Patent ID: 8204649
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: B60W,H04M

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling use of a mobile computing device in a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle diagnostic detection device having a connector configured to connect to an on-board-diagnostic (OBD) port in the vehicle; a wireless communication module configured to transmit selected information from the vehicle diagnostic detection device; a vehicle key configured to communicate with the vehicle; a vehicle key code configured to associate the vehicle key with a particular user of the vehicle; and a mobile computing device configured to identify when the vehicle is activated using the vehicle key having the vehicle key code, wherein selected device features of the mobile computing device are controlled when the vehicle is activated using the vehicle key; and a vehicle status module configured to operate on the mobile computing device, wherein the mobile computing device receives the selected information transmitted by the wireless communication module and the vehicle status module interprets the selected information and limits functionality of the mobile computing device of the particular user when the selected information communicates that the vehicle is operating outside of selected criteria.