Anti-distracted driving systems and methods
An anti-distracted driving system comprises a plurality of transceivers at different locations within a vehicle. Each of the transceivers is operable to receive a signal from a mobile communication device and to output a detection signal indicative of the strength of the received signal. A controller in communication with the transceivers is operable to calculate a corresponding distance of the mobile communication device for each of the detection signals and to determine a location of the mobile communication device within the vehicle based on the distances. The controller can send a signal from a transceiver to a mobile communication device in response to determining that the mobile communication device is near a driver's seat, the signal causing at least one function of the mobile communication device to be inhibited.
1. An anti-distracted driving system, comprising:
a plurality of transceivers at different locations within a vehicle, each of said transceivers operable to:
receive one or more signals, each signal comprising an identifying value emitted from a corresponding mobile device in accordance with a wireless communication protocol; and
output one or more detection signals indicative of the strength of the one or more received signals;
a controller in communication with said transceivers to receive said detection signals, said controller operable to, for each identifying value:
calculate a corresponding distance of said corresponding mobile device for each of said detection signals and to determine a location of said corresponding mobile device within said vehicle based on said distances; and
in response to determining that said corresponding mobile device is less than a threshold distance from a driver's seat of said vehicle, send a disabling signal from a transceiver to said corresponding mobile device according to said wireless communication protocol causing at least one function of said mobile device to be inhibited.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said disabling signal inhibits a media function of said mobile device.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said disabling signal inhibits text input to said mobile device.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said disabling signal inhibits a short-message service (SMS) function of said mobile device.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to send said disabling signal only when said vehicle is travelling above a threshold speed.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to send said disabling signal only when a gear is selected in said vehicle.
7. The system of claim 1 , comprising four transceivers, each proximate a corner of a cabin of said vehicle.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said transceivers comprise near-field communication (NFC) transceivers configured to send and receive signals to and from said mobile device according to a near-field communication protocol.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said controller is in communication with a sensor to receive a passenger signal indicative of the presence of an occupant in a passenger seat, and to reduce said threshold distance in response to said passenger signal.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said controller is in communication with a self driving module of the vehicle to receive a signal indicative of whether a self-driving mode is enabled for said vehicle, and wherein said sending said disabling signal causing at least one function of said mobile device to be inhibited is in response to determining that said that the self-driving mode for said vehicle is disabled.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein said self-driving mode includes autonomous operation of at least one of steering, acceleration, and braking for said vehicle.
12. A mobile communication device, comprising:
a processor;
a memory storing software applications;
a wireless communication radio, said wireless communication radio operable under control of said processor to receive an interrogation signal from at least one transceiver in a vehicle, said interrogation signal requesting an identifying value, and said radio further operable to emit a response signal comprising an identifying value, and to receive a disabling signal from a controller when the controller determines that said mobile device is less than a threshold distance from a driver's seat in said vehicle;
wherein said software applications include an application operable to cause said processor, in response to receiving the disabling signal from said controller, to inhibit a function of said mobile device.
13. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said controller is in communication with a self driving module of said vehicle to receive a signal indicative of whether a self-driving mode is enabled for said vehicle, and wherein said receiving said disabling signal is in response to the controller determining that said self-driving mode for said vehicle is disabled.
14. The mobile communication device of claim 13 , wherein said self-driving mode includes autonomous operation of at least one of steering, acceleration, or breaking for said vehicle.
15. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said function is a software application.
16. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said function is a media application.
17. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said function is a text communication application.
18. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said function is a radio for communicating over a network.
19. The mobile communication device of claim 12 , wherein said wireless communication radio comprises a near-field communication (NFC) radio.