The Masterphone System
Our solution for safe texting - the MasterphoneTM System - will save lives. Unlike other IP solutions addressing this critical problem, the Masterphone System is implemented in software by cell phone service providers requiring:
- No phone mods
- No vehicle mods
- No hardware infrastructure mods
The Problem
We all know that texting while driving KILLS. Today's teenagers are tomorrow's drivers. And, they are addicts. Texting addicts.
On April 20, 2010, CNN presented a feature on texting in teens entitled "Can teen texting become an addiction?"
CNN Editor's Note: For most teenagers, cell phone texting has become a lifeline, but is it an addiction? Ask many parents and they'll say yes. Today in our original series, "Texting 2 Much?" our Deb Feyerick talks to teens with excessive texting habits.
An excerpt from this feature made the key point:
The need for instant communication not only has a social component, but a chemical one as well, says neuroscientist and sleep doctor Michael Seyffert. "Neuro-imaging studies have shown that those kids who are texting have that area of the brain light up the same as an addict using heroin."
Now, when these teens get behind the wheel, we know what will happen. They won't stop texting. The law won't matter and more people will die. Texting while driving is banned in Europe, Canada, and most (but not all) US states. It won't matter. More people will die.
Enter Twitter. Twitter is about constant contact and constant message flow. It feeds the addiction - and it's growth is explosive. In the end, no law will solve the texting problem - only a technical solution that stops drivers from texting while not hindering passengers.
The Solution
Our solution relies on the driver's phone being declared a "Masterphone". Until a Masterphone is identified in a vehicle, all phones in a moving vehicle, including passengers, are prevented from texting. After the Masterphone is declared - by a single button push (speed dial) - passengers can text. It's that simple, and it works with all phones since all phones now in use have GPS capability.
The IP
The first US Patent was granted on October 23, 2012:
8,295,854
Three US Patent applications are pending, two of which are published:
20110136509
20110223939
One UK patent application is pending:
GB1020544.1
Looking Ahead
The inventor is looking for support and partners to enable the adoption of this important technology. Possible approaches include one or more of the following:
- Partner with a software company providing cellular platforms for service providers.
- Form an industry consortium of cellular service providers to prototype, pilot, and finally deploy the Masterphone solution as a gesture of support for public safety.
- Lobby members of Congress to enact legislation to deploy the Masterphone solution.
- Form an IEEE committee to create the communication and database protocols to allow position synchronization of multiple phones across multiple service providers, in support of the Masterphone solution.
Interested parties should contact Bob Osann at 408-313-1990 or by clicking here.
