Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence and controlling the operation of mobile devices within a vehicle

• US 8,718,536 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2011
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Driving Management Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Driving Management Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hannon, Marwan
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US13/041,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20110183601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 455/1, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/410
• US Class Current: 455/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1537 Displays on a manual operation element
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/52 Control of displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/55 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/589 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/22 for communication related to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/415 based on motion status or velocity, e.g. for disabling use of mobile phones in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 : Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 : for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 : Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 : from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle are disclosed. A detection module receives a communication signal, determines that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, and a control module transmits a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone. The system further includes a monitoring logic to monitor a functional system of the vehicle activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.

Claims

1. A method for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving by a detection module a communication signal;

determining by the detection module that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle;

transmitting by a control module a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone; and

scanning by the detection module for a plurality of frequency bands associated with the mobile device;

monitoring by the detection module a radiated power level of the communication signal received by the detection module in each of the plurality frequency bands; and

transmitting by the detection module a detection signal to the control module when the measured radiated power level substantially equals at least a predetermined value.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting by the detection module a detection signal to the control module when a voltage potential equals a predetermined value, wherein the voltage potential of the predetermined value indicates the presence of the mobile device within the predetermined detection zone.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

harvesting by the detection module the energy in the received communication signal; and

generating a voltage potential corresponding to the location of the mobile device within the detection zone.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

monitoring by the control module a functional system of the vehicle; and

activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the functional system of the vehicle is any one of an ignition system, a transmission system, and a sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising jamming by the control module the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising jamming by the control module at least one function of the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising redirecting by the control module the operation of the mobile device to a hands-free alternate system.

9. An apparatus for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a detection module to receiving a communication signal and determine that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle;

a control module coupled to the detection module, the control module comprising a jamming module operative to transmit a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone; and

a scanner coupled to the detection module operative to sweep for a plurality of frequency bands associated with the mobile device; and

a power sensor circuit coupled to the scanner, the power sensor circuit operative to monitor a radiated power level of the communication signal received by the detection module in each of the plurality frequency bands.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising:

a power sensor circuit to detect the energy radiated by the communication signal and convert the energy radiated by the communication signal to a voltage potential; and

a logic module coupled to the power sensor circuit operative to receive a signal indicative of the location of the mobile device and to transmit a detection signal to the control module when the voltage potential substantially equals a predetermined value, wherein the voltage potential of the predetermined value indicates the presence of the mobile device within the predetermined detection zone.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising:

an energy harvester to harvest the energy in the received communication signal; and

to generate a voltage potential corresponding to the location of the mobile device within the detection zone.

12. A system for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a detection module to receive a communication signal and determine that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle;

a control module coupled to the detection module, the control module comprising a jamming module operative to transmit a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone; and

a scanner coupled to the detection module operative to sweep for a plurality of frequency bands associated with the mobile device;

and a power sensor circuit coupled to the scanner, the power sensor circuit operative to monitor a radiated power level of the communication signal received by the detection module in each of the plurality frequency bands;

a monitoring logic to monitor a functional system of the vehicle activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the functional system of the vehicle is any one of an ignition system, a transmission system, and a sensor.

14. The system of claim 12, comprising:

a power sensor circuit to detect the energy radiated by the communication signal and convert the energy radiated by the communication signal to a voltage potential; and

a logic module coupled to the power sensor circuit operative to receive a signal indicative of the location of the mobile device and to transmit a detection signal to the control module when the voltage potential substantially equals a predetermined value, wherein the voltage potential of the predetermined value indicates the presence of the mobile device within the predetermined detection zone.

15. The system of claim 12, comprising:

an energy harvester to harvest the energy in the received communication signal; and

to generate a voltage potential corresponding to the location of the mobile device within the detection zone.

16. The system of claim 12, comprising jamming by the control module the mobile device.

17. The system of claim 12, comprising jamming by the control module at least one function of the mobile device.

18. The system of claim 12, comprising redirecting by the control module the operation of the mobile device to a hands-free alternate system.