Patents Assigned to Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 10139900
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed. The mobile communicator further includes a user attentiveness detector configured determine whether a user is inattentive. The mobile communicator includes a circuit configured to ensure that a functionality of the mobile communicator is in a turned off state when the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed and the user attentiveness detector determines that the user is inattentive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9100794
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Ewell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9026780
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed. The mobile communicator further includes a user attentiveness detector configured to determine whether a user is inattentive and a sensor element configured to determine orientation of the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator further includes a circuit configured to ensure that a functionality of the mobile communicator is in a turned off state when the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed and at least one of: (a) the user attentiveness detector determines that the user is inattentive; and (b) the sensor element determines that the mobile communicator is in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9026779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed. The mobile communicator further includes a user attentiveness detector configured to determine whether a user is inattentive and a sensor element configured to determine orientation of the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator further includes a circuit configured to ensure that a functionality of the mobile communicator is in a turned off state when the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed and at least one of: (a) the user attentiveness detector determines that the user is inattentive; and (b) the sensor element determines that the mobile communicator is in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8995945
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a speed detection system for determining whether the mobile communicator is moving faster than a threshold speed. The mobile communicator further includes a sleep mode wherein both the speed detection system and a second function of the mobile communicator are disabled. An attempt to use the second function causes the mobile communicator to enable the speed detection system. Further, the mobile communicator includes a disabling circuit configured to disable the second function of the mobile communicator if the speed detection system determines that the mobile communicator is moving faster than the threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130252575
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, JR., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8437729
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of a plurality of functions are disabled. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8385880
    Abstract: Provided herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism for alerting a user, a user interface configured for allowing a user to enter a plurality of destination inputs, the plurality of destination inputs associated with an alphanumeric combination of numbers and letters, a transmitter in operable communication with the user interface and configured to send a transmission from the mobile communicator to a destination corresponding with the destination input, a receiver capable of receiving a transmission from a transmitting device and an enabling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8380161
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile communicator apparatus comprising a locational tracking unit and a disabling circuit. The locational tracking unit determines the location of the mobile communicator. The disabling circuit is configured to change the state of the mobile communicator from an enabled state, wherein the audible receiving and transmitting functions of the mobile communicator are enabled, to a disabled state, wherein the audible receiving and transmitting functions of the mobile communicator are disabled when the location of the mobile communicator as determined by the locational tracking unit satisfies the at least one condition. Also provided is a corresponding mobile communicator disabling system comprised of a mobile communicator apparatus and a network of signal transceivers and a corresponding method for disabling a mobile communicator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mobile Communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Ewell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110244825
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile communicator apparatus comprising a locational tracking unit and a disabling circuit. The locational tracking unit determines the location of the mobile communicator. The disabling circuit is configured to change the state of the mobile communicator from an enabled state, wherein the audible receiving and transmitting functions of the mobile communicator are enabled, to a disabled state, wherein the audible receiving and transmitting functions of the mobile communicator are disabled when the location of the mobile communicator as determined by the locational tracking unit satisfies the at least one condition. Also provided is a corresponding mobile communicator disabling system comprised of a mobile communicator apparatus and a network of signal transceivers and a corresponding method for disabling a mobile communicator apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Ewell, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100197351
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state, wherein at least one of a plurality of functions are disabled. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Mobile communication Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, JR., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20100093405
    Abstract: Provided herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism for alerting a user, a user interface configured for allowing a user to enter a plurality of destination inputs, the plurality of destination inputs associated with an alphanumeric combination of numbers and letters, a transmitter in operable communication with the user interface and configured to send a transmission from the mobile communicator to a destination corresponding with the destination input, a receiver capable of receiving a transmission from a transmitting device and an enabling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, JR., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly