DETECTION OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

• US 20150199901A1
• Filed: 03/26/2015
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: SCHENKEN, CHRISTOPHER T., DAVIDSON, MARK J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,754,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0866 the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• 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: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like for detecting possible traffic violations of vehicles. For example, in one embodiment, this may include receiving an indication that a school bus has entered or is entering a stopped position. After receiving an indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position, an area proximate the school bus can be monitored to detect possible traffic violations.

Claims

1. A method for detecting possible traffic violations of vehicles, the method comprising:

receiving, via one or more processors, an indication that a school bus has entered or is entering a stopped position;

after receiving the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position, monitoring, via one or more processors, an area proximate the school bus to detect possible traffic violations;

detecting, via one or more processors, a possible traffic violation; and

responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, capturing both (a) image data from one or more imaging devices and (b) telematics data from one or more telematics devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) the possible traffic violation is detected via one selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a sound sensor, or a magnetic sensor, and (b) the possible traffic violation is a vehicle passing the school bus in the area proximate the school bus.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, causing a perceivable indication to be emitted.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position is received in response to one selected from the group consisting of the school bus stopping, the school bus decelerating, a door on the school bus opening, or an arm on the school bus extending.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising capturing telematics data after entering a zone of interest.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising validating the captured image data to confirm that an actual traffic violation occurred.

7. A system for detecting possible traffic violations of vehicles, the system comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the system to at least:

receive an indication that a school bus has entered or is entering a stopped position;

after receiving the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position, monitor an area proximate the school bus to detect possible traffic violations;

detect a possible traffic violation; and

responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, capture both (a) image data from one or more imaging devices and (b) telematics data from one or more telematics devices.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein (a) the possible traffic violation is detected via one selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a sound sensor, or a magnetic sensor, and (b) the possible traffic violation is a vehicle passing the school bus in the area proximate the school bus.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is further configured to, responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, cause a perceivable indication to be emitted.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position is received in response to one selected from the group consisting of the school bus stopping, the school bus decelerating, a door on the school bus opening, or an arm on the school bus extending.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is further configured to capture telematics data after entering a zone of interest.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is further configured to validate the captured image data to confirm that an actual traffic violation occurred.

13. A computer program product for detecting possible traffic violations of vehicles, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to receive an indication that a school bus has entered or is entering a stopped position;

an executable portion configured to, after receiving the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position, monitor an area proximate the school bus to detect possible traffic violations;

an executable portion configured to detect a possible traffic violation; and

an executable portion configured to, responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, capture both (a) image data from one or more imaging devices and (b) telematics data from one or more telematics devices.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein (a) the possible traffic violation is detected via one selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a sound sensor, or a magnetic sensor, and (b) the possible traffic violation is a vehicle passing the school bus in the area proximate the school bus.

15. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising an executable portion configured to, responsive to detecting the possible traffic violation, cause a perceivable indication to be emitted.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position is received in response to one selected from the group consisting of the school bus stopping, the school bus decelerating, a door on the school bus opening, or an arm on the school bus extending.

17. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising an executable portion configured to capture telematics data after entering a zone of interest.

18. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising an executable portion configured to validate the captured image data to confirm that an actual traffic violation occurred.