Vehicle monitoring & identification system

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring and traffic enforcement system in which a wireless communication device is associated with motor vehicles. The device will transmit vehicle identification data which is relayed to a database which maintains current information concerning insurance law compliance, motor vehicle registration and licensing compliance, traffic citations and other information If a violation or compliance failure is noted, this is transmitted to a law enforcement agency and a nearby law enforcement vehicle A law enforcement officer may be required to pursue the vehicle depending on the violation and traffic conditions The system uses GPS and GIs technology to provide law enforcement with a real time display which will not only show the vehicle being tracked but also a map of the area showing roads, traffic conditions and even the location of other law enforcement or emergency vehicles so that officials may make a safe and fast response to situations

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring vehicular traffic and obtaining information relative to vehicular travel comprising:
 (a) providing a communication device associated with selected vehicles for transmitting information including vehicle identification, current vehicle location, and current and average vehicle speeds, current time and vehicle travel routes;   (b) receiving said information at a processing location; and   (c) storing the information and analyzing the information to generate and correlate data on real time traffic conditions and traffic conditions over a selected period of time or a selected roadway.   
     
     
         2 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein said information concerning the location of the vehicle indicates whether the vehicle is parked and determines whether any parking violations have occurred. 
     
     
         3 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein the communication device is a wireless device. 
     
     
         4 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 3  wherein the wireless communication device utilizes technology selected from the group consisting of cellular, GPS, GIS, RFID or other wireless technology. 
     
     
         5 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein the current traffic condition for predetermined roadways are displayed on a monitor. 
     
     
         6 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein the data is made available to qualified subscribers. 
     
     
         7 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein the information is transmitted via an intermediate relay. 
     
     
         8 . The system for monitoring vehicular traffic of  claim 1  wherein the data is used for purposes of traffic planning. 
     
     
         9 . A system for monitoring vehicular traffic and obtaining information relative to vehicular traffic comprising:
 (a) providing a communication device associated with selected vehicles for transmitting information concerning the selected vehicle including identification of the vehicle and current vehicle location;   (b) providing a wireless communication receiving device to selected recipients;   (c) providing a processor having a database which maintains current vehicle records relating to vehicle ownership, vehicle violations and vehicle compliance with motor vehicle laws and regulations;   (d) receiving a communication from a selected vehicle at said processor and accessing said database to generate reported information regarding the selected vehicle; and   (e) providing said reported information to one or more selected recipients.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the receiving device displays a virtual map of a geographical area in which the selected vehicle is located. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the area shown on the virtual map may be controlled to increase or decrease the extent of the geographical area displayed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the reported information includes the identification of the vehicle owner, vehicle license number and any violations of record. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the vehicle is traveling and the route and speed of the vehicle's travel is displayed. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the vehicle is parked and located in a restricted parking area and the current time is noted and wherein a transmission from the selected vehicle is subsequently monitored to determine if a parking violation has occurred. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the reported information includes notification of a violation or noncompliance and wherein the communication prioritizes the reported information based on the nature of the violation or noncompliance. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the reported information further includes current traffic information in the area. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the reported information sent to eligible recipients includes a notification of a law violation or noncompliance and wherein the processing location determines whether a citation is to be issued. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the reported information is provided to subscribing or eligible recipients. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the eligible recipients are selected from the group consisting of law enforcement, motor vehicle agencies, governmental agencies, traffic safety and compliance agencies. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the receiving devices comprise an on-board computer in a vehicle.