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FAU Signs Licensing Agreement for a Patent that Disables Cellphone Texting Features While Driving

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Florida Atlantic University and PortNexus have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to implement a patented idea that will help solve the growing national problem of auto accidents caused by people texting while driving—potentially saving lives one blocked text at a time.

The patent created by Daniel Raviv, Ph.D., professor in FAU’s Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will help stop driver distractions before they happen by disabling a cellphone from sending and receiving text messages when the driver’s phone is in a moving vehicle.

“I’m glad that this invention may help save lives, which is a part of my goal to help the community at large,” said Raviv. “Improving public safety through new, innovative technologies can make a real difference in the lives of millions.”

PortNexus, a South-Florida based company, along with AT&T Certified Solutions Partner, will use the idea to develop programming for Phone Service Providers (PSP) which then could offer the service to its customers. The idea does not require downloading of any software or special installations and would be handled by the PSP through the customer’s account.

“As we aggressively enter the age of mobile technology, distraction caused by mobile devices will only increase,” said Steve Jones, CEO of PortNexus. “Our technology will control what features are enabled on a cell phone based on the finely-tuned understanding of the motion of the device. It can eliminate an entire category of auto accidents that claim thousands of lives every year.”

Control of cellphone texting can be coordinated using Geo-referencing of spatial data so that the device that a person is using can be monitored at an exact location. Travel by train, bike or at an amusement park would be distinguishable by using location features and patterns of speed. The technology is precise enough to disable the driver’s phone, but not the phones of any of the car’s passengers.

“We are very pleased to help play a role in bringing this idea to market,” said Mohammad Ilyas, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “This research is just one of the ongoing efforts by FAU’s students and faculty who are working on new generations of active safety applications and systems to help further reduce auto accidents.”
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GREAT NEWS, so glad to hear of this actually happening!
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So the phone would know that you're driving and delay texts. That's interesting. I thought this was going to be an app that you voluntarily downloaded and that was never really going to work.
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owl2Doc said

I thought this was going to be an app that you voluntarily downloaded and that was never really going to work.
Posted On: Jul 17th 2014, 5:19 PM #332643

 :Laughing:

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I hope it works and its mandatory, I need an excuse on why I didn't text back right away.

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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walty12 said

I hope it works and its mandatory, I need an excuse on why I didn't text back right away.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 11:04 AM #332662

Keep it off my phone…I don't need a baby sitter to know what is safe and not safe.
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Tim FAU98 said

walty12 said

I hope it works and its mandatory, I need an excuse on why I didn't text back right away.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 11:04 AM #332662

Keep it off my phone…I don't need a baby sitter to know what is safe and not safe.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 11:33 AM #332663

Yeah you're probably not the target demographic  :Big-Grin:

Personally if this keeps a 16-year-old girl from rear ending me at a stoplight, I think I could be okay with it.
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owl2Doc said

Personally if this keeps a 16-year-old girl from rear ending me at a stoplight…
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 1:25 PM #332667

Or flattening out someone in the new bike lane on Glades like a pancake…

 :truce
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owl2Doc said

Tim FAU98 said

walty12 said

I hope it works and its mandatory, I need an excuse on why I didn't text back right away.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 11:04 AM #332662

Keep it off my phone…I don't need a baby sitter to know what is safe and not safe.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 11:33 AM #332663

Yeah you're probably not the target demographic  :Big-Grin:

Personally if this keeps a 16-year-old girl from rear ending me at a stoplight, I think I could be okay with it.
Posted On: Jul 18th 2014, 1:25 PM #332667

When someone says mandatory and doesn't say for who…the target demographic is everyone.
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Anti texting while driving software back in the news…

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