Traffic data collection utilizing a cellular communication network and probe units
First Claim
1. A method of collecting data from a mobile telematics unit, wherein the unit includes a cellular communication device that at least periodically causes to be transmitted a registration request signal data to a carrier, and the carrier determines a current cellular communication cell serving the unit based on the registration request signal data, and compiles a list of cells within which the unit transmitted at least once, said method comprising:
- a) determining a desired inquiry path at a third party facility;
b) receiving the registration request signal data and compiling a cell history log comprising the list of cells at the carrier;
c) receiving the signal data and log at the facility;
d) determining a transmission location, a transmission time and a unit phone number based on the registration request signal data at the facility;
e) estimating a recently traveled path based on the log at the facility;
f) comparing the desired inquiry and recently traveled paths, so as to determine when at least a portion of the paths match to produce a matching path portion; and
g) determining an estimated travel time for traversing at least a portion of the matching path portion based on the signal data and log at the facility.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for collecting request signal and probe data from telematics units using a cellular communication network, wherein the units each cause to be transmitted registration request signal data to a carrier, the carrier periodically compiles a cell history log comprising a list of cell hand-offs for each unit, and a facility is communicatively coupled to the carrier; includes map and unit identification databases; is configured to determine cell-handoffs of interest; preferably queries the carrier for only target units presenting a cell-handoff of interest; determines for each target unit a recently traveled path (RTP) based on the log, an estimated time of travel (ETT) based on the RTP and map database, and a probe unit status; calls each probe unit to upload probe data therefrom; and utilizes the probe data to enhance the ETT or provide additional information.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of collecting data from a mobile telematics unit, wherein the unit includes a cellular communication device that at least periodically causes to be transmitted a registration request signal data to a carrier, and the carrier determines a current cellular communication cell serving the unit based on the registration request signal data, and compiles a list of cells within which the unit transmitted at least once, said method comprising:
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a) determining a desired inquiry path at a third party facility; b) receiving the registration request signal data and compiling a cell history log comprising the list of cells at the carrier; c) receiving the signal data and log at the facility; d) determining a transmission location, a transmission time and a unit phone number based on the registration request signal data at the facility; e) estimating a recently traveled path based on the log at the facility; f) comparing the desired inquiry and recently traveled paths, so as to determine when at least a portion of the paths match to produce a matching path portion; and g) determining an estimated travel time for traversing at least a portion of the matching path portion based on the signal data and log at the facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of collecting probe data from a target probe unit, wherein the unit causes registration request signal data to be transmitted to a carrier, and the carrier determines a current cellular communication cell serving the unit based on the registration request signal data, and compiles a cell history log for the unit that includes a list of the cells within which signal data was transmitted within a preceding period, said method comprising:
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a) determining a desired inquiry path at a third party facility; b) monitoring registration request signal data and compiling a cell history log for at least one unit at the carrier; c) receiving the registration request signal data and log at the facility; d) determining a transmission location, transmission time, unit identification number, probe unit status, and phone number based on the registration request signal data at the facility; e) estimating a recently traveled path based on the log at the facility; f) comparing the desired inquiry and recently traveled paths, so as to determine a target unit when at least a portion of the paths match, and further determining a target probe unit based on the probe unit status; g) calling the target probe unit at the facility so as to establish a communication link; and h) determining probe data at the target probe unit, and uploading the probe data to the facility. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer usable medium storing a computer program, and adapted for autonomous use by an electronic control unit at a third party facility, said program comprising:
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computer readable code for determining a desired inquiry path; computer readable code for actuating a monitoring device configured to monitor registration request signal data sent by at least one cellular unit; computer readable code for actuating a receiver configured to receive the registration request signal data; computer readable code for deriving a transmission location, a transmission time and a unit identification number from the registration request signal data; computer readable code for actuating a communication device, so as to call the unit and establish a communication link; computer readable code for initiating the uploading of a cell log from the unit to the facility; computer readable code for estimating a recently traveled thoroughfare path based on the log; and computer readable code for further initiating the uploading of probe data to the facility, where the recently traveled thoroughfare path includes the desired inquiry path.
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Specification