Inhibiting distracting operations of personal handheld devices by the operator of a vehicle

摘要

A warning system is configured to alert a driver if a mobile electronic device present in the vehicle is located outside a designated area of the vehicle, such that it might distract the driver. The designated area can be any surface or retaining area with an associated sensor that can detect the presence of the mobile device. If the driver removes the mobile device from the designated area while driving, the driver will have a predetermined period of time to return the mobile device to the designated area before an alert is generated. If the mobile device is not returned within the predetermined period of time, the alert is generated.

主权项

1. A method for restricting operation, by an operator of a moving vehicle, of a mobile communication device, comprising:
detecting engagement of an ignition system of the moving vehicle; detecting whether the mobile communication device is located in a designated area of the moving vehicle, wherein the mobile communication device is out of view of the operator of the moving vehicle when the mobile communication device is in the designated area during operation of the moving vehicle by the operator; and activating an alerting device providing an audible alert in response to the detecting steps.