Patent US3661224A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3661224A
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US
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Noise monitoring apparatus
Assignee: CBS Broadcasting Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for monitoring the noise level of passing vehicles and for automatically photographing a vehicle which emits noise that exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The apparatus includes a vehicle sensor which acoustically determines when a passing vehicle reaches a chosen target area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the vehicle sensor includes a pair of microphones and an acoustic delay line which feeds one of the microphones. The microphone outputs are correlated to determine when the vehicle enters the target area.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G Allen
- 👤 Benjamin B Bauer
- 👤 Emil L Torick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:17
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/017; G08G1/0175; G01; G01H; G01H3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for monitoring the noise level of passing vehicles and for automatically photographing a vehicle which emits noise that exceeds a predetermined threshold level comprising: a noise level sensor for receiving and measuring noise emitted by passing vehicles, said noise level sensor being operative to generate a first control signal when its measured noise level exceeds a predetermined threshold level; a vehicle sensor for acoustically determining when a passing vehicle reaches a chosen target area, said vehicle sensor generating a second control signal when a vehicle reaches said target area; and a camera focused upon said target area, said camera being activated to photograph a passing vehicle in responSe to said first and second control signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for monitoring the noise level of passing vehicles and for automatically photographing a vehicle which emits noise that exceeds a predetermined threshold level comprising: a noise level sensor for receiving and measuring noise emitted by passing vehicles, said noise level sensor being operative to generate a first control signal when its measured noise level exceeds a predetermined threshold level; a vehicle sensor for acoustically determining when a passing vehicle reaches a chosen target area, said vehicle sensor generating a second control signal when a vehicle reaches said target area; and a camera focused upon said target area, said camera being activated to photograph a passing vehicle in responSe to said first and second control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising means for continuously recording the noise levels measured by said noise level sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2 further comprising means for secondarily focusing said camera upon said recording means so that vehicle photographs taken by the camera include an image representative of noise levels recorded during a period of time preceding activation of the camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said vehicle sensor comprises: an acoustical delay line having an entrance port oriented toward said target area; a first microphone coupled to the output end of said delay line; a second microphone spaced from said entrance port; and means for correlating the outputs of said first and second microphones to produce said second control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said vehicle sensor additionally measures the noise level which it receives when the vehicle reaches the target area and wherein said vehicle sensor generates said second control signal only when its measured noise level exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein the elements of said apparatus are positioned in spaced relation adjacent a traffic lane, said noise level sensor being positioned closest along the path of an approaching vehicle, said vehicle sensor positioned next closest in the path and said camera positioned furthest in the path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein said vehicle sensor includes a pair of microphones and means for correlating the electrical signals generated by said microphones.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7 wherein said vehicle sensor further includes an acoustic delay line having an entrance port oriented to receive noise from the target area, the output of said delay line being coupled to one of said microphones.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said noise level sensor includes means for sustaining said first control signal for the period of time required for a moving vehicle to traverse the distance between said noise level sensor and said vehicle sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for determining the presence of a moving noise-emitting vehicle in a predetermined target area comprising: an acoustical delay line having an entrance port oriented toward said target area; a first microphone coupled to the output end of said delay line; a second microphone spaced from said entrance port; and means for correlating the outputs of said first and second microphones to produce a signal indicative of the presence of said vehicle in the target area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for determining the presence of a moving noise-emitting vehicle in a predetermined target area comprising: an acoustical delay line having an entrance port oriented toward said target area; a first microphone coupled to the output end of said delay line; a second microphone spaced from said entrance port; and means for correlating the outputs of said first and second microphones to produce a signal indicative of the presence of said vehicle in the target area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said second microphone is located along an extension of the line between said target area and said entrance port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11 further comprising a camera focused on said target area and adapted to be activated by said signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |