Vehicle RF device detection system and method
First Claim
1. A system for detecting use and location of a RF transmit device in a vehicle, said system comprising:
- a first RF signal receiver located in a vehicle for receiving RF signals at a first location generated by an RF transmit device;
a second RF signal receiver located in the vehicle for receiving RF signals at a second location generated by the RF transmit device;
one or more RF power detectors for detecting signal strength of each of the RF signals received at the first and second locations and generating first and second output signals indicative thereof; and
a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine use of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine location of the RF transmit device in use, wherein the location of the RF transmit device in use is determined based on a comparison of the detected signal strength of the first and second output signals, wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile, and wherein the first location is located generally forward of a driver of the automobile and the second location is located generally rearward of the driver.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for detecting use of RF transmit devices (e.g., cellular phones) in a vehicle. The system includes a first RF antenna for detecting signal strength of an RF signals transmit device at a first location in a vehicle and a power first detector for generating a first output signal indicative thereof. The system also includes a second antenna for detecting signal strength of the RF signals at a second location in the vehicle and a second power detector for generating a second output signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine the presence of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine the location of the RF transmit device to determine if a driver is using the device.
151 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A system for detecting use and location of a RF transmit device in a vehicle, said system comprising:
-
a first RF signal receiver located in a vehicle for receiving RF signals at a first location generated by an RF transmit device; a second RF signal receiver located in the vehicle for receiving RF signals at a second location generated by the RF transmit device; one or more RF power detectors for detecting signal strength of each of the RF signals received at the first and second locations and generating first and second output signals indicative thereof; and a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine use of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine location of the RF transmit device in use, wherein the location of the RF transmit device in use is determined based on a comparison of the detected signal strength of the first and second output signals, wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile, and wherein the first location is located generally forward of a driver of the automobile and the second location is located generally rearward of the driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system for detecting use and location of an RF transmit device in a vehicle, said system comprising:
-
a first RF signal power detector located in a vehicle for detecting signal strength of RF transmit signals at a first location and generating a first output signal indicative thereof; a second RF signal power detector located in the vehicle for detecting signal strength of RF transmit signals and at a second location and generating a second output signal indicative thereof; and a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine use of an RF transmit device in the vehicle and to further determine location of the RF transmit device in use, wherein the location of the RF transmit device in use is determined based on a comparison of the detected signal strength of the first and second output signals, wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile, and wherein the first location is located generally forward of a driver of the automobile and the second location is located generally rearward of the driver. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification