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

1. A wireless transmission system comprising:

a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and

a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device, the processor being configured to run an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold, the processor being further configured to detect if the application is disabled, wherein the processor sends an alert if the application is disabled.

2. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processor creates a log of each time the application is disabled.

3. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the log includes dates and times when the application is disabled.

4. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the alert is sent to a previously established owner contact.

5. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the alert is sent to a third party.

6. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the third party is an insurance company.

7. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the third party is an entity responsible for managing a number of vehicles and drivers.

8. A wireless transmission system comprising:

a transmission apparatus that transmits a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter; and

a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal, the mobile computing device including a processor that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the input device, the processor running an application that disables the input device if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold, the processor creating a log that includes the vehicle parameter when the input device is disabled.

9. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the vehicle parameter is speed of the vehicle.

10. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the transmission apparatus is in communication with an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to detect the vehicle's GPS location, the log including the vehicle's GPS location when the input device is disabled.

11. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to detect the mobile computing device's GPS location, the log including the mobile computing device's GPS location when the input device is disabled.

12. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the log includes dates and times when the input device is disabled.

13. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the transmission apparatus is in communication with an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to store accident data that is included in the log.

14. A wireless transmission system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the processor compares the accident data with dates and times when the input device is disabled.

15. A method comprising:

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a vehicle parameter to a mobile computing device having an input device for accepting user input and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the wireless signal;

running an application using a processor of the mobile computing device;

disabling the input device using the application if the vehicle parameter exceeds a threshold; and

creating a log using the application, the log including vehicle data at a time when the input device is disabled.

16. A method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the log includes dates and times when the input device is disabled.

17. A method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising pairing the application to an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle, the on board diagnostic system being configured to detect the vehicle data.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the vehicle data includes at least one of engine status, speed of travel and location.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the on board diagnostic system is configured to record accident data, the log including the accident data.