Mobile traffic violation detection, recording and evidence processing system

• US 10,553,109 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2019
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drive Safe Enforcement LLC
• Original Assignee: Drive Safe Enforcement LLC
• Inventors: Burley, IV, William Milton, McCarthy, Norman Henry, Gerstenberg, Micha
• Primary Examiner(s): Volentine, Rebecca A
• Application Number:
  US16/361,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20190318621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/87 Regeneration of colour television signals H04N9/80 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for traffic violation detection using a mobile vehicle-mounted unit (20) with multiple imaging cameras (32-37), for recording and processing as evidence. The mobile unit (20) includes a monitoring device (60) that stores videos locally on a hard drive (62), and an input device (65) by which the operator flags potential infractions observed visually and compile a potential infraction log including links to relevant video frames, date and time, and geolocation. At the end of the operator'"'"'s shift, the infraction log and videos are uploaded to a data vault (80) for video screening of the potential infractions by a desk operator who compiles a listing of apparent infractions inclusive of time/date, location, violation type, vehicle plates, and a URL link to the data vault (80). This listing is transmitted to police (52) running a web application (55) who can double-check and verify suspected infractions and directly compose a traffic citation.

Claims

1. A mobile traffic violation detecting system, comprising:

a mobile imaging unit including a plurality of video cameras housed in a unit and attached to a vehicle, an interior module comprising a computer storage device, a user-input device for allowing a vehicle operator to designate a time and date of a visually-observed potential traffic infraction, and a computer programmed with software configured to compile a plurality of said designations into a list of potential infractions;

a data vault for securely storing said list of potential infractions and video from each of said multiple video cameras;

a processor client application comprising software configured to present a first user interface for allowing a third party to review each potential infraction on said list of potential infractions and correlated video stored in said data vault and to designate a subset of apparent violations therefrom, and a web-based client application comprising software configured to present a second user interface for allowing authorized law enforcement officials to review said subset of apparent violations and generate traffic citations therefrom.

2. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said mobile imaging unit comprises six video cameras having focal axes oriented at 45 degree offsets.

3. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said interior module comprises a dockable computer storage device.

4. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said interior module comprises a wireless computer storage device.

5. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said interior module computer comprises a laptop.

6. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said interior module comprises a GPS sensor.

7. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said mobile imaging unit further comprises a power-on-ethernet hub.

8. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of video cameras are each connected to said power-on-ethernet hub.

9. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 8, wherein said power-on-ethernet hub is connected to said interior module.

12. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 1, wherein said first user interface provides a video playback interface.

13. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 12, wherein said video playback interface is actuated by a URL link to said data vault.

10. A mobile traffic violation detecting system, comprising:

a mobile imaging unit including six video cameras housed in a unit and attached to a vehicle, an interior computer storage device, a user-input device for allowing a vehicle operator to designate a time and date of a visually-observed potential traffic infraction, and a computer controller for compiling a plurality of said designations into a list of potential infractions;

a data vault for securely storing said list of potential infractions and video from each of said multiple video cameras;

a processor client application comprising software configured to present a first user interface for allowing a third party to review each potential infraction on said list of potential infractions and correlated video stored in said data vault and to designate a subset of apparent violations therefrom; and

a web-based client application comprising software configured to present a second user interface for allowing authorized law enforcement officials to review said subset of apparent violations and generate traffic citations therefrom.

11. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 10, wherein said mobile imaging unit comprises six video cameras having focal paths oriented at 45 degree offsets.

14. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 10, wherein said interior module comprises a laptop and GPS sensor.

15. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 10, wherein said mobile imaging unit further comprises a power-on-ethernet hub.

20. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 10, wherein said interior module comprises a GPS sensor.

16. A mobile traffic violation detecting system, comprising:

a mobile imaging unit including a plurality of video cameras and an Ethernet hub all attached to a roof of a vehicle by a rooftop carrier, and all of said plurality of video cameras being electrically connected to said Ethernet hub, said mobile imaging unit also including an interior module comprising a computer connected to the Ethernet hub of said mobile imaging unit, computer storage media, a user-input device, and software programmed to allow a vehicle operator to designate a time and date of a visually-observed potential traffic infraction and for compiling a plurality of said designations into a list of potential infractions.

17. A mobile traffic violation detecting system, comprising:

a mobile imaging unit including a plurality of video cameras housed in a unit and attached to a vehicle, an interior module comprising a computer storage device, a user-input device for allowing a vehicle operator to designate a time and date of a visually-observed potential traffic infraction, and a computer programmed with software configured to compile a plurality of said designations into a list of potential infractions;

a data vault for securely storing said list of potential infractions and video from each of said multiple video cameras;

a processor client application comprising software configured to present a first user interface for allowing a third party to review each potential infraction on said list of potential infractions and correlated video stored in said data vault and to designate a subset of apparent violations therefrom, and a web-based client application comprising software configured to present a second user interface for allowing authorized law enforcement officials to review said subset of apparent violations and generate traffic citations therefrom.

18. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 17, wherein said first user interface provides a video playback interface.

19. The mobile traffic violation detecting system according to claim 18, wherein said video playback interface is actuated by a URL link to said data vault.