Vehicular system having a warning system to alert motorists that a mobile phone is in use

• US 20030137408A1
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sheldon Breiner
• Original Assignee: Sheldon Breiner
• Inventors: Breiner, Sheldon
• Granted Patent: US 7,541,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants

Abstract

This invention relates to a warning system for use on board a motorized road vehicle. The warning system includes an activity detector that detects an RF signal emitted from a mobile phone when a person driving the motorized vehicle is communicating over the mobile phone. The warning system also has a display device in communication with the activity detector, the display device providing a visual indication to a motorist of another vehicle near the motorized vehicle in traffic, in a manner that allows the motorist of the other vehicle to ascertain when the person driving the motorized vehicle is using the mobile phone.

Claims

1. A warning system for use on board a motorized vehicle, comprising:

an activity detector that detects an RF signal emitted from a mobile phone when a person driving the motorized vehicle is communicating over the mobile phone; and

a display device in communication with the activity detector, the display device providing a visual indication to a motorist of another vehicle near the motorized vehicle in traffic, in a manner that allows the motorist of the other vehicle to ascertain when the person driving the motorized vehicle is using the mobile phone.

2. A vehicular system, comprising:

a motorized vehicle;

an activity detector that detects a signal from a mobile phone when a person driving the motorized vehicle is communicating over the mobile phone; and

a display device in communication with the activity detector, the display device providing a visual indication to a motorist of another vehicle near the motorized vehicle in traffic, in a manner that allows the motorist of the other vehicle to ascertain when the person driving the motorized vehicle is using the mobile phone.

3. The vehicular system of claim 2, wherein the signal that is detected by the activity detector is an RF signal emitted from the mobile phone.

4. The vehicular system of claim 2, further comprising a power source and a switch, the switch connecting the power source to the display device when the activity detector detects that an RF signal is emitted from the mobile phone.

5. The vehicular system of claim 2, further comprising a timing device, the switch, in response to the timing device, alternately connecting the power source to and disconnecting the power source from the display device.

6. A method of providing a warning to a motorist of a vehicle in traffic that a person driving a motorized vehicle in the traffic is communicating over a mobile phone, comprising:

detecting a signal from the mobile phone when the person driving the motorized vehicle is communicating over the mobile phone; and

in response to the detection of the signal, providing a visual indication to the motorist of the other vehicle in the traffic that the person driving the motorized vehicle is using the mobile phone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the motorist of the other vehicle can view the display from the rear of the motorized vehicle.