Vehicle wireless device detection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for reporting wireless device use within a vehicle comprising:
- initiating operation of a detector module within a vehicle when a vehicle engine is in operation;
using the detector module, repeatedly scanning an RF spectrum at a first time interval, wherein the RF spectrum comprises a plurality of RF bands, wherein each one of the plurality of RF bands has an associated signal energy threshold and wherein the signal thresholds are nonidentical;
using the detector module, measuring a second time interval over which a received RF signal exceeds at least one of the signal energy thresholds;
using the detector module, determining that a detection event has occurred by determining if the second time interval exceeds a time threshold;
using the detector module, counting a number of the detection events that occurs within a third time interval;
using the detector module, preparing a signal data packet comprising a band identifier and the number of detection events occurring within the third time interval, wherein the band identifier comprises information related to the RF band of the received RF signal;
transmitting the signal data packet from the detector module to a rules engine located remotely from the vehicle;
transmitting GPS data associated with the vehicle to the rules engine;
using the rules engine, determining if a notification condition exists using the GPS data and the signal data packet;
transmitting a first instruction from the rules engine to the detector module when a notification condition exists; and
performing of the first instruction by the detector module, wherein the signal thresholds, the time threshold, and at least one of the group consisting of the first time interval, the second time interval, and the third time interval are configurable by the rules engine.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a diagnostic unit configured to communicate with a rules engine to determine whether a transmission detected in a vehicle is classified as unauthorized wireless device usage based on characteristics of RF signals received by a Detector Module collocated with the vehicle, geographic location data, and, optionally, additional secondary data, such determination being made by an external Rules Engine that is in communication with the Detector Module. The Rules Engine can provide instructions to and modify various threshold values used for preliminary RF signal analysis by the Detector Module.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for reporting wireless device use within a vehicle comprising:
-
initiating operation of a detector module within a vehicle when a vehicle engine is in operation; using the detector module, repeatedly scanning an RF spectrum at a first time interval, wherein the RF spectrum comprises a plurality of RF bands, wherein each one of the plurality of RF bands has an associated signal energy threshold and wherein the signal thresholds are nonidentical; using the detector module, measuring a second time interval over which a received RF signal exceeds at least one of the signal energy thresholds; using the detector module, determining that a detection event has occurred by determining if the second time interval exceeds a time threshold; using the detector module, counting a number of the detection events that occurs within a third time interval; using the detector module, preparing a signal data packet comprising a band identifier and the number of detection events occurring within the third time interval, wherein the band identifier comprises information related to the RF band of the received RF signal; transmitting the signal data packet from the detector module to a rules engine located remotely from the vehicle; transmitting GPS data associated with the vehicle to the rules engine; using the rules engine, determining if a notification condition exists using the GPS data and the signal data packet; transmitting a first instruction from the rules engine to the detector module when a notification condition exists; and performing of the first instruction by the detector module, wherein the signal thresholds, the time threshold, and at least one of the group consisting of the first time interval, the second time interval, and the third time interval are configurable by the rules engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification