Wednesday, December 23, 2009

MDBP "Mobile Device Behavior Protocol"

Copyright  John L. Sokol   August 31, 2007

Proprietary please do not share.   I am releasing this publicly today. 12/23/2009

If you plan to use the idea, please bring me in.
john.sokol - at -gmail -dot- com, 669-200-8207

There is an idea I have been thinking about a for several years.
 The idea of a "mobile device behavior protocol"  MDBP

 Basically the idea is to have all mobile devices such as phones, cameras, pda, laptops and video recorders be able to monitor a low power radio signal (FCC Part 15 transmitter)  for information about what services are available and what behaviors are allowed or not allowed for mobile devices in that area.

Also to possible use WiBree a low power version of BlueTooth for devices to request to get authorized for certain capabilities.

Once this protocol is defined the idea is to put pressure on device manufactures to support this. This could also be done though legislative means, such a deliberately making cell phones that can be used while driving unless using ear pieces or not using camera and audio recorders in court rooms.

Once phone and other devices are manufacture with MDBP support, a typical setup would consist of one or more low power transmitters at a location programmed to send out instructions to all devices as to what is now allowed in a location. It could also inform them on how to access a secure WiFi connection, or provide other local data to a device, such a text information notices.

The most important functionality will be control of cell phone usages.

  • Blocking incoming or outgoing calls (except 911) something signal jamming also takes out.
  • Blocking cell usage on air flight.
  • Blocking cell ring during events, theaters, libraries. This could also put a phone in to vibrate mode automatically.
  • Blocking camera usage, video or audio recording.
  • Enforcing more complex rules such as not allowing hand held operation while in motion on a freeway or areas of freeways where MDBP transmitters are installed.
  • Informing phones of VOIP access at a location.
  • Informing any device of local services, such a food or gas on a freeway.


This also could enforce rules such a no video taping in theaters, or concerts.
For location and industries there should be a lot of interest in this.
On planes phones/laptops could be told to turn off and do so automatically.
later just laptops could be given permission to turn on.

In movie theaters phones would automatically be set to vibrate only and would not allow someone to answer while in theater.
    Video recorders would be disabled automatically.

In court houses - cameras/PDAs/digital camera/camcorders would not allow picture taking & not allow ringing.

At concerts - cameras/PDAs/digital camera/camcorders would not allow picture taking. & audio devices wouldn't be allowed to record.

On roads and Highways it could enforce rules about not text messaging and using a headphone or Bluetooth headset.

In tennis games - all devices would be told to be quite.

Bomb squads & police could disable all cellphones for hostage situations.

Military, phones could be told to do all sorts of things, like reveal locations, send it's call log etc.


On the flip side
 Devices would be told about blue tooth and WiFi resources available.
 About Advertising, wireless coupons or other sales specials and other location specific services.
 I am sure we could think of more features to add here too.

I think the cost of adding this to a device would be about $1 but I think it wouldn't be hard to get several industries to lobby for this and even get a federal regulation requiring this in all devices

Possible Underlying technology

WiBree
http://www.ezurio.com/files/00616.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wibree
802.15.4 standard, which is now the basis of ZigBee and other short range radio networks.

Competition

For LANS:  Service Location Protocol (SLP) -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Location_Protocol

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea John. The problem is privacy. The first question the spokes will ask: This is great, what else I get do to the person device. The first question the tree hugger will ask: What else are you telling my device to do? Remember the Apple issue with tracking iPHONE users by logging GPS location logs to a file.

John Sokol said...

I think the benefits outweigh the detractions. I don't think it sacrifices any privacy either. Telling people phones when to not ring, like at a movie or not take phones or record like at a concert or court house. Or not to call out like in a prison makes a lot of sense. I am sure there is nothing the hackers couldn't bypass if they wanted too.

Unknown said...

So I wonder how long before someone sued because they could not get an emergency call at a theater. And if they have a device on planes that disables phones and laptops his would that device be safer than cell phones or laptops being operated on a flight? I just see a lot of problems with this even though there are times it would be nice.

Unknown said...

So I wonder how long before someone sued because they could not get an emergency call at a theater. And if they have a device on planes that disables phones and laptops his would that device be safer than cell phones or laptops being operated on a flight? I just see a lot of problems with this even though there are times it would be nice.