Method and apparatus for controlling input to a mobile computing device located inside a vehicle

Abstract

A wireless transmission system and method is provided for use in a vehicle having an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system configured to provide vehicle speed data and engine operation status data. A transmission apparatus is interfaceable with the on-board diagnostic system. The transmission apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal as specified by Bluetooth criteria. A mobile computing device has an input device, a GPS module, and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal in accordance with Bluetooth criteria and determine a signal level thereof. The GPS module is configured to provide GPS data as determined by received GPS signals. The mobile computing device operates in accordance with a method for determining is the mobile computing device is with a driver's seating area and disables the input device if the vehicle speed is at or above a threshold value.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A wireless transmission system comprising:
 a transmission apparatus configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and   a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transreceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including an input control for effecting disablement of the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold.   
     
     
         22 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is speed. 
     
     
         23 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is fuel consumption. 
     
     
         24 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is fuel pressure. 
     
     
         25 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is an intake and exhaust control setting. 
     
     
         26 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is throttle position. 
     
     
         27 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is pedal position. 
     
     
         28 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is cruise control. 
     
     
         29 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is clutch speed position. 
     
     
         30 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vehicle parameter is engine speed. 
     
     
         31 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the transmission apparatus is interfaced with an on-board diagnostic system of a vehicle. 
     
     
         32 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 31 , wherein the on-board diagnostic system is configured to provide the vehicle parameter to the transmission apparatus. 
     
     
         33 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 32 , wherein the vehicle parameter is speed of the vehicle. 
     
     
         34 . A wireless transmission system according to  claim 21 , wherein the transceiver is configured to determine a signal strength of the received signal and the input control effects disablement of the input device if the signal strength exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         35 . A mobile computing device comprising:
 a processor configured to determine a speed at which the mobile computing device is moving;   input device for accepting user input; and   an input control for effecting disablement of the input device if the speed exceeds a threshold.   
     
     
         36 . A mobile computing device as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the processor is linked to a global positioning system module of the mobile computing device that is configured to determine the speed of the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         37 . A mobile computing device as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the processor is linked to a global positioning system module of the mobile computing device, the processor being configured to take position readings from the global positioning system module to determine the speed of the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         38 . A wireless transmission system comprising:
 the mobile computing device recited in  claim 35 ; and   a transmission apparatus configured to transmit a wireless signal, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a wireless transreceiver configured to receive the wireless signal and determine a signal strength level of the received signal, the input control being configured to effect disablement of the input device if the signal strength level exceeds a threshold.   
     
     
         39 . A wireless transmission system as recited in  claim 38 , wherein input control will effect disablement of the input device only if the speed and the signal strength level each exceed a threshold. 
     
     
         40 . A wireless transmission system comprising:
 a transmission apparatus configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and   a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transreceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including an input control for effecting disablement of the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold,   wherein the transceiver is configured to determine spacing between the transmission apparatus and the mobile computing device and the input control effects disablement of the input device if the spacing does not exceed a threshold.