WO2014141017A1

WO2014141017A1 - A method and system for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation

Info

Publication number: WO2014141017A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/059523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel MOKUTU
Original assignee: Mokutu Emmanuel
Priority date: 2013-03-14
Filing date: 2014-03-07
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: ZA201401054B

Abstract

This invention relates to a method 100 and system 10 for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation. The system 10 includes a law enforcement device 12 having a camera 14 which is operable to capture still or video footage of an infringing vehicle committing a law violation and a communication module 16 which is operable to communicate with a remote control station 18. The system 10 further includes a CPU 22, a database 24 and an electronic fine generator 23 which is operable automatically to generate and send an electronic fine using the information received from the law enforcement device 12 and extracted from the database 24. The method 100 includes detecting a traffic law violation, obtaining vehicle information, automatically querying the database in order to locate contact details of the recipient associated with the infringing vehicle; and automatically generating and sending an electronic fine to the recipient.

Description

A method and system for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and system for automatically detecting and reporting traffic law violations.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Infringement notices of traffic law violations are generally forwarded to a registered owner of a vehicle which was allegedly involved in a traffic law violation, by post. In many instances, the notices only reach the addressee months after the commission of the infringement and in some instances even after a due date for payment of the fine has past. It is an object of this invention to provide a method and system which at least alleviate this drawback.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation, the method including:

detecting a traffic law violation using at least one law enforcement device which is configured remotely to monitor road users in order to detect traffic law violations;

obtaining vehicle information, using the law enforcement device, about an infringing vehicle committing the traffic law violation and the circumstances surrounding the violation; automatically querying, using a computing device and the vehicle information, a database in order to obtain contact details of at least one recipient associated with the infringing vehicle; and

automatically generating and sending, using an electronic communication device, an electronic communication which contains particulars pertaining to the traffic law violation, directly to an electronic address/number of the recipient associated with the infringing vehicle, the communication serving to notify the recipient of the traffic law violation and, if applicable, of a fine associated therewith.

The method may include, prior to detecting a traffic law violation, registering a vehicle to be monitored with a regulatory authority. Each registered vehicle may therefore be issued a unique identification device, such as a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), each of which carries a unique identifier associated with that particular vehicle.

The step of detecting a traffic law violation may include taking a picture or video image of the infringing vehicle, using the law enforcement device. The step of obtaining information about an infringing vehicle may include performing image processing on the picture or video in order to extract a vehicle registration or licence number of the infringing vehicle from the picture or video. The image processing may include conventional optical character recognition and the specifics are not germane to this invention.

Alternatively, or in addition, the step of obtaining information about an infringing vehicle may include scanning an RFID tag mounted to the vehicle in order to extract a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag and the vehicle. Instead of making use of image processing software to extract the vehicle registration number and thereby to identify a registered owner of the vehicle, the RFID scanner may be operable to read the RFID tag mounted to a vehicle and to identify the registered owner, including obtaining a mobile phone number of the owner, based on the unique identifier of the RFID tag. Accordingly, the registered owner's personal contact details may be linked to the RFID tag mounted to their vehicle. The owner's personal details may include at least one mobile phone number and/or an e-mail address. The personal contact details of one or more others persons may also be associated with the RFID tag.

The recipient may be a natural person or a juristic person. The recipient may be the registered owner of the vehicle or one or more other persons designated by the registered owner of the vehicle.

The method may further include forwarding the electronic communication in respect of the traffic law violation to at least one law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency may be a local, provincial or national law enforcement agency. The method may further include forwarding the electronic communication to an insurer or tracking company or other party who is interested in the behavioural patterns of a driver or vehicle owner. The electronic communication may be in the form of an SMS, MMS, instant message or e-mail message. The electronic communication may include a photograph and/or video of the infringing vehicle as evidence of the commission of the traffic law violation. The method may include, upon receipt of the electronic communication by the recipient, facilitating payment of the fine through the use of an electronic communication device linked to a communication network by providing the recipient with the option of paying the fine, or at least by providing the recipient with details (e.g. bank details) for paying the fine.

The method may also include sending a reminder to pay an outstanding fine to the recipient by way of an electronic message sent to the electronic communication device of the recipient. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation, the system including:

at least one law enforcement device which is configured remotely to monitor road users in order to detect traffic law violations, the law enforcement device including: sensing means which is operable to sense when a traffic law violation occurs and to obtain information about an infringing vehicle committing the violation and the nature of the violation; and

a communication module whereby information identifying the infringing vehicle and information regarding the nature of the infringement are communicated to a remote control station; and a control station which includes:

a communication arrangement which is operable to communicate with the communication module of the law enforcement device to receive the information identifying the infringing vehicle from the law enforcement device; a computing device which is configured to link the information identifying the infringing vehicle, received from the law enforcement device, with a recipient; and

an electronic fine generating means which is configured automatically to generate an electronic fine in the form of an electronic communication addressed to the recipient, wherein the communication arrangement is operable automatically to send the electronic fine to an electronic address/number of the recipient in order to notify the recipient that a traffic law violation has been committed.

The electronic fine may be in the form of a mere notification of a traffic law violation or it may be in the form of a substantiated electronic document which serves to replace a paper-based fine. The system may be configured instantaneously to forward the electronic communication to the recipient.

The sensing means may be in the form of a conventional camera which is operable to record footage in the form of a still image or video footage of an infringing vehicle.

The law enforcement device may include a triggering mechanism which triggers the camera when a traffic law violation is committed. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensing means may be in the form of an RFID scanner which is operable to read a unique identifier associated with an RFID tag carried by a registered vehicle. The system may be operable to record traffic law violations committed by a driver of a vehicle in order to identify repeat offenders and implement suitable sanctions.

The system may be operable to implement a de-merit system for registered vehicle owners. In this particular configuration, the remote control station may form part of a law enforcement agency.

The electronic communication device may be a computer with network capabilities or wireless communication devices such as mobile telephones or tablets etcetera.

In an alternative embodiment of the system, the law enforcement device may include a computing device which permits the law enforcement device to operate as a standalone unit negating the need for a remote control station. To this end, the computing device may be operable automatically to generate electronic fines based on information obtained by the sensing means.

The computing device of the control station may be operable to query a database for contact details of a registered vehicle owner by using the information about the infringing vehicle obtained by the law enforcement device. The database may include contact details of a registered vehicle owner in respect of each vehicle registered on the database. The contact details of one or more other persons associated with a particular vehicle may also be entered on the database.

The invention extends to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when implemented by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a system in accordance with the invention, for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation in near real-time. The system 10 includes a law enforcement device 12, which in this example embodiment is in the form of a roadside, law enforcement camera. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the example embodiment expounded upon below and can include any form of law enforcement device.

The law enforcement device 12 comprises a sensing means in the form of a digital camera 14 which is operable to capture still or video footage of an infringing vehicle committing a traffic law violation, such as exceeding an allowable speed limit. To this end, the camera 14 may include a trigger mechanism which is operable to trigger the camera when a traffic law violation is committed. Although this has not been illustrated in the drawings, the law enforcement device 12 may include an RFID scanner which is operable to read a unique identifier of an RFID tag mounted to an infringing vehicle in order to identify the vehicle owner or responsible person. The law enforcement device further includes a communication module 16 which is operable to communicate with a remote control station.

To this end, the system 10 further includes a remote control station, indicated by numeral 18, which includes a communication arrangement 20 which is operable to communicate with the communication module 16 of the law enforcement device 1 2. The system 10 further includes a computing device in the form of a central processing unit (CPU) 22, a database 24 upon which details of registered vehicles and details of registered owners of the respective vehicles are stored, and an electronic fine generator 23 which is operable automatically to generate an electronic fine or electronic infringement notice using the information received from the law enforcement device 12 and extracted from the database 24. The communication arrangement 20 is operable automatically to send the electronic fine to an electronic address/number of the registered owner of the infringing vehicle and to any other person designated by the registered owner to receive such infringement notices. The idea is to notify the registered owner immediately or in near real-time once a traffic violation has been committed. The infringement notice may be in the form of an electronic mail including a photograph or video clip of the alleged infringement or traffic law violation. Alternatively, the infringement notice may be in the form of a text message, such as a SMS or MMS, sent to the mobile phone 25 of the designated recipient. The communication arrangement 20 is operable immediately or instantaneously to send the electronic fine to the registered owner. Furthermore, notice of the traffic law violation may also be sent, immediately, to a third party 27 such as a vehicle tracking company and/or insurer with whom the infringing party has a contractual agreement. The rationale is that if repeated traffic law violations are brought to the attention of the insurer, the insurance company may decide to increase their client's monthly premiums because a recalcitrant driver is more likely to be involved in an accident and hence lodge a claim with the insurance company. In order for the system 10 to be implemented successfully, the system 10 must have access to a database containing details of all nationally registered vehicles such as the database kept by the department of transport.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings in which reference numeral 1 00 generally indicates a method in accordance with the invention, of automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation instantaneously or in near real-time. The method 1 00 includes detecting, at block 102, a traffic law violation using at least one law enforcement device 12 which, for example includes a camera 14. Once the law enforcement device 12 has detected a traffic law violation it obtains, at block 104, information about the infringing vehicle and circumstances surrounding the infringement. For example, in a conventional application of a speed trap, the camera 14 will take a photograph of the infringing vehicle from which a vehicle registration number of the vehicle may be derived. Furthermore, the law enforcement device 12 also records the speed that the infringing vehicle was travelling at the time of the commission of the infringement. This information is included in the infringement notice.

In an alternative embodiment in which the law enforcement device 12 includes an RFID scanner and registered vehicles are equipped with RFID tags, the law enforcement device 12 is operable, upon detecting an infringement, to read a unique identifier of the infringing vehicle by scanning the vehicle's RFID tag. This unique identifier may be used to identify a registered owner of the vehicle. At this point the information obtained by the law enforcement device 12 is forwarded to the remote control station 18 via the communication module 1 6 of the law enforcement device 12. This information may be communicated wirelessly using well known wireless communication protocols.

Upon receipt of the information from the law enforcement device 12, the communication arrangement 20 forwards the information to the CPU 22 which uses, in the case of a photograph of the infringing vehicle being provided, image processing software in order to extract the vehicle registration number from the photograph. Once the registration number has been obtained, the CPU 22 queries, at block 106, the database 24 in order to locate contact details of at least one recipient associated with the infringing vehicle.

It is to be understood that the database 24 must have record of all legally registered vehicles and should include the contact details of the registered owner of each registered vehicle. The database 24 may be maintained by the national department of transport. In order to successfully implement the system 10, permission to obtain access to the database 24 would have to be obtained. Alternatively, the method 100 may include a registration step as an initial step in the process which requires each vehicle to be registered with the authority overseeing the system 10. In this way an independent database may be populated with registered road user's details.

The method 1 00 further includes automatically generating and forwarding, at block 1 08, using the fine generating means 23 and the communication module 20, an electronic infringement notice to the designated recipient associated with the infringing vehicle. The recipient may be the registered owner of the vehicle or any other person designated to receive infringement notices. The infringement notice may be in the form of an e-mail, SMS, MMS or other electronic communication which is sent directly to the electronic communication device 25 of the recipient. If the notice is sent by way of an SMS, it will include:

the registration number of the allegedly infringing vehicle;

the location at which the infringement took place;

the time and date of the infringement;

the nature of the infringement;

the cellular phone number of the registered owner or that of any other person designated to receive notifications; and

the amount of the fine or nature of the penalty associated with the infringement.

Finally, the infringement notice is forwarded, at block 1 10, to a third party 27 such as an insurer of the registered vehicle. The contact details of the insurer may also be stored on the database and obtained when the CPU 22 queries the database 24. The method 1 00 may further be elaborated upon to allow immediate payment or settlement, at block 1 12, of the fine using the electronic communication device 25 of the recipient of the infringement notice.

Furthermore, the system 10 and method 1 00 may be configured to forward reminders to pay outstanding fines to the registered owners or responsible people of vehicles that have been involved in one or more traffic law violations prior to expiry of the due dates for payment. These reminders may be by way of e-mail or SMS/MMS or by way of any other suitable electronic communication. In addition, a registered vehicle owner may receive a reminder in the form of an electronic communication on their personal communication device 25 regarding renewal of their vehicle licence registration including:

the registration number of the motor vehicle whose licence is due for renewal;

the due date for payment of the renewal fee;

the amount to be paid; the cellular number of the registered owner; and

the date from which penalties will be calculated if payment is not received in time. This communication may be sent by the communication arrangement 20.

The Inventor believes that the proposed system 10 and method 100 are advantageous because a registered vehicle owner is notified immediately or in near real-time when a traffic law violation has been committed by way of the electronic infringement notice. Furthermore, the owner has the option of paying the fine upon receipt thereof which eliminates the hassle of standing in queues in order to pay fines. This system 10 and method 1 00 will prevent unnecessary delays in the processing and enforcement of traffic law violations caused by a sluggish postal system and poor administration.

In addition, owing to the instantaneous nature of the reporting of the violation, the frustration caused by the delay associated with ordinary paper-based, posted infringement notices is avoided through the use of the system 10. Vehicles using fraudulent vehicle registration numbers may also be singled out using the proposed system 10. Furthermore, a record of traffic law violations can be kept in the event that a dispute arises between the state and the infringing party. The system 1 0 can also be used to keep track of traffic law violations committed by individuals. In other words, the system 10 will be able to keep track of repeat offenders and to implement the required sanctions such as, for example, a de-merit system. The system 10 and method 100 may be instead of, or in addition to, conventional paper-based fine/violation notifications.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method of automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation, the method including:

obtaining vehicle information, using the law enforcement device, about an infringing vehicle committing the traffic law violation and the circumstances surrounding the violation;

automatically querying, using a computing device and the vehicle information, a database in order to obtain contact details of at least one recipient associated with the infringing vehicle; and

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , which includes, prior to detecting a traffic law violation, registering a vehicle to be monitored with a regulatory authority.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of detecting a traffic law violation includes taking a picture or video image of the infringing vehicle, using the law enforcement device.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining information about an infringing vehicle includes performing image processing on the picture or video in order to extract a vehicle registration or licence number of the infringing vehicle from the picture or video.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of obtaining information about an infringing vehicle includes scanning an RFID tag mounted to the vehicle in order to extract a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag and the vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the recipient is a natural person or a juristic person.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, which includes forwarding the electronic communication in respect of the traffic law violation to at least one law enforcement agency.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, which includes forwarding the electronic communication to an insurer or tracking company or other party who is interested in the behavioural patterns of a driver or vehicle owner.

9. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic communication is in the form of an SMS, MMS, instant message or e-mail message.

10. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes, upon receipt of the electronic communication by the recipient, facilitating payment of the fine through the use of an electronic communication device linked to a communication network by providing the recipient with the option of paying the fine, or at least by providing the recipient with details for paying the fine.

1 1 . The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes sending a reminder to pay an outstanding fine to the recipient by way of an electronic message sent to the electronic communication device of the recipient.

12. A system for automatically detecting and reporting a traffic law violation, the system including:

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sensing means is in the form of a conventional camera which is operable to record footage in the form of a still image or video footage of an infringing vehicle.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the law enforcement device includes a triggering mechanism which triggers the camera when a traffic law violation is committed.

15. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sensing means is in the form of an RFID scanner which is operable to read a unique identifier associated with an RFID tag carried by a registered vehicle.

16. The system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 inclusive, which is operable to record traffic law violations committed by a driver of a vehicle in order to identify repeat offenders.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, which is operable to implement a de-merit system for registered vehicle owners.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when implemented by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 1 1 inclusive.