Abstract:
A system for controlling a speed of a vehicle includes circuitry coupled to the vehicle for receiving speed threshold data identifying a government-imposed maximum speed limit. The circuitry uses the speed threshold signal to determine a maximum speed value and electronically controls engine performance of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle&#39;s speed at or below the maximum speed value.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/909,328, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVISING A VEHICLE DRIVER OF A SPEED LIMIT, filed on Mar. 30, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for receiving data associated with driving conditions and parameters and, more specifically, to using the conditions and parameters to control a vehicle&#39;s speed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In most areas, there is a specific maximum (and in some instances, also a minimum) speed at which a vehicle can lawfully be driven on a roadway. The maximum speed threshold is often referred to as a speed limit. Speed thresholds are typically posted on road signs with the intent that drivers will see them as they pass by. While maintaining a speed above the minimum speed threshold is rarely a problem for drivers, maintaining a speed below the maximum speed threshold generally requires that the driver watch vigilantly for road signs. Drivers may often find themselves dividing their attention between such road signs and the vehicle speedometer, comparing the speed indicated by the speedometer with the posted speed threshold and taking corrective action, if necessary, to slow down (or in some instances, speed up) so as to avoid driving (unlawfully or unsafely) beyond the speed threshold(s). 
         [0004]    In other situations, road construction and/or hazards can temporarily adjust the recommended or mandated speed threshold(s) for a particular roadway. For example, when approaching an area of road construction on a roadway, the speed limit often rapidly changes. In such situations, drivers have to constantly divert their attention away from the road to identify speed threshold signs and compare these signs with their current speed, despite the fact that road construction locations are typically more dangerous for a driver. Road hazards can also cause problems for drivers because drivers are often unaware of their presence in advance. Therefore, road hazards often cause drivers to take unexpected evasive maneuvers that can lead to vehicle accidents/collisions. In addition, weather (such as rain, snow, ice, etc.) can significantly alter recommended/mandated speed threshold(s) due to its effect on driving conditions. Often, drivers do not have adequate advance warning regarding weather conditions, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Even if a driver is aware of approaching weather conditions, the driver is often required to divert some of his attention to monitoring the road conditions instead of focusing on other aspects of safe driving. 
         [0005]    Regardless of the particular situation, it has been found that the more tasks that a driver is required to perform while driving, the greater the likelihood that the driver will perform one of them incorrectly and thus increase the likelihood of driving unsafely. It would be desirable to improve the ease with which a driver can monitor vehicle speed and take corrective action if necessary. It would also be desirable to improve driver awareness of approaching road hazards and/or conditions that could potentially create driving problems. The present invention addresses these problems and deficiencies and others in the manner described below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a system and method by which speed threshold information, such as a speed limit, is transmitted via radio signals to a vehicle, such as an automobile or boat. Transmitters can be located near the roadways or other areas where a speed limit has been established. Electronics in the vehicle can use the speed threshold information to alert the driver of the speed limit or hazards. The vehicle electronics can also compare the speed limit with the current vehicle speed and issue an alert if the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit. Driver alerts can be provided by electronic displays, audible warning tones, synthesized speech, etc. 
         [0007]    In other embodiments of the invention, a speed threshold RFID can be included in a centralized system located at a centralized location away from the roadway. The vehicle is equipped with a transponder and may be equipped with a Global Positioning System receiver for determining the vehicle&#39;s location. The vehicle transmits its location to the centralized system and, in response, the centralized system determines the speed threshold applicable to the vehicle&#39;s location and transmits that information to the vehicle. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an automobile passing a roadside speed threshold transmitter in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an automobile having a speed threshold receiver and speed threshold display in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts the speed threshold display mounted in the vehicle dashboard in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a vehicle informational system in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a vehicle informational system in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a vehicle informational system in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In the following descriptions of one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention, like reference numerals indicate like components to enhance the understanding of the invention through the description of the drawings. Also, although specific features, configurations, arrangements and steps are discussed below, it should be understood that such specificity is for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other features, configurations, arrangements and steps are useful without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Unless specifically noted otherwise, the order in which method steps are described is for illustrative purposes only, and such steps can be arranged in any other suitable order or combined with each other or divided apart in any suitable manner. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , example embodiments of the present invention generally comprise a vehicle informational system and apparatus for alerting a driver of a vehicle (car, truck, boat, etc.) to road and other driving conditions. In example embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , an automobile  10  driving on a roadway  12  passes by a location at which a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag  14  is disposed. For example, an RFID tag  14  can be co-located with a road sign indicating the speed limit or with any other common roadway feature such as a lamp, mile marker, traffic signal, etc. In example embodiments, an electronic device  16  is coupled to the automobile  10  and includes a radio-frequency transmitter as well as a radio receiver/reader commonly known as a transponder. As the automobile  10  passes the RFID tag  14 , the RFID tag  14  wirelessly communicates information to the electronic device  16 . The RFID tag can communicate a wide range of information and data to the electronic device  16 , such as speed limit information, road conditions, public alerts, weather information, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that alternatively, the electronic device  16  can be an after market item adapted for use with a current vehicle and/or can be a handheld device. 
         [0017]    In depicted embodiments, the electronic device  16  is in communication with an electronic display  18  having one or more visual or audible indicators. The electronic display  18  can be mounted on the vehicle&#39;s dashboard  20  or in another suitable location within the automobile  10 . The electronic device  16  causes the information received from the RFID tag  14  to be displayed on the electronic display  18 . While  FIG. 3  shows speed limit information being displayed on the electronic display  18 , the display can show other types of information, such as road conditions, alerts, weather information, etc. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the RFID tag  14  transmits the speed limit information in response to detecting the transponder  16 , in other embodiments it can transmit the speed threshold information in response to any other suitable condition or transmit the information continuously. In alternative embodiments, the electronic display  18  can include an audio component for audibly conveying the information received from the RFID tag  14  to the driver of the automobile. In still other embodiments, the electronic display  18  can comprise a global positioning system (GPS). 
         [0018]    The electronic device  16  can retrieve the speed limit information (or other types of information) from an internal electronic memory source where such information has been pre-stored or, alternatively, from a remote source via a data network. The RFID tag  14  can also retrieve information from an internal memory source, or can be in remote communication with a data network. For example, the RFID tag  14  can be in communication with a local police department, traffic control, state highway patrol etc., such that the information being transmitted by the RFID tag  14  can be remotely updated as necessary. 
         [0019]    In addition, the electronic device  16  can determine the vehicle&#39;s speed for comparison against the speed threshold information transmitted by the RFID tag  14 . In example embodiments, the electronic device  16  is coupled to the vehicle&#39;s speedometer  22 . Alternatively, the electronic device  16  is coupled to the automobile&#39;s engine control unit (not shown) for obtaining the vehicle speed. In still other embodiments, other conventional means for obtaining vehicle speed can be used to transmit the same to the electronic device  16 . In example embodiments, the electronic device  16  compares the vehicle speed with the speed limit information to determine if a speed correction should be implemented by the driver of the automobile. In one such example embodiment, if the vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold, electronic device  16  causes a visual or audible warning to be issued (e.g., on display  18 ). 
         [0020]    In another example embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a system  110  for controlling a vehicle&#39;s speed includes a first transponder and/or transceiver  114  in wireless communication with a second transponder and/or transceiver  116 . Generally, the transponder  114  is stationary and, as with previous embodiments, can be co-located with road signs, school signs, traffic lights, lamp posts, telephone poles, etc., can be embedded within a roadway, and/or can be placed in other locations in proximity to the roadway. Transponder  116  is generally mobile and can be configured to be coupled to an automobile. Alternatively, transponder  116  can be a handheld device, and/or can be adapted for use within a cell phone, GPS unit, music player, or other mobile electronic device. 
         [0021]    In example embodiments, transponder  114  broadcasts information that may be pertinent to drivers operating automobiles. For example, transponder  114  can transmit the speed threshold(s) for the portion of the roadway adjacent to the transponder, weather alerts (such as tornado warnings, freeze/ice warnings, snow warnings, etc.), amber alerts, traffic conditions, road construction alerts, road hazard warnings, school zones, and/or approaching road closures. Such information can be received by the second transponder  116 . The transponder  116  can relay the information to an audio and/or visual indicator of the electronic display  118  located within the automobile and/or to an engine control unit  130 . Messages or other information transmitted by the first transponder  114  can be displayed (or audibly conveyed) by the display  118  to alert the driver to the particular situation. For example, as an automobile enters a school zone, transponder  114  can broadcast relevant information to the second transponder  116  (such as a reduced speed limit, or school hours), which can then be conveyed to the driver by an indicator on the display  118 . Thus, the driver is notified that the vehicle is traveling at a speed in excess of the school zone limit and can take corrective action to appropriately reduce the vehicle&#39;s speed. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the engine control unit  130  can be electronically coupled to the automobile&#39;s engine  140  and can optionally comprise a governor to control the automobile&#39;s throttle or otherwise control the vehicle speed. The governor can be a mechanical governor or an electric governor contained within the engine control unit to regulate engine performance. In operation, if the speed limit conveyed by the first transponder  114  (and received by the second transponder  116 ) is less than the vehicle&#39;s speed, the engine control unit  130  can institute the governor (either a mechanical air/fuel reducer or by electronically controlling the performance of the engine) to reduce the vehicle&#39;s speed. Alternatively, the engine control unit  130  can be electronically coupled to the vehicle&#39;s anti-lock braking system (if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes) and can apply brake pressure to reduce the vehicle&#39;s speed accordingly. In still other embodiments, the engine control unit  130  can be in communication with an auxiliary anti-lock brake system (not shown), such as a disc brake oriented along the vehicle&#39;s driveshaft or any other deceleration device to reduce vehicle speed. Conversely, if the speed limit conveyed by the first transponder  114  (and received by the second transponder  116 ) is greater than the vehicle&#39;s speed, the engine control unit  130  can release the governor&#39;s control over the speed such that vehicle can travel a speed up to the speed limit. Optionally, the system allows the driver to temporarily deactivate system or to exceed the maximum threshold speed for a predetermined amount of time (such as one minute). For example, in certain situations, it would be desirable if the driver can deactivate the system to avoid a collision (e.g., speeding past a truck slowly entering a highway). 
         [0023]    The engine control unit  130  can also monitor driver input  132  and compare the driver input with the information received by transponder  116 . In such embodiments, the engine control unit  130  can conform to driver input  132  unless the input would cause the automobile to exceed the speed threshold(s) transmitted by the transponder  114 . Alternatively, the engine control unit  130  can receive speed threshold information from the transponders  114 ,  116  and can relay the information along with the current vehicle speed parameters to the indicator  118 , such that the driver can easily compare current vehicle speed with the speed threshold(s). The indicator  118  can also issue warnings (visual or audio) to the driver, such as, “the vehicle is currently traveling 5 mph over the speed limit” or “a school zone is approaching—reduce vehicle speed by 20 mph” or “bridge out ahead.” Obviously, one of skill in the art realizes that there are numerous types of warnings and other information that can be conveyed to the driver using the present invention. 
         [0024]    In additional example embodiments, every transponder  116  can have a unique identification number or other unique identifier that is broadcast when the vehicle is in operation. Alternatively, the transponder  116  can broadcast all the time, or only when desired by the driver of the automobile. Regardless, the identification number can serve to identify the automobile to others, such as local police, highway patrol, etc. In other example embodiments, police or highway patrol workers can send signals to the transponder  116  as needed to slow, stop, or otherwise control the engine of the automobile. Such embodiments are particularly useful when police officers are trying to stop a high-speed car chase, slow down a speeding vehicle, or stop an automobile theft from occurring by allowing the officers to access the engine control unit  130  of the automobile. 
         [0025]    The transponder  116  can also be utilized to broadcast signals to the roadside transponder  114 . In example embodiments, the transponder  114  can collect data from passing automobiles, such as vehicle speed information, traffic data, driver license information, automobile registrations, etc. This data can be then be broadcast by the transponder  114  to local authorities as desired. 
         [0026]    In another example embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention can also comprise an auxiliary engine control unit  150  in communication with a mobile transponder  116 . The auxiliary engine control unit can be operable to communicate with the factory engine control unit  130  of an automobile without modifying the automobile&#39;s control unit  130 . The auxiliary control unit  150  can be implemented as a kit in conjunction with one or more mobile transponders  116 . The kit can be used as an aftermarket add-on to retrofit an automobile to permit the automobile to transmit and receive information related to driving conditions. The kit can include one or more electrical and/or mechanical couplings for connecting the auxiliary control unit  150  to the automobile&#39;s engine control unit  130 . The kit can further include one or more brackets and fasteners for physically attaching the auxiliary control unit  150  to the vehicle. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 5-6  demonstrate systems  210  and  310  for controlling a vehicle&#39;s speed according to other example embodiments of the present invention. The systems  210  and  310  are substantially similar to one another and are similar to the system  110  with the addition of a GPS unit  160 . In the system  210  of  FIG. 5 , the GPS unit  160  provides data to the auxiliary engine control unit  150 , while in the system  310  of  FIG. 6 , the GPS unit  160  directly provides data to the engine control unit  130 . In such embodiments, the GPS unit  160  directly provides speed threshold information pre-programmed on a storage device within the unit or it can obtain speed threshold information from a corresponding satellite. The GPS unit  160  determines the vehicle&#39;s location and compares the vehicle&#39;s location with known speed threshold information (either stored in memory or obtained via satellite communication). The relevant speed threshold information can be transmitted to the engine control unit  130  (or auxiliary engine control unit  150 ) to control the engine performance of the automobile or can be merely displayed on the indicator  118  to allow speed correction to take place at the driver&#39;s election. In other embodiments, transponders  114  and  116  can be used to override the GPS information when the GPS data is not current. For example, when traveling on an interstate highway, the speed thresholds are typically between 40 mph and 70 mph. The GPS unit  160  can be pre-programmed to output these speed thresholds to the driver based on the location of the automobile. However, if temporary speed thresholds are established due to road conditions, such as construction, ice, hazards, etc., the transponders  114  and  116  can override the threshold data from the GPS unit  160  to give the driver the most accurate information. In this manner, it is conceivable that roadside transponders  114  can be set up only in areas where special information is needed. 
         [0028]    In some example embodiments, the system of the present invention can be activated and deactivated by the driver as desired. For example, the driver can simply push a button to activate or deactivate the system. In another embodiment, the system may include one or more security features to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent deactivation of the system. For example, the system can require one or more of a valid password, biometric data, or other inputs to deactivate itself. Absent a valid response to the security measures, the system will remain activated. This embodiment may be especially useful for parents of teenage drivers by eliminating the possibility that the teenage driver would deactivate the system. In other embodiments, the system is always activated such the driver cannot override the limitations imposed by the system. 
         [0029]    Those skilled in the art will understand that systems of the present invention can include user-imposed maximum speed limits. For example, a parent of a teenage driver can program the auxiliary control unit to prevent the car from travelling at speeds higher than 40 mph, for example. Optionally, the system can include a data storage device to store some or all data related to the vehicle&#39;s speed, driver&#39;s response to warnings, etc. Such data can be then be viewed at a later time either on the vehicle&#39;s electronic display or downloaded to a computer, PDA, cellular phone, or the like. 
         [0030]    Those skilled in the art will further understand that the systems of the present invention can further cooperate with a vehicle&#39;s cruise control module. In such embodiments, the vehicle transponder of the present invention receives speed limit data (from any source) and then in conjunction with the cruise control module, maintains the vehicle&#39;s speed at a speed that equals the maximum speed limit. Alternatively, the cruising speed can be selected as some value below the maximum speed limit (e.g., 3 mph below the maximum speed limit). 
         [0031]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents.