Systems and methods for determining a speed limit violation

• US 9,536,426 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2009
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Daniel P., Hasegawa, Arlene, Lachmayr, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US12/428,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20100271196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,812 Days
• Field of Search: 340/466
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P

Abstract

Systems and methods to determine a speed limit violation by a vehicle. A locator device coupled to the vehicle receives GPS location coordinates from a satellite. The systems and methods determine the speed of the vehicle using the received coordinates or the functions of an engine control module. The speed limit of the segment of roadway on which the vehicle is traveling is identified based on the coordinates, and the vehicle speed is compared to the speed limit to determine whether the vehicle is violating the speed limit for the segment of roadway. The systems and methods alert any interested parties, such as the vehicle driver or a fleet manager, of the speed limit violation.

Claims

1. A method of determining a speed limit violation by a vehicle, comprising:

receiving location coordinates of the vehicle from a locator device coupled to the vehicle;

determining a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determining a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identifying, by the locator device, a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

comparing, by the locator device, the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determining, by the locator device, a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

providing, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the locator device comprises a GPS receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying an alert parameter; and

determining a triggering of the alert parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location coordinates are received over one of a cellular network, a wireless network or a satellite network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the speed limit of the roadway is stored in memory.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the speed of the vehicle further comprises determining the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more remote entities comprises a device associated with a manager of a fleet of vehicles, and wherein the vehicle is part of the fleet of vehicles.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the speed limit violation further comprises:

continuing to monitor the speed of the vehicle when the speed of the vehicle does not continuously exceed the speed limit for the period of time; and

providing the alert of the speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit for the period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a notification to a driver of the vehicle when the vehicle enters a road segment which has a speed limit different than the road segment on which the vehicle was previously traveling.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein different vehicle types have different corresponding speed limits for the roadway.

13. A locator device coupled to the vehicle for determining a speed limit violation by a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless interface; and

a processor, communicating with the wireless interface, the processor being configured to;

receive location coordinates of the vehicle;

determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identify a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

compare the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determine a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the locator device is further configured to provide an alert upon the vehicle entering a segment of roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the locator device is further configured to—

identify an alert parameter; and

determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the location coordinates are received over one of a cellular network, a wireless network or a satellite network.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

18. The system of claim 13, the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the server is further configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein one of the one or more remote entities comprises a device associated with a manager of a fleet of vehicles, and wherein the vehicle is part of the fleet of vehicles.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to:

continue to monitor the speed of the vehicle when the speed of the vehicle does not continuously exceed the speed limit for the period of time; and

provide the alert of the speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit for the period of time.

22. A system for determining a speed limit violation by a vehicle coupled to a locator device, comprising:

means for providing a wireless interface to the locator device; and

means for providing data to the locator device, communicating with the means for providing the wireless interface, the means for providing data being configured to—

receive location coordinates of the vehicle;

determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identify a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

compare the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determine a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for providing data is further configured to provide an alert upon the vehicle entering a segment of roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for providing is further configured to:

identify an alert parameter; and

determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the location coordinates are received over one of a cellular network, a wireless network or a satellite network.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

27. The system of claim 22, the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for determining the speed of the vehicle further comprise means for determining the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein one of the one or more remote entities comprises a device associated with a manager of a fleet of vehicles, and wherein the vehicle is part of the fleet of vehicles.

30. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive location coordinates of a vehicle from a locator device coupled to the vehicle;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to, based on the location coordinates, identify, by the locator device, a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to compare, by the locator device, the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine, by the locator device, a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

at least one instruction for causing a computer to provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

31. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to provide an alert upon the vehicle entering a segment of roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled.

32. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to identify an alert parameter;

and

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

33. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the location coordinates are received over one of a cellular network, a wireless network or a satellite network.

34. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

35. The computer program product of claim 30, the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

36. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

37. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein one of the one or more remote entities comprises a device associated with a manager of a fleet of vehicles, and wherein the vehicle is part of the fleet of vehicles.

38. A method of determining a speed limit violation by a vehicle coupled to a locator device, comprising:

receiving location coordinates of the vehicle from at least one GPS satellite;

determining a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determining a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identifying, by the locator device, a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

comparing, by the locator device, the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determining, by the locator device, speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

providing, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

providing the location coordinates of the vehicle to a receiver over one of a cellular, wireless network or satellite network.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

identifying an alert parameter; and

determining a triggering of the alert parameter.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the speed limit of the roadway is stored in memory.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining the speed of the vehicle further comprises determining the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein determining the speed limit violation further comprises:

continuing to monitor the speed of the vehicle when the speed of the vehicle does not continuously exceed the speed limit for the period of time; and

providing the alert of the speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit for the period of time.

46. A locator device, comprising:

a wireless interface; and

a processor, communicating with the wireless interface, the processor being configured to—

receive location coordinates of a vehicle coupled to the locator device from at least one GPS satellite;

determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identify a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

compare the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determine a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

47. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the location coordinates of the vehicle to a receiver over one of a cellular or wireless network.

48. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to—

identify an alert parameter; and

determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

49. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

50. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the speed limit of the roadway is stored in memory.

51. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

52. The locator device of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to:

continue to monitor the speed of the vehicle when the speed of the vehicle does not continuously exceed the speed limit for the period of time; and

provide the alert of the speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit for the period of time.

54. A system for determining a speed limit violation by a vehicle coupled to a locator device, comprising:

means for providing a wireless interface to the locator device; and

means for providing data to the locator device, communicating with the means for providing a wireless interface, the means for providing data being configured to—

receive location coordinates of the vehicle from at least one GPS satellite;

determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

based on the location coordinates, identify a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

compare the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

determine a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for providing data is further configured to provide the location coordinates of the vehicle to a receiver over one of a cellular or wireless network.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for providing data is further configured to—

identify an alert parameter; and

determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

57. The system of claim 54, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

58. The system of claim 54, the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

59. The system of claim 54, wherein the means for determining the speed of the vehicle further comprise means for determining the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.

60. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive location coordinates of a vehicle coupled to a locator device from at least one GPS satellite;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine a speed of the vehicle based on measurements from an engine control module;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine a vehicle type of the vehicle;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to, based on the location coordinates, identify, by the locator device, a speed limit for the vehicle type of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to compare, by the locator device, the speed of the vehicle to the speed limit of the roadway and a value above the speed limit of the roadway;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine, by the locator device, a speed limit violation when the speed of the vehicle continuously exceeds the speed limit of the roadway and the value above the speed limit of the roadway for a period of time; and

at least one instruction for causing a computer to provide, by the locator device, an alert of the speed limit violation upon the vehicle entering a segment of the roadway having a speed limit different from a speed limit of a segment of the roadway on which the vehicle previously traveled, wherein the alert is provided to one or more remote entities and the alert includes the speed limit violation and the period of time the vehicle exceeded the speed limit.

61. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to provide the location coordinates of the vehicle to a receiver over one of a cellular or wireless network.

62. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to—

identify an alert parameter; and

determine a triggering of the alert parameter.

63. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein the alert is provided to at least one of the one or more remote entities over one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the internet, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network, a peer-to-peer network, and a wireless self-configuring network.

64. The computer program product of claim 60, the measurements from an engine control module include at least one of:

rotations of tires on the vehicle or rotations of axles of the vehicle.

65. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to determine the speed of the vehicle based on the location coordinates.