Detection of the Use of Mobile Communication Devices in a Vehicle
First Claim
1. Apparatus for indicating whether an operator of a vehicle is using a mobile communication device (MCD) during vehicle operations, comprising:
- a first sensor for sensing whether the vehicle is being operated;
a second sensor for sensing whether an MCD is located in the immediate vicinity of what is customarily an operator'"'"'s seat and whether the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations;
an indicator for indicating externally of the vehicle whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations; and
an activator for activating the indicator whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations.
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Abstract
The invention provides notification externally of a vehicle that the operator of the vehicle is using a mobile communication device (MCD) such as a cell phone during vehicle operations. The invention includes a first sensor for sensing whether the vehicle is being operated. A second sensor senses whether an MCD is located in the immediate vicinity of what is customarily an operator'"'"'s seat and whether the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations. The first sensor can be a detector coupled with a gear shifter, transmission, speedometer, GPS device, or other kind of motion and/or position sensor, while the second sensor can be one or more RF power meters. Notification of MCD usage during vehicle operations can be provided by illumination of an external lamp, by activation of a camera and video recorder located in the immediate vicinity, or by transmission of a signal to a law enforcement vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for indicating whether an operator of a vehicle is using a mobile communication device (MCD) during vehicle operations, comprising:
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a first sensor for sensing whether the vehicle is being operated; a second sensor for sensing whether an MCD is located in the immediate vicinity of what is customarily an operator'"'"'s seat and whether the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations; an indicator for indicating externally of the vehicle whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations; and an activator for activating the indicator whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for indicating whether an operator of a vehicle is using a mobile communication device (MCD) during vehicle operations, comprising the steps of:
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sensing whether the vehicle is being operated; sensing whether an MCD is located in the immediate vicinity of what is customarily an operator'"'"'s seat and whether the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations; providing an indicator that indicates externally of the vehicle whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations; and activating the indicator whenever the sensed MCD is being used during vehicle operations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification