US6594576B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Using location data to determine traffic information
Assignee: Trimble Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-03
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Granted: 2003-07-15
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Expires: 2021-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A system and a method for determining and disseminating current traffic information is presented. A traffic data compilation computer linked to a data network collects location data from mobile units, each of which is associated with an identification number. The computer compiles the location data, calculates the velocity of each mobile unit, compares the velocity of each mobile unit against speed limit data stored in a memory, and stores the difference. The traffic data compilation computer determines the traffic condition based on the difference between the velocity of each mobile unit and the speed limit. In addition, traffic data compilation computer may determine the fastest route between point A and point B under the current traffic conditions. Traffic data compilation computer determines the possible routes between point A and point B, retrieves the velocity data from a database, and derives the estimated travel time for each of the possible routes.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodric C. Fan
- 👤 Xinnong Yang
- 👤 James D. Fay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3453; G01C21/3492; G01C21/36; G01C21/3691; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/0104; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0968; G08G1/096805; G08G1/096811; G08G1/096816; G08G1/096833; G08G1/096838; G08G1/096844; G08G1/096855; G08G1/096872; G08G1/096877; G08G1/096888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of determining current traffic conditions, said method comprising: receiving a location of a mobile unit over a data network; computing an actual velocity of said mobile unit using said location; and calculating a parameter using said actual velocity and location, said parameter indicating traffic conditions surrounding said mobile unit, wherein said calculating comprises: receiving a geographic specification from a user; retrieving speed limit of a road segment located within the boundaries of said geographic specification; calculating the difference between said speed limit and said actual velocity; and selecting a traffic level indicator representative of said difference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of determining current traffic conditions, said method comprising: receiving a location of a mobile unit over a data network; computing an actual velocity of said mobile unit using said location; and calculating a parameter using said actual velocity and location, said parameter indicating traffic conditions surrounding said mobile unit, wherein said calculating comprises: receiving a geographic specification from a user; retrieving speed limit of a road segment located within the boundaries of said geographic specification; calculating the difference between said speed limit and said actual velocity; and selecting a traffic level indicator representative of said difference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said location is derived with at least one of: Global Positioning System; Time Difference of Arrival; Angle of Arrival; and ray tracing method.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said data network comprises a wireless communication network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said data network comprises: a wireless communication network; and the Internet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said receiving occurs at a predetermined time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said calculating comprises accessing road data from a database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said calculating comprises: accessing the speed limit of said location; and calculating the difference between said actual velocity and said speed limit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to a mobile unit an image representative of said geographic specification, said image superimposed with said traffic level indicator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said traffic level indicator comprises an accident indicator marking an accident site.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said traffic level indicator represents a speed range at which said mobile unit is traveling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said geographic specification comprises at least one of: a route; a radius; and a geographic area having objectively definable boundaries.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising storing said geographic specification in a database for repeat use.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: calculating an accuracy indicator based on the number of locations received, said accuracy indicator indicating a possible degree of error; and transmitting said accuracy indicator to a user interface device over said data network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said accuracy indicator comprises a spread between a maximum velocity and a minimum velocity in a road segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said accuracy indicator comprises standard deviation of said maximum and minimum velocities of a road segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said data network comprises the Internet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said user interface device comprises a wireless device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting an alert signal to said mobile unit if said parameter reaches a preselected value.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
83 words
A device for determining current traffic condition, said device comprising: a processing unit; a database coupled to said processing unit, said database storing results of calculation performed by said processing unit; and a memory for storing maps, traffic level indicators, and road data coupled to said processing unit, each of said traffic level indicators being calculated based on a difference between a speed limit at a road segment, obtained from said road data, and an average velocity of vehicles at said road segment.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
83 words
A device for determining current traffic condition, said device comprising: a processing unit; a database coupled to said processing unit, said database storing results of calculation performed by said processing unit; and a memory for storing maps, traffic level indicators, and road data coupled to said processing unit, each of said traffic level indicators being calculated based on a difference between a speed limit at a road segment, obtained from said road data, and an average velocity of vehicles at said road segment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein said processing unit is coupled to a data network transmitting data to and receiving data from a plurality of mobile units.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 20 , wherein said database comprises a table indexed by a mobile unit identification number, said table containing velocities of each of said plurality of mobile units.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein said database comprises a table indexed by location, said table containing current average travel speed for a location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 19 , further comprising a predictive database coupled to said processing unit, said predictive database storing traffic pattern based on a statistical analysis of past traffic cycles.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 19 , further comprising a historical database storing traffic patterns of a preselected area for a predetermined time frame in the past.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 19 , further comprising a marketplace traffic database coupled to said processing unit, said marketplace traffic database storing traffic information obtained from a user or a third party.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein said road data comprises at least one of: speed limit for a road segment; distance of a road segment; location of gas stations; location of toll booths; an indication of whether said road segment is a one-way street; an indication of whether there is a carpool lane on said road segment; location of traffic lights and Stop signs; and number of lanes on said road segment.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of estimating a travel time between a first geographic location and a second geographic location, said method comprising: determining a route between said first and second geographic locations; receiving locations of a plurality of mobile units along said route over a data network; computing an average velocity of said plurality of mobile units on said route; providing a traffic level indicator for said route based on said average velocity and a speed limit along said route; and deriving said travel time using the distances of said route, and said traffic level indicator.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of estimating a travel time between a first geographic location and a second geographic location, said method comprising: determining a route between said first and second geographic locations; receiving locations of a plurality of mobile units along said route over a data network; computing an average velocity of said plurality of mobile units on said route; providing a traffic level indicator for said route based on said average velocity and a speed limit along said route; and deriving said travel time using the distances of said route, and said traffic level indicator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said determining comprises using past traffic pattern stored in a database.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 , further comprising: calculating a reliability of said travel time; selecting a reliability indicator representative of the result of said calculating; and incorporating said reliability indicator into said travel time.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising creating a warning package if said average velocity is based on fewer than a minimum number of data points.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising creating a warning package if said average velocity is based on a location data received more than a predetermined value of time.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for providing current traffic conditions, said system comprising: a plurality of mobile units each adapted to provide a current location; a wireless communication network accessible by said mobile units to report the current locations; a data network linked to said wireless communication network; and a processing unit linked to said data network to receive said current locations, said processing unit being adapted to compute a traffic level indicator based on an average velocity derived from said current locations of said mobile units.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for providing current traffic conditions, said system comprising: a plurality of mobile units each adapted to provide a current location; a wireless communication network accessible by said mobile units to report the current locations; a data network linked to said wireless communication network; and a processing unit linked to said data network to receive said current locations, said processing unit being adapted to compute a traffic level indicator based on an average velocity derived from said current locations of said mobile units.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein said mobile unit comprises: a GPS code receiver; a location data calculator coupled to said GPS code receiver; a transmitter coupled to said location data calculator and to a data network; and a port coupled to said location data calculator and to a user interface device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein said user interface device comprises at least one of: a display unit; a Personal Digital Assistant; and a telephone.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein said wireless communication network is selected from a group consisting of CDPD, GMS, iDEN, AMPS and CDMA.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-14 | 2007-01-13 | 2007-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-14 | 2011-01-13 | 2011-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-14 | 2015-01-13 | 2015-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |