This application relates to Italian Application No. 102019000011403, filed Jul. 10, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to computer vision generally and, more particularly, to a method and/or apparatus for implementing detecting illegal use of phone to prevent the driver from getting a fine.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phone usage is increasingly becoming a factor in vehicle collisions. While it is well known that usage of mobile phones are a distraction to drivers, many drivers still take the risk of using a mobile phone while driving. Many locations have laws against distracted driving. If a police officer catches a driver using a mobile phone, the driver may be fined or get a license suspension. Even with police enforcement mobile phone usage while driving persists.

It would be desirable to implement detecting illegal use of phone to prevent the driver from getting a fine.

SUMMARY

The invention concerns an apparatus comprising an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames corresponding to an interior of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects in the video frames, detect a driver based on the objects detected in the video frames, detect a use of an electronic device by the driver and generate a notification signal. The notification signal may be configured to warn the driver about using the electronic device in the vehicle. The notification signal may be generated if the use of the electronic device is unauthorized. The processor may comprise a dedicated hardware module configured to perform feature detection to calculate descriptors for determining a likelihood that pixels of the video frames belong to the objects that correspond to the use of the electronic device by the driver.

