Combination passive and active speed detection system

• US 6,502,053 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2000
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry C. Hardin
• Original Assignee: Larry Hardin
• Inventors: Hardin, Larry C., Nash, Larry V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsai, Carol S. W.
• Application Number:
  US09/591,869
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 702/96, 702/142-149, 702/151, 702/183, 702/FOR.103, 702/FOR.104, 702/FOR.123, 702/FOR.124, 702/FOR.130, 702/FOR.134, 702/FOR.135, 702/FOR.150, 702/FOR.151, 702/FOR.155, 702/FOR.170, 701/96, 701/301, 382/103, 382/104, 382/106, 382/107, 340/903, 340/936, 340/937, 340/942, 340/435, 340/557, 340/554, 340/555, 356/4.01, 356/27, 342/54, 342/104, 342/461, 348/148, 348/169, 348/135, 348/139, 348/140
• US Class Current: 702/143
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/38 using photographic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/68 using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light G01P3/80 takes precedence ; by reflection of waves G01S17/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/92 for velocity measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/58 Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P

Abstract

A combination passive and active detection system including a passive speed and range detection system able to sense the speed and range of a moving object and an active speed detection system able to sense the speed and range of a moving object. The passive speed detection system is preferably an electro-optical speed and range detection system. The active speed detection system is preferably a laser speed and range detection system. The combination detection system preferably is selectively operable in a dual operational mode, a “passive-only” operational mode, and “active-only” operational mode, a triggering operational mode, and an active recording operational mode.

Claims

1. A combination detection system for detecting the speed and range of moving objects, said combination system comprising:

a) a sensory unit including a passive speed and range detection system and an active speed detection system;

b) at least one output device;

c) a system controller, said system controller accepting input from said sensor unit and providing output to said at least one output device in the form of range data, speed data and/or video data;

d) said passive speed and range detection system being an electro-optical speed and range detection system including a first video input device with, a first video field-of-view and a second video input device with a second video field-of-view, said first and second video fields-of-view overlapping at least in part to form a common video field-of-view; and

e) said active speed detection system being a laser speed and range detection system having a laser beam width, said video common fields-of-view extending laterally beyond said laser system beam width.

3. The combination system of claim 1 wherein said at least one output device is located remotely from said passive and active speed and range detection systems.

2. A combination detection system for detecting the speed and range of moving objects, said combination system comprising:

a) a sensory unit including a passive speed and range detection system and an active speed detection system;

b) at least one output device;

c) a system controller, said system controller accepting input from said sensor unit and providing output to set at least one output device in the for m of range data, speed data and/or video data;

d) said passive speed and range detection system being an electro-optical speed and range detection system including a first video input device with a first video field-of-view and a second video input device with a second video field-of-view, said first and second video fields-of-view overlapping at least in part to form a common video field-of-view; and

e) said active speed detection system being a radar speed and range detection system having an angular beam width which extends laterally beyond said video common fields-of-view.

4. The combination system of claim 2 wherein said at least one output device is located remotely from said passive and active speed and range detection systems.

5. A method for detecting speed and distance of a moving object, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a passive electro optical speed and range detection system in a stationary location, said system including first and second video input devices spaced a predetermined distance apart and having overlapping fields-of-view, at least in part, to form a common video field of view;

b) providing an active speed and range sensing device;

c) passively monitoring said common video field-of-view to detect the presence of a moving object;

d) setting speed or distance parameters as triggering events;

e) evaluating said moving object for a triggering event when said moving object is detected within said common field-of-view and

f) triggering said active speed and range sensing device if said moving object meets said speed or distance parameters.

6. A method for detecting speed and distance of moving objects, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing an electro optical passive speed and range detection system including first and second video input devices with first and second fields-of-view, said first and second fields-of-view overlapping at least in part to form a common video field-of-view;

b) providing an active speed detection system;

c) continuously passively sensing said moving objects and passively measuring speeds of said moving objects with said passive electro optical sensor system;

d) evaluating said moving objects sensed by said passive electro optical sensor system for a triggering event caused by a triggering object wherein said triggering object is one of said moving objects;

e) activating said active sensor system upon the occurrence of said triggering event.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said triggering event is a threshold speed of a moving object.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said triggering event is a threshold range of a moving object.