|1 K I| The present invention relates to vehicle speed warning and regulation systems. It finds partic lar application in conjunction with, selectively using si n recognition for warning a vehicle operator about a vehicle's speed and control ling a vehicle speed and will b ^' .descri ed with pariiailar reference thereto. It will, be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amena l to other applications; 002| Speed lim ts and driving conditions along any given route may change frequently, particularly in urban settings. In addition., along a given route speed limits may change according to the time of day, such as during school !rours or rush hours. Tire■current, and accepted method of informing the driver of the speed: limit is† rough posted speed limi signs on th side of the road. However, when multiple speed limit signs are posted for a single section of road (e.g., both a school time speed limit and a non -school time speed limit in a school zone), a driver roust determine which speed Is applicable. !MtSJ Warning systems have been developed for notifying an operator of a vehicle when he speed of the vehicle is undesirable. Cruise co tro systems have been developed for regulating the speed of a vehicle. Some of these systems incorporate cameras for imaging passing speed limit signs, which, post the current speed limit as the vehicle travels. A processing unit associated with the warning and/or cruise control systems evaJuate(s) images of the speed limi t signs tor i dentifying the posted speed limit. The processor then warns the operator and/of regulates the speed of the vehicle to achieve the posted, speed limit. 04) As noted above, a single section of road ^' in, for example, a school zone may include multiple speed limit signs or a single speed limit sign with di feren posted speed limits that are irs effect at different times. Since exceeding a. posted speed limit cars, have negative consequences such as personal njur)', property damage, and fines from speeding tickets, current warning and cruise control systems elect the lower speed limit re ardless of whether that lower limit is currently in effect.

[0005| .4 lower speed limit (e.g., 20 sn.ph) in a school zone may only he in effect, a few- hours each school day. For non-orban highways, the non-school time posted speed limit may be significantly higher (e.g., 50 mph). Therefore, a camera based warning and/or cmise control system that determinefs) the current posted speed limit by evaluating images of speed limit signs may unnecessarily warn and/or slow a vehicle in the school zone during times when the school speed limit is not in effect. fO006J The present invention provides a new and m r ved apparatus and method for warning and cruise control systems.

.Summar

[0007J I one aspect of the present invention, it Is contemplated that a controller Is adapted, to recei ve signals indicative of an image includi ng a representation of a. posted speed limit for a current section of a road -on which an associated vehicle is traveling. The controller evaluates- the image to identif the posted speed limit and dynamically determine if the posted speed limit is above a predetermined threshold speed limit. Only if the posted speed limit is above the predetermined threshold speed limit, the controller sets the identified posted speed limit as a warning threshold. ^' If a speed of the associated vehicle is more than a predetermined range over the warning threshold, the controller transmits a warning signal to a notifier fbr notifying an operator of the assoc ated -vehicle and controls a speed of the vehicle based on the posted speed limit. f¾00$J in the accompanying drawings whi ch are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, . ^' embodiments- of the- invention are-illustrated, wbi eh, together wiili a general description of the inventio given above, and the detailed description given below, serve- to exemplify the embodime ts of this invention: f 0009f FIGURE I illustrates a schematic representation of vehicle o a road in accordance with one -embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention f¾01.0J FIGURE 2 is an exempl ry methodology of providi g a speed warning and speed control accordance with one embodiment illustrating principles of the present invention; f 001 If FIGURE 3 illustrates various signs in accordance i th different embodiments of the present invention;

| 0I2| FIGURE 4 illustrates a- representation, of a- displa in. accordance with one embodi ment of an apparatus illustratin principles of the present invention; and

[0015] FIGURE 5 illustrate another representation of a display in accordance- with one embodiment of an apparatus liberating principles of the present invention,.

{ ^' 001 ] With reference to f$ GO EE 1. a simplified component diagram of an exemplary vehicle ill including a system 12 for warning an operator of the vehicle III regarding a speed of the vehicle 10 and a system 14 for controlling a speed of the vehicle 10 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Al ough the warning and control systems 12, 14, respectively, are described as separate and independent s stems, it is contem lated that the warn ng and control systems. J2, 14, respectively, may also fee combined into a single vehicle system. OISJ The warning systeni 12 includes a first controller 2½ (e.g., the warning controller), nd the control system 14 includes a second controller §c (e.g., a speed control controller}. If the wanting and control systems- 1.2, 14, respectively, are combined into a single vehicle systenyaa!y a single controller 20 is contemplated for both the warning and speed control functions. Therefore, for purposes of discussion, only a single- controller 0, which incorporates the features and functions of the warning controller and the speed control controller, is discussed, f 00161 The vehicle also include at least one camera 22 that is part of the warning and control systems 12» 14, respectively. The at least one camera 22 electrically

communicates with the controller 28.. via, For example, a vehicle comniuni cation bus 24.

[0017J With reference to- IGU RE 2, an exempl ary methodology of the system shown in KxfO E 1 for warning an operator of the vehicle 10 based on a speed of the vehicle 10 i illustrated. As illustrated, the blocks: represent functions, actions and/or events performed therein. It will be appreciated that electronic and software ^' systems involve dynamic and flexible processes such that the illustrated blocks and described sequences can he performed in different sequences. It. will also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that elements embodied as software may be implemented using various rogramming ^' approaches such as machine language, procedural, object-oriented or artificial intelligence techniques. If will further be appreciated that, if desired and appropriate, some o ail of the software can be embodied as part of a device's operating system.

[00183 With reference to FIGU RES 1 aed 2, the camera 32 obtai s an image, in a step 11.0, of a sign 6 on, for example, a side of a road 30 on, which the vehicle 10 is traveling. The- camera 22 transmi ts: signals indicative of the image of the sign 26, in a step 112, to the controller 20, FI.GU B 3 illustrates various embodiments of the sign that may be imaged m the step 110 and transmitted to the controller 20 in the step 1 2. The signs 26¾~26fc are signs found m the United States, and the sips 2 J-26q are signs found in the Canada. The sign 26a is a standard speed limit sign; the sign 2 b is a speed limit sign showing both the (maximum) speed limit arid a .minimum speed limit; the sign 26e is an electronic speed limit s gn showing the speed limit; the sign 26d is a school speed li lit sign including the word "SCHOOL" and an extension banner 28; the sign 26e is a school speed limit sign including the word "SCHOOL/* and activ school times; the sign 26f is a standard speed limit sign along with an el ectronic sign showing the actual speed of an approaching vehicle, the sign 26g is a sign indicating an. approaching speed limit zone, the sign 26ft is a, sign indicating a night speed limit; the sign 261 is a sign Indicating different speed limits for passenger cars (e.g _: , a default speed limit of 70 roph), a different speed limit For trucks (e÷g„ 60 mph .. and a mini mum speed limit of 55 niph; the sign 26j is a sign indicating speed limits for both passenger cars and trucks; and the sign 26k is a sign Indicating both a {nraxinrunr) speed limit and a minimum speed limit.. The sign 261 is a standard speed limit sign; the sign 26m is also a standard speed limit sign; the sign 26» is sip indicating night speed limit; the sign 26o is a school speed limit sign including the word "SCHOOL"; the sign 26p is a school speed limit sip including the word "SCHOOL" and active school times: and the sign 26q is a sig indicating both, a fmaxiraura) speed limit and a minimum speed limit,

1 01.91 Wit reference to .FIGURES 1.-4,. the signals indicati ve of the image of the sign 26 are received m the controller 20 in a ste 114. In one embodiment, the sign 26 includes a representation of at least one posted speed limit for a current section of the road S on. which th vehicle 10 is: traveling . The controller -2( evaluates the signals indicative of the image of the sign 26 _. (e.g., the sig 26a) in a step 1 1.6, to identify the at least one posted speed limit (e.g:, 25 tnph) as: respective possible speed limit for the current section of the road 30 on which the vehicle 1.0 is traveling. O02JJ For example, if two (2) or mor speed limits are posted on the sign 26 (see, for example, the sign 261 in FIGURE 3} and if more than one of the posted speed limits are above a predetermined threshold speed limit (e.g. 23 mph), it is assumed a first of the posted speed limits Is for a certain type of vehicle and a second of the posted speed .limits is for a second type of vehicle, in the illustrated embodiment, the first type of vehicle i a passenger car, and the second type of vehicle is for trucks (e.g., vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 lbs. (2 tons}}. IF one of the posted speed limits is not above the predetermined threshold, it is assumed that the lower (e.g., lowest) of the speed limits Is the speed, limit when school zone is active and the higher (e. g., highest) of the speed limits is the speed. limit when the school zone is not active.. Therefore, in. a step 120, the controller 20 determines how many possible speed limits are on the sign 26, if it is determined in the step 1.20 that only one ( I) possible speed limit is on. the sign. 26, control passes to a step 1.22 for determining If the possible speed limit is above the predetermined threshold speed limit (e.g., 23 mpfc) and/or if the sign itself indicates a school zone, if it Is determined in. the step 1.22 that the possible speed limit is not above ih predetenaked threshold speed limit,, if the sip iaciudes the word. "SCHOOL" (see, for example, the sign. 26d in FIGURE 3), or If the si n is an. elongated sign with an. extension banner (see, for example, the sign ^' Md in FIGURE 3), any of which would Indicate a school xone having a speed limit of, for example 20 mph or less, control passes to a step 123 for optionally warning the operator of the vehicle 1Ό of the possible reduced speed: before returning to the step 110 for obtaining a next image of a sign. Otherwise, if it is determined in the step 1.22 that the possible speed limit is above the predetermined: threshold speed limit, and that the sign itself does n t Indicate a school zone, control, passes to a step 124 for assigning the possible speed limit on the sip Z6 as the posted (e.g., identified) speed limit (e.g., the actual speed limit). Control then passes to a step .126. fO0 ^' 2If If it. is determined in the step 120 that more than one (1) possible speeclhrrht i s on the sign 26, control passes to a ste 1,3ft for determining _. if none of the possible speed limits on the sign 26 is above the predetermined threshold speed limit (e.g„ 23 raph), which would Indicate a school zone having a speed ^' limit of for example 20 mph. If it is determined in the ste 130 that none of the possible speed limits: is above the predetermined threshold limit, control passes to a step 131 for optionally warning the operator of the vehicle 10 of the possible reduced speed before returning to the step lift, if, on. the other hand, it is determined in the step 130 that an of the possible speed limit on the sign 26 is above the predetermined threshold speed limit, control passes to a step 132 for identifying the possible speed {traits on the sign 24 that are above- the predetermined threshold speed limit (e.g., 23 rrsph). In one example, the sign 26 includes three (3) speed limits (e.g., a default speed limit of 70 mph, a speed lira it of 65 mph for trucks (over 13 tons), and a minimum speed limit of 45 mph). For purposes of discussion, it is assumed the controller 20 recognizes a minimum, speed limit (e.g., by recognising the word "miinmum" or the abbreviation "mm") and disregards that possible speed limit. In this example, the controller 20 recognizes both. 70 mph and 65 rn.ph as possible speed limits.

|0022| In a step 134, the type of the vehicle 10, which it is assumed was previously programmed into the controller ¾ is identified. For example, the vehicle Ϊ0 may be of a passenge care type or a heavy vehicle type (e.g., a truck at least 26,000 lbs. or 13 tons). In a step 1.36, if the vehieletype is. a passenger ear, the controller 20 assigns the higher (e.g., highest) of the possi le speed limits as the posted (e.g., identified) speed limit; otherwise if the vehicle type is a heavy vehicl (e.g., tack), the controller 0 assigns the lower (e.g., lowest) of the possible speed limits as the posted (e.g., Identified) speed limit (e.g., the actual speed limit). Control then passes t the ste 12.6.

|0 23| In the step 1:26, the posted (e.g., identified) speed Emit is set as a warning threshold. Since any possible speed limits not above the predetermined threshold speed limit: (e.g., 23 mph) were ignored, only speed limits above the predetermined threshold speed limit (e.g., 23 mph) may be set as the warning threshold, A determination is made, in a step .140, if an actual speed of the vehicle 10 is more than a predetermined range (e.g., 5 mph) over the warning threshold. If it i determined in the step 140 that the actual speed of the vehicle 1.0 is not more than the predeterm ed range over the warning threshold, control returns to the step 110 for obtaining a next image of a sign. Otherwise, if it Is determined i the step .1.40 thai the actual speed of the vehicle 0 is more than the predetermined -range over the warn g threshold, control passes to a. step 142, [0024} H the step I42 _? t e controller 20 transmits a signal to a notifier 32 for activating the aotlfier 32 to ensure the operator of the vehicle 10 is aware that the vehicle 1 is traveling more than the predetermined range over the posted speed limit. With reference to FIGUR --4, in one embodiment, the notifler 32 includes display screen 34 displaying a speed limit sign 36 showing the ^■ identified (e.g., actual) speed limit. With reference to FIGURE S, in one embodimen , the nopfter 3 also displays a warning message 40 staling, for example, "Over Speed Limit" if the actual speed ©Fthe. vehicle is over the posted speed limit by ^' mete than the predetermined range, for example, in. another embodiment, the not! tier 32 is a light on a dashboard of the vehicle 10 that is illuminated .when the vehicle 1.0 is traveling more than the predetermined. range over the posted speed limit. In yet other embodiment the notifies: 32 is a device making an. audible sound when the vehicle 10 is: traveling more than, the predetermined range over the posted speed limit. Still further, it is contemplated- that the notifier 32 is a device makin steering .wheel of the vehicle 1.0 vibrate if the vehicle Ϊ0 is traveling more than the predetermined range over the posted speed limit. In a step 144, the controller 20 transmits at least one signal, o speed control components on the vehicle 1.0 for controlling a speed of the vehicle 10 to he within the redetermi ed range over the warning threshold. Control then returns to the step 1.10 for obtaining a sext image of a sign. 0O2S| The effect of the sy stem and method described above is to hot warn the operator of the vehicle 10 or control the speed of the vehicle 10 to limit the speed of the vehicl e 10 if the posted speed limit is not more than, the predeterniined threshold limit. So, for exampl e, if the vehicle 10 is in a school zone, the operator is not warned; of the lower speed limit (e.g:, <20 mph). Since the time periods during which, school mm speed limits are active, it is assumed the vehicle operator will reduce the speed of the vehicle when necessary,

1 26 in one ern-bodimeni ^' it i contempl ted that the controller 20 acts a a means for evaluating the image to identify if the sign indicates a school zone speed limit. 27 While the pfi¾e«tiaventie»i has been llustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of ^' the. applicants to restrict or m any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail . Additional advantages and modifications will readil appear to those skilled in the art. T erefo * the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the speciEo details., the representative apparatus, and Illustrative examples shown a d described, Accordingly, departures may be ma.de from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of tire applicant's general irrvernive concept.