Abstract: A method (400) and a system (125) for monitoring traffic. A warning zone (130) can be defined based, at least in part, on a present location of a mobile traffic monitoring system (125). With the mobile traffic monitoring system, the warning zone can be optically monitored for movement of an object (175). Responsive to identifying the movement of the object in the warning zone, an alert (135) can be generated.

Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.

Abstract: A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the network. The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time traffic information using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications network. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that detect other vehicles around the vehicle. The wireless communications system on the vehicle uses the sensor signals to calculate a traffic condition index that identifies traffic information around the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasts the traffic condition index to other vehicles and/or road side infrastructure units that can present the information to the vehicle driver, such as in a navigation system, and/or rebroadcast the traffic information to other vehicles. The traffic condition index can be calculated using the speed of the surrounding vehicles, posted speed limits, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the traffic density of the surrounding vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for detecting a speed limit violation based on the movement of a cell phone in a moving vehicle. The system and method determine whether a speeding violation has occurred based periodic cell phone location data, the time between a cell phone's presence at one location and the next, and the speed limit of the section of a section of road that the cell phone could be located on. Embodiments of systems and methods of the invention detect whether a moving vehicle may be part of a public transit system, in which case the corresponding cell phones are removed from consideration. The system and method also include generating a speeding ticket for a car determined to have violated a corresponding speed limit, keeping a record of a speeding violation, and sending a request to settle the ticket if it is not paid on time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system to demonstrate discrepancies in the speedometer of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the method and the system further comprise the possibility of adjusting or calibrating the speedometer with the use of demonstrated discrepancies automatically or after approval by the user. The speed of the vehicle is measured with an external measuring device and the information about the speed is sent to a receiver in the vehicle. By comparing received information about speed with information of speed according to the speedometer of the vehicle information about possible discrepancies is made available to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, articles of manufacture and methods for a telematic parametric speed metering system. In one embodiment, a system may determine a vehicle's location and speed. Once the location has been determined, corresponding geographical zone based speed limits and/or other information may be acquired via internal memory or data transmission. The speed of the vehicle may then be compared against the speed limits for the zone. If the vehicle's speed exceeds those speed limits, one or more of a plurality of actions may be performed including (but not limited to) warning the driver via a visual or audio signal, informing an authority agency via data transmission, logging the excessive speeding condition (e.g., time, date, speed, location, driver name, etc).

Abstract: A system for monitoring and reporting comparative vehicle speed includes at least one vehicle having a device installed therein, wherein the device includes a transceiver for communicating within a network to one or more monitoring clients, a location receiver for determining a location of the vehicle, a sensor for monitoring a speed of the vehicle, a memory for storing a speed limit database, and a processor operatively coupled between the transceiver, the location receiver, the sensor, the memory, and the alerting mechanism, wherein the processor is programmed to compare the speed of the vehicle to a speed limit associated with the location of the vehicle; and to provide a notification when the speed of the vehicle is above the speed limit associated with the vehicle. The system also includes the one or more monitoring clients for receiving the notification from the at least one vehicle.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle includes: a shooting element for shooting a predetermined area around the vehicle to obtain a shot image around the vehicle; an image conversion element for converting coordinates of the shot image to generate a mirror conversion image, wherein the mirror conversion image provides a first image of a first area around the vehicle reflected on an in-vehicle mirror, the first image being viewed from a passenger of the vehicle, and wherein the passenger sits down on a predetermined seat of the vehicle; and a display element for displaying the mirror conversion image.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to determining speeds of radio frequency tags. In some implementations, a method includes sampling a Radio Frequency (RF) signal from an RFID tag at a plurality of different times as the RFID tag approaches an RFID reader and recedes from the RFID reader. A phase of the RF signal is determined for each of the plurality of different times based, at least in part, on the sampled RF signal. A speed of the RFID tag is determined based, at least in part, on the determined phase for the sampled signal for each of the plurality of different times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the travel time of a vehicle as it transits through multiple locations. The method and apparatus includes a device for detecting a radio signal from a vehicle, attaching information to the radio signal, and transmitting a message packet with the signal and attached information to a central server. The central server stores the message packet. The central server compares the information in the message packet against other stored message packets received from multiple locations. When matching information is found, an algorithm is run to compute a vehicle travel time between two locations.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting targets in roadway intersections. Transmit antennas transmit signals into a roadway intersection. Receive antennas receive corresponding signal reflections off objects in the roadway. The reflections correspond to two dimensional image data for the roadway intersection. The reflections are conditioned for compatibility with a processor. The processor processes the condition reflections into a two dimensional image of targets in the roadway intersection.

Abstract: A distributed individual vehicle information capture method for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is provided. The method includes capturing individual vehicle information at a plurality of intersections (122) and transmitting the individual vehicle information from the intersections to a central station (124). Consequently, the individual vehicle information is available to be stored and processed by a device at the central station (126). Traffic intersection equipment for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is also disclosed. The equipment includes a traffic detection device (159) for capturing individual vehicle data at an intersection (158) and a network connection to a central station (174).

Abstract: A system and method to provide traffic surveillance and more specifically, the detection and identification of vehicles whose average speed exceeds a legal limit anywhere for an extended part of the roadway by means of detection of the time difference between passing by at least two check points.

Abstract: A method for producing a time sequence of images of motor vehicle surroundings from a virtual elevated central perspective on a display wherein several cameras are used to record time sequences of subimage data records from a plurality of real perspectives differently offset and tilted with respect to the virtual perspective. Then, parameterized transformations are applied for obtaining sequences of transformed subimage data records and overall image data for an overall image from the virtual perspective is assembled. Finally, the sequence of the overall image data is displayed as an overall image. To compensate for positional and/or orientation deviations in the recording cameras a selection unit is proposed to recurrently apply a selection criterion for selecting a subimage data record from the sequence and to take this as a basis for redetermining the parameters of the transformations by an optimization method under a quality criterion for the overall image.

Abstract: A device for use by a deafblind person is disclosed. The device comprises a first key for manually inputting a series of words in the form of a code, a second key for manually inputting an action to be performed by the device, a third key for manually inputting a user preference, and a fourth key for manually inputting communication instructions. The device further has an internal processor programmed to carry out communication functions and search and guide functions. The device has various safety and security functions for pedestrians or persons in transit. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electronic cane known as an eCane. Also disclosed is a system for allowing a deafblind person to enjoy television programs.

Abstract: A traffic system for alerting a driver of a vehicle to a traffic sign includes a sensor and a control unit. The sensor may be an image sensor and the control unit may comprise a graphic processing unit (GPU) to detect the optical flow of objects in the captured images so as to distinguish moving vehicles from non-moving objects. The speed of vehicles may be detected such that the system may (1) activate lights to warn a driver if he is traveling too fast or (2) display the speed to either the driver or a police officer. The system may also be implemented and used as a geographic border monitoring system.

Abstract: This Invention provides for a method and system for speed measurement verification. The method comprises the step of automatically measuring the speed of a vehicle traveling on a surface which includes a fixed marker at a predetermined distance from a point where the speed of the vehicle is measured. The measured speed is automatically compared to a predetermined speed limit and if the speed limit is exceeded, the next step involves automatically calculating a time delay, which time delay is calculated according to the measured speed and the predetermined distance so as to predict when the vehicle, if traveling at the measured speed, will reach the marker. An image is then captured with a camera directed at the marker after expiration of the time delay so that, if the measured speed is accurate, the vehicle will be positioned proximate the marker so that the captured image showing the vehicle relative to the marker is able to serve as verification of the accuracy of the measured speed.

Abstract: A speed exceeded notification device is for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device generating data related to vehicle speed on the vehicle data communications bus. The speed exceeded notification device may include a wireless communications device, and a controller to be coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The controller may be for reading the data related to vehicle speed from the vehicle data communications bus, and determining when a vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold for a first time period. Based thereon, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send a remote vehicle speed exceeded notification.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for processing traffic tickets is provided. In one embodiment, a department of motor vehicle (DMV) server receives, from a portable law enforcement data processing system via a network, citation data and stores the citation data. The DMV server then determines and notifies a court of jurisdiction of the citation data and receives, via the network, instructions from a client representing an accused about how the accused would like to proceed with the case. Based on the instructions received on behalf of the client, the DMV server modifies the citation data.

Abstract: An RFID system for determining the location of a vehicle or mobile object that passes thereover is presented. The system comprises a tag arrangement having at least one tag where the arrangement having a width of between approximately 0.5 m and 2 m.

Abstract: A smart traffic control device transmits information to approaching vehicles regarding its current and future state enabling vehicles to control their speed to avoid arriving at the traffic control device until it permits the passage of traffic, thus avoiding stopping, idling and reaccelerating when reaching the traffic control device. In other embodiments the traffic control device or systems receives information from vehicles, transmitting it to other vehicles.

Abstract: A speed exceeded notification device is for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device generating data related to vehicle speed on the vehicle data communications bus. The speed exceeded notification device may include a wireless communications device, and a controller to be coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The controller may be for reading the data related to vehicle speed from the vehicle data communications bus, and determining when a vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold for a first time period. The controller may also be for determining when the vehicle speed exceeds the speed threshold for a second time period less than the first time period and, in response thereto, generating a local vehicle speed exceeded notification. Based thereon, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send a remote vehicle speed exceeded notification.

Abstract: A speed exceeded notification device may be installed in a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle indicator coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The speed exceeded notification device may include a wireless communications device, and a controller to be coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The controller may be for determining when a vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold for a first time period, and based thereon may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send a remote vehicle speed exceeded notification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, articles of manufacture and methods for a telematic parametric speed metering system. In one embodiment, a system may determine a vehicle's location and speed. Once the location has been determined, corresponding geographical zone based speed limits and/or other information may be acquired via internal memory or data transmission. The speed of the vehicle may then be compared against the speed limits for the zone. If the vehicle's speed exceeds those speed limits, one or more of a plurality of actions may be performed including (but not limited to) warning the driver via a visual or audio signal, informing an authority agency via data transmission, logging the excessive speeding condition (e.g., time, date, speed, location, driver name, etc).

Abstract: An optical receiving apparatus is provided on a mobile object and includes a receiving unit that receives an optical signal transmitted from a transmitting unit of a communication device disposed apart from the mobile object; and a blocking unit that blocks the optical signal when an incident angle of the optical signal relative to a disposition surface of the receiving unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined incident angle.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus including an external case (12) containing a lighting source (13), warning equipment (18) and data collection equipment (19), the warning equipment and data collection equipment being situated at least partly inside the above external case and the warning equipment being controlled on the basis of the data collected by the data collection equipment.

Abstract: A photographic traffic ticket issuance system or an automatic traffic ticket issuance system, preferably used within a police vehicle; the police vehicle, either mobile or stationary, is preferably used with a photographic device. The system includes a processing system within the police vehicle, which detects and determines that a vehicle is traveling at a speed that is beyond the speed limit. Information processed within the processing system and transmitted to a police station for processing can contain, for example, the specific information on the vehicle, its owner, the speed of the vehicle, the videotaped and/or photographed information of the vehicle 103, its license plate (or tag), or the like, in any combination. Upon receiving the information from the processing system of the police vehicle, the police station processes the information, the processing including issuing and transmitting of a traffic ticket, either via the post office or electronically, to the vehicle owner's home.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated detection of mobile telephone usage by drivers of vehicles is provided. The apparatus may include a detection system comprising at least one mobile phone signal receiving device, at least one image capturing device, and at least one computer. The mobile phone signal receiving device is operative to detect a mobile phone signal transmitted from a vehicle. The at least one image capturing device is operative to capture at least one image of the vehicle. The at least one computer is operative to store in a storage device, information associated with at least one of the mobile phone signal transmitted from the vehicle; and the at least one image of the vehicle. The information stored in the storage device may be used to determine if a person associated with the vehicle should be prosecuted for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time traffic information using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications network. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that detect other vehicles around the vehicle. The wireless communications system on the vehicle uses the sensor signals to calculate a traffic condition index that identifies traffic information around the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasts the traffic condition index to other vehicles and/or road side infrastructure units that can present the information to the vehicle driver, such as in a navigation system, and/or rebroadcast the traffic information to other vehicles. The traffic condition index can be calculated using the speed of the surrounding vehicles, posted speed limits, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the traffic density of the surrounding vehicles.

Abstract: A method for detecting and documenting red-light violations and/or speeding violations in which a radar beam is directed across all lanes of a roadway of interest and in which the speed and the position of a vehicle which passes through the radar beam are determined from the radar signals so as to be able to predict the probability of a red-light violation from the speed and the determined distance of the measured vehicle from a stop line and to trigger the recording of images of the violating vehicle at predetermined distances from the stop line.

Abstract: A driver information system is disclosed for providing driving information to the driver of a vehicle. The system comprises a traffic rule database including traffic rules for geographical regions, a position detecting unit for detecting the actual position of the vehicle, a driving parameter detecting unit for detecting at least one driving parameter of the vehicle, a control unit for extracting relevant traffic rules for the detected vehicle position from the traffic rule database and for comparing the extracted traffic rules to the detected at least one driving parameter in order to detect a traffic rule violation, a traffic rule violation significance judgment unit for judging the significance of a traffic rule violation detected by the control unit and for deciding whether information regarding the detected traffic rule violation is presented to the driver.

Abstract: A standalone vehicle speed detecting device that is portable and transportable, that creates the illusion of a police car when viewed by a vehicle driver, and that reacts to the detection of a speeding vehicle in a manner that simulates initial law enforcement vehicle engagement.

Abstract: A method for monitoring vehicle speed is provided. The method includes receiving a current speed of a vehicle and a current speed limit associated with a current location of the vehicle. A current speed range is calculated by comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the current speed limit. Operator alert preferences including a caution range and a warning range are accessed. An alert responsive to the current speed range and to the operator alert preferences is communicated to the operator of the vehicle. The alert includes one or more caution attributes when the current speed range of the vehicle is within the caution range. The alert includes one or more warning attributes when the current speed range of the vehicle is within the warning range. The alert includes one or more at speed attributes when the current speed range of the vehicle is not within the caution range or the warning range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic vehicle collision avoidance and warning system for rear vehicles which comprises a radar sensor device, speed sensor device, main control module and an assistive brake light illumination, wherein the radar sensor device is located at the rear-end of the vehicle for detecting the safety distance there between; the speed sensor device is adapted for detecting the driving speed of the rear vehicles; the main control module is used to receive and read the data from the radar sensor device and speed sensor device; and the assistive brake light illumination is located at the rear end of the vehicle so as to be activated when the rear vehicle is impending.

Abstract: A device for detecting a vehicle passing by a vehicle in the dark. A camera detects a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the vehicle. An analyzer device assigns the relatively moving light cone to the passing vehicle.

Abstract: In condition-dependent icon generation for a vehicular information terminal, a strength of a signal indicative of vehicle location information is measured, a road speed limit is determined based upon the vehicle location information, and vehicle speed information is received. Indicators are selected based upon the strength of the signal, the road speed limit, and the vehicle speed information, an icon is generated based upon the selected indicators, and the icon is displayed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a first measured data packet M1 of a first vehicle 1 at a first measuring time point tM1 and a first image data packet B1 are generated, and measured data packets MX of additional vehicles X are generated at additional measuring time points tMX, to which measured data packets duplicates of the first image data packet B1 are linked to the extent that the additional measuring time points tMX occur within a predetermined time interval a after the first measuring time point tM1.

Abstract: A system for controlling the alert and response indictors of an emergency vehicle permits the operation of one alert device, such as a police vehicle lightbar, to automatically initiate the operation of a video camera, thus providing a record of an emergency event without requiring the operator of the vehicle to specifically turn on the camera. The system also provides isolating diagnostic functionality that simplifies system troubleshooting.

Abstract: Electronic toll management includes capturing an image of a vehicle triggered by a transaction event representing an interaction between the vehicle and a facility, determining a vehicle identifier based on the captured image, checking whether the vehicle identifier matches a vehicle identifier provided by a party, and notifying the party of an occurrence of a match.

Abstract: An electronic automotive speed control safety device, which limits the maximum speed (Top Speed) allowed of any vehicle, in real time, based on the road it is traveling on. Combining the current GPS navigation technology and the electronic speed limiter technology, this device monitors and controls the maximum speed allowed of the vehicle for particular road it is travelling on. This device recognize the location of the vehicle, current speed, posted speed limit, and limits the maximum speed of the vehicle for that location. The maximum speed limit allowed is programmed by software setting during the time of installation. For example, if you want to allow your 16 year old child to be able to drive up to 30 MPH on the 25 MPH Zone, you can program the OVER_SPEED_LIMIT (OSL) parameter to +5.

Abstract: A method of displaying traffic information, comprising: providing a graphical interface to display information related to traffic routes; displaying a first bar to represent a total distance of a first traffic route; and displaying segments of the first bar, each segment of the first bar representing a corresponding range of traffic speeds along the first traffic route, and each segment of the first bar located on the bar in rough proportion to where the corresponding range of traffic speeds occurs along the first traffic route.

Abstract: A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which the presence of workers in a long highway construction zone is monitored and the electronically-controlled posted speed limit is adjusted in accordance with the detected presence of workers in the immediate area. In an example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners or readers are strategically placed in a construction or working area. Such RFID reading devices may be embedded, for example, in construction speed limit signs. The displayed speed limit is controlled by the detected proximity of construction workers wearing RFID-embedded clothing, for example, such as safety vests or helmets. The speed limit sign includes logic to display one of many possible speed limit displays based on the nearest, and/or the number of RFID signals detected in a given area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a context sensitive speed tracking by generating a location of the mobile tracking device; determining context information related to the location; and analyzing the location and context information to determine an appropriate speed of the mobile tracking device in view of the context information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collision avoidance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a proximity warning system operatively coupled to the aircraft and adapted to monitor a scanning area proximate a selected portion of the aircraft. The scanning area is monitored using the proximity warning system. A ground-based device within the scanning area is detected using the proximity warning system, and a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion on the aircraft is determined using the proximity warning system. If the distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion does not exceed a selected minimum distance, then a warning signal is provided. In alternate embodiments, the proximity warning system provides a second warning signal distinguishable from the warning signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically sounding a vehicle warning are provided. The method includes determining when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance to a warning area, and determining a speed of approach of the vehicle to the warning area. The method also includes determining an initiation point to activate the vehicle warning based on the speed of approach of the vehicle, and sounding the vehicle warning at the initiation point.

Abstract: A method 10 of verifying a traffic violation image and includes the step of automatically sensing 12 whether or not a vehicle commits a traffic violation, the step of automatically capturing 14 an image which shows a vehicle committing a traffic violation if it is sensed 12 that the vehicle has committed a traffic violation, the step of obtaining 16 verification data which verifies that the step of sensing 12 is accurate within acceptable limits, and the step of automatically combining 18 the obtained verification data with the captured traffic violation image to provide proof of the accurate sensing of the traffic violation. Also provided is an associated system.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a position of a vehicle within a field of view using a traffic sensor are provided. This involves (a) mounting the traffic sensor at a fixed location relative to a road; (b) modulating a microwave signal to produce a periodic time-varying modulated signal; (c) radiating the periodic time-varying modulated microwave signal in a radiation beam at a vehicle on a road to generate a reflected modulated microwave signal, wherein the reflected periodic time-varying modulated microwave signal induces a first received signal at a first receiver antenna and a second received signal at a second receiver antenna, the second receiver being spaced from the first receiver; and, (d) determining the position of the vehicle on the road within the field of view based on the periodic time-varying modulated signal, the first received signal, and the second received signal, wherein the position of the vehicle is determinable during a single period of the periodic time-varying modulated signal.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for controlling traffic. A set of vehicles is monitored moving from one radio frequency identification tag sensor to another radio frequency identification tag sensor in a network of radio frequency identification tag sensors to detect movement of the set of vehicles. A set of traffic patterns is identified in response to detecting the movement of the set of vehicles. A determination is made as to whether a traffic pattern in the set of traffic patterns is a delayed traffic pattern. In response to a determination that the traffic pattern in the set of traffic patterns is the delayed traffic pattern for a traffic control light at an intersection, the timing of the traffic control light is changed to increase traffic flow through the intersection.