Mobile Input Control via Vehicle OBD Speed Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions to prevent texting while driving are either ineffective, as they disable all cell phones in a vehicle or require additional circuitry, and lack the ability to track whether the user has disabled or circumvented safety measures, which is crucial for determining liability in accidents.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transmission system that uses an on-board diagnostic system to detect vehicle speed and engine status, disabling input devices on mobile computing devices when the vehicle is in motion and logging such events, while also detecting if users attempt to circumvent the safety measures, and sending alerts or logs to authorized parties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signal jamming is used to disable cell phones, then texting while driving is prevented, but all cell phones in the vehicle are disabled and additional circuitry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transceiver as an intermediary device that communicates between the application on the mobile computing device and the OBD system. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of signal monitoring, vehicle speed data acquisition, and coordinated disabling of input devices, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual components while maintaining reliable prevention of texting while driving
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing OBD system's multi-functionality to acquire vehicle speed and engine status data without requiring dedicated hardware for speed sensing. The OBD system, originally designed for diagnostic purposes, is repurposed to provide speed data for the texting prevention function, eliminating the need for additional speed sensors or specialized circuitry
2Reliability
If conventional texting prevention devices are used, then texting is blocked, but they can be turned off or circumvented and lack tracking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the application continuously monitors whether the input device remains disabled and detects attempts to circumvent the safety measures. This feedback loop ensures sustained prevention effectiveness and enables tracking of usage status, addressing both the reliability and information loss concerns
3Reliability
If keyboard input functionality is disabled based on location and speed, then safety is improved, but device functionality is reduced when not driving
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of the input device based on real-time conditions. The input device is enabled when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly and the device is in the operator control area, and disabled when the vehicle exceeds the speed threshold. This dynamic adaptation ensures safety during driving while preserving full functionality when not driving, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless transmission system is provided that includes a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter. The system includes a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal. The mobile computing device includes a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device. The processor is configured to run an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold. The processor is further configured to detect if the application is disabled.