US6728605B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle speed monitoring system and method
Assignee: Beacon Marine Security Ltd
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Filing: 2002-05-16
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Granted: 2004-04-27
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Expires: 2022-05-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a vehicle speed monitoring device which enables a driver to enter a speed tolerance profile that represents the driver's personal travel speed preferences and which alerts the driver when the vehicle speed falls outside the speed tolerance profile. Specifically, the speed tolerance profile consists of a number of speed tolerance ranges, each associated with a particular posted speed limit. As the vehicle travels through various map zones, the applicable posted speed limit is determined using a customized GPS map. The device determines the vehicle location, speed and the posted speed limit and then compares the vehicle speed using a running average to see whether vehicle speed is within the driver's speed tolerance profile and if not, the device provides the driver with a visual and/or audible warning according to the driver's operational preferences.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. C. Lash
- 👤 Anthony B. Lash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:00
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0058; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; B60K31/18; B60K31/185; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/50; G08G1/096733; G08G1/09675; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096775; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W2050/0062; B60W2050/0063; B60W2555/00; B60W2555/60; B60W2556/00; B60W2556/45; B60W2556/50; B60W2720/00; B60W2720/10; B60W2720/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for monitoring the speed of a vehicle driven by a driver in relation to a posted speed limit, said device comprising: (a) a GPS receiver for determining the location and speed of the vehicle; (b) an input device adapted to allow the driver to input a speed tolerance profile which includes a driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit; (c) a memory coupled to said GPS receiver and said input device for storing said speed tolerance profile; (d) a processor coupled to said GPS receiver, said input device, and said memory, for determining the posted speed limit, for comparing the speed of the vehicle with the posted speed limit, calculating the difference in speed between the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit, and generating a warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for monitoring the speed of a vehicle driven by a driver in relation to a posted speed limit, said device comprising: (a) a GPS receiver for determining the location and speed of the vehicle; (b) an input device adapted to allow the driver to input a speed tolerance profile which includes a driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit; (c) a memory coupled to said GPS receiver and said input device for storing said speed tolerance profile; (d) a processor coupled to said GPS receiver, said input device, and said memory, for determining the posted speed limit, for comparing the speed of the vehicle with the posted speed limit, calculating the difference in speed between the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit, and generating a warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a display coupled to the processor to display flashing text when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a speech synthesizer for providing a spoken audible warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a buzzer for providing a buzzer warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said processor is adapted to store a GPS map, said posted speed limit being determined from said GPS map in conjunction with the location of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 5 , wherein said GPS map has a plurality of posted speed limit zones and said processor generates a warning when the location and direction of the vehicle as determined by the GPS receiver in conjunction with said GPS map indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a different posted speed limit zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of the device of claim 1 and a cruise control system for a vehicle, the cruise control system being operable at a selected cruise control speed, said cruise control system being interruptible to become inactive when the vehicle undergoes braking, and said warning system being operable at a selected warning speed higher than the cruise control speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cellular modem for transmitting an alerting signal when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit a predetermined number of times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cellular modem for transmitting an alerting signal to a designated remote location when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cellular modem for providing a wireless data link for providing map related data.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for monitoring the speed of a vehicle in relation to a posted speed limit, said method comprising: (a) determining the location and speed of the vehicle; (b) allowing the driver to input a speed tolerance profile which includes a driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit; (c) storing the speed tolerance profile; (d) determining the posted speed limit; (e) comparing the speed of the vehicle with the posted speed limit and calculating the difference in speed between the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit; and (f) generating a warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for monitoring the speed of a vehicle in relation to a posted speed limit, said method comprising: (a) determining the location and speed of the vehicle; (b) allowing the driver to input a speed tolerance profile which includes a driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit; (c) storing the speed tolerance profile; (d) determining the posted speed limit; (e) comparing the speed of the vehicle with the posted speed limit and calculating the difference in speed between the speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit; and (f) generating a warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 , where step (e) includes the displaying of flashing digits when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11 , where step (e) includes the provision of a spoken audible warning when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 , where step (e) includes the provision of a buzzer sound when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein step (c) comprises determining the posted speed limit from a GPS map in conjunction with the location of the vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of generating a warning when the location and direction of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a different posted speed limit zone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising transmitting an alerting signal when said difference in speed exceeds the driver selected tolerance range for the posted speed limit predetermined number of times.
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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) | 2007-04-27 | 2007-10-27 | 2008-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-27 | 2011-10-27 | 2012-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-27 | 2015-10-27 | 2016-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |