Method and apparatus for measuring and recording vehicle speed and for storing related data

• US 6,473,000 B1
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Richard Capo, Herbert H. Ohliger III, James Secreet
• Original Assignee: David Richard Capo, Herbert H. Ohliger III, James Secreet
• Inventors: Secreet, James, Capo, David Richard, Ohliger, Herbert H. III
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/999,728
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 340/936, 340/905-933, 701/93
• US Class Current: 340/936
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles

Abstract

A computer program product for speed limit enforcement is executable on a portable computer to measure the elapsed time it takes a motor vehicle to traverse a premeasured course along a roadway. The start and stop signals are manually input by a traffic officer via assigned keys on a keyboard, to capture the time interval between the last start signal and the stop signal. A start signal is entered upon a vehicle crossing a first measurement line, and a stop signal is entered upon the vehicle'"'"'s crossing a second measurement line, the distance between the lines having been preselected from a set of geographic location data. The program converts the time measurement to the relevant units, typically miles per hour, for comparison to a threshold limit stored in a buffer. The time trial is displayed on the computer screen and each record is stored in a cumulative relational database for upload to a back office system for generating historical and statistical reports. The program is useful for enforcement of traffic speed limit laws and collection of evidentiary data.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a processor and a memory, the memory connected to the processor and storing computer executable instructions, a method of measuring and recording vehicle velocity over a premeasured distance, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) manually inputting a start signal corresponding to a vehicle entering the premeasured distance;

b) measuring elapsed time commencing instantaneously upon said inputting of the start signal;

c) manually inputting a stop signal corresponding to a vehicle exiting the premeasured distance;

d) capturing the elapsed time corresponding to the inputting of said stop signal;

e) calculating the velocity of the vehicle;

f) converting the vehicle velocity to miles per hour;

g) displaying the vehicle velocity information on a computer screen;

g) comparing the vehicle velocity to a predetermined velocity value;

h) determining if the vehicle velocity exceeds said predetermined velocity value; and

i) signaling to an operator if the vehicle exceeds the predetermined velocity value.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, also comprising the steps of confirming the selection of a location identifier wherein said location identifier includes the distance information necessary for computing a velocity.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, also comprising confirming the selection of an operator identifier.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, also comprising providing local disk storage means for storing information in a database format, said information including at least an operator ID, location ID, vehicle velocity, predetermined velocity value, and time data.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein manual input of the start signal is accomplished by depressing a first assigned key on a computer keyboard.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein manual input of the stop signal is accomplished by depressing a second assigned key.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein signaling to the operator includes generating an audibly perceptible signal.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein signaling to the operator includes generating a visibly perceptible signal.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein signaling to the operator includes generating both an audibly perceptible signal and a visibly perceptible signal.

10. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said predetermined velocity value is equal to or greater than a posted legal speed limit associated with said location identifier.

11. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein also associating the stored information in a cumulative relational database capable of being manipulated to yield analytical and statistical reports.

12. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions therein, which, when executed by a computer, performs a method of measuring and recording vehicle velocity over a premeasured distance, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) manually inputting a start signal corresponding to a vehicle entering the premeasured distance;

b) measuring elapsed time commencing instantaneously upon said inputting of the start signal;

c) manually inputting a stop signal corresponding to a vehicle exiting the premeasured distance;

d) capturing the elapsed time corresponding to the inputting of said stop signal;

e) calculating the velocity of the vehicle;

f) converting the vehicle velocity to miles per hour;

g) displaying the vehicle velocity information on a computer screen;

h) comparing the vehicle velocity to a predetermined velocity value;

i) determining if the vehicle velocity exceeds said predetermined velocity value; and

j) signaling to an operator if the vehicle exceeds the predetermined velocity value.

13. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 12, the method also comprising the steps of confirming the selection of a location identifier wherein said location identifier includes the distance information necessary for computing a velocity.

14. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 13, the method also comprising confirming the selection of an operator identifier.

15. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 14, the method also comprising providing local disk storage means for storing information in a database format, said information including at least an operator ID, location ID, vehicle velocity, predetermined velocity value, and time data.

16. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 12, wherein the method of manual input of the start signal is accomplished by depressing a first assigned key on a computer keyboard.

17. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 16, wherein the method of manual input of the stop signal is accomplished by depressing a second assigned key.

18. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 12, wherein the method of signaling to the operator includes generating an audibly perceptible signal.

19. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 12, wherein the method of signaling to the operator includes generating a visibly perceptible signal.

20. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 12, wherein the method of signaling to the operator includes generating both an audibly perceptible signal and a visibly perceptible signal.

21. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 16, wherein said predetermined velocity value is equal to or greater than a posted legal speed limit associated with said location identifier.