REDUCTION OF DRIVER DISTRACTION DUE TO A CELLULAR DEVICE

A system and method to control a cellular device in a vehicle includes determining whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The method also includes signaling the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

INTRODUCTION

The subject disclosure relates to the reduction of driver distraction due to cellular devices.

Cellular devices are increasingly capable. In addition to communication via voice or text, the devices facilitate access to the internet and various applications such as mapping applications that provide voice-guided directions. Some capabilities of cellular devices, such as mapping functionalities, for example, may be useful to a driver of a vehicle (e.g., automobile, truck, construction equipment). However, other capabilities, such as texting, for example, may prove to be an unsafe distraction for vehicle drivers. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce driver distraction due to a cellular device.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling a cellular device in a vehicle includes determining whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The method also includes signaling the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method also includes using an ultra-wideband system to determine the location of the cellular device in the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the determining whether the cellular device is associated with the driver based on the location of the cellular device includes determining whether the location of the cellular device is closer to a driver seat in the vehicle than to any other seat in the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, determining whether a passenger is present in a seat closest to the location of the cellular device based on the determining whether the cellular device is associated with the driver indicating that the cellular device is not associated with the driver based on the location of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method also includes performing the inhibiting functionality of the cellular device based on the determining whether the passenger is present indicating that the passenger is not present in the seat closest to the location of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method also includes determining the identity of the cellular device based on the cellular device pairing with an infotainment system of the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method also includes determining an identity of a key fob associated with the driver.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the determining whether the cellular device is associated with the driver based on the identity of the cellular device includes determining whether the identity of the cellular device matches the identity of the key fob associated with the driver.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the inhibiting functionality of the one or more functions includes disabling texting, internet searching, and gaming functionality.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the inhibiting functionality also includes maintaining mapping functionality and Bluetooth connectivity to an infotainment system of the vehicle.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system to control a cellular device in a vehicle includes a processor to determine whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The system also includes a communication unit to signal the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the system also includes an ultra-wideband system configured to determine the location of the cellular device in the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor determines whether the cellular device is associated with the driver based on the location of the cellular device by determining whether the location of the cellular device is closer to a driver seat in the vehicle than to any other seat in the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor determines whether a passenger is present in a seat closest to the location of the cellular device when the processor determines that the cellular device is not associated with the driver based on the location of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the communication unit signals the cellular device to inhibit functionality based on the processor determining that the passenger is not present in the seat closest to the location of the cellular device.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor determines the identity of the cellular device based on the cellular device pairing with an infotainment system of the vehicle.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor determines an identity of a key fob associated with the driver.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor determines whether the cellular device is associated with the driver based on the identity of the cellular device by determining whether the identity of the cellular device matches the identity of the key fob associated with the driver.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the one or more functions includes texting, internet searching, and gaming functionality.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor inhibiting functionality also includes maintaining mapping functionality and Bluetooth connectivity to an infotainment system of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As previously noted, some capabilities of cellular devices may be helpful to the driver of a vehicle, but other capabilities may distract the driver. Embodiments of the systems and methods detailed herein relate to the reduction of driver distraction due to a cellular device. Specifically, some or all functionality of a cellular device is inhibited according to two or more exemplary embodiments. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cellular devices may be localized within the vehicle passenger compartment. In this case, only cellular devices within a specified distance from the driver seat may have inhibited functionality. According to another exemplary embodiment, the driver may be identified and only a corresponding cellular device may be inhibited.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,FIG. 1shows an exemplary vehicle100in which cellular device functionality is inhibited. The vehicle100shown inFIG. 1is an automobile101with five seats110. The driver seat110a,front passenger seat110b,and rear seat110c,which may accommodate up to three passengers, are indicated. Each seat110and the area around it define a zone135. The driver zone135aand front passenger zone135bare indicated inFIG. 1and discussed further with reference toFIG. 2. Generally, a zone135is associated with the seat110closest to it. For example, all of the area within the driver zone135ais closer to the driver seat110athan any other seat100. A cellular device120is indicated in the passenger compartment130of the automobile101. The cellular device120is specifically indicated as being on the rear seat110cin the exemplary depiction.

The vehicle100may include a number of systems (e.g., collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, radar, cameras) that facilitate object detection and avoidance through augmented or automated operation, for example. A controller140is shown inFIG. 1. The controller140may be the electronic control unit (ECU) that controls many of the vehicle systems or may be in communication with the ECU. The controller140includes processing circuitry that may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As shown inFIG. 1, the controller140includes a communication unit145to communicate with the cellular device120. This communication may occur through the infotainment system150according to an alternate embodiment. The communication may additionally or alternately occur through a central server that relays messages between the controller140and the cellular device120. According to one or more embodiments discussed herein, the controller140determines which cellular devices120should have inhibited functionality and may additionally specify which functionality should be inhibited.

The controller140also receives information from seatbelt sensors170, door sensors180, and an occupant detection system, according to one or more embodiments. Only one seatbelt sensor170and door sensor180are indicated inFIG. 1for explanatory purposes, but each seatbelt175of the vehicle100may include an associated seatbelt sensor170and each door185of the vehicle100may include an associated door sensor180that provides an indication of each door-opening and door-closing event. The occupant detection system may include one or more sensors that determine seat occupancy for purposes of determining which airbags should be deployed, for example. The sensors of the occupant detection system may include infrared and ultrasound sensors and sensors to determine the weight on each seat110or at least the front seats110a,110b.An exemplary weight sensor115aassociated with the driver seat110ais shown. A key fob190may be used to unlock the vehicle100and also to operate the vehicle100according to a keyless, push-to-start embodiment.

FIG. 1indicates one of the vehicle systems, the infotainment system150. The infotainment system150may include radio access technologies (RATs) such as, for example, those that facilitate reception of radio signals, global positioning system (GPS) signals, and access to WiFi. The infotainment system150may include Bluetooth capability to redirect some signals to and from the cellular device120, as well. For example, voice signals may be redirected from the cellular device120to allow hands-free access through the infotainment system150.

FIG. 1also indicates an ultra-wideband (UWB) system160that is available in the vehicle100according to some exemplary embodiments. The UWB system160uses short-range, high-bandwidth communication that facilitates precision locating (e.g., to within 5 to 10 centimeters). Two UWB units165-1,165-2(generally referred to as165) are shown inFIG. 1, but more than two UWB units165may be disposed at different locations within the vehicle100. Each UWB unit165may represent an antenna to transmit and receive UWB signals. The UWB system160may process the transmitted and received signals. In alternate embodiments, each UWB unit165may perform some or all of the processing involved with generating signals for transmission and obtaining information from received signals.

Location determination using the UWB system160is described with reference toFIG. 1. Transmission by the each of the UWB units165of the UWB system160may be of pulses over a large bandwidth (e.g., greater than 500 megaHertz). The location of each UWB unit165within the vehicle100is fixed. Thus, the time-of-flight of pulses from each of the UWB units165to a cellular device120and back is obtained (e.g., each UWB unit165transmits to a given cellular device120in turn), and trigonometric functions are used along with the time-of-flight information to locate the cellular device120relative to the positions of the UWB units165.

FIG. 2is a process flow of a method of reducing driver distraction due to a cellular device120according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the present embodiment, the vehicle100includes an operational UWB system160that can communicate with the cellular devices120in the passenger compartment130and determine the position of each cellular device120with an accuracy on the order of10cm. At block210, locating each cellular device120in the vehicle100refers to using the UWB units165of the UWB system160to determine the location of each cellular device120within the passenger compartment130. This process may be initiated when the vehicle100is turned on or when the speed of the vehicle100exceeds a predefined value. The condition for performing the process may be determined by the controller140. If no cellular devices120are located in the passenger compartment130, then the process flow shown inFIG. 2may be terminated.

At block220, establishing driver and passenger zones135is a process that may be performed once at any time prior to the other processes shown inFIG. 2. Each time a seat110is moved, electronically or manually, one or more zones135may be affected. For example, if the driver seat110ais moved back, the driver zone135ahas an increased area while the zone associated with the rear seat110cbehind the driver seat110ahas a decreased area. Thus, the processes shown inFIG. 2may be repeated after any seat position change. With the positions of each of the seats110being fixed and known within the passenger compartment130, the area between seats110may be divided and associated with a particular zone135corresponding with the closest seat110. For example, the area between the driver seat110aand front passenger seat110bmay be divided evenly. The driver seat110aand the half of the area between the driver seat110aand the front passenger seat110bthat is closest to the driver seat110adefine the driver zone135a,as indicated byFIG. 1, for example. Similarly, the other seats that areas around those seats define different passenger zones135(e.g., front passenger zone135b).

At block230, a determination is made of whether any cellular device120is in the driver zone135a.If so, inhibiting functionality is performed, at block240, for the cellular device120determined to be in the driver zone135a.This process may involve the controller140sending a signal to the cellular device120. The specific functionality that is inhibited in the cellular device120may be predefined or indicated by the controller140. For example, the screen of the cellular device120may be blocked for all calls except to911or other predefined emergency numbers. Texting, gaming, and internet search features may be turned off entirely. Calls through the infotainment system150via a Bluetooth connection may still be permitted. Voice-guided directions from the cellular device120may still be permitted. The exemplary functionality discussed herein is not exhaustive and is not intended to limit the features of a given cellular device120that may be inhibited or permitted.

At block230, if a determination is made that the cellular device120is not in the driver zone135a,a check is then done of whether passenger and cellular device120positions match, at block250. The process at block250relates to ensuring that the driver did not place a cellular device120on the front passenger seat110b,for example, to avoid inhibition of functionality of the cellular device120. The check at block250involves determining whether one or more passengers is in the vehicle100and, if so, where the one or more passengers are located. This process is further detailed with reference toFIG. 4. The check at block250then involves checking the passenger positions against the locations of the cellular device120, as determined at block210.

If the position of a cellular device120matches the position of a passenger, then maintaining functionality, at block260, refers to the fact that no inhibiting signal is sent with respect to the cellular device120. If the position of a cellular device120does not match the position of a passenger, then inhibiting functionality, at block240, is performed for that cellular device120. Thus, different cellular devices120in the passenger compartment130may be treated differently based on the correspondence of their location with passenger locations.

FIG. 3is a process flow of a method of reducing driver distraction due to cellular devices120according to another exemplary embodiment. According to the present embodiment, the vehicle100may not include the UWB system160or the UWB system160may not be operational. Thus, the location of each cellular device120in the passenger compartment130cannot be determined using the UWB system160. According to the present embodiment, identifiers associated with cellular devices120and key fobs190are used to determine which cellular device120is used by a driver.

At block310, determining a cellular device120identity (id) in the profile of cellular devices120paired to the vehicle100refers to the fact that one or more cellular devices120may be paired to the vehicle100through the infotainment system150. This known pairing facilitates conducting calls through the cellular device120using a microphone and speakers of the vehicle100, for example. The pairing involves identifying the cellular device120so that the cellular device120is automatically connected again when it is subsequently present in the vehicle100.

At block320, the processes include determining key fob190identity (id) associated with the driver. The key fob190may facilitate adjustment of the driver seat110and other features that require associating an id with each key fob190. In this case, the id associated with the key fob190of the driver may be determined. If more than one key fob190is in the vehicle100, the id of the key fob190associated with the driver may be determined based on the door185through which the key fob190entered the vehicle100(e.g., the driver door185).

At block330, a check is done of whether the cellular device120of the driver is paired to the vehicle100. That is, the id of the cellular devices120is compared with the id of the key fob190associated with the driver. If one of the cellular devices120has an id, determined at block310, that is linked to the id, determined at block320, for the key fob190of the driver, then it is determined, at block330, that the cellular device120of the driver is connected to the vehicle100. In this case, inhibiting the functionality of the cellular device120of the driver is performed at block340in the way described with reference to block240.

If an id associated with any cellular device120in the vehicle100does not correspond with an id associated with a key fob190of the driver, then performing a default action, at block350, is based on a setting in the controller140. According to an exemplary embodiment, the default action may be to do nothing such that functionality of all the cellular devices120in the passenger compartment120is maintained. According to another exemplary embodiment, the default action may be inhibiting functionality of all cellular devices120in the passenger compartment130of the vehicle100. According to the embodiments, if the driver's cellular device120cannot be determined, then none or all of the cellular devices120may be inhibited in their functionality.

The setting in the controller140that determines what the default action is may be changed by an authorized user. An authorized user may be one that enters a password via the infotainment system150, for example. This authorized user may be determined in the same way for as for other vehicle functions. For example, a given cellular device120may be paired to the vehicle100in a teen driver mode. In this mode, only an authorized user (e.g., a parent) may be permitted to change or undo the pairing. Thus, the user of the cellular device120would not be permitted to undo the pairing and, thus, prevent the controller140from inhibiting functionality based on the identity of the key fob190matching the identity of the paired cellular device120.

FIG. 4is a process flow of methods of locating passengers in the vehicle100according to one or more embodiments. At block410, the processes begin when one or more doors185transition from an open position to a closed position. The open or closed status of the door185is determined by the door sensor180and provided to the controller140, to example. According to an exemplary embodiment, a check is done, at block420, of whether a weight was detected on one of the passenger seats110after the transition of the door185to the closed position. This check may only apply to the front passenger seat110b,because the front passenger seat110bmay include a weight detector for purposes of enabling or disabling the airbag on the front passenger side. As previously noted, other sensors (e.g. infrared, ultrasound) may be used in alternate or additional embodiments. If a weight is detected on a seat110, reporting occupancy, at block440, includes identifying the particular seat110as well as indicating that it is occupied. This reporting, at block440, is further discussed.

According to alternate or additional embodiments, a check may be done, at block430, of seatbelts175that are engaged within some specified time of one or more doors185transitioning from the open to the closed position. The seatbelt sensor170associated with each seatbelt175may determine if the seatbelt175has been buckled and report that information to the controller140. The seatbelt175may be buckled before or after the door185has been closed. That is, the controller140may receive the seatbelt sensor170signal or the door sensor180signal first and must make the determination, at block430, of whether the other sensor signal has been received within a specified time. For example, if the seatbelt sensor170associated with the front passenger seat110bsends a signal to the controller140to indicate that the seatbelt175has been buckled, the controller140determines, at block430, whether the door sensor180associated with the passenger door185provides a signal that the door185has closed within five minutes of the seatbelt175being buckled.

When a seatbelt175has been buckled within a specified time of a door185closing, the processes include reporting occupancy, at block440. As previously noted, reporting the occupancy, at block440, includes indicating the presence of one or more passengers and, additionally, the seats110occupied by those passengers. The occupancy may be determined based on weight, at block420, and/or based on the seatbelt sensor170, at block430. AsFIG. 4indicates, at block445, no action is taken (i.e., reporting occupancy is not performed at block440) if the checks at both blocks420and430indicate that no passenger is present. The occupancy information reported at block440is used in the processing at block250according to an exemplary embodiment. In this case, it is determined if the passenger position matches a determined location of a cellular device120. The occupancy information reported at block440is used in the processing at blocks320and350according to another exemplary embodiment. At block320, the door185associated with entry of each key fob190is of interest.