Traffic enforcement system with time tracking and integrated video capture

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for capturing a video image and speed of a target vehicle. A ranging device detects a distance to a target vehicle. The focal distance or zoom of a video camera is set and adjusted based on the distance. The speed of travel of the vehicle is detected, displayed, and/or stored in association with a video image captured of the vehicle by the video camera. A range of distances within which to capture the video image and speed of the vehicle may be set by detecting distances between a pair of landmarks or using GPS and compass heading data. An inclinometer is provided to aid initiation of a power-conservation mode. A target tracking time may be determined and compared to a minimum tracking time period. A device certification period can be stored and displayed and the device deactivated upon expiration thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A traffic enforcement system device comprising:
 a detection module that determines one or more of a distance to a moving target vehicle, a speed of said moving target vehicle, and target data for said moving target vehicle, said detection module determining said one or more of said distance and target data for said moving target vehicle for a period of time and measuring a duration of the period of time;   a display device;   a control module that displays said target data on said display.   
     
     
         2 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said duration of said period of time is greater than a predetermined minimum period of time, and wherein said control module displays an indicia on said display. 
     
     
         3 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said duration of said period of time is greater than a predetermined minimum period of time, and wherein an audible tone is emitted by the traffic enforcement system. 
     
     
         4 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera configured to capture one or more images of said target vehicle,   wherein said duration of said period of time is greater than a predetermined minimum period of time, and said control module stores said one or more images and corresponding target data of said target vehicle in a memory, or   wherein said duration of said period of time is less than said predetermined minimum period of time and said control module does not store said one or more images and corresponding target data for said target vehicle in said memory.   
     
     
         5 . A traffic enforcement system device comprising:
 a detection module that determines one or more of a distance to a moving target vehicle, a speed of said moving target vehicle, and target data for said moving target vehicle;   a display device;   a control module that displays said target data on said display and stores a certification date corresponding to a certification of said traffic enforcement system device in a memory.   
     
     
         6 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 5 , wherein an expiration date of said certification is stored in said memory. 
     
     
         7 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 6 , wherein a time period before said expiration date is stored in said memory, and wherein an indicia is displayed on said display device during said time period. 
     
     
         8 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 6 , wherein an indication is displayed on said display device after said expiration date is reached. 
     
     
         9 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 6 , wherein said traffic enforcement system is disabled after said expiration date is reached.