Artifex Software Inc.

Miles Jones

Michael J Vrhel

Scott Sackett

A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device that is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. A wireless communication device is then configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetooth&#x2122;, telephone calls, text messaging, etc.) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone. The wireless communication device is further configured to receive the second wireless signal and, in response thereto, enable the features that have been disabled or limited via the first wireless signal.

System and method for limiting usage of a wireless communication device

A system and method is provided for limiting, disabling and/or activating a wireless communication device during operation of a vehicle or participation in an activity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a wireless communication device. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least one wireless transmitter, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a first wireless signal toward a first designated region, and a second wireless signal toward a second designated region. The wireless communication device, which includes at least one wireless receiver, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the first wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the wireless device. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetooth&#x2122;, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone. The wireless communication device is further configured to receive a second wireless signal and, in response thereto, enable the features that have been disabled or limited via the first wireless signal. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal, and the second wireless signal is an IR signal.

A system and method is provided for limiting or disabling cellular telephone usage during operation of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wireless transmission device and a cell phone. The wireless transmission device, which includes at least an IR modulation circuit, a processor, and a memory device, is configured to transmit a wireless signal toward a driver of the motor vehicle. The cell phone, which includes at least an IR modulation detection circuit, a processor, a memory device, a keypad, and a display, is configured to receive the wireless signal and, in response thereto, limit or disable certain features of the cell phone. This can be done by disabling certain features (e.g., cellular service, Bluetooth&#x2122;, telephone calls, text messaging, emailing, its antenna, its keyboard, and/or its display) or disabling (e.g., powering down, etc.) the entire cell phone.

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San Rafael, CA, United States of America

Miles Jones