System for ensuring safe driving
A device housing system contained within a vehicle is provided herein, the device housing system including a front surface, a back surface, a first side member, a second side member, a top member, a bottom member, and a control module configured to communicate with a motion detection mechanism of the vehicle and with an internet-enabled device. The front surface, the first side member, the second side member, and the bottom member define a placement slot for the internet-enabled device, the placement slot being configured to support the internet-enabled device. The device housing system prevents a user from operating an internet-enabled device when the vehicle is in motion, and thus, limits distracted driving. The device housing system also prevents operation of the vehicle unless certain conditions are met.
1 . A method of ensuring safe driving, comprising the steps of:
providing, a device housing system contained within a vehicle, the device housing system comprising a placement slot configured to receive and support an internet-enabled electronic device;
entering the vehicle by a young driver;
registering the internet-enabled electronic device with the device housing system, thereby creating a wireless electronic communication channel therebetween;
placing, by the young driver, the internet-enabled electronic device of the driver into the placement slot;
automatically transmitting an anti-theft code to the internet-enabled electronic device upon placement of the internet-enabled electronic device;
entering the anti-theft code into a graphical user interface presented on the internet-enabled electronic device;
fastening, by the young driver, a seatbelt corresponding to a seat in the vehicle which is occupied by the young driver;
preventing operation, by the device housing system, of one or more software applications on the internet-enabled electronic device, where the one or more software applications are ordinarily accessible by the young driver utilizing the internet-enabled electronic device;
permitting, upon verification of the anti-theft code and verification of fastening of the seatbelt, by the device housing system, operation of the vehicle.
2 . The method of claim 1 , the internet-enabled electronic device comprising at least one camera, and wherein the step of registering the internet-enabled electronic device with the device housing system is performed via the at least one camera scanning an optical identifier located on the device housing system.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
sensing by the device housing system if the internet-enabled electronic device is within the placement slot;
preventing operation of the vehicle, by the device housing system, if the internet-enabled electronic device is removed from the placement slot.
4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
assessing, via the at least one camera whether a second internet-enabled electronic device is located within the vehicle and preventing operation of the vehicle, by the device housing system upon detection of the second internet-enabled electronic device.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of assessing via the at least one camera whether a human driver is present in the vehicle.
6 . The method of claim 5 , the internet-enabled electronic device having two cameras, the method further comprising the steps of:
monitoring by one of the two cameras an area ahead of the vehicle and recording a video thereof; and
storing the video on the internet-enabled electronic device.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing a second graphical user interface for allowing the young driver to catalog any damage to the vehicle or other hazards.
8 . The method of claim 1 , the device housing system further comprising a wireless charger configured to charge the internet-enabled electronic device when placed within the placement slot.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of permitting, by the device housing system, operation of the vehicle is permitting the vehicle to be placed into drive.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of permitting operation of the vehicle is permitting an engine of the vehicle to be started.
11 . A method of ensuring safe driving, comprising the steps of:
providing, a device housing system contained within a vehicle, the device housing system comprising a placement slot configured to receive and support an internet-enabled electronic device;
performing a pre-trip inspection checklist by a commercial driver;
entering one or more results of the pre-trip inspection checklist into a software application on the internet-enabled electronic device;
entering the vehicle by the commercial driver;
registering the internet-enabled electronic device with the device housing system, thereby creating a wireless electronic communication channel therebetween;
placing, by the commercial driver, the internet-enabled electronic device of the commercial driver into the placement slot;
automatically transmitting an anti-theft code to the internet-enabled electronic device upon placement of the internet-enabled electronic device;
entering the anti-theft code into a graphical user interface presented on the internet-enabled electronic device;
fastening, by the commercial driver, a seatbelt corresponding to a seat in the vehicle which is occupied by the commercial driver;
preventing access, by the device housing system to one or more software applications on the internet-enabled electronic device, where the one or more software applications are ordinarily accessible by the commercial driver utilizing the internet-enabled electronic device;
permitting, upon verification of the anti-theft code and verification of fastening of the seatbelt by the commercial driver, by the device housing system, operation of the vehicle.
12 . The method of claim 11 , the device housing system further comprising a wireless charger configured to charge the internet-enabled electronic device when placed within the placement slot.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of permitting, by the device housing system, operation of the vehicle is permitting the vehicle to be placed into drive.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of permitting operation of the vehicle is permitting an engine of the vehicle to be started.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
sensing by the device housing system if the internet-enabled electronic device is within the placement slot;
preventing operation of the vehicle, by the device housing system, if the internet-enabled electronic device is removed from the placement slot.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of preventing operation of the vehicle, by the device housing system, if the internet-enabled electronic device is removed from the placement slot is achieved by slowly reducing the speed of the vehicle until the vehicle is stopped.
17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of assessing, by the device housing system an amount of time spent operating the vehicle by the commercial driver and transmitting that amount of time to a third party payroll provider.
18 . The method of claim 11 , the device housing system further comprising a breathalyzer and the verification comprising the steps of:
blowing into the breathalyzer by the commercial driver to provide a value of blood alcohol content of the commercial driver;
determining whether the value of blood alcohol content is under 0.8;
preventing operation of the vehicle if the value of blood alcohol content is over 0.8.
19 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of presenting the commercial driver with one or more visual stimuli;
tracking, by an image capture device in electronic communication with the device housing system, one or more eye movements of the commercial driver in relation to the one or more visual stimuli;
assessing, via the software application performing a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, whether the commercial driver is impaired.
20 . The method of claim 11 , the device housing system being configured to interface with one or more sensors to determine a speed and a direction of the vehicle, the method further comprising the step of:
assessing, by the device housing system, whether the commercial driver is speeding or engaging in improper lane changes;
transmitting this information to a third party.