AUTOMATED LOCATION-INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC NOTIFICATION SERVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100023246A1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAMA Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morgan, Lara F., Gao, Xiaofeng, Zhao, Wei, Oblon, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90 Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
• 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 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0968 Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

Traffic notification systems include a location determination system that is configured to determine a geographic location of a subscriber and an automated traffic notification system that is configured to automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal that is associated with the subscriber.

Claims

1. An automated location-intelligent traffic advisory system comprising at least one server in communication with at least one database of subscriber data, wherein the system has a location determination system that is configured to electronically determine speed, direction and geographic location of respective subscribers, the subscribers having an associated electronic device with a GPS receiver, wherein the location determination system determines whether a subscriber is in a geographically relevant place associated with an adverse traffic incident, congestion or other low-drivability condition based on the determined location, direction of travel and speed of a respective subscriber, and wherein the system electronically notifies only subscribers identified as being in the geographically relevant place of an adverse traffic incident, congestion or other low-drivability condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to electronically notify subscribers in a geographically relevant location in substantially real-time as a new adverse traffic incident, congestion or other low-drivability condition is identified or detected.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to wirelessly receive subscriber input from a subscriber'"'"'s wireless communication device to request alternate route information in response to the electronic notification of an adverse traffic incident, congestion or other low-drivability condition.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a portable wireless electronic communication device, and wherein the system is configured to receive electronic input from the wireless communication device associated with a subscriber to confirm that the subscriber is in transit and wishes to electronically receive relevant traffic updates as they occur.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a wireless communication device, and wherein the electronic notification of an adverse traffic incident, congestion or other low-drivability condition is sent to the subscriber wireless communication device as an urgent audio and/or text message.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to receive an incoming telephone call from a subscriber to request traffic information while a subscriber is traveling to a destination, then electronically (a) identify an associated wireless telephone number associated with the telephone call and (b) determine whether the identified telephone number is associated with a subscriber in the subscriber database, then if the telephone number is determined to be associated with a subscriber, the system is configured to electronically determine a current location of the subscriber using the GPS receiver associated with the subscriber and provide relevant substantially real-time geographically relevant traffic information to the subscriber.

7. An automated location-intelligent traffic advisory system comprising at least one server in communication with a location determination system and a subscriber database, wherein the subscriber database comprises subscriber wireless communication data, wherein the system is configured to allow a subscriber to request an automated real-time traffic report about a defined portion of a travel route, and wherein the location determination system is configured to electronically monitor a location of a respective subscriber using a GPS receiver of a wireless communication device associated with a respective subscriber and determine whether the subscriber is approaching the defined portion of the travel route of the request, and wherein the system automatically electronically sends text and/or audio traffic reports to the subscriber when the location determination system determines that the subscriber is approaching the defined portion of the travel route of the request.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the location determination system is configured to electronically determine a direction of travel, speed and location of a respective subscriber using the GPS receiver associated with the subscriber and electronically transmit a real-time traffic advisory of a current incident or adverse condition to a subscriber only if the location determination system determines that a subscriber is in a relevant geographic location or is approaching a geographic location based on the subscriber'"'"'s determined location and direction of travel.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the traffic report is sent as an SMS message.

10. An automated travel advisory system comprising at least one server configured to electronically communicate with portable wireless communication devices and/or on-board vehicle communication devices associated with subscribers, wherein the system is configured to allow a new user to electronically communicate with the system to enroll as an authorized user while en route to a destination using a respective communication device and request travel advisory information regarding a travel route with user-specific substantially real-time travel information based at least in part on the system'"'"'s electronic identification of location, speed and direction of the new user using a GPS receiver associated with the communication device of the new user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured to electronically provide updated travel advisory information in substantially real time only to affected subscribers and the new user if a subscriber or the new user is electronically determined to be currently located in a geographic region associated with the newly identified adverse traffic condition or incident or if a subscriber or the new user is electronically determined by the system to be traveling in a direction toward the newly identified adverse incident or condition.