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US6462675B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method, system, and program for auditing driver compliance to a current speed limit

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2000-10-13
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Granted: 2002-10-08
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Expires: 2020-10-13
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Abstract

Abstract In accordance with the present invention, a position of a vehicle is detected by a receiver at the vehicle from a global positioning system. A speed limit associated with the position is determined from a centralized database accessible via a wireless network. An actual speed of the vehicle at the detected position is compared with the determined speed limit for the detected position, such that if it is determined that the actual speed exceeds the determined speed limit at the detected position, the driver may be alerted.

Inventors

  • 👤 Randy Scott Humphrey
  • 👤 Frank Schroeder
  • 👤 Jonathan Mark Wagner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G08G1/01; G08G1/052; G08G1/096733; G08G1/09675; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096775

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim 164 words
A method applicable within an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, said method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; receiving, at said vehicle speed controller application, a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and comparing an actual speed detected for said vehicle at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 164 words
A method applicable within an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, said method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; receiving, at said vehicle speed controller application, a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and comparing an actual speed detected for said vehicle at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 52 words
The method according to claim 1 , said step of accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising the step of: transmitting said position to said remote server system via a wireless connection, wherein said transportation database is a centralized database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 52 words
The method according to claim 1 , said step of accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising the step of: receiving at said vehicle speed controller application, from said transportation database, a plurality of road conditions associated with said position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 84 words
The method according to claim 1 , said step of accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising the steps of: receiving at said vehicle speed controller application, a range of position-associated speed limits from said transportation database, wherein said range of position-associated speed limits includes said current position of said vehicle; and accessing said speed limit from among said range of position-associated speed limits according to said detected position of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 58 words
The method according to claim 1 , said step of accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising the steps of: transmitting a vehicle type identifier to said transportation database; and accessing, from said transportation database, said speed limit associated with said position and said vehicle type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method according to claim 1 , said step of accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising the step of: accessing, from said transportation database, said speed limit associated with said position and a conditional speed limit factor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: alerting said vehicle operator by said vehicle speed controller application when said actual speed does not comply with said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: automatically adjusting, by said vehicle speed controller application, said actual speed of said vehicle to within said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 72 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one vehicle operator output preference further includes vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences associated with said vehicle operator, said method further comprising the step of: outputting results of said comparison of said actual speed at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to an output interface within said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: storing said at least one vehicle operator output preference in association with a vehicle operator identifier within said vehicle speed controller application.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein said vehicle operator identifier is a biometric identifier, said method further comprising, selecting said at least one vehicle operator output preference in accordance with at least one biometric parameter input by said vehicle operator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 172 words
A system for use with an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, said system comprising: means for selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; means for receiving, at said vehicle speed controller application, a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; means for comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and means for comparing an actual speed detected for said vehicle at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 172 words
A system for use with an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, said system comprising: means for selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; means for receiving, at said vehicle speed controller application, a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; means for comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and means for comparing an actual speed detected for said vehicle at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 51 words
The system according to claim 12 , said means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising: means for transmitting said position to said remote server system via a wireless connection, wherein said transportation database is a centralized database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 51 words
The system according to claim 12 , said means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising: means for receiving at said vehicle speed controller application, from said transportation database, a plurality of road conditions associated with said position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 85 words
The system according to claim 12 , said means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising: means for receiving at said vehicle speed controller application, a range of position-associated speed limits from said transportation database, wherein said range of position-associated speed limits includes said current position of said vehicle; and means for accessing said speed limit from among said range of position-associated speed limits according to said detected position of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 59 words
The system according to claim 12 , said means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising: means for transmitting a vehicle type identifier to said transportation database; and means for accessing, from said transportation database, said speed limit associated with said position and said vehicle type.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 49 words
The system according to claim 12 , said means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position, further comprising: means for accessing, from said transportation database, said speed limit associated with said position and a conditional speed limit factor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 50 words
The system according to claim 12 , further comprising: means for alerting said vehicle operator by said vehicle speed controller application when said actual speed does not comply with said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system according to claim 12 , further comprising: means for automatically adjusting, by said vehicle speed controller application, said actual speed of said vehicle to within said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 71 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one vehicle operator output preference further includes vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences associated with said vehicle operator, said system further comprising: means for outputting results of said comparison of said actual speed at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to an output interface within said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 33 words
The system according to claim 12 , further comprising: means for storing said at least one vehicle operator output preference in association with a vehicle operator identifier within said vehicle speed controller application.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 44 words
The system according to claim 21 , wherein said vehicle operator identifier is a biometric identifier, said system further comprising, means for selecting said at least one vehicle operator output preference in accordance with at least one biometric parameter input by said vehicle operator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 183 words
A program applicable within an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising: program instruction means for selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; program instruction means for receiving a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; program instruction means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; program instruction means for comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and program instruction means for comparing an actual speed at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 183 words
A program applicable within an on-board vehicle speed monitoring system for determining whether a vehicle is traveling within a designated speed limit, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising: program instruction means for selecting at least one vehicle operator output preference within a vehicle speed controller application, wherein said selected vehicle operator output preference includes a speed governor setting associated with a vehicle operator; program instruction means for receiving a position of said vehicle from a global positioning system; program instruction means for accessing, from a transportation database within a remote server system, a speed limit associated with said position; program instruction means for comparing said accessed speed limit with said speed governor setting to determine an acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator; and program instruction means for comparing an actual speed at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to determine whether said actual speed complies with said acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 30 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for delivering said position to said database via a wireless connection, wherein said database is a centralized database.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 27 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for receiving, from said transportation database, a plurality of road conditions associated with said position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 63 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for receiving a range of position-associated speed limits from said transportation database, wherein said range of position-associated speed limits includes said current position of said vehicle; and program instruction means for accessing said speed limit from said range of positions associated speed limits according to said detected position of said vehicle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 39 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for delivering a vehicle type identifier to said transportation database; and program instruction means for accessing said speed limit associated with said position and said vehicle type.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 27 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for accessing said speed limit associated with said position and a conditional speed limit factor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 46 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for alerting said vehicle operator when said actual speed does not comply with said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle in accordance with said position and the identity of said vehicle operator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 36 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for automatically adjusting said actual speed of said vehicle to within said determined acceptable range of speeds for said vehicle operator at said position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 71 words
The program according to claim 23 , wherein said at least one vehicle operator output preference further includes vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences associated with said vehicle operator, further comprising: program instruction means for outputting results of said comparison of said actual speed at said position with said determined acceptable range of speeds to an output interface within said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle operator perceptible communication output preferences.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 35 words
The program according to claim 23 , further comprising: program instruction means for storing said at least one vehicle operator output preference in association with a vehicle operator identifier within said vehicle speed controller application.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 46 words
The program according to claim 32 , wherein said vehicle operator identifier is a biometric identifier, said program further comprising, program instruction means for selecting said at least one vehicle operator output preference in accordance with at least one biometric parameter input by said vehicle operator.

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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) 2005-10-07 2006-04-08 2006-10-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-10-07 2010-04-08 2010-10-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-10-07 2014-04-08 2014-10-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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