System for detecting usage of a wireless phone in an automobile

A vehicle comprising:

• a detection module including a directional antenna and signal processing logic, the detection module being located within the vehicle, arranged with respect to a driver region, and configured to detect a condition wherein a wireless phone is operated within the driver region, and to generate an output indicative of the detected condition;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the output, and control the vehicle in response to the detected condition;
• wherein the directional antenna and signal processing logic are arranged to detect the condition wherein the wireless phone is operated within the driver region by sensing radio frequency transmission power in the driver region above a predetermined threshold;
• and
• wherein the controller is further configured to perform at least one of (i) transmit a signal to disable the wireless phone in response to the detected condition, (ii) associate with the wireless phone in response to the detected condition.

A vehicle comprising:

• a detection module including a plurality of directional antennas located at separated locations within the vehicle and signal processing logic, the detection module being located within the vehicle, arranged with respect to a driver region, and configured to detect a condition wherein a wireless phone is operated within the driver region, and to generate an output indicative of the detected condition;
• a controller configured to receive the output, and control the vehicle in response to the detected condition;
• and
• wherein the directional antennas and signal processing logic are arranged to detect the condition wherein the wireless phone is operated within the driver region by sensing radio frequency transmission power in the driver region above a predetermined threshold.