US5164904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In-vehicle traffic congestion information system
Assignee: Farradyne Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1990-07-26
•
Granted: 1992-11-17
•
Expires: 2010-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The In-Vehicle Traffic Congestion Information System (ICI system) consists of a technique to provide real-time traffic congestion data to drivers of suitably equipped vehicles. The ICI system includes apparatus for gathering and formatting data at a central location, transmitting the data to vehicles, processing data in the vehicles and presenting it to the drivers. The ICI system design provides inputs for a wide range of data sources at a central location where, through a data fusion process, information from a range of sources may be accumulated and aggregated into a single congestion level data value for each section of road. In the vehicles, a range of options may be available for presenting relevant congestion data to the driver including text, voice and map displays.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy L. Sumner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:15
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G08G1/01; G08G1/0104; G08G1/096733; G08G1/09675; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096775; G08G1/096791
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
An in-vehicle traffic congestion information system comprising: central system for receiving raw traffic congestion data and transmitting at least one localized traffic congestion value, said central system comprising: congestion data input means for inputting raw traffic congestion data from at least one traffic congestion data source; central processing means, coupled to said congestion data input means, for receiving said raw traffic congestion data and converting said raw traffic congestion data into at least one localized traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway and assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one traffic congestion data source to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting a traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from said at least one traffic congestion data source determined to have a highest score to produce a selected traffic congested value for a predetermined section of roadway; and communication means, coupled to said central processing means, for transmitting said selected traffic congestion value, and a vehicle mounted system for receiving said selected traffic congestion value and outputting a user message, said vehicle mounted system comprising: receiver means for receiving said selected traffic congestion value, vehicle mounted processing means, coupled to said receiver means, for determining the location of the vehicle, determining if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle and converting said selected traffic congestion value into at least one user message if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting means, coupled to said vehicle mounted processor means, for reporting said at least one user message to a user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
An in-vehicle traffic congestion information system comprising: central system for receiving raw traffic congestion data and transmitting at least one localized traffic congestion value, said central system comprising: congestion data input means for inputting raw traffic congestion data from at least one traffic congestion data source; central processing means, coupled to said congestion data input means, for receiving said raw traffic congestion data and converting said raw traffic congestion data into at least one localized traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway and assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one traffic congestion data source to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting a traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from said at least one traffic congestion data source determined to have a highest score to produce a selected traffic congested value for a predetermined section of roadway; and communication means, coupled to said central processing means, for transmitting said selected traffic congestion value, and a vehicle mounted system for receiving said selected traffic congestion value and outputting a user message, said vehicle mounted system comprising: receiver means for receiving said selected traffic congestion value, vehicle mounted processing means, coupled to said receiver means, for determining the location of the vehicle, determining if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle and converting said selected traffic congestion value into at least one user message if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting means, coupled to said vehicle mounted processor means, for reporting said at least one user message to a user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said congestion data input means further comprises computer interface means for interfacing with and inputting data from a freeway traffic data system, an arterial and street traffic data system, or a navigational computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said congestion data input means further comprises operator input means for interfacing with and inputting data from a human operator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said processing means further comprises storage means for storing and retrieving historical traffic congestion data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said communications means comprises a radio network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said receiver means comprises a radio receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said reporting means comprises an audio messaging means for producing an audio user message.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 7 wherein said text display comprises a "head-up" type display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said reporting means comprises a text display for displaying user messages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The in-vehicle traffic congestion information system of claim 1 wherein said reporting means comprises a map display means for displaying said user message in graphic form superimposed over a highway map.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
A central system for receiving raw traffic congestion data and transmitting at least one localized traffic congestion message, said central system comprising: congestion data input means for inputting raw traffic congestion data from at least one traffic congestion data source, central processing means, coupled to said congestion data input means, for receiving said raw traffic congestion data and outputting at least one localized traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway and assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one traffic congestion data source to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting a traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from said at least one traffic congestion data source determined to have a highest score to produce a selected traffic congested value for a predetermined section of roadway, and communication means, coupled to said central processing means, for transmitting said selected traffic congestion value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
A central system for receiving raw traffic congestion data and transmitting at least one localized traffic congestion message, said central system comprising: congestion data input means for inputting raw traffic congestion data from at least one traffic congestion data source, central processing means, coupled to said congestion data input means, for receiving said raw traffic congestion data and outputting at least one localized traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway and assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one traffic congestion data source to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting a traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from said at least one traffic congestion data source determined to have a highest score to produce a selected traffic congested value for a predetermined section of roadway, and communication means, coupled to said central processing means, for transmitting said selected traffic congestion value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The central system of claim 11 wherein said congestion data input means further comprises computer interface means for interfacing with and inputting data from a freeway traffic data system, an arterial and street traffic data system, or a navigational computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The central system of claim 11 wherein said congestion data input means further comprises operator interface means for interfacing with and inputting data from a human operator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The central system of claim 11 wherein said central processing means further comprises storage means for storing and retrieving historical traffic congestion data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The central system of claim 11 wherein said communications means comprises a radio network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle mounted system for receiving a selected traffic congestion value and outputting a user message, said vehicle mounted system comprising: receiver means for receiving said selected traffic congestion value, vehicle mounted processing means, coupled to said receiver means, for determining the location of the vehicle, determining if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle and converting said selected traffic congestion value into at least one user message if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting means, coupled to said vehicle mounted processor means, for reporting said at least one user message to a user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle mounted system for receiving a selected traffic congestion value and outputting a user message, said vehicle mounted system comprising: receiver means for receiving said selected traffic congestion value, vehicle mounted processing means, coupled to said receiver means, for determining the location of the vehicle, determining if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle and converting said selected traffic congestion value into at least one user message if said selected traffic congestion value for said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting means, coupled to said vehicle mounted processor means, for reporting said at least one user message to a user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle mounted system of claim 16 wherein said receiver means comprises a radio receiver.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle mounted system of claim 16 wherein said reporting means comprises an audio messaging means for producing an audio user message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle mounted system of claim 16 wherein said reporting means comprises a text display for displaying user messages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle mounted system of claim 19 wherein said text display comprises a "head-up" type display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle mounted system of claim 16 wherein said reporting means comprises a map display means for displaying said user message in graphic form superimposed over a highway map.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of collecting, processing, transmitting and reporting traffic congestion data comprising the steps of: collecting raw traffic congestion data from at least one source of traffic congestion information, processing said raw traffic congestion data from at least one source of traffic congestion information to produce at least one traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway, assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one source of traffic congestion information to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting the traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from a source of traffic congestion information determined to have a highest score, determing whether said selected traffic congestion value for a particular section of roadway exceeds a predetermined threshold, formatting said traffic congestion value into at least one traffic congestion message for said particular section of roadway if said selected traffic congestion value for said particular section of roadway exceeds said predetermined threshold, transmitting said traffic congestion message, receiving said traffic congestion message in a vehicle, determining the location of the vehicle, forming at least one user message from at least one received localized traffic congestion message if said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting said user message to said user.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of collecting, processing, transmitting and reporting traffic congestion data comprising the steps of: collecting raw traffic congestion data from at least one source of traffic congestion information, processing said raw traffic congestion data from at least one source of traffic congestion information to produce at least one traffic congestion value indicative of a level of traffic congestion for a predetermined section of roadway, assigning a score indicative of the reliability of said at least one source of traffic congestion information to said at least one traffic congestion value, selecting the traffic congestion value for a predetermined section of roadway from a source of traffic congestion information determined to have a highest score, determing whether said selected traffic congestion value for a particular section of roadway exceeds a predetermined threshold, formatting said traffic congestion value into at least one traffic congestion message for said particular section of roadway if said selected traffic congestion value for said particular section of roadway exceeds said predetermined threshold, transmitting said traffic congestion message, receiving said traffic congestion message in a vehicle, determining the location of the vehicle, forming at least one user message from at least one received localized traffic congestion message if said section of roadway is within a predetermined area defined by the location of the vehicle, and reporting said user message to said user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said collecting step further comprises the step of inputting data from a freeway traffic data system, arterial traffic data system, or navigation computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said collecting step further comprises the step of manually inputting traffic congestion reports.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said collecting step further comprises the step of inputting historical traffic congestion data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting said at least one localized traffic congestion message over a radio network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said reporting step comprises the step of generating an audio user message.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said reporting step comprises the step of displaying a user message in test form.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said reporting step comprises the step of displaying said user message in graphic form imposed over a highway map.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2980887A
Cited
US3237154A
Cited
US3056121A
Cited
US3345503A
Cited
US3275984A
Cited
US3774147A
Cited
US3506808A
Cited
US3626413A
Cited
US3711686A
Cited
US3710081A
Cited
US3906438A
Cited
US3885227A
Cited
US3872422A
Cited
US3919686A
Cited
US3916374A
Cited
US3899671A
Cited
US4014503A
Cited
US4023017A
Cited
US4087067A
Cited
US4087066A
Cited
US4303905A
Cited
JPS54121383A
Cited
JPS54151301A
Cited
US4290136A
Cited
US4296400A
Cited
GB2050767A
Cited
US4352086A
Cited
US4323970A
Cited
US4369427A
Cited
US4380821A
Cited
US4357593A
Cited
US4350970A
Cited
US4398171A
Cited
US4409583A
Cited
US4630209A
Cited
DE3129094A1
Cited
JPS58201433A
Cited
US4780717A
Cited
US4561115A
Cited
US4633517A
Cited
US4748681A
Cited
US4812980A
Cited
US4713661A
Cited
US4819174A
Cited
US4819175A
Cited
US4729907A
Cited
EP0290679A1
Cited
US4792803A
Cited
JPS6444599A
Cited
JPS6443715A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |