Device for protecting against the use of mobile stations by drivers of motor vehicles and the like in transit

Abstract

The present invention pertains to the technical field of safety devices for motor vehicles, and relates to a device for protecting against the use of mobile stations by drivers of vehicles in transit. The device comprises a short-range cellular signal jammer that is automatically activated when the vehicle is started and the operation thereof is initiated, establishing a "jamming bubble" with a range of 0.5 m to 2 m, effectively preventing the operation of mobile stations within this radius of action. The invention differs from the prior art by features such as customizable adjustment of the range by the driver, integration with driver assistance systems for dynamic assessment of traffic conditions, and a self-diagnosis mechanism for identifying faults and issuing alerts for immediate maintenance. Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of a machine learning system, which adapts jamming on the basis of driver behaviour patterns. This device offers not only an effective solution for preventing the use of mobile stations when driving, but also a customizable, intelligent approach in order to satisfy different traffic conditions and user preferences.

Description

"DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES IN TRANSIT" Field of the invention

[0001] This product is intended for land and water transportation, and can be used in cargo vehicles, agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, mining vehicles, electric vehicles, and public, private, and official transportation. The proposed product is independent of the vehicle's propulsion system or operational nature, and is applicable to mopeds, scooters, cars, trucks, buses, electric scooters, minibuses, tricycles, quadricycles, and similar vehicles.

[0002] In order to meet the same classifications as those determined by the CTB (Brazilian Traffic Code) in Chapter IX, Section I, Art. 96, the product applies to any traction, any type, and any category of land transport vehicle. Regarding water transport, the product is intended for any type of vessel, of any propulsion, type, or category that the maritime authority of inland and / or oceanic waters admits as a means of transport. Fundamentals of the invention

[0003] It is well known that in the telecommunications sector there are devices capable of blocking specific radio frequencies, primarily those of mobile telecommunications devices, or technically known as Mobile Stations (cell phones using the Personal Mobile Service - PMS), which prevent data communication within a given area. Such devices are colloquially known as "cell signal jammers," their sole function is to prevent the proper operation of telecommunications devices within a perimeter determined by the jammer's power (range).

[0004] According to data from ABRAMET (Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine) published on 07 / 21 / 2021, research mapped in the entity's guidelines indicates that around a third of drivers drive distracted, interacting with other occupants of the vehicle, talking on their cell phone or sending texting, among other factors that lead to inattention. "Cell phones are responsible for almost 50% of the activities that result in Inattention While Driving." However, the article doesn't state that an inattention lapse necessarily causes an accident, but it does serve as an indicator of risky driving behavior.

[0005] In the same document, the entity makes the following statement: the use of cell phones

[0006] In line with this, Drs. Flávia Reis de Andrade and José Leopoldo Ferreira Antunes published an article entitled "Lack of Attention While Driving a Motor Vehicle as a Cause of Traffic Accidents on Brazilian Federal Highways." This study, conducted using Federal Highway Police data from 2007 to 2016, indicates that cell phone use is the cause of 30.2% of accidents due to inattention while driving (AWD) on federal highways (not including accidents on state and municipal roads).

[0007] If we look at the recent figures from the Ministry of Transport in the most recent national accident registry and traffic statistics, with data from 2018 to 2023 and last updated on 07 / 26 / 2023, presented in figure 1, we have a percentage of 2.45% of deaths due to accidents in the country.

[0008] Inferring that the percentage of accidents due to lack of attention when driving on all roads, streets, avenues and other traffic routes is similar to that in the article by the doctors cited above (30.2%), and covering all national accidents, we obtain the equation that describes the number of accidents caused by cell phone use: number of accidents due to cell phone use = 0.302 x number of accidents (1)

[0009] By transforming the percentage of deaths due to accidents into a rate of 0.0245 and introducing it into equation 1, we can obtain the number of deaths due to the use of devices. cell phone while driving: number of deaths due to cell phone use = 0.0245 x 0.302 x number of accidents (2)

[0010] Simplifying equation 2, we have: number of deaths due to cell phone use = 0.007399 x number of accidents (3)

[0011] Replacing the accidents variable extracted from figure 1 in equation 3 with numbers: number of deaths due to cell phone use = 0.007399 x 4,966,590 = 36,748 deaths (4)

[0012] In absolute numbers, this means that according to the data in figure 1, between 2018 and 2023, there were approximately 36,748 deaths caused by the improper use of cell phones while driving vehicles on national roads in the period of 5 years.

[0013] To create a product that reduces the number of accidents caused by cell phone use while driving, and consequently the number of deaths resulting from this, the proposed device is a restricted cell phone signal jammer. This way, when the vehicle starts and starts operating, it activates a short-range, volume-defined cell phone signal jammer. The jammer is preferably positioned near point "A" (it can be installed anywhere in the vehicle) and calibrated to a spherical radius (R) of approximately 0.5 to 2 meters, as shown in Figure 2.

[0014] The purpose of limiting the operating range, which creates the "cell phone signal jamming bubble," is to prevent the device from interfering with other vehicles that, for some reason, are nearby (for example, a vehicle equipped with the device, stopped at a traffic light, could interfere with the vehicle next to it). If the driver of a vehicle equipped with this cell phone signal jammer and ignition device chooses to make a phone call, access data, use messaging apps, or perform any other SMP need, they must stop the vehicle and turn off the ignition key so that the signal jammer stops working and allows the use of the cell phone.

[0015] At point "B" in figure 2, it can be understood that even if the driver holds his cell phone to make a call, using apps messages, accessing the internet, or any other action that requires access to the SMP will be made impossible by the bubble created by the proposed device. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Figure 3 shows the electronic circuits that make up the proposed device, consisting of a control circuit and a mobile telecommunication signal blocking circuit or similar equivalent.

[0017] Figure 4 shows one of the possibilities for connecting the proposed device to the vehicle's original electrical system.

[0018] Figure 5 shows the possibility of directly connecting the proposed device to a computer via a connection cable or a Bluetooth technology connection in order to update the microcontroller's internal firmware / software or simply collect data.

[0019] Figure 6 shows the indirect connection of the proposed device to cloud computing technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), or access to a remote server over the internet to update the microcontroller's internal firmware / software and collect data. Description of the invention

[0020] As previously mentioned, the signal jamming circuit consists of an electronic circuit dedicated to producing electromagnetic interference propagated by one or more SMP signal antennas authorized by ANATEL (National Telecommunications Agency). Currently, the most common frequencies in Brazil are 3G, 4G, and 5G (700MHz to 27.5GHz). It can be upgraded to similar technologies in the future through hardware or firmware / software changes. As shown in points A and B of Figure 2, any mobile communication device within range of the antenna(s) will be unable to use mobile data, preventing communication with messaging applications, social networks, and others that require the cellular network, as well as rendering voice channels for telecommunications inoperable.

[0021] If the driver or occupant of the vehicle needs to make a call voice messages, accessing various applications on a cell phone, or other technology that uses SMP, will be required to park the vehicle and turn off the ignition key so that the signal blocking device is deactivated, thus allowing normal use of the mobile communication device. It is important to note that this action by the driver is in accordance with Article 252 of Law No. 9,503 of September 23, 1997, of the current Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB), as stated in item VI and the sole paragraph. vehicle equipment and accessories; and VI - using headphones connected to a sound system or cell phone; both defined as

[0023] The control circuit can be manufactured using the electronic principles that best meet the technological needs of the proposed device, which can be analog, power, digital, micro-controlled, or all in the same circuit. This circuit interprets the command from the vehicle's original ignition and / or starting system. It is connected to point "A" in Figures 4 and 3, interprets the information, processes the data, and controls the signal blocking circuit. In addition to controlling the device's operation, it also allows for direct microcontroller software / firmware updates via a cable. communication device connected to a personal computer and / or Bluetooth® connection or remotely by the equipment manufacturer and / or developer or authorized company, through the existing mobile telephone network or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0024] Along the same lines, the product can be updated as often as necessary through a direct (Figure 5) or indirect (Figure 6) connection to modernize new technologies beyond the current 3G, 4G, and 5G, repair faults, or even perform remote diagnostics through the technical support network. With an indirect connection, it is also possible to remotely activate or deactivate the proposed device to block or not the cellular signal (the vehicle must be parked / stationary for this procedure), as long as there is a sufficiently strong electromagnetic data communication signal enabled for the connection (dBm and / or Baud rate) coming from a Wi-Fi or SMP modem / router.

[0025] The proposed device does not interfere with other vehicle equipment unless a mobile station (cell phone) or equivalent is used within the jammer's range. Therefore, the installation location should always be evaluated by the installation technician, with possible intensity adjustments to limit the jamming bubble, in addition to following the instructions in the installation manual.

[0026] Under no circumstances will the product act on the vehicle's ignition and starting system, nor will it influence the driver's involuntary shutdown of the vehicle, even with remote actuation through indirect connection (figure 6). Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0027] It is known that there are signal jammers for use in prisons, whose purpose is undeniable. However, their scope of action is two-dimensional, i.e., their main purpose is to block the SMP at a defined average height and cover a large area of ​​the prison. Operationally, it can be stated that, in addition to preventing the proper functioning of clandestine cell phones, they inevitably prevent mobile phone devices from being used. Public servants, other agents, and stations using mobile telecommunications networks are also affected within the jamming perimeter, making the implementation of this type of project complex, as directional antennas are typically used. Figure 7 shows an example of the application of this type of jammer, where hypothetical point "A" has one of these devices and operates as explained above.

[0028] A critical point for this type of device is range control, as it can disrupt mobile service in the prison's vicinity. Hence the importance of using directional antennas and electromagnetic signal power control to adjust these physical parameters. Compared to the device proposed for vehicular use, short-range volumetric control, as shown in Figure 2, is easier to implement, as a monopole or helical antenna can easily create a "Blocking Bubble." This is demonstrated in Figure 9.

[0029] Another technology analogous to the action of blocking something in the vehicle are vehicle tracking and jamming services, which have three remote action techniques: radio tracking (ANATEL provides VLF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF and EHF bands); satellite tracking (ANATEL provides UHF, SHF and EHF bands); tracking via 3G, 4G and 5G cellular telephone network where ANATEL provides UHF, SHF and EHF bands (mainly 700MHz to 27.5GHz).

[0030] The technique of using radio trackers and / or jammers involves installing equipment and antennas to provide coverage in a specific area and thus disrupt vehicle operation in the event of an accident, theft, robbery, or any other emergency. Figure 10 shows the antenna network (communication channel "B") that communicates with a service and monitoring center (communication channel "A").

[0031] The satellite tracking method consists of using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and information from technology (normally this information comes from the associated SMP) also interrupt the operation of the vehicle under the conditions already described in the previous paragraph.

[0032] With cellular network or SMP technology, using dedicated trigonometric algorithms, the location of a vehicle equipped with a mobile cellular station can be determined through triangulations derived from the geographic location of the base stations (RBS) or cellular antennas. This is a critical point regarding the proposed product: if the customer wishes to install the product in a vehicle already equipped with this tracking / jamming system, it may affect its operation if both products are too close together. In other words, the tracker / jammer is installed inside the "jamming bubble" – see Figure 2. This can be circumvented by swapping the locations of the devices, far enough apart to avoid incompatibility. Figure 11 shows the operating principle of this type of technology.

[0033] Another technique aimed at vehicle security that is worth mentioning is the circuit breaker. This device, if not deactivated by the driver before starting the car, prevents the engine from starting, thus preventing theft. This functionality is best understood by analyzing the electrical diagram in Figure 11, which shows the basic circuit breaker for an internal combustion engine vehicle. Comparing this accessory with the proposed device, the functional differences are evident. While one aims to ensure vehicle security, the other aims to prevent tampering with a cell phone while the vehicle is running. As stated, its function is not to directly protect property against theft and robbery, but rather to protect against possible accidents resulting from the traffic violations provided for in Article 252 of Law No. 9,503.

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", characterized by a restricted cellular signal blocker automatically activated when starting and starting the vehicle, with a defined range of 0.5m to 2m, creating a 'blocking bubble' to prevent the operation of mobile stations within the range of action. 2.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the preferential positioning of the cellular signal blocker near point 'A' in the vehicle, with the ability to be installed anywhere in the vehicle, and calibrated to limit interference to other nearby vehicles. 3.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the control circuit connected to the vehicle's original ignition and / or starting system, interpreting the commands to act on the cellular signal blocker, allowing remote software / firmware updates. 4.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the adjustable capacity of the cellular signal blocker for different levels of interference, allowing customization by the driver according to traffic conditions. 5.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES IN TRANSIT", according to claim 1, characterized by the inclusion of a visual or audible warning system in the vehicle, informing the driver about the activation of the cellular signal blocker. 6.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION. 2 / 4 BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to remotely deactivate the cellular signal blocker in specific situations, such as software updates or maintenance, requiring the vehicle to be parked / stopped. 7.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the additional manual activation mechanism, allowing the driver to choose specific moments to temporarily enable or disable the signal blocking. 8.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the inclusion of a two-way communication system that allows interaction between the device and a mobile application, enabling the driver to remotely monitor and control the settings of the cellular signal blocker. 9.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the incorporation of a machine learning system, automatically adapting the range of the cellular signal blocker based on driver behavior patterns. 10.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRANSIT", according to claim 1, characterized by the presence of an occupancy sensor in the vehicle, integrating a signal blocking function only when the vehicle is in motion and occupied. 11.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRANSIT", according to claim 1, characterized by the inclusion of an event recording system, storing data on the activation of the blocker. 3 / 4 of cellular signal, times and locations, providing history for monitoring and analysis. 12.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by having an intuitive user interface on the vehicle dashboard, allowing the driver to adjust cellular signal blocker settings while using the vehicle. 13.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to integrate with driver assistance systems, using information from sensors and cameras to assess the traffic context and dynamically adjust the cellular signal blocker settings. 14.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the inclusion of a self-diagnostic mechanism, capable of identifying failures in the system and alerting the driver or the technical assistance center for immediate maintenance. 15.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by offering different modes of operation, such as a "silent" mode that blocks only data transmission and keeps voice call functionalities active. 16.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES IN TRANSIT", according to claim 1, characterized in that the cellular signal blocker is configured to operate in a specific frequency band, comprising the common frequencies used by mobile devices, such as 3G, 4G, and 5G. 17.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION. 4 / 4 BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the machine learning algorithm automatically adjusting the power of the cellular signal blocker based on specific behavioral patterns of the driver, maintaining a balance between effectiveness and minimization of interference. 18.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to remotely update the firmware / software, ensuring continuous adaptation to new mobile communication technologies and security improvements. 19.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized by the event recording system that stores information about the activation of the cellular signal blocker, including the unique identification of the vehicle, date, time and location, for monitoring purposes and usage history. 20.) "DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE USE OF A MOBILE STATION BY THE DRIVER OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SIMILAR IN TRAFFIC", according to claim 1, characterized in that the self-diagnostic mechanism is capable of specifically identifying failures in the cellular signal blocking circuit, ensuring efficient maintenance and avoiding unnecessary interruptions in the operation of the device.

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