Traffic alert system and method

• US 20070038360A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Sakhpara, Ketul
• Granted Patent: US 8,594,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a network server and a plurality of mobile devices that communicate with the network server. Each mobile device is associated with a vehicle and is configured to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) parameters to the network server. The network server uses the GPS parameters to detect traffic congestion in a zone.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a network server; and

a plurality of mobile devices that communicate with the network server, each mobile device being associated with a vehicle and being configured to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) parameters to the network server,

wherein the network server uses the GPS parameters to detect traffic congestion in a zone.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mobile devices is carried in a vehicle by the vehicle'"'"'s user.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mobile devices is attached to a vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of mobile devices comprise cellular phones.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mobile devices determines whether traffic congestion exists in the zone as a prerequisite to providing GPS parameters to the network server.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the network server designates the zone as congested if more than a threshold number of mobile devices in the zone provide GPS parameters that indicate traffic congestion.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein, if the zone is designated as congested, the network server transmits a traffic alert to a subscriber'"'"'s device, the subscriber having requested to receive traffic alerts for the zone.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the network server designates the zone as non-congested if less than a threshold number of mobile devices in the zone provide GPS parameters that indicate traffic congestion.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein, if a zone designated as congested is later designated as non-congested, the network server transmits a traffic clear alert to a subscriber'"'"'s device, the subscriber having requested to receive traffic alerts for the zone.

10. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor;

a Global Position System (GPS) unit coupled to the processor, the GPS unit determines GPS parameters; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory stores instructions that cause the processor to request the GPS parameters from the GPS unit,

wherein the GPS parameters are used to detect traffic congestion in a zone.

11. The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the mobile device is selected from one of a mobile handset, a wireless mobile device, a mobile digital phone, a mobile cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a vehicle based computer system, and a personal communications systems.

12. The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the memory stores zone coordinates and zone policies.

13. The mobile device of claim 12 wherein traffic congestion in the zone is detected by comparing GPS coordinates with the zone coordinates to identify a particular zone and by comparing a GPS velocity with a threshold velocity for the particular zone as indicated by the zone policies.

14. The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising a graphic user interface (GUI) coupled to the processor, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive traffic alerts based on GPS parameters from other mobile devices and wherein the traffic alert is displayed on the GUI.

15. A method, comprising:

determining a level of traffic congestion in a zone based on Global Positioning System (GPS) parameters associated with a plurality of vehicles;

if the traffic congestion is greater than a threshold level, generating a traffic alert.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving subscriptions for traffic alerts associated with a particular zone.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising distributing traffic alerts based on the subscriptions.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining if traffic congestion in a zone has cleared based on GPS parameters associated with a plurality of vehicles.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising notifying a user that traffic congestion has cleared in a zone based on a subscription to receive traffic alerts associated with the zone.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving the GPS parameters from a plurality of mobile devices.