Apple Patents In-Car GPS with Safety Features

Darren

Apple files a great many patents, nothing new there. It is standard practice for any tech company to patent anything and everything just in case it is of future value.

However this patent relates to GPS and is for an in-car navigation system and more specifically safety features that prevent a driver from interacting with the device whilst in motion.

The patent filing states: "Many navigation systems use knobs and pushbuttons for entering destination and other information for use in determining driving directions. The accurate use of such input devices may force the driver to take her eyes off the road, resulting in a potentially hazardous condition."

The detail of the 11 page patent filing concerns methods of locking down the system or allowing operation by a passenger only. There are already systems in use that lock out access to the device when a vehicle is moving but the detail concerning sensors that can detect from which side of the vehicle a device is being operated are new.

It is a lengthy filing as is common with Patent filings but news of a patent that seek to restrict access will doubtless cause many to roll their eyes.
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Darren Griffin

bedbug · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject:

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iPhone 4/4S (iOS 5.1.1); TomTom Western Europe (1.10)/USA & Canada (1.10); CoPilot for iPhone (8), UK mapping, Mac OS 10.8/XP Pro/Win7; Tongue firmly in cheek!

SpikeyMikey · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

ROTFL, for a moment there I thought it was my typo but no, for a change it's in the patent filing, nice!
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Darren Griffin

MaFt

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

You haven't read the full patent then!
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Darren Griffin

GerryC · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

I think the key phrase is "one or more sensors"? I doubt they would ever prose employing them all at once.
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Darren Griffin

worried · Lifetime Member Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 74

That OK then my Navman has a remote control

Kar98 · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

Mullet · Frequent Visitor Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 1051

If this isn't an early April fools, I am wondering if they will patent a shiny retro fit to lock down other dangerous distractions like the radio, cig lighter, electric windows, cup holder, heater controls etc etc Rolling Eyes

Tv in a Beamers dash, fair enough but a navigational aid Laughing

They need to turn their policies upside down an concentrate on giving functionality for a change.

culzean · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 54

I think that when satnavs are used properly they are actually a great aid to road safety, they remove the need for people to balance a map book on the steering wheel (yes I used to see this often) or on the passenger seat and keep looking down at it. They can take the stress out of driving in strange places and having to look out for speed and other cameras.

I think that drivers shouldn't be able to mess with them too much while the car is moving - I use the 'garmin lock' on mine to stop myself from being tempted to poke at the screen while zooming along. There are far too many distractions in cars today for my liking - including drivers phoning / texting while driving and ICE systems with loads of fiddly little multi-function buttons that are a real distraction.

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