(12) United States Patent
`US 6,778,074 B1
`Cuozzo
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 17, 2004
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`U5006778074B1
`
`(54) SPEED LIMIT INDICATOR AND METHOD
`FOR DISPLAYING SPEED AND THE
`RELEVANT SPEED LIMIT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Giuseppe A. Cuozzo, 17 Maple St.,
`Bloomfield, NJ (US) 07003
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 114 days.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/100,378
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 18, 2002
`
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................. B60Q 1/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................ 340/441; 340/905; 340/988
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 340/441, 905,
`340/438, 901, 988; 701/117, 119, 202
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,315,295 A *
`D270,339 S
`*
`4,935,850 A *
`
`....................... 361/96
`2/1982 Zocholl
`
`8/1983 Boleis .........
`D10/125
`.................... 362/27
`6/1990 Smith, Jr.
`
`1/1996 Vaughn ................. 342/357.13
`5,485,161 A *
`........ 180/167
`5,680,306 A * 10/1997 Shin et al.
`
`5,819,198 A * 10/1998 Peretz .............. 701/117
`
`...... D10/98
`D411,122 S
`*
`6/1999 Velazquez
`
`.......
`5,995,895 A * 11/1999 Watt et al.
`701/50
`
`6,134,499 A * 10/2000 Goode et al.
`701/93
`
`6,161,072 A * 12/2000 Clapper ............. 701/93
`
`7/2001 Taylor .......... 340/901
`6,265,989 B1 *
`2/2003 Awada ....................... 340/905
`6,515,596 B2 *
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Nina Tong
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Speed limit indicators and methods for determining speed,
`the relevant speed limit, and displaying same make it easy
`for the driver of a vehicle to compare his current speed With
`the legal limit for the location in Which he is traveling. This
`eliminates the need for the driver to take his eyes off the road
`to look for speed limit signs, thereby reducing the chance of
`an accident, and resolves any confusion that might exist as
`to What the current legal limit is. An audible warning of
`excessive speed reduces the amount of time the driver needs
`to spend examining the speedometer.
`
`20 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`24
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` 10/3/2013, EAST Version: 3.0.1.1
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` EAST Version:
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`3.0.1.1
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`10/3/2013,
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 17, 2004
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`Sheet 1 0f 3
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`FAST Version:
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 17, 2004
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`Sheet 2 0f3
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`UPLOADING
`UNIT
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`38
`
`FLOW CHART
`
`42
`
`G.P.S. TRACKS VEHICLE LOCATION
`
`40
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`44
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`46
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`REGIONAL
`SPEED LIMIT
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`CORRELATES VEHICLE LOCATION
`To CURRENT SPEED LIMIT IN
`WHICH VEHICLE IS TRAVELING
`
`TONE
`GENERATOR
`
`SPEED LIMIT INFORMATION IS
`
`SENT TO SPEEDOMETER'S
`FILTER CONTROL UNIT
`
`48
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`50
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`52
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`VEHICLE SPEED UP TO SPEED
`
`VEHICLE SPEED ABOVE POSTED
`
`LIMIT IS DISPLAYED ON WHITE
`
`SPEED LIMIT IS DISPLAYED
`
`SPEEDOMETER REGION
`
`ON RED SPEEDOMETER REGION
`
`54
`
`FILTER CONTROL UNIT
`
`ROTATES RED DISC TO CURRENT SPEED LIMIT
`
`FIG. 2
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 17, 2004
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`Sheet 3 0f3
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`FIG.4
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`FIG.5
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`US 6,778,074 B1
`
`1
`SPEED LIMIT INDICATOR AND METHOD
`FOR DISPLAYING SPEED AND THE
`RELEVANT SPEED LIMIT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a speed limit indicator
`and method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit
`for use in connection with vehicles. The speed limit indica-
`tor and method for displaying speed and the relevant speed
`limit has particular utility in connection with displaying the
`current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Speed limit
`indicators and methods for determining
`speed,
`the relevant speed limit, and displaying same are
`desirable for making it easy for the driver of a vehicle to
`compare his current speed with the legal
`limit for the
`location in which he is traveling. This eliminates the need for
`the driver to take his eyes off the road to look for speed limit
`signs, and resolves any confusion that might exist as to what
`the current
`legal speed limit
`is. An audible warning of
`excessive speed reduces the amount of time the driver needs
`to spend examining the speedometer. By allowing the driver
`to keep his eyes on the road more of the time, the speed limit
`indicator reduces the chance of an accident.
`
`The use of speed regulators is known in the prior art. For
`example, US. Pat. No. 5,485,161 to Vaughn discloses a
`vehicle speed control based on GPS/MAP matching of
`posted speeds. However, the Vaughn ’161 patent does not
`display the current speed limit, and has further drawbacks of
`not allowing the driver
`to speed in the event of an
`emergency, potentially creating a more dangerous situation.
`US. Pat. No. 5,315,295 to Fujii discloses a vehicle speed
`control system that decelerates a vehicle during a turn.
`However, the Fujii ’295 patent does not display the current
`speed limit, and additionally does not provide an audible
`notification to the driver when the speed limit is being
`exceeded under all situations.
`
`Similarly, US. Pat. No. 6,134,499 to Goode et al. dis-
`closes a road speed control system for a vehicle driven by an
`internal combustion engine that controls engine speed with
`transmission gear speed. However, the Goode et al. ’499
`patent does not display the current speed limit, and cannot
`audibly notify the driver when the speed limit is being
`exceeded.
`
`Additionally, US. Pat. No. 5,680,306 to Shin et al.
`discloses a system, and method for enabling a vehicle to
`track a path that positions and navigates an autonomous
`vehicle. However,
`the Shin et al.
`’306 patent does not
`display the current speed limit, and has the additional
`deficiency of not audibly notifying the driver when the speed
`limit is being exceeded.
`Furthermore, US. Pat. No. 5,995,895 to Watt et al.
`discloses a control of vehicular systems in response to
`anticipated conditions predicted using predetermined geo-
`referenced maps. However, the Watt et al. ’895 patent does
`not display the current speed limit, and has the additional
`deficiency of not audibly notifying the driver when the speed
`limit is being exceeded.
`In addition, US. Pat. No. Des. 270,339 to Boleis discloses
`a display plate for an electronic navigation aid. However, the
`Boleis ’339 patent does not display the current speed limit,
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`and does not audibly notify the driver when the speed limit
`is being exceeded. Lastly, US. Pat. No. Des. 411,122 to
`Velazquez discloses a vehicle speed limiting controller.
`However, the Velazquez ’122 patent does not display the
`current speed limit, and has the additional deficiency of not
`audibly notifying the driver when the speed limit is being
`exceeded.
`
`While the above-described devices fulfill their respective,
`particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned
`patents do not describe a speed limit indicator and method
`for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit that allows
`displaying the current speed of a vehicle and how it relates
`to the legal speed limit for the current location in which the
`vehicle is traveling. The above patents make no provision
`for displaying the current speed limit to the driver. They also
`do not audibly notify the driver when the speed limit is being
`exceeded.
`
`Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved speed
`limit indicator and method for displaying speed and the
`relevant speed limit that can be used for displaying the
`current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling. In this regard, the present invention substantially
`fulfills this need. In this respect, the speed limit indicator and
`method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit
`according to the present invention substantially departs from
`the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and
`in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for
`the purpose of displaying the current speed of a vehicle and
`how it relates to the legal speed limit for the current location
`in which the vehicle is traveling.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the
`known types of speed regulators now present in the prior art,
`the present
`invention provides an improved speed limit
`indicator and method for displaying speed and the relevant
`speed limit, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvan-
`tages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general
`purpose of the present invention, which will be described
`subsequently in greater detail,
`is to provide a new and
`improved speed limit indicator and method for displaying
`speed and the relevant speed limit for displaying the current
`speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit
`for the current location in which the vehicle is traveling
`which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned
`heretofore and many novel features that result in a speed
`limit indicator and method for displaying speed and the
`relevant speed limit which is not anticipated, rendered
`obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either
`alone or in any combination thereof.
`To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises
`a speed limit indicator comprising a speed limit display and
`an attached speedometer.
`Also, the invention comprises a method of determining
`speed, the relevant speed limit, and displaying same, which
`comprises the steps of: upload current
`information to
`regional speed limit database, determine the vehicle’s loca-
`tion and speed using a global positioning system receiver,
`obtain the speed limit for the vehicle’s current location from
`the database, compare the vehicle’s speed to the speed limit,
`generate a tone if the vehicle is speeding, send the speed
`limit to the display control unit, and modify the speed limit
`display to reflect which speeds are below the speed limit and
`which speeds exceed the speed limit.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in order that the detailed
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`3
`description thereof that follows may be better understood
`and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
`better appreciated.
`The invention may also include a color display compris-
`ing the speed limit indicator which may take the form of a
`colored filter or a liquid crystal display. The speedometer
`may have a needle and speed denoting markings. There are,
`of course, additional features of the invention that will be
`described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter
`of the claims attached.
`
`Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
`invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
`in the art upon a reading of the following detailed descrip-
`tion of prcscntly current, but nonetheless illustrativc,
`embodiments of the present invention when taken in con-
`junction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect,
`before explaining the current embodiment of the invention
`in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not
`limited in its application to the details of construction and to
`the arrangements of the components set forth in the follow-
`ing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention
`is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and
`carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
`the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for
`the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as
`limiting.
`As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
`be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
`of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc-
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a new and improved speed limit indicator and method for
`displaying speed and the relevant speed limit that has all of
`the advantages of the prior art speed regulators and none of
`the disadvantages.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved speed limit indicator and method for
`displaying speed and the relevant speed limit that may be
`easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
`An even further object of the present invention is to
`provide a new and improved speed limit
`indicator and
`method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit that
`has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials
`and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low
`prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such
`speed limit indicator and method for displaying speed and
`the relevant speed limit economically available to the buying
`public.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a new speed limit indicator and method for displaying speed
`and the relevant speed limit that provides in the apparatuses
`and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof,
`while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvan-
`tages normally associated therewith.
`Even still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a speed limit indicator and method for displaying
`speed and the relevant speed limit for displaying the current
`speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit
`for the current location in which the vehicle is traveling. This
`allows the driver to always be aware of the current legal
`speed limit.
`Still yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a speed limit indicator and method for displaying
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`speed and the relevant speed limit for displaying the current
`speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit
`for the current location in which the vehicle is traveling. This
`makes it possible to automatically notify the driver if he is
`speeding without requiring him to remove his eyes from the
`road.
`
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`speed limit indicator and method for displaying speed and
`the relevant speed limit for displaying the current speed of
`a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit for the
`current
`location in which the vehicle is traveling. This
`permits the driver to keep his eyes on the road instead of
`looking for speed limit signs and checking his speed on the
`speedometer, thereby reducing the chance of an accident.
`An additional object of the present invention is to provide
`a speed limit indicator and method for displaying speed and
`the relevant speed limit for displaying the current speed of
`a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit for the
`current location in which the vehicle is traveling. This makes
`it possible to maintain a current database of locations and
`their speed limits.
`Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
`a new and improved speed limit indicator and method for
`displaying speed and the relevant speed limit for displaying
`the current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling.
`These together with other objects of the invention, along
`with the various features of novelty that characterize the
`invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
`understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
`the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
`had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in
`which there is illustrated current embodiments of the inven-
`tion.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood and objects other
`than those set forth above will become apparent when
`consideration is given to the following detailed description
`thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed
`drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a top view of the current embodiment of the
`speed limit indicator and method for displaying speed and
`the relevant speed limit constructed in accordance with the
`principles of ID the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the speed limit indicator and
`method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the speed limit indicator
`and method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the speed limit indicator
`and method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit
`of the present invention.
`The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
`throughout the various figures.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS.
`1—4, a current embodiment of the speed limit indicator and
`method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit of
`the present invention is shown and generally designated by
`the reference numeral 10.
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`5
`In FIG. 1, a new and improved speed limit indicator and
`method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit 10
`of the present invention for displaying the current speed of
`a vehicle and how it relates to the legal speed limit for the
`current location in which the vehicle is traveling is illus-
`trated and will be described. More particularly, the speed
`limit indicator and method for displaying speed and the
`relevant speed limit 10 has a speedometer 12 mounted on a
`dashboard 26. Speedometer 12 has a backplate 14 made of
`plastic, speed denoting markings 16 painted on backplate 14,
`a colored display 18 made of a red plastic filter, and a plastic
`needle 20 rotatably mounted in the center of backplate 14.
`A global positioning receiver 22 is positioned adjacent to
`speedometer 12. Other gauges 24 typically present on a
`dashboard 26 are shown. Note that the broken lines illus-
`
`trating gauges 24 and dashboard 26 are for illustrative
`purposes only and are not part of the current invention.
`Moving on to FIG. 2, a new and improved speed limit
`indicator and method for displaying speed and the relevant
`speed limit 10 of the present invention for displaying the
`current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling is illustrated and will be described. More
`particularly, the method for displaying speed and the rel-
`evant speed limit has the following steps. Uploading unit 38
`uploads current data to a regional speed limit database 40.
`The global positioning system receiver 42 tracks the vehi-
`cle’s location and speed, and identifies the relevant speed
`limit from the database for that location. The global posi-
`tioning system receiver compares the vehicle’s speed and
`the relevant speed limit 44, and uses a tone generator 46 to
`generate a tone in the event that the vehicle’s speed exceeds
`the relevant speed limit. The speed limit information is sent
`from the global positioning system receiver to a filter control
`unit 48. The control unit adjusts the colored filter so that the
`speeds above the legal speed limit are displayed in red 50
`while the legal speeds are displayed in white 52. This is
`accomplished by the control unit rotating the red filtcr disc
`54 to the appropriate degree.
`Continuing with FIG. 3, a new and improved speed limit
`indicator and method for displaying speed and the relevant
`speed limit 10 of the present invention for displaying the
`current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling is illustrated and will be described. More
`particularly, the speed limit indicator and method for dis-
`playing speed and the relevant speed limit 10 has a housing
`28 containing backplate 14, colored display 18, axle 30,
`needle 20, and display controller 36. The housing 28 is
`contained within dashboard 26. Wire 34 connects to display
`controller 36, and speedometer cable 32 connects to axle 30.
`Lastly,
`in FIG. 4, a new and improved speed limit
`indicator and method for displaying speed and the relevant
`speed limit 10 of the present invention for displaying the
`current speed of a vehicle and how it relates to the legal
`speed limit for the current location in which the vehicle is
`traveling is illustrated and will be described. More
`particularly, the speed limit indicator and method for dis-
`playing speed and the relevant speed limit 10 has a backplate
`14, colored display 18, housing 28, and axle 30.
`While a current embodiment of the speed limit indicator
`and method for displaying speed and the relevant speed limit
`has been described in detail,
`it should be apparent that
`modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of
`which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
`With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
`that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of
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`the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
`form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use,
`are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in
`the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in
`the drawings and described in the specification are intended
`to be encompassed by the present invention. For example,
`any location determining device such as an inertial naviga-
`tion system may be used instead of the global positioning
`system receiver described. Also, the plastic components of
`the speedometer could be made from any suitable material
`such as metal. And although a red filter disc has been
`described, it should be appreciated that the colored display
`herein described could also take the form of a liquid crystal
`display.
`Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
`of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
`in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
`construction and operation shown and described, and
`accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
`be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
`I claim:
`
`1. A speed limit indicator comprising:
`a colored display to delineate which speed readings are in
`violation of the speed limit at a vehicle’s current
`location;
`a speedometer integrally attached to said colored display;
`and
`
`a display controller connected to said colored display,
`wherein said display controller adjusts said colored
`display independently of said speedometer to continu-
`ously update the delineation of which speed readings
`are in Violation of the speed limit at a vehicle’s present
`location.
`
`2. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein
`said colored display is a liquid crystal display.
`3. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein
`said colored display is a colored filter.
`4. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein
`said speedometer comprises:
`a needle;
`an axle having opposing ends with one end attached to
`said needle; and
`a speedometer cable having opposing ends with one end
`attached to said axle.
`
`5. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 4, wherein
`said speedometer further comprises:
`a backplate;
`plurality of speed denoting markings affixed to said
`backplate; and
`a housing enclosing said backplate.
`6. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein
`said speedometer comprises a liquid crystal display.
`7. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, further
`comprising:
`an electrically conductive wire having opposing ends with
`one end connected to said display controller; and
`a speed limit locating device connected to said opposing
`end of said wire.
`
`8. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 7, wherein
`said speed limit locating device comprises:
`a global positioning receiver; and
`a database of locations and their corresponding speed
`limits which is accessible by said display controller.
`9. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein
`said display controller further comprises a tone generator.
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`US 6,778,074 B1
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`7
`10. A speed limit indicator comprising:
`a global positioning system receiver;
`a display controller connected to said global positioning
`system receiver, wherein said display controller adjusts
`a colored display in response to signals from said
`global positioning system receiver to continuously
`update the delineation of which speed readings are in
`violation of the speed limit at a vehicle’s present
`location; and
`a speedometer integrally attached to said colored display.
`11. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 10,
`wherein said global positioning system receiver further
`comprises a database of locations and their corresponding
`speed limits.
`12. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 10,
`wherein said colored display is a liquid crystal display.
`13. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 12,
`wherein said display controller adjusts said liquid crystal
`display independently of said speedometer to continuously
`update the delineation of which speed readings are in
`violation of the speed limit at a vehicle’s present location.
`14. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 10,
`wherein said colored display is a colored filter.
`15. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 14,
`wherein said speedometer comprises:
`a needle;
`an aXle having opposing ends with one end attached to
`said needle; and
`a speedometer cable having opposing ends with one end
`attached to said aXle.
`16. The seed limit
`indicator as defined in claim 15,
`wherein said speedometer further comprises:
`
`8
`
`a backplate;
`a plurality of speed denoting markings affixed to said
`backplate; and
`a housing enclosing said backplate.
`17. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 14,
`wherein said display controller rotates said colored filter
`independently of said speedometer to continuously update
`the delineation of which speed readings are in Violation of
`the speed limit at a vehicle’s present location.
`18. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 10,
`wherein said speedometer comprises a liquid crystal display.
`19. The speed limit indicator as defined in claim 10,
`wherein said display controller further comprises a tone
`generator.
`20. A method of determining speed, the relevant speed
`limit, and displaying same, which comprises the steps of:
`uploading current
`information to regional speed limit
`database;
`determining vehicle location and speed;
`obtaining speed limit for said vehicle location from said
`database;
`comparing vehicle speed to said speed limit;
`generating tone if said vehicle speed exceeds said speed
`limit;
`
`sending speed limit to display control unit; and
`modifying the limit indicator as defined in claim 1 to
`reflect which speeds are below said speed limit and
`which speeds exceed said speed limit.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
` 10/3/2013, EAST Version: 3.0.1.1
`
`10/3/2013,
`
`
`EAST Version:
`
`3.0.1.1
`
`