Description
Method and system for detection of traffic rule violation
The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting traffic rule violations by vehicles.
Many law enforcing agencies impose traffic rule enforcement using automated traffic violation citation technologies. Generally, the most effective programs combine consistent use of traffic cameras supported by automated data processing solutions to provide rapid ticketing of traffic violators. However, these programs require large amount of computing resources which is often inaccurate and expensive and is therefore critical to real-time applications.
Effective traffic sensing for surveillance and control of freeways and arterial streets requires vehicle detection, counting, assorting and setting up other traffic regulatory requirements. The conventional vehicle mounted systems cannot determine violations corresponding to temporary modifications to traffic regulations due to weather conditions or similar reasons or permanent modifications due to traffic rule modifications. Also, it is not possible to prematurely prevent traffic violations as the system warns only after the driver has committed the traffic violation.
The object of the invention is to create a system and a method to automatically detect traffic violations with increased reliability and less human intervention.
These problems are solved by a method according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 26.

By placing a vehicle unit inside a vehicle, the vehicle unit interfaces end-to-end traffic rule violation and management using one or more digitized recordings of at least one violation event, together with vehicle information and is provided to the traffic regulatory database.. Thereby, enabling the detection of the traffic rule violation accurately and precisely without human intervention.
According to an embodiment herein, the traffic rule information includes at least one of speed limit of the vehicle, status of a traffic signal and duration of the traffic signal. This gives a clear indication to the driver of the vehicle what is the speed limit for the road, whether to switch off the vehicle and to follow the traffic signal according to the signal status.
According to a preferred embodiment, the traffic rule information further includes the traffic signal information indicating a direction of travel for which the traffic signal status applies. This prevents the vehicle operator from committing a violation of red light, phase of the traffic signal in the specified direction.
According to another preferred embodiment, the direction information is obtained using a direction analyzing means to analyze a traffic signal device identification corresponding to the location of the vehicle. This bases its calculation of violation probabilities on a detected current signal phase, as well as time remaining and/or elapsed in the current signal phase to provide information to the vehicle operator.
According to another preferred embodiment, the vehicle information include at least one of vehicle identification number (VIN), date and time of passing the traffic signal

device, speed of the vehicle, location of the vehicle, status of seat belts and weights carried by the vehicle. These data can be analyzed at a remote server for subsequent review for identification of the vehicle and generation of any traffic violation citation they indicate. This helps to provide a clear indication of the violation performed by the vehicle, for verifying the validity of the violation in case of a controversy.
According to another preferred embodiment, the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation is transmitted using the transmitter to a handheld device or to a receiving unit outside the vehicle. This helps to identify the infraction, vehicle identification data and/or driver identification data.
According to another preferred embodiment, the receiving unit further sends the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation information to a traffic regulatory database. This helps to record the traffic rule violations which can be further viewed by an authorized user to determine if any citationable violation has occurred.
According to another preferred embodiment, the traffic regulatory database includes a data processing device for subsequent processing of the traffic rule violation information to identify the owner of the vehicle associated with the traffic rule violation. This enables to issue a ticket of violation requiring payment for the reported violation which can be communicated to the owner.
According to another preferred embodiment the vehicle unit comprising a receiver for receiving a traffic rule information, a recorder unit for recording a vehicle

information indicating a driving condition of the vehicle, a processing means for detecting the traffic rule violation by comparing the recorded vehicle information with the traffic rule information and a transmitter for transmitting a data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit outside the vehicle in case of a traffic violation. These digitally encoded signals are received by the traffic regulation department directly so that they identify the vehicle committing the violation and can issue tickets to the vehicle owner in response to the receipt of the violation signals.
According to another preferred embodiment, the vehicle unit further comprises a display unit for displaying the traffic signal status and/or signal duration. This helps to provide a prior indication to the driver if any of the traffic signal light phase is active or to determine the commencement and end of a traffic phase of a traffic signal to define a violation period.
The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system for detecting traffic rule violation performed by a vehicle according to an embodiment herein,
FIG 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting an
alternative embodiment for detecting traffic rule violation performed by a vehicle,
FIG 3 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a vehicle unit in convergence with an embodiment herein,

FIG 4 shows an exemplary illustration of a traffic rule information data packet,
FIG 5 shows an exemplary illustration of a vehicle information recorded by the vehicle unit, and
FIG 6 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a method of
detecting the traffic rule violations of a vehicle using a system disclosed herein.
Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
FIG 1 "illustrates a block diagram depicting a system 10 for -detecting traffic rule violations of a.vehicle 11 according to an embodiment herein. The traffic rule violation detection system 10 includes a vehicle unit 12 placed inside a vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 is an automated device which can be integrated onboard a vehicle 11 for recording the vehicle information 18. The vehicle unit 12 initiates recording vehicle information 18 indicating a driving condition of the vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 includes an interface 25 to at least one sensor 26 of the vehicle 11 to measure the vehicle information 18.
The traffic rule information 13 is transmitted to the vehicle unit 12 using a mobile digital network device 30. The mobile digital network device 30 can be at least one of a device

using a wireless communication protocol such as RFID, WiFi, WiMax, or satellite based network through GPS or GSM technology or using a cellular phone network. The mobile digital network device 30 includes a transmission unit 15 for transmission of the traffic rule information 13 to the vehicle 11 that informs the vehicle unit 12 where the vehicle 11 is globally located, what is the speed limit for the road, or the status and duration of the traffic signal. The mobile digital network device 30 also includes a receiving unit 16 to receive the data corresponding to traffic rule violation of the vehicle 11 from the vehicle unit 12.
The vehicle unit 12 detects a traffic rule violation by evaluating the traffic rule information 13 and the vehicle information 18. In case of a traffic violation, the vehicle unit 12 sends data corresponding to traffic rule violation to the receiving unit 16. Further, the receiving unit 16 transmits the traffic rule violation data to a traffic regulatory database 27. A data processing device 28 located at the traffic regulatory database 27 analyze the information transmitted by the receiving unit 16 using a data processing algorithm to detect the traffic violations performed by the vehicle 11. The violations are then recorded in a traffic regulatory database 27. The vehicle identification number (VIN) obtained from the traffic rule violation data is then inputted to a vehicle department database (not shown). The name and the address of the owner 29, and other details such as insurance details recorded by the vehicle department database are then extracted based on the VIN. The processing device 28 generates a ticket corresponding to the traffic rule violation performed by the vehicle 11. The required notice of violation can then be sent out for penalizing the owner 29 of the vehicle 11 breaking the traffic regulatory

requirements or can be stored in the memory for subsequent processing and evaluation of traffic flow conditions.
In an embodiment herein, the vehicle unit 12 transmits the data corresponding to traffic rule violation to a handheld device 23 outside the vehicle 11. The handheld device 23 further transmits the data to a traffic regulatory database 27 for further processing.
FIG 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting an alternative embodiment for detecting traffic rule violation performed by a vehicle 11. According to FIG 2, the traffic rule information 13 is transmitted to the. vehicle unit 12 using a transmission unit 15. Here, the transmission unit 15 can be integrated to a traffic signal device 14. The transmission unit 15 sends a data packet including the traffic rule information 13 to the vehicle unit 12 when the vehicle 11 enters the traffic signal device 14 range. The traffic signal device 14 includes an antenna (not shown) for detecting and " broadcasting the traffic rule information 13 to the vehicle 11. The location of the vehicle 11 can be determined by analyzing the traffic signal device 14 identity. The traffic signal device 14 generally uses a wireless communication protocol to transmit the traffic rule information 13 to the vehicle unit 12.The traffic signal device 14 also includes a receiving unit 16 to receive the vehicle information 18 and the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation transmitted by the vehicle unit 12. The receiving unit 16 further transmits the data to a traffic regulatory database 27 where it is analyzed to penalize the owner 29 of the vehicle for the violation performed.
FIG 3 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a vehicle unit 12 in convergence with an embodiment herein. The vehicle

unit 12 registers the vehicle 11 identification data and other related information complying with the driving conditions of the vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 includes a receiver 20 to receive the traffic rule information 13 from an outside unit. The outside unit can be a transmission unit 15 associated with the traffic signal device 14 ox a mobile digital network device 30. The vehicle unit 12 includes a display unit 24 for displaying the traffic rule information 13 to the vehicle operator. The traffic rule.information 13 displayed on the display unit 24 includes the traffic signal status indicative of each direction, the duration of each signal, the speed limit applicable for the road and the like. The display unit 24 displays one or more visibly distinguishable indications (not shown) that provide information regarding the status of the signal at the time of activation. The visibly distinguishable indications can be for instance, small display lights such as small lamps or LED's, corresponding to the respective traffic signal lights, which are lit in accordance with the traffic signal status.
The vehicle unit 12 further comprises a recorder unit 21 for recording vehicle information 18 indicating a driving condition of the vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 measures the vehicle information 18 using an interface 25 related to at least one sensor 26 of the vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 initiates recording vehicle information 18 automatically when the vehicle 11 does not comply with at least one driving condition associated with the vehicle 11. The vehicle unit 12 includes a direction analyzing means 17 to analyze identity of a traffic signal device 14 corresponding to the location of the vehicle 11 to obtain direction information for the vehicle 11.

The vehicle unit 12 further includes a processing means 22 for detecting the traffic rule violation by evaluating the recorded vehicle information 18 and the traffic rule information 13. The transmitter 19 of the vehicle unit 12 transmits data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit 16 outside the vehicle in case of a traffic violation.
The vehicle unit 12 herein is powered by the vehicle battery 31 or by a dedicated battery 32 when the vehicle battery 31 ceases to function. The dedicated battery 32 is normally maintained in a charged state by the vehicle battery 31. The vehicle unit 12 stores data of a finite number of traffic violations performed by the vehicle 11. This history of recorded violations can be verified by a traffic officer at any time with a handheld device 23 having an interface to the vehicle 11. The battery backup avoids the loss of data recorded in case of a power failure. The vehicle unit 12 is resistant to unauthorized tampering, thereby preventing manual manipulation of data stored in the unit 12. The vehicle unit 12 can be made tamper proof by encasing the vehicle unit 12 in a sealing, or using a hardwired chip, or using an encoded chip or the like.
FIG 4 shows an exemplary illustration of a traffic rule information 13 data packet. The traffic rule information 13 data packet is generated and transmitted to the vehicle unit
12 using a transmission unit 15. The traffic rule information
13 includes information on speed limit of the vehicle 11, the traffic signal status on the traffic signal device 14 and traffic signal duration. The traffic rule information 13 further includes traffic signal information indicating a direction of travel for which the traffic signal status applies. The direction information is obtained using a

direction analyzing means 17 to analyze a traffic signal device 14 identification corresponding to the location of the vehicle 11.
The vehicle unit 12 on receiving the signal information allows the display unit 24 to sequentially display the three commonly used traffic colors, i.e., green, amber and red. In addition, display unit 24 is selectively powered to display a left arrow in any of the above colors, a right arrow in any of the above colors, or a combination of a straight arrow and either a left or right turn arrow with respect to the signal status at the traffic signal device 14.
FIG 5 shows an exemplary illustration of a vehicle information 18 data packet created by the vehicle unit 12. The vehicle information 18 includes information on the vehicle identification number, the date, time of day, traffic signal status, seat belt status, speed of the vehicle or weight carried by the vehicle 11. The vehicle information 18 ■further includes information on no parking violation, carbon emission standard violation, drunken driving condition, invalid license, pedestrian crossing signal violation, mobile phone usage while driving violation, school zone speed limit violation and the like. The vehicle unit 12 initiates recording vehicle information 18 automatically when the vehicle 11 does not comply with at least one driving condition associated with the vehicle 11.
The transmitter 19 of the vehicle unit 12 transmits the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to the receiving unit 16 or to a handheld device 23 outside the vehicle 11. The vehicle information 18 corresponding to violation of traffic rule is further sent to traffic regulatory database 27, where it is analyzed to obtain information of the

identity of the vehicle 11 or the owner 29 of the vehicle 11 associated with the violation.
FIG 6 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a method of detecting the traffic violation of a vehicle 11 using a system disclosed herein. In step 61, the traffic rule information 13 indicative of a traffic regulatory requirement is transmitted to a vehicle unit 12 inside the vehicle 11. The traffic rule information 13 can be transmitted to the vehicle unit 12 using at least one. of a transmission unit 15. The vehicle unit 12 records the vehicle information 18 indicating a driving condition of the vehicle 11 in step 62. The processing means 22 of the vehicle unit 12 evaluates the recorded vehicle information 18 and the traffic rule information 13 in step 63. In step 64, a check is performed to detect if any traffic rule violation is performed by the vehicle 11 based on the evaluation. If a violation is detected, the transmitter 19 of the vehicle unit 12 initiates transmitting data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit 16 outside the vehicle in' step 65. If no violation is reported, then the traffic violation data packet 16 is discarded in step 66. The receiving unit 16 further transmits the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a traffic regulatory database 27 in step 67. In step 68, a data processing device 28 of the traffic regulatory database 27 performs subsequent processing of the traffic rule violation information to identify the owner 29 of the vehicle 11 associated with the traffic rule violation. Further in step 69, the processing device 28 generates a conventional traffic rule violation ticket which is mailed to an owner 29 of the vehicle 11 associated with the violation.
The embodiment herein can be used to calculate the traffic signal duration and traffic volume by measuring number of

vehicles using the data provided by the vehicles crossing a particular area. Using this data the traffic congestion can be measured and managed by diverting the traffic through alternate roads.
The implementation of the embodiment herein can be realized by integrating the vehicle unit in the existing vehicles as an accessorial device. This can be achieved by having a coordination with the vehicle manufactures and the traffic law enforcing forces. The unit can also be integrated in new vehicles which are done at the manufacturing phase.
The embodiment herein increases the reliability by reducing human errors and intervention such as a traffic personnel missing or not able to halt a vehicle crossing a traffic signal at a high speed, handling simultaneous traffic violation by multiple vehicles, human errors due to fatigue, vision errors in case of poor lighting or weather conditions, or human force involved in bribery.
The embodiment herein enables the traffic signal status and duration to be known to the user even if the traffic signal pole is not visible, increases fuel efficiency by allowing the user to stop the vehicle based on the stop signal duration, helps to avoid troubles encountered by the traffic personnel on duty due to environmental conditions, avoids the need for the user to carry the vehicle related documents and the like.
The embodiment herein can be programmed to use extensively in monitoring drunken driving and verifying validity status of license. Further, the history of recorded violations can be verified by a traffic officer at any point of time with a handheld device that has an interface to the vehicle.

Moreover, the traffic signal duration provides an indication to the user to know when the vehicle could clear the signal.
The elements of the embodiment herein are implemented using software programming or software elements with any programming or scripting languages such as C,C++, Java, assembly level language or the like with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. In addition, while the invention may be embodied in a computer software, the functions necessary to implement the embodiment may alternatively be incorporated in part or in whole using hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits or other hardware or a combination of hardware components and software.
Although the illustrative embodiment is described in connection with traffic control signal poles, the disclosed system may generally be applied to all intersections related to traffic control in general. The disclosed system provides the capability to similarly detect and record traffic rule violations occurring at railroad crossings, border check points, toll booths, pedestrian crossings and parking facilities.
While this invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. Rather, in view of the present disclosure which describes the current best mode for practicing the invention, many modifications and variations would present themselves, to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The scope of the invention is, therefore,

indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.

We Claim:
1. A method for detecting a traffic rule violation by a
vehicle (11), said method comprising:
- transmitting a traffic rule information (13) indicative of a traffic regulatory requirement to a vehicle unit (12) inside the vehicle (11);
- the vehicle unit (12) recording a vehicle information (18) indicating a driving condition of the vehicle (11);
- detecting the traffic rule violation by evaluating the recorded vehicle information (18) with the traffic rule information (13); and
- transmitting data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit (16) outside the vehicle (11), if a traffic violation is detected.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the traffic rule
information (13) includes at least one of:
- speed limit of the vehicle (11);
- status of a traffic signal; and
- duration of the traffic signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the traffic rule information (13) further includes a traffic signal information indicating a direction of travel for which the traffic signal status applies.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a direction information is obtained using a direction analyzing means (17) to analyze a traffic signal device (14) identification corresponding to the location of the vehicle (11).
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle
information (18) include at least one of:

- vehicle identification number (VIN);
- date and time of passing the traffic signal device (15);
- speed of the vehicle (11);
- location of the vehicle (11);
- status of seat belts; and
- weights carried by the vehicle (11).

6. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the traffic rule information (13) is transmitted to the vehicle unit (12) using a transmission unit (15).
7. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation is transmitted using a transmitter (19) to a handheld device
(23) outside the vehicle.
8. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein
the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation is
transmitted to the receiving unit (16) using the transmitter
(19) .
9. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein
the receiving unit (16) further sends the data corresponding
to the traffic rule violation to a traffic regulatory
database (27).
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the traffic regulatory database (27) includes a data processing device (28) for subsequent processing of the traffic rule violation information to identify the owner (29) of the vehicle associated with the traffic rule violation.
11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the traffic regulatory database (27) generates a conventional traffic

rule violation ticket which is mailed to an owner (29) of the vehicle (11) associated with the violation.
12. A vehicle unit (12) comprising:
- a receiver (20) for receiving a traffic rule information (13);
- a recorder unit (21) for recording a vehicle information (18) indicating a driving condition of the vehicle (11);
- a processing means (22) for detecting the traffic rule violation by comparing the recorded vehicle information (18) with the traffic rule information (13); and
- the transmitter (19) transmitting a data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit (16) outside the vehicle in case of a traffic violation.
13. The vehicle unit (12) according to claim 12, wherein the
traffic rule information (13) includes at least one of:
- speed limit of the vehicle (11) ;
- status of a traffic signal; and
- duration of the traffic signal.

14. The vehicle unit (12) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the vehicle unit (12) further comprises a display unit (24) for displaying the traffic signal status and/or signal duration.
15. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 14, wherein the vehicle unit (12) further comprises an interface (25) to at least one sensor (26) of the vehicle (11) to measure vehicle information (18).
16. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 15, wherein the transmitter (19) of the vehicle unit (12)

initiates the data transmission on reception of the traffic rule information (13).
17. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 16, wherein the traffic rule information (13) further includes a traffic signal information indicating a direction of travel for which the traffic signal status applies.
18. The vehicle unit (12) according to claim 17, wherein a direction analyzing means (17) analyzes identity of a traffic signal device (14) corresponding to the location of the vehicle (11) to obtain direction information for the vehicle (11).
19. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 18, wherein the vehicle information (18) includes at least one of:

- vehicle identification number (VIN);
- date and time of passing the traffic signal device (14);
- speed of the vehicle (11) ;
- location of the vehicle (11) ;
- status of seat belts; and
- weights carried by the vehicle (11).

20. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 19, wherein the vehicle unit (12) initiates recording vehicle information (18) automatically when the vehicle (11) does not comply with at least one driving condition associated with the vehicle (11) .
21. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 20, wherein the vehicle unit (12) includes at least one of the transmitter (19) to transmit the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to the receiving unit (16).

22. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 21, wherein the receiving unit (16) is adapted for sending the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a traffic regulatory database (27) .
23. The vehicle unit (12) according to claim 22, wherein the traffic regulatory database (27) includes a data processing device (28) for subsequent processing of the traffic rule violation information to identify an owner (29) of the vehicle (11) associated with the traffic rule violation.
24. The vehicle unit (12) according to claim 23, wherein the data processing device (28) generates a traffic rule violation ticket which is mailed to the owner (29) of the vehicle (11) associated with the violation.
25. The vehicle unit (12) according to any of the claims 12 to 24, wherein the transmitter (19) of the vehicle unit (12) transmits the data corresponding to traffic violation to a handheld device (23) outside the vehicle (11).
26. A system (10) for detecting a traffic rule violation of a vehicle (11), the system (10) comprising:

- a transmission unit (15) for transmitting a traffic rule information (13) indicative of a traffic regulatory requirement to the vehicle (11); and
- a vehicle unit (12) according to one of the claims 12 to 25.
27. The system (10) according to claim 26, wherein the
transmission unit (15) includes at least one of a transmitter
to transmit the traffic rule information (13) to the vehicle
unit (12).

A method and system for detecting a traffic rule violation by a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprising transmitting a traffic rule information indicative of a traffic regulatory requirement to a vehicle unit inside the vehicle, the vehicle unit recording a vehicle information indicating a driving condition of the vehicle, detecting the traffic rule violation by comparing the recorded vehicle information with the traffic rule information and transmitting data corresponding to the traffic rule violation to a receiving unit outside the vehicle, if a traffic violation is detected. The data corresponding to the traffic rule violation is transmitted to a receiving unit outside the vehicle. The receiving unit further sends the data corresponding to the traffic rule violation information to a traffic regulatory database, where subsequent processing of data is performed to issue ticket to an owner ofthe vehicle associated with the violation.