Detection system for detecting use of a mobile telecommunications device

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting the use of a mobile telecommunications device.

Background to the Invention

Many countries have laws relating to the use of mobile telecommunication devices in particular areas, and particularly to the use of such devices whilst driving. For instance, in the United Kingdom it is prohibited for drivers of road vehicles to use a hand held mobile telephone, or similar device, whilst driving. It is also an offence to "cause or permit" a driver to use a hand held mobile telephone whilst driving, or for a passenger to use a hand held mobile telephone whilst supervising a driver who only holds a provisional driving licence (a "learner" driver) .

Currently, the only way to catch offenders is when traffic police notice that someone is using a phone. It is likely that the offender will drop or lower the phone as soon as a police car is sighted. This makes detection by traffic police difficult. Detection will be hampered in heavily congested areas, and by the practice of having tinted side windows.

Devices are available which can detect the use of a mobile telecommunications device by detection of transmissions from the mobile telecommunications device. However, such detection devices cannot distinguish between the use of a hand held device, which is prohibited whilst driving, and use of a device with a "hands free" headset attached, which is permitted. Furthermore, although a detection device may be able to detect the use of a mobile telecommunications device in a vehicle, the detection device cannot determine whether the mobile telecommunications device is being used by a passenger or by the driver.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a detection system comprising:

a detector configured to detect use of a mobile telecommunications device by a target in a detection zone; a camera configured to capture an image of the target; and control means configured to cause the camera to capture an image of the target when the detector detects the use of the mobile telecommunications device by the target in the detection zone.

The present invention also provides a detection method comprising: detecting use of a mobile telecommunications device by a target in a detection zone; and, on detection of the use of the mobile telecommunications device by the target in the detection zone, using a camera to capture an image of the target.

Therefore, the system of the present invention is arranged to capture an image of the target, when the target is detected using a mobile telecommunications device. The image can be used to identify the target, but also to determine whether the use of a mobile telecommunications device is a permissible use, for instance whether it is the use of a hand held device or a "hands free" device. The image also provides evidence of the offence.

Preferably, the camera is configured to capture the image of the target in the detection zone. Therefore, the camera and the detector are both pointed at the same area.

Preferably, the detector comprises a highly directional antenna configured to detect transmissions from the mobile telecommunications device. Preferably, the antenna is a corner reflector antenna.

A highly directional antenna is used to eliminate detections from other mobile telecommunications devices in the vicinity, and so that the "detection zone" of the antenna coincides with the field of view of the camera.

Preferably, the camera is a traffic camera configured to photograph oncoming traffic. Such cameras are typically of the type having an infra red flash, so that the flash is not visible to the driver. Such cameras will capture an image of the front of the vehicle, including the driver of the vehicle, the passenger and the vehicle number plate. The vehicle number plate allows identification of the owner of the vehicle, and the image can be inspected to see whether the driver was using a hand held mobile telecommunications device or a hands free device, or whether the detected use of a mobile telecommunications device was by the passenger.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a vehicle entering a detection zone of a detection system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the vehicle in the detection zone; and

Figure 3 shows the system capturing an image of the vehicle.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the operation of a detection system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for detecting and recording the use of a mobile telecommunications device in a moving vehicle 1.

The vehicle 1, which in this example is an automobile, is travelling in direction D, and a camera 2 and detector 3 are positioned by the roadside and are directed such that they face the oncoming traffic.

The detector 3 includes a highly directional antenna such as a corner reflector antenna. As shown in Figure 1, the lobe of the antenna is directed at the oncoming traffic, and comprises the detection zone 4 of the system. The camera 2 is directed

to allow the capture of an image of the front of the vehicle 1 in the detection zone 4.

As shown in Figure 2, the detector 3 detects transmissions T from a mobile telecommunications device which is being used in the vehicle 1 , and sends a command signal S to the camera 2. As shown in Figure 3, the command signal S instructs the camera 3 to capture an image of the front of the vehicle 1 using an infra red flash F to avoid distracting or temporarily blinding the driver. The image is stored in the camera memory and can subsequently be analysed to determine whether the transmissions T were from the illegal use of a hand held mobile telephone by a driver. For example, the image may include an image of the driver taken through the windscreen of the vehicle 1 , which can be analysed subsequently to determine if the driver was using a mobile telephone illegally. The image also includes the number plate of the vehicle 1 to enable identification of the owner of the vehicle 1.

The camera 2 may be a typical traffic camera of the forward facing type, such as those commonly used in systems for detecting speeding offences. The camera 2 in the present invention may additionally be configured to capture images required for detection of speeding offences. Thus, the system can be configured to detect and record speeding offences as well as the use of mobile telecommunications devices.

Two types of currently available systems for detecting speeding offences include cameras which are particularly suitable for use in the present invention, these being the Truvelo (™) or the SPECS systems. Both of these systems include forward facing cameras and can therefore readily be adapted to include a mobile telecommunications device detecting function. The Truvelo camera is a forward facing camera, which takes pictures using an infra red flash gun. Speed detection takes place using inductive loops in the road, which measure the time between compressions as the two axles of a vehicle 1 pass over the inductive loops. The time difference is used to calculate speed of the vehicle 1. The SPECS system consists of pair of cameras, the first of which takes a photograph and records the time. The second camera does the same thing so that the system calculates the

average speed of the vehicle between the two cameras. In the SPECS system, either or both of the two cameras may be modified to include the detection system of the present invention.