Patent troll SMTM Technology is suing Apple for alleged patent infringement over the ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’ feature introduced in iOS 11 …
The patent, entitled ‘Mobile device inactive mode and inactive mode verification,’ originally dates back to an application made in 2013, and granted in 2015.
Patently Apple reports that SMTM Technology purchased the patent from its inventor, Nick Bovis.
The patent notes that distracted driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Bovis also saw the idea as a way for drivers involved in collisions to prove that they were not using their mobile device at the time.
Accordingly, there is a need for a mobile device including functionality for suppressing communications to a user and systems for verifying that a user was not receiving communications during a particular period of time, as described herein.
The case was filed in San Francisco, rather than East Texas, normally favored by patent trolls.
- Feature Request: Create an option to automatically reply to text messages while driving
- How to customize Do Not Disturb While Driving settings on iPhone for convenience and safety
- Feature Request: How Apple could enhance Do Not Disturb and VIP to better control notifications
- iPhone’s ‘Do Not Disturb while driving’ feature helps, says insurance company
- Apple patent describes likely next step in ‘Do not disturb while driving’ feature
