Remote Biometric Sensor for Driving Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile phone technologies lack effective solutions to disable distracting features while driving, posing a safety risk as users can still engage in texting and non-handsfree calls.
Innovation Solution
A remote biometric sensor system that connects to a phone via a cable, using a fingerprint reader to enable or disable specific phone features based on recognized fingerprints, preventing use of distracting features like texting and non-handsfree calls when driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phone features are disabled while driving, then driver safety is improved, but user accessibility to phone features is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by disabling distracting phone features before driving begins. The biometric sensor detects the driver's fingerprint in advance and automatically applies restrictions to texting, browsing, and other distracting functions, preventing safety issues before they occur rather than reacting to them later.
Solution Approach 2:
The biometric sensor acts as an intermediary between the user and the phone system. It mediates access to phone features by requiring fingerprint authentication, allowing the driver to safely access necessary functions while blocking distracting ones. This intermediary layer enables selective feature access without completely restricting phone usage.
2Reliability
If biometric authentication is required to enable features, then safety control is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The biometric sensor provides self-service by automatically detecting and verifying the driver's fingerprint without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously determines whether to enable or disable features based on the biometric authentication result, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual safety controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical or manual safety control mechanisms with biometric authentication. Instead of physical switches, buttons, or complex menu systems for controlling phone usage, the patent uses fingerprint recognition technology to automatically manage feature accessibility, simplifying the control mechanism while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The remote biometric sensor may comprise a biometric sensor coupled to a phone via a cable and an application program running on the phone. The application program may disable selected features of the phone when the biometric sensor is plugged in to prevent use of the disabled features while driving. As non-limiting examples, the application program may disable texting and non-handsfree use of the phone for calls. The application program may enable one or more disabled features if a finger is placed upon the biometric sensor and the fingerprint read by the biometric sensor matches a learned fingerprint that is stored within the biometric sensor or within the application program's data area. The disabled features may remain enabled for as long as the finger is held against the biometric sensor.