Data-driven traffic views with continuous real-time rendering of traffic flow map

• US 20060247846A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Brian J., Agree, Jonathan K., Soulchin, Robert M., Matzelle, Brent R., Smith, Eric R., Balcerzak, Michal, Auxer, Gregory A., Cera, Christopher D., Grubner, John B. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/118
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/13 the indicator being in the form of a map

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for displaying traffic flow data on a graphical map of a road system. The graphical map includes one or more segments and the traffic flow data represents traffic conditions on a road system. A status of each segment on the graphical map is determined, wherein the status corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is then created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment. The animated traffic flow map is created by being continuously rendered in real time. The traffic flow data is updated in real-time, and the traffic flow map immediately reflects the updated traffic data.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying traffic flow data on a graphical map of a road system, the graphical map including one or more segments, the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the method comprising:

(a) determining a status of each segment on the graphical map, the status corresponding to the traffic flow data associated with that segment;

(b) creating an animated traffic flow map of the road system by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment, wherein the animated traffic flow map is created by being continuously rendered in real time; and

(c) updating the traffic flow data in real-time, the traffic flow map immediately reflecting the updated traffic flow data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animated traffic flow map depicts artificial moving images.

3. An article of manufacture for displaying traffic flow data on a graphical map of a road system, the graphical map including one or more segments, the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

(a) determining a status of each segment on the graphical map, the status corresponding to the traffic flow data associated with that segment;

(b) creating an animated traffic flow map of the road system by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment, wherein the animated traffic flow map is created by being continuously rendered in real time; and

(c) updating the traffic flow data in real-time, the traffic flow map immediately reflecting the updated traffic flow data.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 3 wherein the animated traffic flow map depicts artificial moving images.

5. A computer-implemented apparatus for displaying traffic flow data on a graphical map of a road system, the graphical map including one or more segments, the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the apparatus comprising:

(a) means for determining a status of each segment on the graphical map, the status corresponding to the traffic flow data associated with that segment;

(b) means for creating an animated traffic flow map of the road system by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment, wherein the animated traffic flow map is created by being continuously rendered in real time; and

(c) means for updating the traffic flow data in real-time, the traffic flow map immediately reflecting the updated traffic flow data.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the animated traffic flow map depicts artificial moving images.