Here is a module that plugs into your OBD-II port that disables the phone while the vehicle is moving...... Scosche cellControl locks your device while driving, tattles on your text habit -- Engadget Scosche cellCONTROL Stops You From Texting While Driving [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSfPPu-jvM&hd=1]cellCONTROL from Scosche Industries Inc. ID12102 - YouTube[/ame]
OK With F.C.C.? :cornut: This can stop a Cell Phone(?) that is not PHYSICALLY connected to the car in any way? WOW! I wonder how they got F.C.C. approval to block radio transmissions to Cell Towers. If the cell phone is physically connected to the car ; that's easy as no radio transmissions are being blocked by wireless means but, if the cell phone is completely 'free standing' , that requires F.C.C. permission to block radio transmissions to the cell tower(and anyone else's cell phone who is standing close to the car in question). Am I missing something here?????????????????????????:confused5: Jason
Only when in motion so you would have to be running very fast to have your cell signal blocked, there are already places that use things similar to block cellphones, in theaters, hospitals and other places. I think its a great idea...
Yes, you are missing reading the whole story... I quote the relevant part for you here. Also, this is ones own personal vehicle. It is not blocking the public, only the occupants of ones own vehicle. I'm no lawyer and I don't pretend to be one online or even on television. But a company like Schose you would think will have researched the legal ramifications on a product such as this. Now the question becomes how do you start stacking all these OBDII port plugin devices. One to block texting, another from your insurance company that's a tattle tale device. Something has to give here...
:cornut: The objects that you are talking about are buildings(Fixed nonmoving objects) with radio blocking materials used in their constuction which is entirely different from a moving automobile with open windows. I LIKE THE IDEA. I just wonder how they can block a radio transmission from a(free standing/NOT connected to the car) cell phone in a car with the windows open?:confused5: HOW DO THEY DO THAT? Jason Well I read Nathan's post above(thank you Nathan) But, this device has to be transmitting signals that are jamming radio transmissions and that requires F.C.C. permission AND, could one hold their cell out of an open window and have it work. What is the radius of the jamming signal(only inside the car?)? Could one drive past a parked car and interfere with that person's cell phone? I'm a licensed HAM and know a thing or 2 about radios and FCC regs. Can any of our Electrical/Computer/Radio engineer types tell us the nuts and bolts of this? Jason
The same way they do it with the windows closed. It only works on phones that are paired with the device. it does not block a passenger texting etc.
:cornut: Nathan, Thank You very much. You've explained such that even I now understand. 'It only blocks the phone that you tell it to block.' Got it. Jason(thanks for dumbing it down for me)
The question is..... How do you pry the phone from their hands with enough time to pair the cell phone with the "Interruptus Maximus" without them knowing about it?
I can't verify technical details from the press release, but it seems pretty clear to me how it must work. It doesn't block or jam signals at all. You install an app on the phone, and the app disables texting or phone functions based on what it sees on the OBD data stream. Almost certainly it listens to the OBD over Bluetooth (it might even be a generic, off-the-shelf OBD Bluetooth dongle). There's a certain amount of trust and security involved. The OBD dongle must be operating and the app seems to connect with a server, and it can be detected whether the app has been uninstalled.
Pretty interesting. I have seen early reports of apps before for the iphone and android that work off the built in GPS of the device. Get the phone traveling 20+ mph or the like and the app shuts down services. Not sure if the apps ever made it to market. Ironically the app creator was a Dr that was severally injured while jogging because he was hit by a distracted driver. his version didn't require a OBD device. It was all in software.