Method and apparatus for detecting a utilization of an electronic device by a driver, for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a utilization of an electronic device by a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- obtaining, by processing circuitry and from a sensor disposed in the vehicle, at least one sensor signal representing at least one current parameter of at least one of the electronic device and the driver in the vehicle;
comparing, by the processing circuitry, the sensor signal with at least one stored utilization signal that represents the utilization of the electronic device by the driver while driving the vehicle;
outputting, by the processing circuitry, a detection signal that indicates the utilization of the electronic device in response to a determination, based on the comparing, that a predetermined correlation exists between the sensor signal and the utilization signal; and
suppressing operation of the electronic device being operated by the driver to improve driving safety;
wherein the obtained signal represents at least one of a position of the driver in the vehicle, a gaze direction of the driver in the vehicle, and a hand movement of the driver in the vehicle,wherein the position of the driver, the gaze direction of the driver and/or hand movements of the driver are captured and monitored over time to determine whether the driver is using the electronic device in the vehicle, andwherein operation of the electronic device is suppressed by deactivating the electronic device by disconnecting radio connections, including NFC or Bluetooth connections, between vehicle electronics and the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method includes a reading-in step in which at least one sensor signal is read in via an interface to a sensor disposed in the vehicle, the sensor signal representing at least one current parameter of the electronic device and/or of the driver in the vehicle. The method furthermore includes a comparing step in which the sensor signal is compared with at least one stored utilization signal that represents a utilization of the electronic device by the driver while driving the vehicle. The method further includes an outputting step in which a detection signal is outputted if a predetermined correlation exists between the sensor signal and the utilization signal, in order to indicate the detected utilization of the electronic device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a utilization of an electronic device by a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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obtaining, by processing circuitry and from a sensor disposed in the vehicle, at least one sensor signal representing at least one current parameter of at least one of the electronic device and the driver in the vehicle; comparing, by the processing circuitry, the sensor signal with at least one stored utilization signal that represents the utilization of the electronic device by the driver while driving the vehicle; outputting, by the processing circuitry, a detection signal that indicates the utilization of the electronic device in response to a determination, based on the comparing, that a predetermined correlation exists between the sensor signal and the utilization signal; and suppressing operation of the electronic device being operated by the driver to improve driving safety; wherein the obtained signal represents at least one of a position of the driver in the vehicle, a gaze direction of the driver in the vehicle, and a hand movement of the driver in the vehicle, wherein the position of the driver, the gaze direction of the driver and/or hand movements of the driver are captured and monitored over time to determine whether the driver is using the electronic device in the vehicle, and wherein operation of the electronic device is suppressed by deactivating the electronic device by disconnecting radio connections, including NFC or Bluetooth connections, between vehicle electronics and the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by a processor and that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method for detecting a utilization of an electronic device by a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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obtaining from a sensor disposed in the vehicle at least one sensor signal representing at least one current parameter of at least one of the electronic device and the driver in the vehicle; comparing the sensor signal with at least one stored utilization signal that represents the utilization of the electronic device by the driver while driving the vehicle; outputting a detection signal that indicates the utilization of the electronic device in response to a determination, based on the comparing, that a predetermined correlation exists between the sensor signal and the utilization signal; and suppressing operation of the electronic device being operated by the driver to improve driving safety; wherein the obtained signal represents at least one of a position of the driver in the vehicle, a gaze direction of the driver in the vehicle, and a hand movement of the driver in the vehicle, wherein the position of the driver, the gaze direction of the driver and/or hand movements of the driver are captured and monitored over time to determine whether the driver is using the electronic device in the vehicle, and wherein operation of the electronic device is suppressed by deactivating the electronic device by disconnecting radio connections, including NFC or Bluetooth connections, between vehicle electronics and the electronic device.
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20. A device for detecting a utilization of an electronic device by a driver of a vehicle, the device comprising:
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an interface; and processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to perform the following; obtain from a sensor disposed in the vehicle, and via the interface, at least one sensor signal representing at least one current parameter of at least one of the electronic device and the driver in the vehicle; compare the sensor signal with at least one stored utilization signal that represents the utilization of the electronic device by the driver while driving the vehicle; output a detection signal that indicates the utilization of the electronic device in response to a determination, based on the comparison, that a predetermined correlation exists between the sensor signal and the utilization signal; and suppressing operation of the electronic device being operated by the driver to improve driving safety; wherein the obtained signal represents at least one of a position of the driver in the vehicle, a gaze direction of the driver in the vehicle, and a hand movement of the driver in the vehicle, wherein the position of the driver, the gaze direction of the driver and/or hand movements of the driver are captured and monitored over time to determine whether the driver is using the electronic device in the vehicle, and wherein operation of the electronic device is suppressed by deactivating the electronic device by disconnecting radio connections, including NFC or Bluetooth connections, between vehicle electronics and the electronic device.
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Specification