Vehicle-based mobile device usage monitoring with a cell phone usage sensor

• US 10,351,143 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mueller, Paul Anthon, Dolinsky, Jr., John, Svenson, Thomas Eric, Farrey, Gregory William, Gorovets, Boris, Smith, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Tyler J
• Application Number:
  US15/264,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20180072321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36, 701 93
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/00 Indexing codes relating to the type of sensors based on the principle of their operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/30 Auxiliary equipments
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0082 using service channels; using auxiliary channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/345 Interference values signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR] H04B17/336

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle mobile device usage monitoring with a cell phone usage sensor. An example disclosed vehicle includes a cellphone usage sensor and a communication enforcer. The example cellphone usage sensor monitors a detection area around a driver'"'"'s seat. The example communication enforcer changes an operation of the vehicle when the cellphone usage sensor detects usage of a mobile device within the detection area, a communication management feature is enabled, and the mobile device is not communicatively coupled to a wireless module of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a cellphone usage sensor to monitor an area around a driver'"'"'s seat; and

a communication enforcer to,

responsive to the cellphone usage sensor detecting usage of a mobile device within the area;

change an operation of the vehicle;

send a message to a different mobile device; and

transmit a notification to the mobile device indicating that the message has been transmitted to the different mobile device.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to limit a maximum speed of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to display a warning on a dashboard display and a center console display.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to reduce an engine power of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to vibrate the driver'"'"'s seat.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to deactivate a heating ventilation and air conditioning system.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to mute a sound system for a period of time after detecting the usage of the mobile device.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein to change the operation of the vehicle, the communication enforcer is to repeatedly actuate a chime.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the communication enforcer is to, based on an identity of a driver, prevent disabling of a subsystem by the driver.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the communication enforcer is to:

determine an identity of a driver by comparing features of the driver against a profile list; and

based on the identity of the driver, automatically enable a communication management feature.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the communication enforcer is to, responsive to the features of the driver being identified in the profile list, automatically block calls received via the mobile device and automatically delay text messages received via the mobile device.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the communication enforcer is to, responsive to the features of the driver being identified in the profile list and responsive to the vehicle being in motion, automatically block calls received via the mobile device and automatically delay text messages received via the mobile device.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the communication enforcer is to, responsive to the features of the driver being identified in the profile list and responsive to a transmission of the vehicle not being a position for parking the vehicle, automatically block calls received via the mobile device and automatically delay text messages received via the mobile device.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the message is indicative of the driver'"'"'s usage of the mobile device within the driver'"'"'s seat.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the different mobile device is that of an owner of the vehicle.

16. A method to monitor mobile device usage in a vehicle comprising:

monitoring a detection area around a driver'"'"'s seat with a cellphone usage sensor; and

responsive to the cellphone usage sensor detecting usage of a mobile device within the detection area;

changing an operation of the vehicle; and

sending a message to a different mobile device; and

transmit a notification to the mobile device indicating that the message has been transmitted to the different mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes displaying a warning on a dashboard display and a center console display.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes reducing an engine power of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes vibrating the driver'"'"'s seat.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes deactivating a heating ventilation and air conditioning system.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes muting a sound system for a period of time after detecting the usage of the mobile device.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein changing the operation of the vehicle includes repeatedly actuating a chime.