Radio communications detection apparatus and method

(19)

(11)

EP 1 130 558 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	31.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/44

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	05.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/36

(21)	Application number: 01301651.4

(22)	Date of filing: 23.02.2001

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G08G 1/017, H04Q 7/34

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

25.02.2000 GB 0004439

(71)	Applicant: CENTRAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES LIMITED
	Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 1HH (GB)

(72)	Inventor:
	Harker, Brett James Hayes, Middlesex UB4 0AY (GB)

(74)	Representative: Leaman, Keith et al
	QED I.P. Services Limited, Dawley Road Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1HH Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1HH (GB)

(54)	Radio communications detection apparatus and method

(57) An apparatus and method is disclosed for detecting traffic violations involving use of mobile telephones and other communications apparatus in a moving vehicle 20. Directional antennae 14 are aimed at a vehicle 20 and radio emissions from the vehicle 20 are analysed to see if their type corresponds to a targeted type of radio communications activity. If there is correspondence, a camera 24 is triggered to provide an image of the vehicle 20 with appended details of communications type and time. The image can then be examined to determine if the vehicle driver was, in fact, the individual using mobile communications. Dual criteria of signal strength and communications type are used before the camera 24 is triggered. The image is communicable to another place for action, analysis or bureaucratic processing. Automatic gain control features ensure wide range signal strength handling capacity. A portable version is also disclosed.

Search report