Speed trap detection and warning system

• US 20030052797A1
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Origin Technologies Ltd. (In Phase International Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Origin Technologies Ltd. (In Phase International Ltd.)
• Inventors: Groves, Mark David, Rock, Timothy Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,183,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/936
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/02 using radio waves G01S19/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/01 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/06 Position of source determined by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements G01S5/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/022 Road traffic radar detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4806 Road traffic laser detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

A speed trap detection and warning system for a vehicle (9) comprises a GPS or mobile telephone signal receiver and processor which calculates the location of the vehicle (9), the speed thereof and the direction of travel thereof, a memory storing data defining the location of a number of speed traps (5, 6) and alerts the driver if the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap and the vehicle'"'"'s speed is greater than the road speed limit. Also disclosed is a system for calculating the location and speed of a vehicle (9), comparing the calculated data with stored data defining the locations of roads and the speed limits therefor, and alerting the driver if the vehicle'"'"'s speed exceeds the speed limit for the road on which it is travelling. A further system is disclosed for displaying to the driver the speed limit for the road on which the vehicle is travelling.

Claims

1. A speed trap detection and warning system for a vehicle comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

comparing means for comparing the location determined from the signals with the stored speed trap locations to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

threat determining means for determining whether a speed trap is a threat to the vehicle; and

alerting means for alerting a user if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a threat.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing means is operable to process satellite signals to generate the location data defining the location of the vehicle.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing means is operable to process signals transmitted between a plurality of transmitters, a receiver at a known location and a receiver in the vehicle to generate the location data defining the location of the vehicle.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the signal processing means is operable to process signals defining the relative timing of signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitters in a mobile telecommunications network to a receiver at a known location and a receiver in the vehicle to generate the location data defining the location of the vehicle.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the signal processing means is further operable to process the received signals to determine the speed of travel of the vehicle;

the storage means is further arranged for storing data defining the respective road speed limit at the location of each of the speed traps; and

the threat determining means is operable to compare the calculated speed with the stored speed limit data to determine whether a speed trap is a threat.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the threat determining means is operable to determine whether a speed trap is a threat by determining whether the vehicle is travelling towards the speed trap.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the signal processing means is further operable to process the received signals to determine the direction of travel of the vehicle;

the storage means is further arranged for storing operating direction data defining the respective operating direction of each of the speed traps; and

the threat determining means is operable to compare the calculated direction of travel with the stored operating direction data to determine whether a speed trap is a threat.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein:

the signal processing means is operable to generate data defining a range of directions representing the direction of travel of the vehicle;

the storage means is arranged to store operating direction data for each speed trap defining a range of directions; and

the threat determining means is operable to compare the range of directions representing the direction of travel with the stored range of directions for a given speed trap and to determine that the given speed trap is a threat if there is an overlap in the ranges.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the storage means is further arranged for storing the respective road speed limit at the location of each of the speed traps; and

means are provided for reading and displaying to the user on a display the road speed limit at a speed trap determined to be a threat.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for calculating and displaying to the user on a display the distance between a speed trap determined to be a threat and the vehicle.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the signal processing means is further operable to process the received signals to determine the speed of travel of the vehicle; and

means are provided for displaying to the user on a display the determined speed of travel.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the storage means is further arranged for storing the respective type of each of the speed traps; and

means are provided for reading and displaying to the user on a display the type of a speed trap determined to be a threat.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising interface processing means for interfacing with a remote data store when the system or part thereof is connected thereto, the interface processing means comprising means for sending request data to the remote data store, receiving data from the remote data store defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps, and storing the received data in the storage means.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an electromagnetic wave detector for detecting electromagnetic waves of predetermined frequencies incident thereon, and wherein the system is operable to enable the electromagnetic wave detector for operation only if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a threat.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein:

the storage means is further arranged for storing the respective type of each of the speed traps; and

the system is operable to enable the electromagnetic wave detector for operation only if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle, is determined to be a threat and is determined to be of a predetermined type.

16. A system according to any preceding claim, when data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps is stored in the storage means.

17. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal processing means, storage means, comparing means, threat determining means and alerting means are provided in one or more units for carrying in the vehicle.

18. A system according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the components thereof are divided between one or more units remote from the vehicle and one or more units for carrying in the vehicle, the unit(s) remote from the vehicle being operable to communicate with the unit(s) for carrying in the vehicle.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the signal processing means, storage means, comparing means and threat determining means are provided in one or more units remote from the vehicle and the alerting means is provided in one or more units for carrying in the vehicle, the unit(s) remote from the vehicle being operable to communicate with the unit(s) for carrying in the vehicle.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein the signal processing means is provided in one or more units remote from the vehicle, and the storage means, comparing means, threat determining means and alerting means are provided in one or more units for carrying in the vehicle, the unit(s) remote from the vehicle being operable to communicate with the unit(s) for carrying in the vehicle.

21. A system according to claim 18, wherein the signal processing means and alerting means are provided in one or more units for carrying in the vehicle and the storage means, comparing means and threat determining means are provided in one or more units remote from the vehicle, the unit(s) remote from the vehicle being operable to communicate with the unit(s) for carrying in the vehicle.

22. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 19, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

comparing means for comparing the location determined from the signals with the stored speed trap locations to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

threat determining means for determining whether a speed trap is a threat to the vehicle; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a threat for causing the receiving apparatus to alert the user.

23. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 19, comprising;

means for receiving signals from transmitters and for sending signals in dependence thereon to remote apparatus for calculating the vehicle position;

means for receiving signals from remote apparatus; and

alerting means for alerting a user to the threat of a speed trap in dependence upon signals received from the remote apparatus.

24. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 20, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle; and

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle.

25. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 20, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

means for comparing the location defined in the received signals with the stored speed trap locations to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

threat determining means for determining whether a speed trap is a threat to the vehicle; and

alerting means for alerting a user if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a threat.

26. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 21, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location for transmission to remote apparatus;

means for receiving signals from remote apparatus; and

alerting means for alerting a user to the threat of a speed trap in dependence upon signals received from the remote apparatus.

27. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 21, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position of a vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

means for comparing the location defined in the received signals with the, stored speed trap locations to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

threat determining means for determining whether a speed trap is a threat to the vehicle; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle for causing the receiving apparatus to alert the user.

29. A data storage and processing apparatus for storing and sending data to an apparatus in a system according to claim 13, comprising:

storage means storing data defining the respective location of each of the plurality of speed traps;

means for processing request data; and

means for sending the data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps to an apparatus defined in the request data.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising:

storage means storing identification data for each of a plurality of systems according to claim 13 and status data for each system; and

means for processing identification data sent from an apparatus in a system according to claim 12 with the request data to determine a status of the requesting apparatus;

and wherein the means for sending the data is arranged to send the data in dependence upon the determined status of the apparatus.

31. A method of storing and sending data to an apparatus in a system according to claim 13, the method comprising:

storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

processing request data; and

sending the data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps to an apparatus defined in the request data.

28. A method of alerting the driver of a vehicle to the presence of a speed trap, comprising:

processing signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

comparing the location determined from the signals with stored data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

determining whether a speed trap is a threat to the vehicle; and

alerting a user if a speed trap is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle and is determined to be a threat.

32. A speed warning system for a vehicle, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle and speed data defining the speed of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle location determined from the signals with the stored data to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle speed determined from the signals with the stored speed limit for the determined road to determine whether the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for the determined road; and

alerting means for alerting a user if the vehicle is determined to be exceeding the speed limit for the determined road.

33. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle and speed data defining the speed of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle location determined from the signals with the stored data to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle speed determined from the signals with the stored speed limit for the determined road to determine whether the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for the determined road; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is exceeding speed limit for the determined road for causing the receiving apparatus to alert the user.

34. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

means for receiving signals from transmitters and for sending signals in dependence thereon to remote apparatus for calculating the vehicle'"'"'s position and speed;

means for receiving signals-from remote apparatus; and

alerting means for alerting a user that the vehicle speed is exceeding the road speed limit in dependence upon signals received from the remote apparatus.

35. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle and speed data defining the speed of the vehicle; and

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location data and speed data for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle.

36. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position and speed of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

means for comparing the vehicle location defined in the received signals with the stored road locations to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

means for comparing the vehicle speed defined in the received signals with the stored speed limit data to determine whether the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for the determined road; and

alerting means for alerting a user if it is determined that the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for the determined road.

37. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle and speed data defining the speed of the vehicle;

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location and speed for transmission to remote apparatus;

means for receiving signals from remote apparatus; and

means for alerting a user that the vehicle speed is exceeding the road speed limit in dependence upon signals received from the remote apparatus.

38. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 32, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position of a vehicle and the speed of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

means for comparing the vehicle location defined in the received signals with the stored road locations to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

means for comparing the vehicle speed defined in the received signals with the stored speed limit data to determine whether the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for the determined roads; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle for causing the receiving apparatus to alert the user.

39. A method of alerting the driver of a vehicle that the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit for a road on which it is travelling, comprising:

processing signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle and speed data defining the speed of the vehicle;

comparing the vehicle location determined from the signals with stored data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of roads to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

comparing the vehicle speed determined from the signals with stored speed limit data to determine whether the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit of the determined road; and

alerting a user if it is determined that the speed of the vehicle is greater than the speed limit of the determined road.

40. A speed, limit warning system for a vehicle, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle location determined from the signals with the stored data to determine a road on which the vehicle is located and the speed limit therefor; and

means for displaying to a user the speed limit for the determined road.

41. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

comparing means for comparing the vehicle location determined from the signals with the stored data to determine a road on which the vehicle is located and the speed limit therefor; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle for causing the receiving apparatus to display the speed limit to the user.

42. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

means for receiving signals from transmitters and for sending signals in dependence thereon to remote apparatus for calculating the vehicle'"'"'s position;

means for receiving signals from remote apparatus; and

means for displaying speed limit information to a user in dependence upon signals received from the remote apparatus.

43. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of a vehicle; and

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location data for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle.

44. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

means for comparing the vehicle location defined in the received signals with the stored road locations to determine a road on which the vehicle is located and the speed limit therefor; and

means for displaying to a user the speed limit for the determined road.

45. Apparatus for carrying in a vehicle for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

means for generating a signal conveying the calculated location for transmission to remote apparatus;

means for receiving signals from remote apparatus defining a road speed limit; and

means for displaying a road speed limit to the user defined in signals received from the remote apparatus.

46. Apparatus for use in a system according to claim 40, comprising:

means for receiving signals defining the position of a vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the locations of a plurality of roads and the respective speed limits for the roads;

means for comparing the vehicle location defined in the received speed signals with the stored road locations to determine a road on which the vehicle is located and the speed limit therefor; and

means for generating a signal for transmission to an apparatus within the vehicle for causing the receiving apparatus to display the speed limit to the user.

47. A method of displaying road speed limits to the driver of a vehicle, comprising:

processing signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

comparing the location determined from the signals with stored data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of roads to determine a road on which the vehicle is located;

reading speed data defining the speed limit for the road on which the vehicle is determined to be located; and

displaying to a user the speed limit of the determined road.

48. A speed trap detection and warning system for a vehicle comprising:

signal processing means for receiving signals and for processing the received signals to generate location data defining the location of the vehicle;

storage means for storing data defining the respective location of each of a plurality of speed traps;

comparing means for comparing the location determined from the signals with the stored speed trap locations to determined whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a speed trap;

an electromagnetic wave detector for detecting electromagnetic waves of predetermined frequencies; and

means for activating the electromagnetic wave detector for operation when the vehicle is determined to be within the predetermined distance of a speed trap.