WO1998049664A1

WO1998049664A1 - Vehicle speed limit enforcement device

Info

Publication number: WO1998049664A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/002678
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Mackinder
Original assignee: Alan Mackinder
Priority date: 1997-04-25
Filing date: 1997-10-01
Publication date: 1998-11-05
Also published as: GB2324605B; GB9708348D0; AU4468697A; GB2324605A

Abstract

A Vehicle Speed Limit Enforcement Device is a tamper proof electronic unit which can be fitted into new or existing vehicles with the purpose of detecting, within accuracies demanded by law enforcement agencies, whether the vehicle exceeds legally enforceable speed limits. The device utilises satellite positioning information to perform its duty. On detecting when a speed limit has been exceeded the device transmits to the law enforcement agency: the value of the speed limit, the actual speed of the vehicle, the date when the speed limit was exceeded, the location where the speed limit was exceeded, the time when the speed limit was exceeded, the name of the vehicle driver, the registration number of the vehicle, the make of the vehicle and the model of the vehicle. The law enforcement agencies receive the information into a database and utilise the data base to enforce the speed limit by imposing penalties on the driver.

Description

VEHICLE SPEED LIMIT ENFORCEMENT DEVICE

Technical Field

This invention relates to providing law enforcement agencies with a device to allow the automatic capability to detect and impose penalties on vehicle drivers who's vehicles exceed legally enforceable speed limits. Background Art

A UK Patent Application was filed for this device on the 25th April 1997, Reference No GB 9708348.9. Feedback from the search indicates that this device is novel and new. Disclosure of Invention

The following invention is intended to create a low cost device available to law enforcement agencies which, if securely installed in a tamperproof manner in all vehicles subject to speed limit regulations, will ensure that all vehicle drivers who exceed the speed limit will be detected and subjected to appropriate penalties in a fully automated manner, without intervention from the police at the place the speed limit was exceeded. The success of the device may depend on the establishment of supporting legislation within the countries wishing to use the device as a means of enforcing speed limits. According to the present invention there is provided an electronic device comprising (i) a battery supply, (ii) electronic circuitry to receive satellite transmitted positional information, (iii) electronic circuitry with database capabilities and programmable logic for processing the positional information such that it can be used to continuously and accurately measure the speed and location relationships of the vehicle, to levels of accuracy specified by relevant legislation and continuously compare this speed against a full range of speed limits the law enforcement agencies around the world are seeking to enforce, (iv) electronic circuitry to accept input from accurate speed measuring devices which are part of the vehicle instrumentation systems as a cross check against speeds measured using satellite positional data such that signals to the authorities could warn of faulty devices, (v) electronic circuitry which links to the vehicle instrumentation to warn the driver that the relevant speed limit is on the threshold of being exceeded and that a signal will be transmitted to the authorities if the speed limit is exceeded, (vi) electronic circuitry which will detect that a speed limit has been exceeded and then transmit a message to the authorities that a speed limit has been exceeded, the value of the speed limit, where it has been exceeded, the date it was exceeded, the time it was exceeded, the actual speed, and electronically stored information relating to the vehicle (registration number, make and model), through an electronic facility for transmission of information to satellites or by earth surface to earth surface radio signals capable of being accepted by telephone networks or directly by suitable ground receiving stations to facilities established by law enforcement agencies, (vii) electronic circuitry for accepting 'vehicle' related information such as registration number, make, model, etc. into the device's database making it suitable for transmission when a speed limit has been exceeded,

(viii) external construction of a tamperproof nature, (ix) electronic circuitry to establish a potential for the device to accept, within its database, digitised maps to allow discrimination between lower and upper speed limits, (x) electronic circuitry for receiving signals from law enforcement agencies to update an information database within the device, (xi) electronic circuitry to transmit signals on a preprogrammed basis (perhaps annually) to advise the authorities that the device is working correctly, (xii) electronic circuitry to measure date and time, (xiii) electronic circuitry which can accept external radio signals to set the date and time functions within the device, (xiv) electronic circuitry which can interface with the vehicle systems and render the vehicle inoperative if attempts are made to tamper with the device, (xv) electronic circuitry which makes each device unique such that if the law enforcement agency had reason to halt the vehicle then an automated signal via a law enforcement agency data base could be transmitted to the unique device to immobilise the vehicle using an electronic interface with the vehicle systems, (xvi) electronic circuitry to interface with incoming and outgoing signals associated with all types of mobile telephone networks, (xvii) electronic circuitry to transmit and automatically reset each time a speed limit has been exceeded-, (xviii) electronic circuitry giving the law enforcement agencies the potential to add a panic button to the device which can transmit the location of the car in an emergency, (ixx) electronic circuitry giving the

₈₀ law enforcement agencies the potential to locate the car in the event of car theft, (xx) electronic circuitry to accept a driver password and driver name within the device database prior to enabling the vehicle ignition start permissive circuits. There has always been a need to establish vehicle speed limits

85 on the roads of the world both for safety reasons and also for environmental reasons in reducing vehicle emissions and conserving energy sources.

Law enforcement agencies have always found it difficult and time consuming to ensure these speed limits are properly observed and

₉₀ many methods have been employed to enforce speed limits with little success in either catching offenders or changing the behaviour pattern of vehicle drivers to respect speed limits. In recent times with improvements to road vehicles it is all to too easy for a vehicle driver to be tempted to break a speed

95 limit with little likelihood of being caught.

On motorways exceeding speed limits by say 10 miles per hour is almost the norm for all cars.

There are massive benefits in lives to be ^'saved, fuel to be conserved and environmental pollution to be reduced if everyone

100 simply drove within the speed limit on motorways.

Things are becoming so much of a concern to the European Parliament that impending legislation is being put in place to reduce the upper speed limit to a possible figure of 62 miles per hour.

105 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example :-

A vehicle has been fitted with the device and the legal and technical support infrastructure has been established by the law enforcement agencies.

110 The device is continuously measuring the speed of the vehicle using accurate positional information from satellite systems. If required by a law enforcement agency it can also check this speed with the speed measured by the vehicle instrumentation systems .

115 The driver, prior to starting the vehicle engine, may be required to input a password into the device together with his or her name, in order to enable the ignition start permissive circuit of the vehicle. The vehicle then sets off on its journey. 120 If speed limits are not being exceeded the device operates in an entirely passive manner. By the use of its digitised maps the device is continuously aware of the speed limit associated with its location.

When a vehicle approaches the threshold of a speed limit the 125 device warns the vehicle driver, via the vehicle instrumentation, that a speed limit is about to be exceeded.

When the speed limit has been exceeded the device transmits a signal to the facilities provided by the law enforcement agency that a speed limit has been exceeded. It transmits the value of 130 the speed limit, the actual speed of the vehicle, the identity of the driver, the registration of the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, the location of the vehicle, the date and the time when the speed limit was exceeded.

The driver of the vehicle is advised, via the vehicle 135 instrumentation system, that a speed limit has been exceeded and the law enforcement agency has been notified.

The device then resets after a short time delay and is ready to report further instances where the speed limit is exceeded.

The law enforcement agency will need to establish systems for 140 processing the information sent out by the device.

It is envisaged that the law enforcement agencies will automate the process of imposing penalties on drivers.

Claims

WO 98/49664 ΓÇöo c- PCT/GB97/02678CLAIMS

1. The vehicle speed limit enforcement device, comprising an integrated electronic unit, using satellite positional information, is characterised by its ability to detect when a vehicle exceeds any legally enforceable speed limit with levels of accuracy demanded by the law enforcement agency and on doing so will transmit a signal to the appropriate law enforcement agency that the speed limit has been exceeded, the value of the speed limit, the actual speed of the vehicle, the time the speed limit was exceeded, the date the speed limit was exceeded, the name of' the driver, the location where the speed limit was exceeded, the registration number of the vehicle, the make of the vehicle and the model of the vehicle.

2. The device is also characterised by its ability to operate as a 'distress beacon' if required by a law enforcement agency.

3. The device is also characterised by its ability to operate, using remote commands, as a vehicle immobiliser if required by a law enforcement agency.

4. The device is also characterised by its ability to operate as a vehicle locating device if required by a law enforcement agency.