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US6166658A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Speed limit control system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-11-22
•
Granted: 2000-12-26
•
Expires: 2019-11-22
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Abstract

Abstract A speed limit control system involving road monitors and speed limit controls in the vehicle which receive signals from road transmitters installed in illuminated signs such as highway signs, traffic lights, rural signs, shopping mall signs, and residential street signs that can automatically lower and restrain the vehicle to the posted maximum MPH speed limit.

Inventors

  • 👤 David P. Testa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 13:34
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0058; G08G1/096725; G08G1/096733; G08G1/09675; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096783

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 207 words
A speed limit control system devoid of automatic brake control comprising: a fixed speed limit control transmitter device adapted to transmit directional radio frequency signals to command receiving modules within a limited range on a road, wherein said fixed speed limit control transmitter device is incorporated in an existing illuminated traffic sign element selected from the group consisting of a traffic lights, highway signs, shopping mall signs, and residential street signs; a throttle position sensor device located next to a throttle body in the engine compartment of a vehicle; an accelerator position sensor device located under a dashboard of the vehicle; a throttle body actuator device located next to the throttle body; a vehicle speed sensor device located on the hub assembly of the vehicle; a vehicle speed and fuel injection microcomputer control unit located under the dashboard; and a speed limit control receiving and identifying memory module having an illumination means indicating reception of the speed limit control signal from the fixed speed limit control device, and mounted on the dashboard; whereby the vehicle is automatically controlled to lower its speed to the posted speed limit due to the appropriate decrease in fuel injection to the engine implemented by the fixed speed limit control transmitter device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 207 words
A speed limit control system devoid of automatic brake control comprising: a fixed speed limit control transmitter device adapted to transmit directional radio frequency signals to command receiving modules within a limited range on a road, wherein said fixed speed limit control transmitter device is incorporated in an existing illuminated traffic sign element selected from the group consisting of a traffic lights, highway signs, shopping mall signs, and residential street signs; a throttle position sensor device located next to a throttle body in the engine compartment of a vehicle; an accelerator position sensor device located under a dashboard of the vehicle; a throttle body actuator device located next to the throttle body; a vehicle speed sensor device located on the hub assembly of the vehicle; a vehicle speed and fuel injection microcomputer control unit located under the dashboard; and a speed limit control receiving and identifying memory module having an illumination means indicating reception of the speed limit control signal from the fixed speed limit control device, and mounted on the dashboard; whereby the vehicle is automatically controlled to lower its speed to the posted speed limit due to the appropriate decrease in fuel injection to the engine implemented by the fixed speed limit control transmitter device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
The speed limit control system according to claim 1, wherein said illuminating means is an enlarged region illuminated by green diodes for enabling notification to law enforcement officials that the speed limit control system of the vehicle is functioning correctly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 57 words
The speed limit control system according to claim 1, wherein an override system in a free-lance mode is incorporated in the microcomputer control unit for immediate activation when the engine of the vehicle is started and in a functional mode in the event a local jurisdiction lacks electrical power for activating its speed limit control system components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
The speed limit control system according to claim 1, wherein turning off the ignition of the vehicle automatically disconnects voltage to the microcomputer control unit and clears its memory.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3680043A Cited
US3656099A Cited
JPS5455923A Cited
US5315295A Cited
JPH0636187A Cited
US5420794A Cited
US5742240A Cited
US5784005A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-12-26 2004-06-26 2004-12-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-12-26 2008-06-26 2008-12-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-12-26 2012-06-26 2012-12-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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