Speed reduction, alerting, and logging system

Abstract

A system for Speed Reduction, Alerting, and Logging is disclosed that determines a vehicle's location and the legal speed limit at any location, then alerts the driver when his or her speed passes a threshold relative to the speed limit. The speed limit and / or thresholds for alerts may be adjusted according to the type of vehicle, time of day, day of the week, date, or local weather conditions. Alerts may be provided through audible, visual, kinesthetic, olfactory, or other sensory means and may be activated individually or in combination. Alerts may be logged and reviewed for the purpose of helping improve the driver's driving habits, including through the use of a map display that shows geographical locations and the severity of alerts. Alerts may also be transmitted to an external organization. A provision for forcing a speed reduction of the vehicle in response to an alert is also included.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 189,879, filed on Aug. 25, 2008, and entitled “AUTOMATIC SPEEDING NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (ASPEN SYSTEM),” by inventor Neeraj Periwal, commonly assigned with the present application and incorporated herein by reference.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to the field of automotive vehicles and systems incorporated within and communicating with automotive vehicles for purposes related to driver behavior, and to business and government organizations that may interact with vehicle...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The invention described herein for a Speed Reduction, Alerting, and Logging System (hereinafter, SPIRAL System) solves the long-lasting problem of drivers being ignorant of violating speed limits and thereby presenting a danger to themselves and the people around them. The system also enables drivers to improve their driving habits. Additionally, the system can enable drivers to automatically report their driving habits to a remote agency or company in order to receive some benefit or preference by doing so.

Problems solved by technology

In the current status quo, while many people understand the dangers of traveling at high speeds (as well as realize the subsequent reductions in fuel economy), a considerable percentage of these drivers do not actually reduce their speeds to comply with the proper speed limit laws or adjust to their speeds appropriately in response to hazardous weather conditions.

In any case, a speeding driver is a danger not only to himself or herself, but also to others around him or her.

Furthermore, studies have shown that speeding vehicles, especially on freeways, use much more fuel than vehicles traveling at or below the normal speed limit, which can severely impact the environment and economy.

Finally, drivers who are not reminded of their speeding habits will inevitably continue to speed.

Additionally, drivers who habitually speed often incur penalties relative to their encounters with law enforcement agencies.

For instance, in many states, speeding in excess of 20 mph over the speed limit can not only produce an expensive speeding ticket, but may also cause the driver's license to be suspended for a certain period of time.

If the commute to the driver's work location is substantial, or alternative commuting methods are inconvenient, the driver may be placed in a substantial predicament and his or her livelihood may be threatened.

Furthermore, drivers currently have no means by which to review, and thereby improve, their driving habits, and / or to enable them to be more cautious in geographical areas where they are most vulnerable to speeding infractions.

Again, there is currently no recourse that can reverse the negative effects of this penalty.

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