A wireless mobile telephone handset control system sending a control signal configured to selectively disable functionality of the handset

WIRELESS MOBILE TELEPHONE HANDSET CONTROL SYSTEM

The present invention relates to wireless control systems for mobile telephone handsets, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to wireless control systems for mobile telephone handsets that operate by the Bluetooth® wireless technology standard.

BACKGROUND

Mobile telephone handsets are commonly provided with wireless communications functionality by which they can transmit and receive short-range radio signals, in particular using the Bluetooth® wireless technology standard, which operates at a 2.4GHz radio frequency band. When the functionality is operational on the handsets, as well as facilitating communication between different handsets, it also enables short-range radio frequency communications between a handset and other signal broadcast units, which may be fixed in a building or a vehicle, such as a car or train.

Disadvantageously, owners of mobile phone handsets may use them at inappropriate times and locations, such as to send text messages and browse the internet whilst driving a motor vehicle or whilst in work premises, or to receive text messages and telephone calls and audible delivery alerts whilst in the audience of a cinema or theatre.

Blocking systems are available that completely block operation of handsets. However, such blocking systems prevent emergency calls from being made. Further, the complete disablement of handsets by such blocking systems is illegal in some countries.

The present invention seeks to address at least some of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wireless mobile telephone handset control system comprising a wireless control signal transmission unit configured to broadcast a wireless control signal for reception by a mobile telephone handset, wherein the control signal is configured to selectively disable functionality of the handset.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the control system is configured to selectively disable operation of a handset within the vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided at least part of a building comprising a control system of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the control system is configured to selectively disable operation of a handset within the at least part of the building.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of wireless control of a mobile telephone handset, comprising broadcasting a wireless control signal from a wireless control signal transmission unit, wherein the control signal is configured to selectively disable functionality of the handset.

The transmission unit may be configured to broadcast a wireless control signal that disables typing of text messages on the handset.

The transmission unit may be configured to broadcast a wireless control signal that disables internet browsing by the handset.

The transmission unit may be configured to broadcast a wireless control signal that disables dialling of telephone numbers by the handset, except for telephone numbers for use in emergencies.

The transmission unit may be configured to broadcast a wireless control signal that disables audio outputs from the handset.

The transmission unit may be configured to broadcast the wireless control signal using the Bluetooth® wireless technology standard.

The control system may be configured to selectively disable functionality of a handset that has been pre-registered to a vehicle and not to selectively disable functionality a handset that has not be pre-registered to a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a wireless mobile telephone handset control system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a wireless mobile telephone handset control system 100 having a wireless transmission unit 102 of the present invention. The transmission unit is configured to broadcast a wireless control signal 104 that is received by a mobile telephone handset 106 that is within the reception distance of the broadcasting unit. The wireless control signal 104 is broadcast using the Bluetooth® wireless technology standard. The control signal 104 is configured to control the Bluetooth® enabled handset 106 to disable selected functionality of the handset, such as operation of part or all of the mechanical keypad or screen-displayed keypad, internet browsing, non-emergency dialling of telephone numbers (through operation of the mechanical or screen-displayed keypad or by voice activation), and/or audible alerts. The control signal 104 does not completely disable user operation of the handset 106, but only partially disables user operation of the handset 106, which can for example continue to be used to make emergency telephone calls.

In a first embodiment, the wireless mobile telephone handset control system is integrated into a motor vehicle, such that the broadcast signal can control operation of telephone handsets within the vehicle to prevent the typing of text messages and/or internet browsing using the handset.

Many vehicles have functionality that enables a mobile telephone handset to be registered for coordinated control with the control electronics of the vehicle, such that the operation of a pre-registered handset can be controlled by user input controls of the car, e.g. manual input controls mounted on the steering wheel, or voice activated control. This facilitates what is termed ‘hands-free’ operation of the handset, by enabling telephone calls to be made and answered without requiring the user to handle the handset. Such hands-free operation is a legal requirement when a vehicle driver uses a mobile telephone handset whilst driving in some countries. Advantageously, in the case that the control system is integrated into a vehicle, it may selectively control operation of only a handset that is pre-registered to the vehicle (e.g. preventing the writing of text messages on the vehicle driver’s handset), without disabling operation of any functionality on other handsets within the vehicle (e.g.

passengers’ handsets).

In a second embodiment, the wireless mobile telephone handset control system is provided in an employer’s premises, such that the broadcast signal can control operation of telephone handsets within all or part of the premises to prevent the typing of text messages and/or internet browsing using the handset by employees whilst on the premises or in the corresponding part of the premises, thus preventing employees from being distracted from their employer’s work. Advantageously, the broadcast wireless control signal may be highly localised, such that disablement of selected functionality of employees’ handsets only occurs in part of the employer’s premises, and operation of employees’ handsets is not affected in other areas (e.g. foyer and dining room).

In a third embodiment, the wireless mobile telephone handset control system is provided in public spaces, such as theatres, cinemas, lecture halls, classrooms and restaurants. In this case the broadcast wireless control signal provides selective disablement of the operation of mobile telephone handsets of members of the audience for public performances. In particular, the control signal may disable operation of the audio output from the handsets, e.g. disabling audible alerts from the handsets when text messages or in-coming telephone calls are received by the handsets, and disabling output from the ear-piece loudspeaker if a telephone call is made or received by the handset.

In each embodiment, selective disablement of functionality of mobile telephone handsets is temporary, and continues only whilst the control signal is broadcast or whilst the handsets are within range to receive the broadcast control signal.

The figure provided herein is schematic and not to scale.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.