In another feature, the software application determines whether a function on the mobile device that is active or attempting to become active is prohibited. In some embodiments, the software application determines whether the function on the mobile device is prohibited based on a rules-based policy associated with the mobile device.
In another feature, the notification signal is transmitted from the mobile device to the control device using a wired connection, a WiFi wireless connection, or a Bluetooth wireless connection.
In yet a further feature, in response to receipt of the notification signal from the mobile device, the control device periodically re-transmits the OS-level command back to the mobile device for a predetermined period of time.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a system for preventing access to functions of a mobile device when the mobile device is in a vehicle comprises: a control device installed within the vehicle, the controlled device configured to determine when the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed; an operating system (OS) installed and operating on the mobile device, the operating system enabling the mobile device to receive OS-level commands transmitted by the control device using a human interface device (HID) protocol; wherein, after the control device determines that the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed, the control device periodically transmits an OS-level command to the mobile device using the HID protocol as long as the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed; and wherein, in response to receipt of the OS-level command from the control device, the operating system of the mobile device prevents access to the functions on the mobile device.