Mobile Communication Monitoring System

• US 20090318129A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alister WATT Consulting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alister WATT Consulting Incorporated
• Inventors: Watt, Alister
• Application Number:
  US12/107,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20090318129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A mobile communication monitoring system for efficiently monitoring the usage of a mobile communications device within a vehicle. The mobile communication monitoring system generally includes a motion detector adapted for determining whether a vehicle is in motion, a controller connected to the motion detector, wherein the controller is adapted for determining whether a mobile communications device is in use while the vehicle is in motion and a conveying device connected to the controller, wherein the conveying device is adapted for conveying communication information relating to the usage of the mobile communications device to a guardian.

Claims

1. A system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device, comprising:

a motion detector adapted for determining whether a vehicle is in motion;

a controller connected to said motion detector, wherein said controller is adapted for determining whether at least one mobile communications device is in use while said vehicle is in motion; and

a conveying device connected to said controller, wherein said conveying device is adapted for conveying communication information relating to said usage of said at least one mobile communications device to a guardian.

2. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 1, including an administrative unit communicatively connected to said conveying device.

3. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 2, wherein said administrative unit includes a central database.

4. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein said central database stores at least one predefined rule relating to said usage of said at least one mobile communications device.

5. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 4, wherein said administrative unit is accessed through the Internet to update said at least one predefined rule within said central database.

6. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 1, including a local database communicatively connected to said controller.

7. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile communications device is comprised of a cellular phone.

8. A system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device, comprising:

a control module mounted to a vehicle, wherein said control module is adapted to receive usage information of a mobile communications device within said vehicle; and

an administrative unit located remotely from said control module;

wherein said administrative unit communicates said usage information with said control module through a communication network;

wherein said administrative unit is adapted to alert a guardian of said usage information.

9. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein said control module includes a motion detector.

10. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein said mobile communications device transmits an information packet.

11. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein said information packet is transmitted to said administrative unit through said control module.

12. The system for overseeing usage of a mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein said administrative unit alerts said guardian if a predefined usage rule has been violated.

13. A method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device, comprising:

providing a mobile communications device;

using said mobile communications device to receive or transmit communications;

determining a proximity of said mobile communications device to a vehicle;

determining whether said vehicle is in motion; and

alerting a guardian of said usage of said mobile communications device.

14. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 13, including a step of transmitting said alert through a communication network to an administrative unit.

15. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 13, including a step of defining at least one rule relating to a usage of said mobile communications device.

16. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein said at least one rule relates to voice calls.

17. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein said at least one rule relates to text messages.

18. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein said at least one rule relates to data communications.

19. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 13, including a step of sending an information packet from said mobile communications device when said mobile communications device receives or transmits communications.

20. The method of overseeing a usage of a mobile communication device of claim 19, wherein said information packet is sent at a start time of said communications of said mobile communication device and at an end time of said communications of said mobile communication device.