EP3576068A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP3576068A1
Application number: EP18177631.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Charbel George MIKHAEL; Rami Antoine REZKALLAH; Antoine Elia REZKALLAH
Original assignee: Rtc Technology LLC
Current assignee: Rtc Technology LLC
Priority date: 2018-05-27
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2019-12-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile traffic enforcement device, where the device is configured to identify vehicles deemed to be travelling in excess of a posted speed limit along a stretch of road, and for recording and transmitting images of said vehicles to a remote location for further processing, the device additionally includes a means for determining the posted speed limit of said road when the speed limit has been temporarily changed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mobile device for monitoring vehicles and traffic flow along a stretch of road, and in particular, to a device for determining the speed and position of said vehicles and determining if said vehicles are exceeding traffic speed limits, and, if said limits have been exceeded, ticketing said violators through an automated traffic enforcement system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motor vehicle accidents and collisions result in losses of both a financial and personal nature, the very extreme of these resulting in the loss of human life. In an attempt to curb such losses, both financial and personal, governments introduce traffic laws and rules to be adhered to by individuals while using the roads and driving their vehicles. These laws can carry strict penalties to transgressors and serve as deterrents to individuals who will violate or break these laws.

One of such laws, set by governments, is by introducing a speed limit. These limits dictate the maximum, and in some places minimum, speed at which vehicles may travel along a stretch of road. The limits, while put in place for the well-being of the individuals, are often violated by individuals exceeding the maximum speed limit.

Stationary speeding cameras are used to detect vehicles exceeding speed limits. These devices include a radar arrangement for measuring the speed of the vehicle, and an imaging device for capturing an image of the offending vehicle. The image is transmitted to a hub for processing, after which the offenders will receive a fine or warrant for violating such laws. Additionally, portable speeding devices exist, such as radar guns, which are operated by traffic officers. If a violation is detected the officers commonly flag down the offending vehicle and issue such fine, or may even arrest an offender, on the spot.

While these techniques do help to curb speeding, they are limited in their physical presence. And hence violators often continue to speed in places were cameras, or traffic officers are not present. This presents a problem as individuals quickly become accustomed as to the whereabouts of such devices. Thus, the efficacy of these devices in reducing the traffic violations is greatly reduced as the individuals avoid these devices.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the current invention to address these problems, at least partly, and provide a traffic monitoring device which is not limited to a particular physical location, the device being configured to communicate speed limit violations to an authority for ticketing or further processing, so as to condition an individual's behaviour when it comes to obeying speed limits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a mobile traffic enforcement device mounted to a host vehicle which includes;

A detection and ranging sensor for detecting the presence and speed of a target vehicle;
a global position satellite module for identifying the location of the host vehicle along a road;
an information transmission system for, communicating with a remote server to ascertain the speed limit along the road, and, for communicating with a central processing hub; and
a digital imaging device for recording footage of the target vehicle, wherein;
recorded footage of the vehicle is transmitted to the central processing hub once the speed of the target vehicle is deemed to have exceeded the speed limit along the road.

The mounting may be to the exterior of the host vehicle; further the mounting may be to the interior of the vehicle, such as; on the dashboard.

The detection and ranging sensor may include a tag system (ID) for tagging the target vehicle once detected, such that multiple detections of the target vehicle are avoided; further where the tag system may identify a target vehicle once the vehicle comes within range of the detection and ranging sensor; further still where the tag system may un-tag the vehicle once the vehicle leaves the range of the detection and ranging sensor.

The detection and ranging sensor may be in the form of a RADAR sensor; further in the form of a LIDAR sensor; further still in the form of a detection system which works on the principle of radar.

The footage may be in the form of images; further the footage may be in the form of videos, further still the footage may be in the form of images and videos; even further still the footage may include metadata of the vehicle as gathered by the detection and ranging sensor.

The speed of the target vehicle may be ascertained by detecting the speed of the host vehicle and detecting the speed of the target vehicle, relative to that of the host; further the speed of the host vehicle and the target vehicle may be detected using the radar sensor; further still where the speed of the host vehicle may be detected using the global positioning satellite module.

The global positioning satellite module transmits the location of the host vehicle to the information transmission system for determining the speed limit along the road; further where the transmission system communicates with the server to receive information on the speed limit of the road.

The remote server includes the speed limit for multiple roads; further where the server will search the internet to ascertain the speed limit of the road; further still where the server will be updated with speed limits of roads ascertained through the internet; even further still wherein the internet includes an internet-based map service provider.

The processing hub may analyse the recorded footage to identify the vehicle license plate details of the target vehicle; the identification may be by automated recognition systems; the identification may be by manual inspection; further the vehicle license plate details may be passed to local authorities for further processing and/or ticketing.

The invention provides further for the device to include a central processing unit which includes a memory component for storing footage of the target vehicle when transmission to the central processing hub may not be possible.

The central processing unit may be configured to activate the digital imaging device to record footage of the vehicle only once the vehicle is deemed be exceeding the speed limit.

The invention provides further for the device to include an electronic display unit, further where the display unit provides a user interface for communicating with, and controlling, the device.

The invention further provides a system for traffic enforcement which includes; a mobile device, for identifying a target vehicle and determining the speed of the target vehicle, mounted to a host vehicle, a global positioning satellite module for transmitting the location of the device on a stretch of road, an information transmission system for communicating with a server to ascertain the speed limit along the road, a GSM module for mobile data connectivity, a central processing unit for communicating with an information transmission system, a digital imagining device for recording footage of the target vehicle, and a central processing hub; wherein
the central processing unit will activate the digital imaging device to record footage of the target vehicle when the device, upon receiving information as to the speed limit on the stretch of road, determines that the target vehicle has exceeded said speed limit, by comparing the speed of the target vehicle relative to the speed of the host vehicle, and wherein the information transmission system will transmit the footage to the processing hub for analysis.

The detection and ranging sensor may include a tag system for tagging the target vehicle once detected, such that multiple detections of the target vehicle are avoided; further where the tag system may identify a target vehicle once the vehicle comes within range of the detection and ranging sensor; further still where the tag system may un-tag the vehicle once the vehicle leaves the range of the detection and ranging sensor.

The speed of the host vehicle and the target vehicle may be detected using the detection and ranging sensor; further the speed of the host vehicle may be detected using the global positioning satellite module.

The remote server includes the speed limit for multiple roads; further where the server will search the internet to ascertain the speed limit of the road; further still where the server will be updated with speed limits of roads ascertained through the internet.

The central processing unit may be configured to activate the digital imaging device to record images of the vehicle only once the vehicle is deemed be exceeding the speed limit.

A method for detecting whether a target vehicle has exceeded a speed limit when travelling along a stretch of road comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile traffic enforcement device mounted to a host vehicle having a detection and ranging sensor, a global positioning satellite module, an information transmission system, a digital imagining device and a central processing unit;
detecting a target vehicle using the InfraRed scanner;
detecting the speed (and position) of the target vehicle using the detection and ranging sensor;
ascertaining the speed limit along the stretch of road by;
- ascertaining the location of the host vehicle along the road; and
- communicating with a remote server to identify the speed limit along the road; and;
once determined that the target vehicle has exceeded the speed limit;
recording footage of the target vehicle;
and
transmitting the recorded footage to a central processing hub.

The method further provides where the device may be mounted to the exterior of the host vehicle; further the device may be mounted to the interior of the vehicle, such as; on the dashboard.

The method further provides for the global positioning satellite module to transmit the location of the host vehicle along the road.

The method further provides for the information transmission system to communicate with the server to receive information of the speed limit along the road.

The method further comprises the steps of:
configuring the detection and ranging sensor to tag the target vehicle once detected, such that multiple detections of the target vehicle are avoided, by providing a tag system incorporated within the detection and ranging sensor.

The method provides further for where the tag system may tag a target vehicle once the vehicle comes within range of the detection and ranging sensor.

The method provides further for where the tag system may un-tag the vehicle once the vehicle leaves the range of the detection and ranging sensor.

The method further comprising the steps of:
storing the recorded footage of the target vehicle in a memory component of the central processing unit when transmission to the central processing hub is not possible.

The method further comprises the steps of:
configuring the central processing unit to activate the digital imaging device to record footage of the vehicle only once the vehicle is deemed be exceeding the speed limit.

The method further comprises the steps of:
determining the speed of the host vehicle using the detection and ranging sensor.

The method provides further for the speed of the host vehicle be detected using the global positioning satellite module.

The method further comprising the steps of:

receiving the recorded footage at the central processing hub;
automatically identifying the target vehicle license plate details using recognition systems;
passing the license plate details to authorities for further processing and/or ticketing.

The method provides further for manually identifying the target vehicle license plate details.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent by the following description of the embodiment, which is made by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1:: shows a block diagram of the mobile traffic enforcement device in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2:: illustrates the steps of using the device ofFigure 1;
Figure 3:: illustrates the process of determining the speed limit along a stretch of road; and
Figure 4:: illustrates the process of recording the footage of the target vehicle, when the vehicle is speeding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFigure 1 which shows a block diagram of the mobiletraffic enforcement device 10, in accordance with the invention.

Thedevice 10 may be adapted to be mounted to any vehicle, and the vehicle will be referred to as the host vehicle. The device is mounted to the host vehicle so as to detect the presence, and relative speed, of other vehicles within the vicinity of the host vehicle. These other vehicles will be referred to as the target vehicle or vehicles. The use of the singular vehicle includes the plural, vehicles.

Device 10 is made up of a plurality ofcomponents 12, which are brought together in a conveniently sized housing. The specific type of housing depends on where the device is mounted on the host vehicle.

In one embodiment, thedevice 10 is mounted within the host vehicle, for example - on the vehicle's front dashboard, with a front side facing forward, i.e. outward of the windscreen. In a further embodiment, the device may be mounted to the exterior of the host vehicle, such as on the roof of the vehicle. In the latter embodiment, the device would still have a front side facing forward.

Turning to thecomponents 12 of thedevice 10.

Thecomponents 12 comprise a detection and rangingsensor 14, as well as adigital imaging device 18, such as a digital camera. Preferably, these components would be positioned to the front side of the device, in particular the detection and ranging sensor and digital imaging device would face the forward direction.

Further components 12 of the device include, a globalpositioning satellite module 20, and aninformation transmission system 22.

Placed in communication with each of thecomponents 12 is acentral processing unit 24. The unit includes a memory 26 for storing data. The unit is further connected to apower source 28 for powering the unit and thus, thedevice 10. The power source may include a rechargeable energy storage arrangement, or may include a connection to the host vehicle for providing power.

Thedevice 10 also includes anelectronic display 30, which provides a graphical user interface. The display may allow for a user to interact with the device, so as to communicate, control, and program the device. Alternatively, the device is controllable through an accompany mobile application ("app").

The graphical user interface may include such features as; a live map tracking showing the position of the host vehicle, the current road name and posted speed limit, and the target vehicle or vehicles.

In use, thedevice 10 is placed in communication with aremote server 32 and acentral processing hub 34. The communication is facilitated by theinformation transmission system 22.

In use of thedevice 10, each of thecomponents 12 and theremote server 32 andcentral processing hub 34 will come together to identify a target vehicle and determine whether the vehicle is travelling in excess of a posted speed limit while traveling along a stretch of road. If the target vehicle is deemed to be speeding, the information of this violation will be transmitted to a traffic enforcement authority for further processing or ticketing of the target vehicle.

Turning toFigure 2 which illustrates thedevice 10 in use, while the host vehicle is traveling along a stretch of road. The use of thedevice 10 is broken into a series of steps. Each of which are set out and described below.

The device is powered using thepower source 28.

Step 1: The detection and rangingsensor 14 begins scanning the road to detect the presence of other vehicles. The detection and ranging sensor will detect target vehicle or vehicles. In this description, the scanner has detected the presence of three target vehicles, target vehicle A, target vehicle B and target vehicle C. Each of the vehicles A, B and C are traveling at different speeds along the road.

Once the vehicles A, B and C have been detected they are deemed to fall within a detection area. The detection area is defined as the range to which the detection and rangingsensor 14 can detect the vehicles. Within the detection area each vehicle is tagged by thedevice 10.

A vehicle's 'tagging' may be based on any number of factors and may include the vehicle's shape, colour, size, length, width, relative distance from host vehicle, relative angle from host vehicle, or any other identifier which separates and identifies each vehicle.

A tagged vehicle will only have its speed detected once, while within the detection area. Thus, a vehicle constantly accelerating away from the host vehicle, and therefore deemed to be continually exceeding the speed limit, will only receive a single violation. Until such time as the vehicle exits the detection area. Should the same vehicle re-enter the detection area, it will be subject to a new detection and receive a new tagging. The vehicle may then be deemed to violate the speed limit, should it once again exceed the speed limit.

Step 2: The speed of the host vehicle may be determined. This step may be done in more than one way. One approach may be by connecting thedevice 10 to the vehicles speedometer system. The speed data may then be extracted directly from the vehicle's system and fed to thedevice 10.

Alternatively, the device may provide for the detection and ranging sensor 14to be directed to the ground surface immediately before the host vehicle. The sensor, employing doppler like calculations, will thus determine the ground speed of the host vehicle by measuring the rate at which wave signals are returned to the sensor.

Alternatively still, the globalpositioning satellite module 20 may be used. The module may determine the location of the host vehicle using global satellite positioning systems, determine the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, and feed this information back to thedevice 10.

Step 3: The detection and rangingsensor 14 will then determine the speed of each of the vehicles A, B and C. The sensor will determine the speed of the target vehicles by comparing their respective rates of deceleration or acceleration relative to the speed of the host vehicle.

Step 4: The speed of the host vehicle, as measured in one of the suggested methods, and the relative speed of the target vehicles A, B and C, as measured by the detection and rangingsensor 14, are then fed to thecentral processing unit 24. All this speed data is then held by the processing unit.

During the detection of the relative speeds of the target vehicles A, B and C as well as the speed of the host vehicle, thedevice 10 will be determining the speed limit for that stretch of road.

Step 5: The speed limit on the stretch of road is determined by first having the globalsatellite positioning module 20 obtaining the geoposition of the host vehicle (and hence the target vehicles). This information is then fed to thecentral processing unit 24.

Step 6: Once the geoposition has been determined (Step 5) thecentral processing unit 24 will instruct theinformation transmission system 22 to communicate with aremote server 32 to determine the speed limit along the stretch of road, i.e. at that geopositioned location. The remote server may already include the speed limit information, through a geo-fencing protocol, or alternatively may be accessed by performing an internet based search, further by accessing an internet-based map provider search.

The information on the speed limit is then fed back to thecentral processing unit 24. The speed limit on that stretch of road has now been communicated to the central processing unit. Speed limit data will be cached locally on the system's servers, such that speed data is first retrieved from the server before accessing the internet or internet-based map provider.

Step 7: Thecentral processing unit 24 will then run an algorithm to determine whether, and which of, the target vehicles A, B and C are speeding and hence violating the speed limit.

The algorithm is based on using the speed of the host vehicle (Step 2), and measuring the relative speed of the target vehicles (Step 3). The actual speed of the target vehicles is thus calculated (Step 7). This information is then compared with the speed limit data (Step 5 & 6).

Therefore, if the speed of the target vehicle (Step 7) exceeds the speed limit on that stretch of road (Step 5 & 6) the target vehicle will be deemed to have violated the speed limit.

A target vehicle found to have violated the speed limit will be measured as step 7 (Step 7).

In the current description, and for the purpose of illustration, target vehicle B has been deemed to have violated the speed limit. Target vehicles A and C were not found to be speeding.

Steps 8 to 12 take place once it is determined that Step 7 has occurred.

Step 8: Footage of the target vehicle, in this discussion target vehicle B, which was deemed to be exceeding the speed limit must be documented.

The documentation process involves recording footage of vehicle B by way of theimaging device 18.Central processing unit 24 will activate the imaging device to record images and/or a video of the vehicle, thus the footage.

Thedigital imaging device 18 will pass the recorded footage of vehicle B back to thecentral processing unit 24.

Theimaging device 18 is programmed to ensure that the license plate details of the target vehicle are included in the recorded footage. The details of the vehicle license plate are important when the recorded footage is to be further analysed at a later stage in the process.

In order to conserve operational energy and storage of thedevice 10,digital imaging device 18 will only be activated, and thus draw power to record footage, once a command is received from theprocessing unit 24. Such command, will only be forthcoming once it is determined that a vehicle has been deemed to be speeding. Once the recorded images of the vehicle have been passed back to the processing unit, the imagining device will be deactivated and thus, not draw power or storage space until again activated.

Step 9: The recorded footage will then be communicated to thecentral processing hub 34 from thecentral processing unit 24, via theinformation transmission system 22.

If, the information transmission system is not within range and cannot communicate with the processing hub, the recorded footage with be stored within the memory component 26. The communication will be continually attempted until such time as a transmission link can be maintained for transmitting the recorded footage.

Step 10: The recorded footage, as received at thecentral processing hub 34, are then analysed. The analysis will include the identification of the vehicle license plate details. This process may be a manual process, or may be automated using a type of detection system applied to the recorded footage (this is what is known as automated number plate recognition).

Step 11: Once the details of the license plate of the speeding target vehicle B have been determined, this information will be passed to local authorities for further processing. Such further processing may include ticketing the owner of the target vehicle.

Optionally, Step 12: This provides an incentive for the user of thedevice 10. Identification of a target vehicle, which has been deemed to be speeding according to the steps set out above, will generate a reward to the user of the device. This reward may be monetary in form, or may include certain other concessions provided by the local authority.

This reward is then communicated, and/or applied, to the user of thedevice 10, through theelectronic display 30 and/or through the mobile 'app'.. Alternatively, the reward is communicated, and/or applied, to the user in a manner suitable for receipt by the user.

Figure 3 illustrates the process of determining the speed limit along a stretch of road. This information is then combined with the detection and ranging sensor data set to determine if the target vehicle is deemed to be speeding.

The Globalpositioning satellite module 20 will determine the geoposition of the host vehicle. This is done by trilateration of thedevice 10.Block 100.

Once the location of the device is known, thecentral processing unit 24 will instruct the information transmission system (GSM module) 22 to communicate with theremote server 32 to determine the speed limit along that stretch of road.Block 101.

If not, theremote server 32 will look to a Speedlimit violation cache 36 to determine the speed limit along that stretch of road. The speed limit violation cache comprises a repository of previously saved speed limit data for the position of the host vehicle. This data is saved for a defined period. Once the period expires the data is lost and the system will be prompted to retrieve the data from the internet or internet-based map provider (discussed below). If the speed limit is known, it will be transmitted back to theremote server 32.Block 102a.

If not, theremote server 32 will look to aRadarX Web API 38 to determine the speed limit along that stretch of road. If the speed limit is known, it will be transmitted back to theremote server 32.Block 102b.

If not, theremote server 32 will look to custom geo-fencing data 40 to determine the speed limit along that stretch of road. The geo-fencing data comprises manually defined speed limits through a map interface. The borders of each 'fenced' area are drawn and labelled, both title and speed. This data will override the cached and internet based data. If the speed limit is known, it will be transmitted back to theremote server 32.Block 102c.

If not, theremote server 32 will look to a custom internet search 42 (such as Google Maps ®) to determine the speed limit along that stretch of road. If the speed limit is known, it will be transmitted back to theremote server 32.Block 102d.

Theremote server 32 will then communicate with theinformation transmission system 22 to provide the speed data. The speed data will then be passed to thecentral processing unit 24.Block 103.

The received speed data is then used to determine whether the target vehicle is speeding, by exceeding said speed limit.

Further, speed limit data which is acquired either through the RadarX Web API 38 (Block 102b), custom geo-fencing data 40 (Block 102c) or the custom internet search 42 (Block 102d) will be fed to theremote server 32, to update the server with the new speed data for that stretch of road.Block 104.

Turning toFigure 4 which shows the process of recording the footage of the target vehicle, when the vehicle is speeding.

Information of the speed limit of the stretch of road, and the speed of the target vehicle is known. Footage will only be recorded once it has been determined that the target vehicle has exceeded the speed limit for that stretch of road.

Prior to the determination of excess speed by the target vehicle the detection and rangingsensor 14 will continually monitor the speed of the target vehicles. This speed data forms a dataset. The analysis of the dataset is placed on a loop. Should no speeding be detected, the dataset will contain no records, and no further action is taken. The analysis will then loop and continually repeat. This is shown byblock 200.

If however, a target vehicle is deemed to be speeding, the dataset will return with a dataset that contains records.Block 201. The dataset is sent to thecentral processing unit 24.Block 202.

The central processing unit activates the digital imaging device to begin recording the footage of the target vehicle. The command to record images is placed on a loop, if the imaging device does not record, the command will continually repeat.Block 203.

The digital imaging device records footage of the target vehicle. The recorded footage form a New Dataset.Block 204. Recording continues until stopped by processes inBlock 205.

Once the New Dataset is complete, recording is terminated and thedigital imaging device 18 is deactivated. Command to deactivate imaging device is placed on a loop and continually repeated untildevice 18 is deactivated.Block 205.

Thecentral processing unit 24 will process the New Dataset. The New Dataset is passed to thedata transmission system 22 for transmitting to acentral processing hub 34.Block 206.

Thecentral processing unit 24 will pass the New Dataset to the memory component for storage.Block 206.

Memory unit 26 will pass New Dataset todata transmission system 22, when transmission tocentral processing hub 34 fails.Block 207. The passing of the New Dataset is placed on a loop until transmission link withcentral processing hub 34 is possible, and the New Dataset has been transmitted.

Central processing unit sends notification to electronic display 30 (once New Dataset transmitted). Notification is additionally forwarded to mobile application ('app') provided by the system.Block 208.

Instruction to restart radar speed analysis (loop 200) takes place.Block 209. The instruction as set out inBlock 209 takes place during, and at any stage throughblocks 200 to 208.