State Farm files patent for system to suppress calls and text while driving
State Farm has filed a patent for a system that suppresses calls and notifications to a driver’s phone while they are operating a motor vehicle, according to patent documents recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
“An increasing number of motor vehicle accidents occur each year as a result of drivers using their mobile devices,” the patent says. “Drivers frequently talk on their cellular phones or send and receive text messages while driving. Such behaviors pose significant hazards to the drivers themselves as well as nearby drivers of other motor vehicles, passengers, pedestrians, and sometimes property.”
The patent goes on to outline how insurance premiums are based on driver risk.
“The auto insurance industry carries a portion of the risk posed by the drivers who use their mobile devices while they drive,” the patent says.
The patent stops short of saying if State Farm would monitor the system and create premium reductions or discounts based on usage, similar to the way most major insurers allow policyholders to opt-in to the usage of apps that track data, such as speed, acceleration, and braking.
State Farm gives three options for how a driver’s phone could connect to the system:
Bluetooth interface configured to connect to a device associated with the vehicle
Wireless communication interface configured to receive wireless communication from a remote device
A processer coupled to the wireless communication interface and the Bluetooth interface
After being connected by one of the three options, the system would suppress any notifications once it determines the vehicle is operating. It could be determined the vehicle is in operation by tracking speed and location data, the patent says.
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