tamper indicator coupled to the engagement member removal detector and operable to indicate the engagement member removal detector determined the engagement member was not in a coupling arrangement with the power port of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.