The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published an Apple patent on Tuesday called the "driver handheld computing device lock-out", which proposes ways to prevent people from texting while driving.
The system can sense if a cell phone user is driving while chatting, prompting the gadget to shut off all phone functions that might distract the motorist, according to Apple Insider.
Apple's new technology is the latest in the consumer electronics company's in-car technology projects, which include Car Play and Siri Eyes Free.
The system works by two different processes, CNET reported. First, the technology works independently to detect the driver's motion while observing the surrounding scenery. The phone's onboard sensors pick up whether the car is moving over a certain speed, and the scenery analyzer utilizes the phone's camera to find out if the driver is holding the phone. A lock-out mechanism automatically disables texting and other phone functions, according to what the driver is doing with the device.
In the second process, the car sends signals from the ignition key to the user's phone after he or she starts the car. The signal is sent to disable texting and additional functions.
The first process, while appearing to be more complicated, is more likely to succeed, since it only relies on the phone's technology. The second process looks simpler, but requires the added assistance of the automaker, CNET reported.
The patent cited a study from 2006 that showed 80 percent of car accidents are caused by distracted driving, PC Magazine reported.
"Texting while driving has become a major concern of parents, law enforcement and the general public," the patent said.
"New laws are being written to make texting illegal while driving," Apple continued in the patent. "However, law enforcement officials report that their daily ability to catch offenders is limited because the texting device can be used out of sight, thus making texting while driving even more dangerous."
Apple's invention also includes a parental lock-out function, which can disable user-selectable smartphone features connected to a specific key or phone, Apple Insider reported.
The patent said the lock-out feature would be "a significant selling point in the eyes of concerned parents, and it could lead to legislation that would require all handheld computing devices to disable texting while driving."
