Traffic enforcement system with time tracking and integrated video capture

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for a traffic enforcement system. A certification period can be stored and displayed and the device deactivated upon expiration thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A traffic enforcement system device comprising:
 a detection module that determines one or more of a distance to a moving target vehicle, the speed of the moving target vehicle, and target data for the 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.   
     
     
         2 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein an expiration date of said certification is stored in said memory. 
     
     
         3 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 2 , wherein an indication is displayed on said display device after said expiration date is reached. 
     
     
         5 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 2 , wherein said traffic enforcement system is disabled after said expiration date is reached. 
     
     
         6 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 2  wherein said detection module periodically redetermines one or more of said distance to a moving target vehicle, the speed of the moving target vehicle, and target data for the moving target vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said detection module transmits an electromagnetic signal at the target vehicle and receives a return electromagnetic signal therefrom. 
     
     
         8 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 7 , wherein said electromagnetic signal is a laser signal. 
     
     
         9 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 7 , wherein said electromagnetic signal is a microwave signal. 
     
     
         10 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more of said distance to the moving target vehicle and said target data is redetermined continuously. 
     
     
         11 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said target data includes the speed of the target vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said target data includes a compass heading of the target vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The traffic enforcement system device of  claim 1 , wherein said target data includes a geographic position of the target vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a traffic enforcement system device, the method comprising:
 determining the current date;   reading a stored certification date from a memory corresponding to a certification of said traffic enforcement system;   determining a certification expiration date of said traffic enforcement system based on said certification date;   comparing said certification expiration date to said current date; and   determining a period between said certification expiration date and said current date.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein if said period before said certification expiration date is less than a predetermined time period, displaying an indication on a camera display of said traffic enforcement system during said time period. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein if said period before said certification expiration date is less than a predetermined time period, outputting an audio indication from said traffic enforcement system during said time period. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein an indication is displayed on a camera display of said traffic enforcement system after said certification expiration date is reached. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said traffic enforcement system is disabled after said certification expiration date is reached. 
     
     
         19 . A method for operating a traffic enforcement system device, the method comprising:
 reading a recertification date from a memory based on a certification of said traffic enforcement system device,   comparing said recertification date to the current date; and   determining a number of days remaining until said certification of said traffic enforcement system device expires.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising storing a time period before said recertification date, wherein an indication is displayed on a camera display during said time period. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising storing a time period before said recertification date, wherein an audio indication is output from said traffic enforcement system during said time period. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein an indication is displayed on a camera display of said traffic enforcement system after said recertification date is reached. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said traffic enforcement system is disabled after said recertification date is reached.