Apparatus and method to prevent distraction from a mobile device while driving when that device is determined to be within a restricted zone inside the vehicle

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling the operability of a mobile device while that mobile device is inside a vehicle equipped with a concealed NFC transmitter located inside the vehicle's cigarette lighter DC connector that transmits a signal, which is directed by deflection to ideally cover the driver's seat area. When that signal is received and decoded by nearby mobile devices using specific software, a process that begins by determining whether such mobile device is located within the vehicle and proximate to the driver's seat gets started, then, the system defines the transmitted signal coverage area as a restricted zone in which the mobile device use is partially or fully prohibited. The area where the radio signal is weaker or null is identified as a safe zone in which all or some of the functionality of the mobile devices is enabled. Once it's determined that a mobile device is within a restricted zone, a determination is made as to whether any usage prohibition conditions are satisfied. If usage prohibition conditions are satisfied, then particular functions of the mobile device may be disabled or overridden in a restricted zone. If prohibition conditions are not met, the mobile device may be totally enabled, partially enabled to allow certain functions, or the mobile device is never disabled. If any of the passenger's mobile devices are present and within the restricted zone range, they can override the prohibition by selecting who's their driver and systematically blocking the driver's mobile device.