Apple Granted Patent to Disable iPhone Recordings

[JJVP]

Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device "policies"). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter "sleep mode" when entering a sensitive area.

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/384874/2 ... FhtBmt5mSO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jimlongley]

Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device "policies"). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter "sleep mode" when entering a sensitive area.

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/384874/2 ... FhtBmt5mSO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not too much of a surprise, it's not really a telephone as much as it's a computer, and suitable software should be able to accomplish almost anything.

A lot of years ago (60s) I was going to attempt to obtain a patent for an "Early Warning System" that would sound off inside a motor vehicle if emergency apparatus was approaching, including blanking the radio or music. For a variety of reasons the patent application never went beyond the exploration stage, including that the state of the art was not advanced enough, that the system would be too expensive for auto manufacturers to include it without significant cost, and possible false alarms or at least alarms for vehicles that were on different blocks.

I'll bet with all of the computerization in vehicles these days, that it would not be a problem to do it now, just a little sub-routine dropped into the software somewhere. Seems to me that it's a very old idea, just being implemented now.

The initial impetus for this was riding down the street in my fire truck on the way to a house fire and coming up behind someone who later told the police that their radio was turned up and our siren was not loud enough and that was why they did not give way.

[C-dub]

I see huge issues with disabling phones in a GFZ such as a school.

[RoyGBiv]

I didn't really need another reason to not buy Apple products, but there it is..

[anygunanywhere]

I do like my iPhone but I do not like the idea of being an iZombie or iRobot or iObamaton.

Maybe the devices need to be disabled if a car is going over 5 mph. I like this idea.

Anygunanywhere

[troglodyte]

Seems it could be a sticky situation as far as the FCC is concerned. They are very clear about blocking or interferring with transmissions. I once looked into the idea of putting a cell phone blocker in our building at school to limit that distraction to the kids (It could be turned off if it needed to be). You can find "blockers" galore but they are illegal to use, manufacture, or import.

http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/Public_Not ... 776A1.html

I wonder how this will get aroung that. Of course it's just a patent at the moment.

[VMI77]

I do like my iPhone but I do not like the idea of being an iZombie or iRobot or iObamaton.

Maybe the devices need to be disabled if a car is going over 5 mph. I like this idea.

Anygunanywhere

So, if you need to call 911 you should have to pull over and stop your car, or just drive slowly enough so any bad guys can catch up with you? Or a woman being followed by another vehicle at night should pull over and call police? I hate all the phone jabbering and texting while driving, but it seems to me like the most legitimate reason for making a call from your car is an emergency, and it may be an emergency for which stopping isn't a reasonable option. Instead of prohibitions on things like this, I'm more for laws that up penalties for people who were jabbering away when they had an accident.

[mamabearCali]

So if we have a device that disables phone in the car and my husband and I are driving behind you and I see a car smash the daylights out of your car, would you prefer that I wait 3 minutes for us to get over, and stop to call 911 or would you prefer that I (in the passenger seat) call the ambulance immediately.

[SRH78]

That kind of technology could do a lot more than just disable a phone.

This just reminded me of 1984.

[Geaux Tigers]

It would be easy to allow 911 calls but block other phone calls and also texting and internet in the phone software under some conditions.

[Slowplay]

I'm wondering if there aren't already certain apps that use location services to activate or control certain features/functions. For example, the Cinemark iPhone app might already use location services to verify you're actually in their theater when you set their app to cinemode (which earns coupons/rewards).

[A-R]

So some "higher authority" will decide when, where, if we're allowed to use a cell phone?



What's next?

[youtube][/youtube]

[anygunanywhere]

I do like my iPhone but I do not like the idea of being an iZombie or iRobot or iObamaton.

Maybe the devices need to be disabled if a car is going over 5 mph. I like this idea.

Anygunanywhere

So, if you need to call 911 you should have to pull over and stop your car, or just drive slowly enough so any bad guys can catch up with you? Or a woman being followed by another vehicle at night should pull over and call police? I hate all the phone jabbering and texting while driving, but it seems to me like the most legitimate reason for making a call from your car is an emergency, and it may be an emergency for which stopping isn't a reasonable option. Instead of prohibitions on things like this, I'm more for laws that up penalties for people who were jabbering away when they had an accident.

There are exceptions to everything and I appreciate your pointing this out!

I have been hit 4 times by phone talkers, one of them by a guy doing 55 plus when he hit me. Yes, this is an issue, but writing tickets is not going to stop the insanity.

Anygunanywhere

[A-R]

Instead of prohibitions on things like this, I'm more for laws that up penalties for people who were jabbering away when they had an accident.

I actually like this - sorta like Intoxication Assault and Intoxication Manslaughter, but for texting while driving.

[Jaguar]

So some "higher authority" will decide when, where, if we're allowed to use a cell phone?



What's next?

That was my first thought, how many videos are out there where the cops say, "you can't record me" or words to that effect. Now they won't have to say a thing, just activate their app and, presto – change-o, your video recording device is now inoperative.