Telecommunications – Receiver or analog modulated signal frequency converter – Combined with diverse art device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2004-08-03
Urban, Edward F. (Department: 2685)
Telecommunications
Receiver or analog modulated signal frequency converter
Combined with diverse art device
C455S099000, C340S936000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06771946
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to cellular telephones being used in motor vehicles and, more particularly, this invention relates to a method of preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while such motor vehicle is in motion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of cell phones in automobiles and other motor vehicles has grown to alarming proportions in recent years. What was once used as an auxiliary piece of emergency equipment in a vehicle has now become a common and potentially dangerous appliance in a vehicle. Usage of the phone has increased dramatically in recent years. Not only has there been a significant increase in the number of cell phones in vehicles but the use of the phones has also seen a dramatic change.
Drivers are using the cell phones for many different reasons. Whether its a salesman checking in at the office on the order of business or a person just calling home or calling a friend, cell phones are being used at a significantly increased rate. Many, many phones are being used by drivers while their vehicles are moving and not just moving but traveling at high speeds. Cellular telephones are being used by drivers even on high speed interstate highways.
The use of cell phones has become such a problem that many state legislatures and even the federal government are considering passing legislation to curb the use of cell phones while the vehicle is moving. However, as with many laws such as those which require seat beat use, this type of law is very difficult to enforce.
There is a growing need for some piece of equipment that can be mounted in a vehicle which can prevent the use of the cell phone by the driver while the vehicle is moving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first embodiment the present invention provides a method for preventing a driver and/or operator of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while the motor vehicle is in motion. The invention comprises a step of determining a position of the gear shift lever disposed in a first predetermined location on such motor vehicle and generating a first signal when the position of such gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position of one of drive, overdrive, second, low, and reverse. Another step involves transmitting such first signal generated in a previous step to a means disposed in a second predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal. Another step involves generating such reverse phase signal when such first signal is received by such means. A next step is transmitting such reverse phase signal for a predetermined radius from such second predetermined location. A last step is preventing any cellular telephone transmission within such predetermined radius while such reversed phase frequency signal is being transmitted.
Another embodiment of the invention requires a modification to present cell phones. This method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while the vehicle is in motion comprises a first step of determining a position of a gear shift lever disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle and generating a first signal when such gear shift lever is moved to and remains in one of drive, overdrive, second, low and reverse. Another step involves transmitting such first signal, generated in a previous step, to a receiving and transmitting means disposed in a second predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a second signal. The next step involves generating a second signal when such first signal is received by such receiving and transmitting means for generating the second signal and then transmitting such second signal for a predetermined radius from such second predetermined location. Another step is receiving such second signal by an AM receiver section of a cellular telephone and, finally, preventing any cellular telephone transmission within such predetermined radius while such second signal is being received by such AM receiver section of such cellular telephone.
Another alternative embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular telephone while such motor vehicle is in motion. Such apparatus comprises a first means disposed in a first predetermined location on such motor vehicle for determining a position of gear shift lever of such motor vehicle and for generating and transmitting a first signal when such gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position of one of drive, overdrive, second, low and reverse. There is a phase reversal generator and transmitter disposed at a second predetermined location on such motor vehicle for receiving such first signal transmitted by such first means and for generating and transmitting a reverse phase output signal when such phase reversal generator and transmitter is activated by such first signal. A second means is disposed on such phase reversal generator and transmitter for controlling transmission of the reverse phase power output signal of such phase reversal generator and transmitter so as to transmit such reverse phase power output signal for a predetermined radius. Such reverse phase power output signal from such phase reversal generator and transmitter prevents any cellular telephone transmission within such predetermined radius while such phase reversal generator and transmitter is transmitting such reverse phase power output signal.
Still another alternative embodiment of the invention provides a method for preventing a driver of a motor vehicle from using a cellular telephone while the motor vehicle is in one of a forward motion and a reverse motion. The method comprises the steps of determining a position of a gear shift lever that is disposed in a first predetermined location on the motor vehicle and generating a first signal when the gear shift lever is moved to and remains in a position, determined in a previous step, which will allow the motor vehicle to move into one of a forward motion and a reverse motion. There is a step of transmitting such first signal to a receiving and transmitting means disposed in a second predetermined location on the motor vehicle for enabling such receiving and transmitting means to generate a second signal. Another step involves generating and transmitting a third signal from such cellular telephone, within a predetermined radius, to such receiving and transmitting means indicating that such cellular telephone is transmitting thereby activating such receiving and transmitting means which had been enabled in a previous step to generate a second signal when the receiving and transmitting means also receives such third signal that such cellular telephone is transmitting. There is a step of generating such second signal by such receiving and transmitting means when such first signal, generated in a previous step, and such third signal, also generated in a previous step, are both received by such receiving and transmitting means for generating such second signal. The next step is transmitting such second signal for a predetermined radius from such second predetermined location with a message to such cellular telephone within the predetermined radius telling such cellular telephone user that within a predetermined time one of such driver must stop cellular telephone transmission or such motor vehicle would be shut down. The final step involves shutting down such motor vehicle if such cellular telephone transmission has not ceased within the predetermined time.
Yet another alternative embodiment provides a method for preventing a motor vehicle driver from using a cellular phone while such motor vehicle is in motion. Such method comprises determining a speed of such motor vehicle and generating a first signal when such speed of such motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed. There is a step of transmitting the first signal, generated in a previous step, to a means disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle for generating a reverse phase signal and
James Ray & Associates
Nguyen Thuan T.
Urban Edward F.
LandOfFree
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