Configurable traffic zone control system

Abstract

A configurable traffic zone control system ( 14 ) includes transmitter structure ( 16 ) associated with a traffic zone ( 10 ). The transmitter structure includes a transmitter ( 18 ) for transmitting a wireless signal ( 20 ) indicative of a speed requirement of the traffic zone. Receiver structure ( 24 ) is provided in a vehicle ( 26 ) for receiving the wireless signal such that based on the wireless signal, speed of the vehicle is automatically controlled to be at or below the speed requirement while the vehicle is in the traffic zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a vehicle in a particular traffic zone, the method comprising:
 providing transmitter structure associated with the traffic zone, the transmitter structure including a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a speed requirement of the traffic zone,   receiving the wireless signal at the vehicle, and   based on the wireless signal, automatically controlling a speed of the vehicle to be at or below the speed requirement while the vehicle is in the traffic zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the traffic zone includes a speed limit sign, the transmitter structure being provided near the speed limit sign. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is transmitted via cellular communication. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 controlling a cellular device while in the traffic zone based on receiving the wireless signal.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cellular device is controlled to place an active call on hold while the vehicle is in the traffic zone. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cellular device is further controlled to send a notification message to the other party indicating that the call is on hold. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cellular device is a telematics system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter structure is configurable to set the required speed based on time of day and/or calendar days. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step or receiving includes providing receiver structure in the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a telematics system including a global positioning system (GPS), the method further comprising:
 determining a position of the vehicle via the GPS, and   if the position of the vehicle is in the traffic zone, receiving the wireless signal.   
     
     
         11 . A configurable traffic zone control system comprising:
 transmitter structure associated with the traffic zone, the transmitter structure including a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a speed requirement of the traffic zone, and   receiver structure in a vehicle for receiving the wireless signal such that based on the wireless signal, speed of the vehicle is automatically controlled to be at or below the speed requirement while the vehicle is in the traffic zone.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the receiver structure communicates with a cruise control unit, an engine control unit, and a brake control unit of the vehicle for automatically controlling the speed of the vehicle while in the traffic zone. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the traffic zone includes a speed limit sign, the transmitter structure being provided near the speed limit sign. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is constructed and arranged to transmit the wireless signal via cellular communication. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a telematics system in the vehicle capable of placing and receiving cellular calls, the telematics system being constructed and arranged, based on the wireless signal, to pace a cellular call on hold while the vehicle is in the traffic zone. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the telematics system is constructed and arranged to send a notification message to the other party indicating that the cellular call is on hold. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the telematics system includes the receiver structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the telematics system includes a global positioning system (GPS) constructed and arranged to determine if the vehicle is in the traffic zone. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter structure includes a processor for selectively setting the speed requirement based on time of day or calendar days.