System and method for traffic monitoring

• US 20030189499A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Precision Traffic Systems Corp.
• Inventors: Stricklin, Michael C., Filo, John, Teffer, Dean W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules

Abstract

The invention is directed to a system and method for acquiring image evidence of traffic violations. The system has a controller, an image acquisition system, and sensors. The controller acquires data from the sensors to determine the likelihood of a traffic violation. The controller determines a schedule for acquiring images associated with the violation. Multiple images may be acquired as evidence of the violation. The controller then directs the image acquisition to acquire images in compliance with the schedule. The controller may then package, encrypt, and authenticate data and images associated with the violation. The controller may then transfer the data to a remote location. The system may also determine a schedule to acquire images associated with multiple violations and/or traffic accidents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a signal for optimally capturing an image associated with multiple violators, the apparatus comprising:

a controller;

one or more sensors, communicatively coupled to said controller, said one or more sensors detecting at least two vehicles;

said controllers using data associated with said one or more sensors to determine an optimal schedule for acquiring one or more images associated with violations associated with said at least two vehicles; and

an image acquisition system communicatively coupled to said controller, said image acquisition system acquiring said one or more images associated with said violations associated with said at least two vehicles, said image acquisition system acquiring said one or more images in compliance with said optimal schedule.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising:

a traffic signal interface communicatively coupled to said controller, said controller using data associated with said traffic signal interface to determine said optimal schedule.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said violations is associated with traversing a red traffic signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least of said violations is associated with exceeding a speed.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one or more images comprise evidence of a collision.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller creates at least one data package comprising said data and said one or more images.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller creates a data package comprising said data and at least one of said one or more images, the data package being associated with one of said at least two vehicles.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising:

a network interface communicatively coupled to said controller, said controller transferring data packages through said network interface.

9. A method for generating a signal for optimally capturing an image associated with multiple violators, the method comprising:

detecting at least two vehicles with one or more sensors;

determining with a controller an optimal schedule for acquiring one or more images associated with violations associated with said at least two vehicles, said controller using data associated with said one or more sensors in determining said optimal schedule; and

acquiring said one or more images associated with said violations associated with said at least two vehicles.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said controller uses data associated with a traffic signal interface in determining said optimal schedule.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said violations is associated with traversing a red traffic signal.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said violations is associated exceeding a speed.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said one or more images comprise evidence of a collision.

14. The method of claim 9, the method further comprising:

associating one of said one or more images with a time stamp.

15. The method of claim 9, the method further comprising:

assembling a data package comprising said data and at least one of said one or more images.

16. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising:

authenticating said data package.

17. The method of claim 9, the method further comprising:

transferring data packages from said controller to a remote location.

18. A method for capturing multiple images associated with a violation, the multiple images associated with multiple locations of a vehicle associated with the violation:

detecting the vehicle with one or more sensors;

determining with a controller an optimal schedule for acquiring the multiple images associated with the vehicle associated with the violation, said controller using data associated with said one or more sensors in determining said optimal schedule; and

acquiring said multiple images associated with the violation.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said controller uses data associated with a traffic signal interface in determining said optimal schedule.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the violation is associated with traversing a red traffic signal.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the violation is associated exceeding a speed.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said multiple images comprise evidence of a collision.

23. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:

associating one of said multiple images with a time stamp.

24. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:

assembling a data package comprising said data and at least one of said multiple images.

25. The method of claim 24, the method further comprising:

authenticating said data package.

26. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising:

transferring data packages from said controller to a remote location.

27. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instruction executable by the machine to perform method steps for generating a signal for optimally capturing an image associated with multiple violators, the method steps comprising:

detecting at least two vehicles with one or more sensors;

determining with, a controller an optimal schedule for acquiring one or more images associated with violations associated with said at least two vehicles, said controller using data associated with said one or more sensors in determining said optimal schedule; and

acquiring said one or more images associated with said violations associated with said at least two vehicles.