IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,203,547
Granted Patent B1
US 9,203,547 · App. 14/508,316 · Granted Dec 1, 2015

Simplified apparatus for positively preventing the use of mobile personal communication devices

Inventor: Martin Moran (Wethersfield, CT)
H04K3/415B60W40/105H04K3/45H04M1/6075H04M1/72569H04M1/72577
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,203,547
App. No.
14/508,316
Granted
Dec 1, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

A simplified apparatus for positively preventing the use of mobile personal communication devices by the operator of a vehicle in “hand held” mode, and permitting use of such devices in “handsfree” mode. The apparatus includes a signal jammer operable to block at least one of the incoming and outgoing signals associated with the personal mobile communication device; a power supply associated with the signal jammer; a motion responsive sensor in the vehicle, which is configured to activate the signal jammer while the vehicle is in motion; and a pairing signal detector, which is configured to de-activate the signal jammer while a handsfree pairing signal is present.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for positively preventing use, by an operator of a vehicle, of a mobile personal communication device in hand held mode; said apparatus comprising:

a signal jammer operable to block at least one of the incoming and outgoing signals associated with the personal mobile communication device;

a power supply associated with the signal jammer;

a motion responsive device, which is configured to activate the signal jammer while the vehicle is in motion; and

a pairing signal detector, which is configured to de-activate the signal jammer while a pairing signal is present between the personal mobile communication device and a handsfree device in the vehicle.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the motion responsive device is connected to monitor a conventional vehicle speed sensor.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the motion responsive device is connected with the conventional vehicle speed sensor and with a vehicle speedometer, in a retrofit configuration, by tapping into an electrical conduit provided between the conventional vehicle speed sensor and the vehicle speedometer.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the motion responsive device includes an electrical connection from the vehicle alternator to the signal jammer, so that the signal jammer is activated while the vehicle engine is running.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the motion responsive device is configured to activate the signal jammer by closing a normally open switch, which when closed connects the signal jammer to an electrical power supply.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the electrical power supply is not the vehicle battery.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the signal jammer is adapted to selectively block signals within a portion of the vehicle.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pairing detector is configured to detect presence of a pairing signal based on a paired condition indicated by the vehicle stereohead.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is incorporated into a handsfree device configured for pairing with the personal mobile communication device.