Escort PASSPORT SC55 - Manual (Page 11)

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Speed Cameras
How Speed Cameras Work
There are several types of fixed position
speed cameras used, including radar, laser,
induction loop and photo-based.
Radar and laser based cameras are
typically mounted near the road and
transmit a short range signal across the
lanes monitored. Since this signal is
transmitted across the road instead of
down the road like many handheld
systems, detecting them in time is critical.
Another technology used is an
inductive loop system. This type of system
utilizes wire buried just beneath the
surface of the road to trigger a computer
which calculates speed between the two
points.
Photo-based systems take two sets of
pictures of all passing vehicles between
two separate fixed locations. Both sets of
photographs are date and time stamped,
which enables the system to calculate
average speed between the two locations.
Fixed speed cameras can also be set
up to monitor one to four lanes of traffic in
the same direction. To achieve this, a
sensor is installed in each lane and a wide
angle camera lens is used to photograph
the vehicle which is speeding.
Red Light Cameras
How Red Light Cameras Work
Red-light cameras use three basic things:
1) a camera, 2) a way to trigger the camera,
and 3) a computer.
An intersection may have more than
one camera to monitor traffic from
multiple directions. The trigger is typically
a series of wires buried just beneath the
surface of the road. These wires are
separated by a pre-set distance in order to
create a magnetic field or induction loop.
Once a vehicle is in the intersection, the
loop or circuit becomes closed and alerts
the computer to take a picture.
In some states, tickets are issued to
the car’s owner, no matter who’s actually
driving. In this case, the red-light camera
only needs to photograph the vehicle’s
rear license plate. In other states, the
actual driver is responsible for paying the
ticket. In this case, the system needs a
second camera in front of the car, in order
to get a shot of the driver’s face.
GPS Updates
How GPS Works
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is
made up of twenty four orbiting satellites
and was developed by the U.S. military.
There are at least four satellites visible at
any given time every day.
A GPS receiver is designed to locate
and receive data from four of these
satellites. This data includes the distance
to your location from each of the satellites.
Once the distance from each satellite is
known, the receiver can calculate and
pinpoint your exact location.
Software Updates
PASSPORT’s Defender database is easily
updated using our exclusive software
tools found on our web site. Firmware, or
the operating software for the SC55, can
also be updated using these tools.
In order to have access to these
updates, you must register your PASSPORT
at www.EscortInc.com. Once registered,
you will receive email notifications that
updates are now available for your
database or firmware.
To update your PASSPORT SC55
database, which includes locations for
speed cameras, red light cameras and the
top speed traps in the U.S., please follow
these simple steps:
1 Connect a mini USB cable, (included)
to the PASSPORT SC55
2 Connect the USB cable to the PC
3 Log on to EscortInc.com/download
4 Follow the online instructions
(registration is required)
USB connection for updates