System and method for detecting the location of a communication device in a vehicle based on camera detection

A method for detecting a personal communication device (PCD) in a vehicle having a driver zone and a passenger zone, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal indicative of a captured image of an object in the driver zone;
• receiving a status signal indicative of the PCD being in one of a sleep mode and an active mode;
• receiving a motion signal indicative of the PCD being in one of a stationary mode and a motion mode;
• detecting that the PCD is in the driver zone if the captured image of the object corresponds to the PCD and if one of the status signal indicates that the PCD is in the wake up mode and the motion signal indicates that the PCD is in the motion mode.

An apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to:
• receive a first signal from a camera indicative of an image of a personal communication device (PCD) in a driver zone in a vehicle;
• receive a second signal indicative of one of the PCD being one of active and in motion;
• and
• detect that the PCD is in the driver zone in response to receiving the first signal within a predetermined time frame of receiving the second signal.