SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND USING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH DRIVING CONDITIONS AND RELATED PARAMETERS

• US 20080243350A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnnie C. Harkness
• Original Assignee: Johnnie C. Harkness
• Inventors: HARKNESS, Johnnie C.
• Application Number:
  US12/059,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20080243350A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/02 Active or adaptive cruise control system; Distance control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/56 for comparing two speeds
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P

Abstract

A system for controlling a speed of a vehicle includes circuitry coupled to the vehicle for receiving speed threshold data identifying a government-imposed maximum speed limit. The circuitry uses the speed threshold signal to determine a maximum speed value and electronically controls engine performance of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle'"'"'s speed at or below the maximum speed value.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:

circuitry coupled to the vehicle for receiving speed threshold data identifying a government-imposed maximum speed limit, wherein the circuitry uses the speed threshold signal to determine a maximum speed value and electronically controls engine performance of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle'"'"'s speed at or below the maximum speed value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the speed threshold data is received from an RFID tag coupled to a roadside speed limit sign.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the speed threshold signal data is retrieved from a storage device of a global positioning unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the storage device resides on a centralized server in communication with the global positioning unit.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display for conveying information related to vehicle'"'"'s speed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the display provides visual data.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the display provides audible data.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the display further conveys one of hazard, weather, safety, and emergency data.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry can be selectively activated and deactivated by a user.

10. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle with a speed control unit, comprising:

the speed control unit;

an electromechanical coupling for coupling the speed control unit to an engine control unit of the vehicle; and

one or more fasteners for mechanically fastening the speed control unit to the vehicle.

11. A method for limiting a speed of a vehicle to a government-imposed speed limit, comprising:

receiving speed limit data for the road currently being traveled;

comparing the vehicle'"'"'s current speed with the speed limit data; and

if the vehicle'"'"'s current speed exceeds the speed limit data, then causing the vehicle'"'"'s speed to be decreased to a value that is the same as or lower than the government-imposed speed limit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of causing the vehicle'"'"'s speed to be decreased further includes electronically controlling the performance of the vehicle'"'"'s engine to reduce the vehicle'"'"'s speed.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of causing the vehicle'"'"'s speed to be decreased further includes activating the vehicle'"'"'s braking system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of activating the vehicle'"'"'s braking system includes activating an auxiliary brake system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary brake system comprises a disc brake oriented along a driveshaft of the vehicle.

16. A system for conveying and using data associated with driving parameters, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, wherein each of the plurality of transmitters is positioned proximate a road and wherein each of the plurality of transmitters transmits data including a maximum speed limit for an associated portion of the road;

a transponder located within a travelling vehicle, wherein the transponder receives data from one of the plurality of transmitters which is in proximity to the transponder; and

a display in communication with the transponder to convey the data to a driver of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a vehicle control unit that receives speed limit data from the transponder and causes the vehicle to adjust its travelling speed accordingly.