Patent ID: 7734315

Claim:
A system for communication device management within a vehicle comprising: means for detecting a plurality of communication devices, wherein said plurality of communication devices are transmitting at a plurality of signal strengths; means for detecting at least one communication device of said plurality of communication devices in an area within said vehicle, wherein said at least one communication device is of or associated with a user of said vehicle, and wherein said at least one communication device is in transmitting to a wireless network; means for recognizing at least a type or an identity of said at least one communication device; means for storing information regarding said at least one communication device, wherein said information is stored if a signal strength detected from said at least one communication device is above a predetermined level; an intelligent controller comprising a standard of use data and means for controlling at least one function of said at least one communication device, wherein said intelligent controller stores data regarding a location of said vehicle in a geographic area, and said intelligent controller determines if said at least one communication device is authorized to transmit information from said area within said vehicle, wherein said intelligent controller notifies said at least one said communication device of a violation if said at least one communication device is not authorized to transmit said information; and means for detecting continued transmission from said at least one communication device in response to said notification, wherein said standard of use data is received with a receiver, and wherein said standard of use data is received from an outside source based on location of said vehicle in said geographic area, and wherein said system transmits information about said at least one communication device to a law enforcement authority if said intelligent controller is unable to shut down at least one function of said at least one communication device, wherein said at least one function prevents transmission of data from said at least one communication device, and wherein said law enforcement authority is not associated with a service provider, wherein said detection means and said recognition means are associated with said intelligent controller.