Vehicle Wireless Device Control via Location and Position Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of wireless communications devices in vehicles poses safety concerns due to distractions and interference, with users often unaware of local laws prohibiting their use, leading to fines or citations.
Innovation Solution
A database management system that determines a vehicle's geographic location and the position of a mobile communications device within it, accessing database records to restrict device functionality based on location-specific regulations, using sensors like directional sensors, GPS, and signal strength to configure the device's capabilities accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communications devices are allowed to operate freely in vehicles, then user convenience and communication accessibility are improved, but safety risks increase due to distractions and interference
Solution Approach 1:
A database management system acts as an intermediary between the wireless communications device and the vehicle environment. The system receives location data from GPS, queries a database for applicable laws and restrictions, and automatically configures device capabilities accordingly. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling communication when legal and safe, while restricting it when prohibited, without requiring user judgment about complex local regulations.
2Reliability
If the system automatically restricts device functionality based on location, then compliance with local laws is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and database management
Solution Approach 1:
The database management system performs multiple functions using a unified architecture: it stores location information, manages restriction databases, processes legal compliance rules, and controls device capabilities. This multi-functional approach improves legal compliance while minimizing the increase in complexity by consolidating functions into a single system rather than adding separate independent components for each function.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors multiple conditional parameters (location, position, device state), then restriction accuracy is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and organizes location information and restriction rules into a database before they are needed. When the device determines its location using GPS and directional sensors, it can quickly query the pre-organized database for applicable restrictions rather than processing all possible parameters in real-time. This preliminary organization of information reduces the real-time data processing load while maintaining high restriction accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.