INTRA-VEHICULAR MOBILE DEVICE USAGE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A mobile device usage detection system for use with vehicles comprising:
- a signal detection unit con'"'"'ured to detect mobile device signals at frequencies corresponding to usage of mobile devices, said signal detection unit comprising one or more antennae positioned to detect mobile device signals attributable to a mobile device being used by a driver of a vehicle;
a time recording unit for associating a time with each detected mobile device signal; and
a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze signal data acquired by said signal detection unit to determine whether or not signals detected by said signal detection unit correspond to mobile device usage of a driver of a vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for detecting and storing mobile device usage by a driver of a vehicle. An antenna in a vehicle is configured and positioned to detect mobile device signals from the driver area in the vehicle. A processor in communication with the antenna analyzes the detected signals for frequency and strength. The antenna and processor may communicate with vehicle data collection systems (e.g., GPS, telemetry, etc.) such that the mobile device usage data may be collected along with the vehicle operation data. The mobile device usage data and vehicle operational data can be evaluated to determine the impact of mobile device usage by the driver of a vehicle. The data may be especially useful to the trucking, train, bus, and mass transit industries in order to educate drivers about the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving.
35 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A mobile device usage detection system for use with vehicles comprising:
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a signal detection unit con'"'"'ured to detect mobile device signals at frequencies corresponding to usage of mobile devices, said signal detection unit comprising one or more antennae positioned to detect mobile device signals attributable to a mobile device being used by a driver of a vehicle; a time recording unit for associating a time with each detected mobile device signal; and a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze signal data acquired by said signal detection unit to determine whether or not signals detected by said signal detection unit correspond to mobile device usage of a driver of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mobile device usage detection system for use with vehicles comprising:
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a signal detection unit configured to detect mobile device signals at frequencies corresponding to usage of mobile devices, said signal detection unit comprising one or more antennae positioned within subject vehicles to detect mobile device signals attributable to mobile device usage by drivers of vehicles; a memory unit in communication with said signal detection unit to store signal data acquired by said signal detection unit; a time recording unit for associating a time with each detected mobile device signal; and a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze signal data acquired by said signal detection unit to determine whether or not signals detected by said signal detection unit correspond to mobile device usage of a driver of a vehicle, said signal analyzing unit further configured to receive the signal data from said memory unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting mobile device usage within a driver area of a vehicle comprising:
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detecting mobile device signals at frequencies corresponding to usage of mobile devices within a vehicle; associating a time with detected mobile device signals; and analyzing said detected mobile device signals to determine whether or not detected mobile device signals correspond to mobile device usage of a driver of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of detecting mobile device usage within a driver area of a vehicle comprising:
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pre-programming a processor with a list of known mobile device signal frequencies; positioning one or more antennae within said vehicle to detect signals corresponding to mobile device usage in a driver area of the vehicle; sweeping an interior of the vehicle for signals corresponding to mobile device usage; analyzing detected mobile device signals to determine whether or not detected mobile device signals correspond to mobile device usage of a driver of a vehicle; and upon confirming a signal detected during the sweep which matches a frequency on said list of known mobile device frequencies and a signal strength profile, recording the time during which said signal is active. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification