System and method for monitoring the location of a communication device in a vehicle based on signal strength

• US 8,812,065 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2011
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Kleve, Robert Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Cai, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Chuck
• Application Number:
  US13/112,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20110300843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/569.2, 455/456.4, 455/456.6, 455/420, 455/575.9, 342/59
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information

Abstract

A system for locating a personal communication device (PCD) in a vehicle is provided. A controller is configured to receive a first signal from the PCD at a first antenna in a driver zone and to generate a first signal strength value for the first signal. The controller is configured to receive the first signal from the PCD at the second antenna and to generate a second signal strength value for the first signal. The controller is configured to determine whether the first signal at the first antenna and the second signal at the second antenna are received within a predetermined amount of time of one another and to compare the first signal strength value to the second signal strength value if the first signal at the first antenna and the second signal at the second antenna are received within the predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. A system for locating a personal communication device (PCD) in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a controller for being operably coupled to a first antenna positioned in a driver zone of the vehicle and a second antenna positioned in a passenger zone of the vehicle, the controller being configured to;

receive a first signal from the PCD at the first antenna;

measure a signal strength of the first signal received at the first antenna to generate a first signal strength value;

receive the first signal from the PCD at the second antenna;

measure a signal strength of the first signal received at the second antenna to generate a second signal strength value;

determine whether the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna are received within a predetermined amount of time from one another;

compare the first signal strength value to the second signal strength value responsive to the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna being received within the predetermined amount of time;

determine that the PCD is in the driver zone in response to the first signal strength value being greater than the second signal strength value by a predetermined value;

receive an occupant status signal indicative of whether a passenger is positioned in a front passenger seat; and

determine that the PCD is located in the driver zone irrespective of the PCD being physically positioned in the passenger zone in the event the occupant status signal indicates that the passenger is not positioned in the front passenger seat.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to wirelessly transmit a zone identification signal indicative of whether the PCD is in one of the driver zone and the passenger zone to the PCD.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a vehicle status signal indicative of the vehicle being in one of a stationary state and a non-stationary state to the PCD such that the PCD restricts usage thereof in response to the zone identification signal indicating that the PCD is in the driver zone and the vehicle status signal indicating that the vehicle is in the non-stationary state.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller is further configured to wirelessly transmit a vehicle status signal indicative of the vehicle being in one of a stationary state and a non-stationary state to the PCD.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the stationary state corresponds to the vehicle being in one of a PARK condition and ignition status being in an ACCESSORY state.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the non-stationary state corresponds to one of the vehicle having a vehicle speed that is greater than a predetermined vehicle speed and a park brake of the vehicle being disengaged.

7. A method for locating a personal communication device (PCD) in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal from the PCD at a first antenna located in a driver zone in the vehicle;

measuring a signal strength of the first signal received at the first antenna to generate a first signal strength value;

receiving the first signal from the PCD at a second antenna located in a passenger zone in the vehicle;

measuring a signal strength of the first signal received at the second antenna to generate a second signal strength value;

determining whether the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna are received within a predetermined amount of time from one another;

comparing the first signal strength value to the second signal strength value responsive to the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna being received within the predetermined amount of time;

determining that the PCD is in the passenger zone in response to the e second signal strength value being greater than the first signal strength value by a predetermined value;

receiving an occupant status signal indicative of whether a passenger is positioned in a front passenger seat; and

determining that the PCD is located in the driver zone irrespective of the PCD being physically positioned in the passenger zone in the event the occupant status signal indicates that the passenger is not positioned in the front passenger seat.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising wirelessly transmitting a zone identification signal indicative of whether the PCD is in one of the driver zone and the passenger zone to the PCD.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising transmitting a vehicle status signal indicative of the vehicle being in one of a stationary state and a non-stationary state to the PCD such that the PCD restricts usage thereof in response to the zone identification signal indicating that the PCD is in the driver zone and the vehicle status signal indicating that the vehicle is in the non-stationary state.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising wirelessly transmitting a vehicle status signal indicative of the vehicle being in one of a stationary state and a non-stationary state to the PCD.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the stationary state corresponds to the vehicle being in one of a PARK condition and ignition status being in an ACCESSORY state.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the non-stationary state corresponds to one of the vehicle having a vehicle speed that is greater than a predetermined vehicle speed and a park brake of the vehicle being disengaged.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a first signal from the PCD at a first antenna located in a driver zone of a vehicle;

recording a signal strength of the first signal received at the first antenna to generate a first signal strength value for the first signal received at the first antenna;

receiving the first signal from the PCD at a second antenna located in a passenger zone of the vehicle;

recording a signal strength of the first signal received at the second antenna to generate a second signal strength value for the first signal received at the second antenna;

determining whether the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna are received within a predetermined amount of time from one another;

comparing the first signal strength value to the second signal strength value responsive to the first signal at the first antenna and the first signal at the second antenna being received within the predetermined amount of time;

determining that the PCD is in the driver zone in response to the first signal strength value being greater than the second signal strength value by a predetermined value;

receiving an occupant status signal indicative of whether a passenger is positioned in a front passenger seat; and

determining that the PCD is located in the driver zone irrespective of the PCD being physically positioned in the passenger zone in the event the occupant status signal indicates that the passenger is not positioned in the front passenger seat.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving the first signal from the PCD at the first antenna located in the driver zone further comprises receiving the first signal from the PCD at the first antenna over a Bluetooth protocol.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving the first signal from the PCD at the second antenna located in the passenger zone further comprises receiving the first signal from the PCD at the first antenna over a Bluetooth protocol.