Method and Apparatus For Limiting Portable Device Functionality

A driver communication safety system comprising:

• a first proximity beacon configured to be placed in a first vehicle and paired with a first portable device, wherein placement of the first proximity beacon in the first vehicle creates a first shielded zone comprising a first designated safety area wherein the driver communication safety system is functional;
• one or more wireless communication interfaces;
• one or more memory resources comprising:
• a user profile database comprising a plurality of user profiles, wherein each user profile comprises at least:
• a first proximity beacon identifier, wherein the first proximity beacon identifier identifies the first proximity beacon, and
• a first portable device identifier, wherein the first portable device identifier identifies the first portable device;
• and
• one or more processors to:
• receive the first proximity beacon identifier;
• receive the first portable device identifier;
• access the user profile database;
• validate a user profile link between the first proximity beacon identifier and the first portable device identifier;
• receive a first proximity data comprising an indication that the first portable device is located within the first shielded zone;
• activate the first shielded zone, wherein the activation limits a predefined set of functionalities of the first portable device based on predefined activation threshold criteria comprising at least a presence of the first portable device within the first shielded zone;
• receive a second proximity data comprising an indication that the first portable device is located outside the first shielded zone;
• and
• deactivate the first shielded zone, wherein the deactivation releases the limitation of the predefined set of functionalities of the first portable device based on predefined deactivation threshold criteria comprising at least a removal of the first portable device from the first shielded zone.