TRAFFIC DATA QUALITY

• US 20090287405A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Susan S., Liu, Kungwel, Smith, Merlin J.
• Application Number:
  US12/272,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287405A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/119
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions

Abstract

Techniques are described for traffic data quality. In an implementation, an electronic device provides a variety of functionality including functionality to determine position. The device may use determined position to ascertain geographic locations as collection points where traffic related data may be collected. In at least some embodiments, traffic data quality techniques combining both device side and server side technique are applied to data collected at the collections points. In an embodiment, communication of collected data by the device may be delayed to enable additional observations of vehicle movement, routing, position, and so forth. The additional observations during the delay enable the device to determine the validity of the collected data.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor;

the memory storing;

a position module operable via the processor to determine a position of the electronic device using one or more position determining techniques; and

a traffic module operable via the processor to;

collect traffic data for communication to a service provider based at least in part upon the position determined by the position module; and

determine validity of the traffic data and communicate valid traffic data to the service provider.

2. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the traffic module is further operable to delay communication of the traffic data to the service provider to enable the validity of the traffic data to be determined before communication with the service provider.

3. An electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the traffic module is further operable to:

observe a trace of a vehicle traveling with the electronic device during the delay; and

selectively communicate the collected traffic data to the service provider based upon the observed trace.

4. An electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the traffic module is further operable to:

determine validity of the traffic data during the delay;

when the traffic data is valid, cause communication of the traffic data to the service provider; and

when the traffic data is invalid, discard the traffic data.

5. An electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein to determine validity of the traffic data during the delay comprises:

observing position of the electronic device as determined by the position module during the delay;

correlating the observed position to one or more of;

map data to calculate a trace followed by the electronic device;

point of interest data to identify one or more points of interest near the observed position; and

determining based upon the correlating whether the collected traffic data is valid as relating to a traffic condition.

6. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is capable of communicating the collected traffic data in substantially real time.

7. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a communication module to provide the collected traffic data over a network to the service provider.

8. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the device is configured to communicate the collected traffic data wirelessly from the device.

9. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a receiver to receive signal data from a plurality of navigation satellites, wherein the position module is configured to use the signal data to determine the position of the electronic device.

10. An electronic device comprising:

a receiver to receive signal data from a plurality of navigation satellites;

a position module operable to determine position of the electronic device using the signal data; and

a traffic module operable to;

collect data for communication to a service provider;

delay communication of the collected traffic data to the service provider to enable a determination of validity of the collected traffic data; and

when the traffic data is valid, cause communication of the traffic data to the service provider,

wherein the determination of validity includes;

observing position of the electronic device as determined by the position module during the delay;

correlating the observed position to one or more of;

map data to calculate a trace followed by the electronic device;

point of interest data to identify one or more points of interest near the observed position; and

determining based upon the correlating whether the collected traffic data is valid as relating to a traffic condition.

11. An electronic device as recited in claim 10, further comprising a communication module to provide the collected traffic data over a network to the service provider.

12. An electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the device is configured to communicate the collected traffic data wirelessly from the device.

13. An electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the calculated trace indicates previous device positions, speeds, and directions.

14. An electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the traffic module is further operable to store collected traffic data in a traffic log for communication to the service provider.

15. A method comprising:

determining a position of an electronic device using one or more position determining techniques;

collecting traffic data for communication to a service provider using the electronic device based at least in part upon the determined position;

delaying communication of the traffic data to the service provider to enable a determination of validity of the traffic data.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

observing a trace of a vehicle traveling with the electronic device during the delay; and

selectively communicating the collected traffic data to the service provider based upon the observed trace.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the collected traffic data is communicated to the service provider in substantially real time.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

determining validity of the traffic data during the delay;

when the traffic data is valid, causing communication of the traffic data to the service provider; and

when the traffic data is invalid, discarding the traffic data.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the determination of validity of the traffic data during the delay comprises:

observing position of the electronic device;

correlating the observed position to one or more of;

map data to calculate a trace followed by the electronic device;

point of interest data to identify one or more points of interest near the observed position; and

determining based upon the correlating whether the collected traffic data is valid as relating to a traffic condition.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the calculated trace indicates previous device positions, speeds, and directions.

21. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the traffic data is collected continuously.