Safety features for portable electronic device

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device is operable to provide a plurality of functions in response to user input;
• (b) detecting a linear speed at which the portable electronic device is traveling, wherein the act of detecting a linear speed at which the portable electronic device is traveling comprises receiving input from a speed detector, wherein at least a portion of the speed detector is located within the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to determine a geographical location of the portable electronic device;
• (c) comparing the detected linear speed to a threshold;
• (d) determining whether the detected linear speed is in excess of the threshold;
• (e) disabling one or more functions of the plurality of functions in response to a determination that the detected linear speed is in excess of the threshold, wherein the action of disabling is performed by a safety circuit in communication with the speed detector;
• and
• (f) recording an alert in response to an attempt to utilize at least one of the functions of the plurality of functions while the detected linear speed is in excess of the threshold, wherein the alert comprises an indication that an attempt was made to utilize at least one of the functions of the plurality of functions while the detected linear speed is in excess of the threshold, wherein the alert is recorded in a storage medium.

A portable electronic device system, comprising:

• (a) a portable electronic device having a user interface, wherein the portable electronic device is operable to provide a plurality of functions in response to user input received through the user interface, wherein the portable electronic device comprises at least one hands-free input or output configured to communicate with one or more hands-free user input or output devices;
• (b) a speed detector in communication with the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to detect a linear traveling speed of the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to generate and communicate a speed signal indicative of the detected linear traveling speed, wherein at least a portion of the speed detector is located within the portable electronic device;
• (c) a safety circuit in communication with the speed detector and the portable electronic device, wherein the safety circuit is configured to receive the speed signal communicated from the speed detector, wherein the safety circuit includes a threshold logic, wherein the threshold logic is configured to compare the speed indicated by the speed signal to a threshold, wherein the safety circuit is further configured to disable at least one of the functions of the portable electronic device in response to detecting that the speed indicated by the speed signal is in excess of the threshold in accordance with the threshold logic;
• and
• (d) an override logic in communication with the hands-free input or output, wherein the override logic is configured to detect a coupling of one or more hands-free user input or output devices with the at least one hands-free input or output, wherein the override logic is further configured to, in response to detecting the coupling of one or more hands-free user input or output devices with the at least one hands-free input or output, override at least a portion of the disablement provided by the safety circuit.

A portable electronic device system, comprising:

• (a) a portable electronic device having a user interface, wherein the portable electronic device is operable to provide a plurality of functions in response to user input received through the user interface, wherein one of the plurality of telecommunications functions comprises a voice or text communication function;
• (b) a speed detector in communication with the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to detect a linear traveling speed of the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to generate and communicate a speed signal indicative of the detected linear traveling speed, wherein at least a portion of the speed detector is located within the portable electronic device;
• (c) a safety circuit in communication with the speed detector and the portable electronic device, wherein the safety circuit is configured to receive the speed signal communicated from the speed detector, wherein the safety circuit comprises a threshold logic and a safety logic, wherein the threshold logic is configured to compare the speed indicated by the speed signal to a speed threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a speed safety signal in response to determining that the speed indicated by the speed signal has exceeded the speed threshold, wherein the safety logic is in communication with the threshold logic, wherein the safety logic is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of functions of the portable electronic device in response to receiving the speed safety signal communicated by the threshold logic;
• and
• (d) a timer in communication with the portable electronic device, the threshold logic and the safety logic, wherein the timer is configured to begin measuring a communication duration time upon receipt of the speed safety signal by the safety logic, wherein the communication duration time comprises an amount of time the portable electronic device is engaged in a single voice or text communication function, wherein the timer is configured to communicate duration data indicating the communication duration time, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to determine whether the communication duration time exceeds a duration threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a duration safety signal in response to determining that the communication duration time has exceeded the duration threshold, wherein the safety logic is further configured to disable the voice or text communication function of the portable electronic device in response to receiving the duration safety signal communicated by the threshold logic.

A portable electronic device system, comprising:

• (a) a portable electronic device having a user interface, wherein the portable electronic device is operable to provide a plurality of functions in response to user input received through the user interface;
• (b) a speed detector in communication with the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to detect a linear traveling speed of the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to generate and communicate a speed signal indicative of the detected linear traveling speed, wherein at least a portion of the speed detector is located within the portable electronic device;
• (c) a safety circuit in communication with the speed detector and the portable electronic device, wherein the safety circuit is configured to receive the speed signal communicated from the speed detector, wherein the safety circuit comprises a threshold logic and a safety logic, wherein the threshold logic is configured to compare the speed indicated by the speed signal to a speed threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a speed safety signal in response to determining that the speed indicated by the speed signal has exceeded the speed threshold, wherein the safety logic is in communication with the threshold logic;
• and
• (d) a timer in communication with the portable electronic device, the threshold logic and the safety logic, wherein the timer is configured to begin measuring an excessive speed duration time upon receipt of the speed safety signal by the safety logic, wherein the excessive speed duration time comprises an amount of time the speed indicated by the speed signal exceeds the speed threshold, wherein the timer is configured to communicate duration data indicating the excessive speed duration time, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to determine whether the excessive speed duration time exceeds a duration threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a duration safety signal in response to determining that the excessive speed duration time has exceeded the duration threshold, wherein the safety logic is further configured to disable at least one of the plurality of functions of the portable electronic device in response to receiving the duration safety signal communicated by the threshold logic.

A portable electronic device system, comprising:

• (a) a portable electronic device having a user interface, wherein the portable electronic device is operable to provide a plurality of functions in response to user input received through the user interface, wherein one of the plurality of telecommunications functions comprises a voice or text communication function;
• (b) a speed detector in communication with the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to detect a linear traveling speed of the portable electronic device, wherein the speed detector is configured to generate and communicate a speed signal indicative of the detected linear traveling speed, wherein at least a portion of the speed detector is located within the portable electronic device;
• (c) a safety circuit in communication with the speed detector and the portable electronic device, wherein the safety circuit is configured to receive the speed signal communicated from the speed detector, wherein the safety circuit comprises a threshold logic and a safety logic, wherein the threshold logic is configured to compare the speed indicated by the speed signal to a speed threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a speed safety signal in response to determining that the speed indicated by the speed signal has exceeded the speed threshold, wherein the safety logic is in communication with the threshold logic;
• and
• (d) a timer in communication with the portable electronic device, the threshold logic and the safety logic, wherein the timer is configured to begin measuring an inter-communication duration time upon receipt of the speed safety signal by the safety logic and termination of a voice or text communication function, wherein the inter-communication duration time comprises an amount of time after a voice or text communication function is terminated while the speed indicated by the speed signal exceeds the speed threshold, wherein the timer is configured to communicate duration data indicating the inter-communication duration time, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to determine whether the inter-communication duration time exceeds a duration threshold, wherein the threshold logic is further configured to communicate a duration safety signal in response to determining that the inter-communication duration time has not exceeded the duration threshold, wherein the safety logic is further configured to disable the voice or text communication function of the portable electronic device in response to receiving the duration safety signal communicated by the threshold logic.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and configured to be independent of a vehicle, comprising:

• a speed detection logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal indicative of the detected speed, the safety circuit including a threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a threshold signal, the safety circuit disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the threshold signal, wherein processing of the threshold logic is not performed by the vehicle;
• and
• a consumer input logic communicating with the portable electronic device to receive input from a consumer of the portable electronic device, the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective activation of the safety circuit, and the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective override of the safety circuit disabling the one or more functions.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions, comprising:

• a speed detection logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal indicative of the detected speed, the safety circuit including a threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a threshold signal, the safety circuit disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the threshold signal, wherein processing of the threshold logic is not performed by a vehicle;
• and
• a consumer input logic communicating with the portable electronic device to receive input from a consumer of the portable electronic device, the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective activation of the safety circuit, and the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective override of the safety circuit disabling the one or more functions.

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device providing a plurality of functions, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a speed of the portable electronic device;
• comparing the speed to a threshold;
• determining whether the speed is in excess of the threshold and an amount of time during which the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• disabling a first set of functions from the plurality of functions by activating a safety circuit in response to the amount of time exceeding a first time threshold and disabling a second set of functions from the plurality of functions by activating the safety circuit in response to the amount of time exceeding a second time threshold;
• sending a notification to a second device not actively communicating with the portable electronic device during the step of disabling in response to an attempt to utilize a function from the plurality of functions while the amount of time is in excess of the first time threshold or the second time threshold.

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device providing a plurality of functions, including a voice communication function, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a speed of the portable electronic device;
• comparing the speed to a threshold;
• determining whether the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• measuring a frequency time consisting of an amount of time between a first call to or from the portable electronic device and a second call to or from the portable electronic device while the speed exceeds the threshold;
• disabling the voice communication function if the frequency time is below a frequency threshold;
• sending a notification to a second device not actively communicating with the portable electronic device during the step of disabling in response to an attempt to utilize the voice communication function.

A cellular phone system, comprising:

• a cellular phone including a plurality of functions including a voice communication and one or more hands-free inputs or outputs;
• a GPS receiver receiving data;
• and
• a safety circuit, including:
• a speed detection logic in communication with the GPS receiver and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a threshold logic comparing the signal indicative of the detected speed to a threshold and communicating a speed safety signal in response to the signal indicative of the detected speed exceeding the threshold;
• a timer measuring a voice communication duration time in response to the speed safety signal and communicating the voice communication duration time to the threshold logic, the threshold logic communicating a duration safety signal in response to the voice communication duration time exceeding a duration threshold;
• a safety logic disabling the voice communication function in response to the duration safety signal;
• and
• an override logic detecting a coupling of a hands-free device to the one or more hands-free inputs or outputs and selectively overriding the safety logic in response to the coupling.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and configured to be used independent of a vehicle, comprising:

• a speed detector logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal, the safety circuit including a threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a threshold signal, the safety circuit disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the threshold signal, wherein processing of the threshold logic is not performed by the vehicle;
• and
• a consumer input logic communicating with the portable electronic device to receive input from a consumer of the portable electronic device, the input indicating a consumer preference relating to selective activation of the safety circuit, wherein the safety circuit is selectively activated in accordance with the consumer preference.

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions, the method comprising:

• detecting a speed at which the portable electronic device is traveling in response to an input received from a speed detector, the speed detector further providing a geographical location of the portable electronic device;
• comparing the speed to a threshold;
• determining whether the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• disabling one or more functions of the plurality of functions with a safety circuit communicating with the speed detector in response to a determination that the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• and
• recording an alert in response to an attempt to utilize at least one function of the one or more functions while the speed is in excess of the threshold, wherein the alert comprises an indication that an attempt was made to utilize the at least one function while the speed is in excess of the threshold, wherein the alert is recorded in a storage medium.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and at least one hands-free input or output communicating with one or more hands-free input of output devices, comprising:

• a speed detector communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal, the safety circuit including a threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a threshold signal, the safety circuit disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the threshold signal, wherein the threshold logic is not performed by a vehicle;
• a consumer input logic communicating with the portable electronic device to receive input from a consumer of the portable electronic device, the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective activation of the safety circuit, and the input indicating a consumer preference relating to a selective override of the safety circuit disabling the one or more functions;
• and
• an override logic communicating with the hands-free input or output to detect a coupling of the one or more hands-free user input or output devices with the at least one hands-free input or output and overriding the safety circuit disabling at least a portion of the one or more functions.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and configured to be independent of a vehicle, comprising:

• a speed detector logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal, the safety circuit including a threshold logic and a safety logic, the threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a speed safety signal, the safety logic communicating with the threshold logic and disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the speed safety signal;
• and
• a timer communicating with the threshold logic and the safety logic and measuring a communication duration time in response to the speed safety signal, the communication duration time comprising an amount of time the portable electronic device is engaged in a single voice or text communication function, the timer communicating duration data indicating the communication duration time, wherein the threshold logic determining whether the communication duration time exceeds a duration threshold and communicating a duration safety signal in response to determining that the communication duration time has exceeded the duration threshold, and wherein the safety logic disabling the voice or text communication function in response to the duration safety signal.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and configured to be independent of a vehicle, comprising:

• a speed detector logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal, the safety circuit including a threshold logic and a safety logic, the threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a speed safety signal, the safety logic communicating with the threshold logic and disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the speed safety signal;
• a timer communicating with the threshold logic and the safety logic and measuring an excessive speed duration time in response to the speed safety signal, the excessive speed duration time comprising an amount of time the detected speed exceeds the threshold, the timer communicating duration data indicating the excessive speed duration time, wherein the threshold logic determining whether the excessive speed duration time exceeds a duration threshold and communicating a duration safety signal in response to determining that the excessive speed duration time has exceeded the duration threshold, and wherein the safety logic disabling at least one function among the one or more functions in response to the duration safety signal;
• and
• wherein the threshold logic communicates an acceptable speed safety signal in response to determining that the detected speed does not exceed the threshold, wherein the timer measures an acceptable speed duration time in response to the acceptable speed safety signal, wherein the acceptable speed duration time comprises an amount of time the detected speed indicated by the signal does not exceed the threshold, wherein the timer communicates duration data indicating the acceptable speed duration time, wherein the threshold logic determines whether the acceptable speed duration time exceeds a duration threshold, wherein the threshold logic communicates an acceptable speed duration safety signal in response to determining that the acceptable speed duration time has exceeded the duration threshold, and wherein the safety logic overrides at least a portion of the one or more functions disabled by the safety logic in response to the acceptable speed duration safety signal.

A system for controlling a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions and configured to be independent of a vehicle, comprising:

• a speed detector logic receiving data from a speed detector and communicating a signal indicative of a detected speed of the portable electronic device;
• a safety circuit receiving the signal, the safety circuit including a threshold logic and a safety logic, the threshold logic comparing the detected speed indicated by the signal to a threshold and generating a speed safety signal, the safety logic communicating with the threshold logic and disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions in response to the speed safety signal;
• and
• a timer communicating with the threshold logic and the safety logic and measuring an inter-communication duration time in response to the speed safety signal and a termination of a voice or text communication function, wherein the inter-communication duration time comprises an amount of time after a voice or text communication function is terminated while the detected speed exceeds the threshold, wherein the timer is configured to communicate duration data indicating the inter-communication duration time, wherein the threshold logic determines whether the inter-communication duration time exceeds a duration threshold, wherein the threshold logic communicates a duration safety signal in response to determining that the inter-communication duration time has not exceeded the duration threshold, wherein the safety logic disables the voice or text communication function of the portable electronic device in response to receiving the duration safety signal.

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device providing a plurality of functions, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a speed of the portable electronic device;
• comparing the speed to a threshold;
• determining whether the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions by activating a safety circuit in response to the speed exceeding the threshold;
• sending a notification to a second device not actively communicating with the portable electronic device during the step of disabling in response to activating the safety circuit;
• enabling the one or more functions by deactivating the safety circuit;
• and
• sending a notification to the second device in response to deactivating the safety circuit.

A method for providing a safety feature in a portable electronic device providing a plurality of functions, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a speed of the portable electronic device;
• comparing the speed to a threshold;
• determining whether the speed is in excess of the threshold;
• disabling one or more functions from the plurality of functions by activating a safety circuit in response to the speed exceeding the threshold;
• sending a notification to a second device not actively communicating with the portable electronic device during the step of disabling in response to activating the safety circuit;
• receiving an input from a consumer indicating a consumer preference, and wherein the step of disabling includes the step of selectively deactivating the safety circuit in response to the consumer preference;
• and
• sending a notification to the second device in response to deactivating the safety circuit.