Method and system for identifying traffic conditions

• US 20020129148A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Airclic Inc. (The Descartes Systems Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Peter Ritz
• Inventors: Ritz, Peter B., Tilghman, Christopher J., Spraycar, Anna M.
• Application Number:
  US10/142,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20020129148A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09 Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions railroad crossing signals B61L; reflectors E01F, G08B; indicating arrangements for variable information by selection or combination of individual elements G09F9/00

Abstract

Traffic conditions along a travel route are identified. Travel route identification information identifying the travel route is received and a unique identifier is assigned to the travel route. A request relating to a traffic condition along at least a portion of the travel route is received from a user. The request includes the unique identifier. Travel route traffic information for the travel route is analyzed. The traffic condition is identified based on the analysis. The user is informed of the traffic condition.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a traffic condition along a travel route, the method comprising:

receiving travel route identification information identifying the travel route;

assigning a unique identifier to the travel route;

receiving from a user a request relating to a traffic condition along at least a portion of the travel route, wherein the request comprises the unique identifier;

analyzing travel route traffic information for the travel route;

identifying the traffic condition based on the analysis; and

informing the user of the traffic condition.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the travel route identification information comprises a start point and an end point of the travel route.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the travel route identification information comprises a user selection from a predetermined list of travel routes.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the request is received from the user employing at least one of a telephone, a RIM device, and a personal digital assistant.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the request is received over a global communications network.

6. A method for identifying a traffic condition along at least one travel route, the method comprising:

receiving end user identification information identifying a user;

receiving travel route identification information identifying the at least one travel route;

assigning a unique identifier to the user based on the end user identification information and the travel route identification information;

receiving from the user a request relating to a traffic condition along the at least one travel route, wherein the request comprises the unique identifier;

analyzing travel route traffic information for the at least one travel route;

identifying the traffic condition based on the analysis; and

informing the user of the traffic condition.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the travel route identification information comprises a user selection from a predetermined list of travel routes.

8. A system for identifying a traffic condition along a travel route comprising:

one or more servers for receiving travel route identification information identifying the travel route;

assigning a unique identifier to the travel route;

receiving from a user a request relating to a traffic condition along at least a portion of the travel route, wherein the request comprises the unique identifier;

analyzing travel route traffic information for the travel route;

identifying the traffic condition based on the analysis; and

informing the user of the traffic condition.

9. A system for identifying a traffic condition along at least one travel route comprising:

one or more servers for receiving end user identification information identifying a user;

receiving travel route identification information identifying the at least one travel route;

assigning a unique identifier to the user based on the end user identification information and the travel route identification information;

receiving from the user a request relating to a traffic condition along the at least one travel route, wherein the request comprises the unique identifier;

analyzing travel route traffic information for the at least one travel route;

identifying the traffic condition based on the analysis; and

informing the user of the traffic condition.