frodobaggins

Someone give me a schematic for a device that will turn a serial
port pin high and I will code it in.

Frodo

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Bravellir

That would be great.
There are how ever software only solutions.
Even if where I live we do not have that kind of laws, my guess is that sooner or later they will show up ,
So my idea was to design a skin where some of the buttons where transparent, so, the video button is there, you can click it, but it would be invisible.
The other, with the developers collaboration , was to implement a way to boot strait to one application, audio, rear camera or gps, and when you returned to the main menu you would be asked for a passcode. if you key in passcode A the menu would only have the "Right" options, if you key in the passcode B the menu would show up with all the options.

What do you think??

Brave

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cw95403

Microsoft has a PowerToy application called Virtual Desktop Manager for Windows XP. It can be used to switch between multiple desktops. A nice little app if I might add.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../powertoys.asp

Scouse Monkey

I think this would be the best idea, you could possibly use something like this: http://www.modasylum.com/guides.php?guide=21&page=0 to connect with the serial or a even a push button connected to your joystick port (or joystick-usb connector) and then either use girder to send a signal to the software (e.g. fp) or have the software pic up the signal directly. It would be nice if when the switch was open (e.g. handbrake off) the software could pop up a window saying "Not Available" with a no entry sign or something or switch to an alternative DVD mode that doesnt actually work and is kind of greyed out with something like "disabled" overlayed. That would address the demonstrating to police that you have it dissabled issue.

Of course you could set up the switch to be open when the handbrake is on/car in park then add an on/off switch in series to stop the deactivating switch from completing the circuit when you are driving round and have this hidden somewhere you can press it easily.

Andy

sq_geek

Just change the input to something other than VGA, and then tell the officer that it is not yet working and not finished. You merely had the backlight on to check for glare issues, or something like that.

rando

The serial port is a bit less convenient to interface than the parallel port. Can you just assume the DTR line triggers the software? When the line is high/low (user configurable) the software should disable certain features (user configurable perhaps also), and also stop those same features if they are currently in use (i.e. stop any playing video). Otherwise the software behaves as normal.

People would then be free to develop whatever schematic is appropriate for the switching mechanism in their vehicles.

For software developement / testing, you might consider using a simple com port loop back (either virtual or real). This would give you programatic control over the DTR line.

In the real world, there are several ways to build a circuit. Here is a simple one with parts you should be able to get at radio shack. I haven't tested this and it might need some tweeking but demonstrates how easily the circuit could be developed. Maybe someone with more EE skillz than I can come up with something better/simpler.

UPDATE: THIS DOESN'T WORK --- DON'T USE IT
7912: -12V Linear regulator
7812: 12V Linear regulator

** Pull DTR to -12V - Logic High **
ACC--7912IN
7912OUT--100K_Resistor---DTR
GND--7912GND

** Pull DTR to +12V - Logic Low When Park Switch is closed
ACC--PARK SWITCH--7812IN
7812OUT---DTR
GND--7812GND
UPDATE: THIS DOESN'T WORK --- DON'T USE IT

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b_nom

This is what the law says in texas, they just passed this on september 2003. the bill is SB 209

AN ACT


relating to prohibiting a motor vehicle from being equipped with
certain video equipment and devices.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 547.611, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 547.611. USE OF CERTAIN VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION
RECEIVERS [PERMITTED].
SECTION 2. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 547.611,
Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with video receiving
equipment, including a television [and similar equipment], a
digital video disc player, a videocassette player, or similar
equipment, only if the equipment is located so that the video
display is not visible from the operator's seat.
(c) This section does not prohibit the use of:
(1) equipment used:
(A) exclusively for receiving digital
information for commercial purposes;
(B) exclusively for a safety or law enforcement
purpose, if each installation is approved by the department; [or]
(C) in a remote television transmission truck; or
(D) exclusively for monitoring the performance
of equipment installed on a vehicle used for safety purposes in
connection with the operations of a natural gas, water, or electric
utility; or
(2) a monitoring device that:
(A) produces an electronic display; and
(B) is used exclusively in conjunction with a
mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle.
SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
(b) The change in law made by this Act applies only to an
offense committed on or after September 1, 2003.
(c) An offense committed before September 1, 2003, is
covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before September 1, 2003, if
any element of the offense was committed before that date.

You can find it here

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rando

That looks a bit more restrictive than CA.

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2004 4runner

eCar™

Are you guys talking about just putting this in Frodoplayer? Or can you make an app that keeps any player (WMP specifically) from playing video?

I'm not too smart. But, I was thinking there is some way to disable "Video Overlay"? If that is the right term. I guess the app would have to be made to work with a specific video card then?

b_nom

And here is the law in Cali:

Assembly Bill No. 301
CHAPTER 303
An act to amend Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
[Approved by Governor September 4, 2003. Filed
with Secretary of State September 5, 2003.]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
AB 301, Reyes. Vehicles: video displays.
(1) Existing law prohibits any person from driving a motor vehicle
that is equipped with a television receiver, screen, or other means of
visually receiving a television broadcast, if the device is located in the
motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is
visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle. This prohibition
does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in a law enforcement
vehicle.
This bill would recast this prohibition and, additionally, would
prohibit any person from driving a motor vehicle if a video monitor, or
a video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a video
signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating
and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of
the driver’s seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving
the motor vehicle. This prohibition would not apply to specified
equipment or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or
roadside assistance. Because a violation of this prohibition would be a
crime, the bill would establish a state-mandated local program.
(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
27602. (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other,
similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video
signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating
Ch. 303 —2—
93
and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of
the driver’s seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving
the motor vehicle.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when
installed in a vehicle:
(1) A vehicle information display.
(2) A global positioning display.
(3) A mapping display.
(4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view
forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of
maneuvering the vehicle.
(5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen,
or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast
or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the
motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a
visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal
installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will
be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates
a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction,
within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or
changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of
Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

find it here (pdf file)

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rando

The CA law was posted on page 1 of this thread.

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2004 4runner

Hcomplyr

I belive MP3 playlists would fall under vehicle information so it all good

rando

Updated my post above .... don't use that circuit, it's completely and utterly wrong...I'm an idiot.

Here's a simpler circuit that should work. It only uses a single SPDT relay and the +/- supply voltages from your PSU.

ACC--PARKING_SW--COIL--GND
+12V--SW1
-12V--SW2
SW_COMMON--DTR

You can use the +/-5V rails if they happen to be more convenient in your setup. Also you can put a diode across the relay coil if you want.

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2004 4runner

MatrixPC

can we just do something like this.
Ebrake signal (-) wire to a relay with a switch to override the Ebrake signal.
A relay output is send to the COM port or PARALLEL port (I refer parallel port because it never been use in car environment).

On the software part. Have it runs as a service and the software should monitor the signal on the COM/PARALLEL port (if 2 pins of the port is connected or one of the pin is high (5V) or low).

If there is input, disable video application or any applications (user configurable). By disable I mean, when video application is run, the monitor software kill the app and display an UNAVAILABLE message/image for couple seconds then close the message.
This way, when the switch is turn on (no input and regardless of the ebrake) video application can be play. This is good when you are in the middle of no where. When the switch is off, the ebrake has be be on to show video app.

Okay the relay wiring part.
Relay coil: + connects to ACC or BATT, - connects to ebrake AND switch to override ebrake. It better to have the 2 signal issolate by 2 diodes othewise the cruise control may not work when the switch is on.
output from relay (NO) is connect to COM/PARALLEL port.
So when ebrake is engaged, COM port get signal and the monitor software disable the video apps.

For the legal part, I think it is illegal to have moving pictures/video within the driver view whether in CA or else where (if it not illegal now, it will be in the future).
We better think ahead

Maybe this Software shutdown controller can add additional functions to disable the video application.

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rando

@Matrix, for the COM port, the switched relay output needs to be > +3v for Low and < -3V for High. For PARALLEL port use, you can use a single voltage (+5v). Other than that, we're saying the same thing. I don't think FP should even worry about how it's hooked up. It just needs to expose an interface that an external program can use to feed it the required info.

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