Systems and methods for providing traffic alerts

• US 20040239531A1
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Adamczyk, Maria
• Application Number:
  US10/447,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/995.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions

Abstract

A traffic alert system. The system includes a database having stored thereon a profile relating to a user of a mobile device. The system also includes a server, wherein the server is configured to receive traffic information relating to a route and location information relating to the mobile device, and wherein the server is configured to send a traffic alert to the mobile device when the traffic information and the location information indicate that the mobile device is traveling toward traffic congestion.

Claims

1. A traffic alert system, comprising:

a database having stored thereon a profile relating to a user of a mobile device; and

a server, wherein the server is configured to receive traffic information relating to a route and location information relating to the mobile device, and wherein the server is configured to send a traffic alert to the mobile device when the traffic information and the location information indicate that the mobile device is traveling toward traffic congestion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the profile includes information concerning at least one of a device address of the mobile device, a telephone number of the mobile device, a commute time, and a route of travel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is one of a wireless telephone, a pager, and a navigation device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the location information includes a direction of travel of the mobile device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic information is obtained from one of a state transportation department, a police department, a law enforcement agency, and a public works department.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to send the traffic alert via one of a computer network and a wireless network.

7. A system, comprising:

a location server having location information relating to a mobile device;

a traffic server having traffic information relating to traffic conditions on a route; and

a traffic alert system in communication with the location server and the traffic server, wherein the traffic alert system includes;

a database having stored thereon a profile relating to a user of the mobile device; and

a server, wherein the server is configured to receive the traffic information and the location information, and wherein the server is configured to send a traffic alert to the mobile device when the traffic information and the location information indicate that the mobile device is traveling toward traffic congestion.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the network includes the Internet.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a database in communication with the traffic server.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile device is in communication with one of a wireless network and a satellite network.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile device is one of a wireless telephone, a pager, and a navigation device.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising a telephone in communication with the traffic alert system, wherein the telephone allows the user to configure the profile.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the telephone is in communication with the traffic alert system via the PSTN.

14. The system of claim 7, further comprising a computer in communication with the traffic alert system, wherein the computer allows the user to configure the profile.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer is in communication with the traffic alert system via the network.

16. A method of providing a traffic alert to a mobile device, comprising:

monitoring traffic alert information;

determining whether the traffic alert is possible based on the traffic alert information and a user profile;

retrieving a location of the mobile device;

determining whether an alert is necessary based on the location of the mobile device and the traffic alert information; and

providing the alert to the mobile device when the alert is necessary.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the profile in a database.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein monitoring the traffic alert information includes monitoring information provided by one of a state transportation department, a police department, a law enforcement agency, and a public works department.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the alert to the mobile device includes providing the alert via one of a computer network, a wireless network, and a satellite network.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the location of the mobile device based on one of a GPS location of the mobile device and a triangulated location of the mobile device.