Preventing access to functions on a mobile device in response to an external OS-level command
First Claim
1. A system for preventing access to a prohibited function on a mobile device when the mobile device is in a vehicle, the mobile device having an operating system (OS) installed thereon, comprising:
- a control device installed within the vehicle, the control device being a standalone hardware device that is external to and separate from the mobile device;
a software application installed and running in memory resident on the mobile device;
wherein, after a connection is established between the mobile device and the control device, if a prohibited function is active or attempting to become active on the mobile device, the software application causes the mobile device to transmit a notification signal to the control device;
wherein, in response to receipt of the notification signal from the mobile device, the control device transmits an OS-level command back to the mobile device; and
wherein, after receipt of the OS-level command from the control device, the OS of the mobile device acts in response to the OS-level command, which prevents access to the prohibited function without any direct interference or interruption of the prohibited function by the software application installed on the mobile device.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for preventing access to a prohibited function on a mobile device when the mobile device is in a vehicle, the mobile device having an operating system (OS) installed thereon. The system includes a control device installed within the vehicle and a software application installed and running in memory resident on the mobile device. If a prohibited function is active or attempts to become active on the mobile device, the software application causes the mobile device to transmit a notification signal to the control device. In response, the control device transmits an OS-level command, such as a home or power key press, back to the mobile device. Upon receipt of the OS-level command, the operating system of the mobile device prevents access to the prohibited function without any direct interference or interruption of the prohibited function by the software application installed on the mobile device.
43 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for preventing access to a prohibited function on a mobile device when the mobile device is in a vehicle, the mobile device having an operating system (OS) installed thereon, comprising:
-
a control device installed within the vehicle, the control device being a standalone hardware device that is external to and separate from the mobile device; a software application installed and running in memory resident on the mobile device; wherein, after a connection is established between the mobile device and the control device, if a prohibited function is active or attempting to become active on the mobile device, the software application causes the mobile device to transmit a notification signal to the control device; wherein, in response to receipt of the notification signal from the mobile device, the control device transmits an OS-level command back to the mobile device; and wherein, after receipt of the OS-level command from the control device, the OS of the mobile device acts in response to the OS-level command, which prevents access to the prohibited function without any direct interference or interruption of the prohibited function by the software application installed on the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for preventing access to functions of a mobile device when the mobile device is in a vehicle, comprising:
-
a control device installed within the vehicle, the control device being a standalone hardware device that is external to and separate from the mobile device and wherein the controlled device is configured to determine when the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed; an operating system (OS) installed and operating on the mobile device, the operating system enabling the mobile device to receive OS-level commands transmitted by the control device using a human interface device (HID) protocol; wherein, after the control device determines that the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed, the control device periodically transmits an OS-level command to the mobile device using the HID protocol as long as the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed; and wherein, in response to receipt of the OS-level command from the control device, the OS of the mobile device takes action that prevents access to the functions on the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification