Vehicle speed and safety warning system

• US 6,864,784 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barry Loeb
• Original Assignee: Barry Loeb
• Inventors: Loeb, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/199,876
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 340/441, 340/936, 340/905, 340/466, 340/539.1, 180/271, 180/275, 180/170, 180/171
• US Class Current: 340/441
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A vehicle speed and safety system includes a stationary transmitting device positioned on a side of a road for generating and transmitting a signal indicative of a speed limit for a respective portion of the road and a unit positioned within a vehicle. The unit includes a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of a speed limit from the transmitting device. A microprocessor analyzes the received signal to determine a posted speed limit represented by said signal, monitoring a speed of the vehicle and compares the determined speed limit to the monitored speed. A display generates an alarm signal when the microprocessor determines the monitored speed exceeds the speed limit. The signal indicative of a speed limit is preferably transmitted at a frequency unique to the speed limit whereby each frequency represents a 5 mile per hour group of speed limits.

Claims

1. A vehicle speed and safety system, said system comprising:

a) a stationary transmitting device positioned on a side of a road for generating and transmitting a signal indicative of a speed limit for a respective portion of the road said signal being transmitted at a different frequency for each different posted speed limit; and

b) a unit positioned within a vehicle, said unit including;

i) a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of a speed limit transmitted by said transmitting device, said receiver scanning a range of frequencies until a signal is received;

ii) a microprocessor for analyzing said received signal to determine the speed limit represented by said signal, monitoring a speed of the vehicle and comparing said determined speed limit to the monitored speed; and

iii) display means connected to said microprocessor for generating an alarm signal upon receipt of a signal from said microprocessor indicating the monitored speed exceeds the speed limit.

2. The vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transmitting device installed within said vehicle, said transmitting device transmitting a signal indicative of traffic law infraction and vehicle identification data, said stationary transmitting device having means for receiving said signal transmitted from said transmitting device within said vehicle and activating a camera mounted on said stationary transmitting device to take a picture of a license plate of said vehicle when a traffic infraction is recorded.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each frequency at which said signal indicative of a speed limit is transmitted represents a 5 mile per hour group of speed limits.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said display means includes at least one of an audio signal generator and a video display.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a transmitting device installed within a school bus, said transmitting device transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of the school bus.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said transmitting device installed within an emergency vehicle, said transmitting device transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of the emergency vehicle.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmitter includes a switch for manually enabling/disabling transmission of said signal.

8. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said transmitting device installed within a train, said transmitting device transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of the train.

9. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said transmitting device installed within a law enforcement vehicle, said transmitting device transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of the law enforcement vehicle.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said transmitter includes a switch for manually enabling/disabling transmission of said signal.

11. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said transmitting device is activated upon activation of flashing lights and/or stop signs mounted on the school bus.

12. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmitter is activated upon activation of a siren on said emergency vehicle.

13. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said transmitter is activated upon activation of a siren on said law enforcement vehicle.

14. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said unit further includes a recording device connected to said microprocessor for recording a determined speed limit, a monitored speed of the vehicle and a signal indicative of a determination by said microprocessor that the vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than the determined speed limit.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein said recording device further records the VIN (vehicle identification number) with the data recorded and whereby said data recorded by said recording device is downloadable to a computer.

16. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein said recording device is detachably connected to said unit whereby data recorded by said recording device is downloadable to a computer.

17. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said receiving means includes a receiver, microprocessor and data recording device.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the data recording device records a VIN number of a vehicle of a speed greater than the signal indicative of a speed limit for a respective portion of the road.