TRAFFIC INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM USING DIGITAL MAP FOR COLLECTING TRAFFIC INFORMATION AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20100179748A1
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T Map Mobility Company Limited (SK Telecom Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: SK Energy Co Ltd (SK Innovation Company Limited)
• Inventors: Choi, Chan-Young, Jeong, Yeong-Sam
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3815 Road data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a traffic information providing system and method using a traffic information collecting digital map. A traffic information collecting terminal receives GPS data from at least one GPS satellite, and generates traffic information target location information with reference to traffic information established based on the GPS data. The traffic information target location information includes a coordinate and a time and can further include a type or an order on the traffic information target location information. The traffic information providing system matches traffic information target location information provided by the terminals on nodes and links for collecting traffic information of a traffic information collecting digital map, generates section communication information for a section, processes the section communication information, and provides it as traffic information. Therefore, accurate communication information is generated and more accurate traffic information is provided. For example, it is possible to generate accurate traffic information excluding a traveling time (or a traveling speed) error caused by a probe vehicle'"'"'s entrance to a rest area from the link having an expressway rest area.

Claims

1. A system for generating and providing traffic information on a predetermined section though communication with a terminal installed in a traveling object, the system comprising:

a traffic information collecting digital map database for storing a traffic information collecting digital map that is generated to maintain the distance between detection nodes to be greater than a predetermined distance by considering an error range of a GPS sensor of the traveling object;

a data collector for receiving traffic information target location information from the terminal, the traffic information target location information including at least one of a coordinate, a time, a node type, and an order;

a data generator for matching the traffic information target location information on the traffic information collecting digital map, and generating communication information on a predetermined section with reference to a unit node based on the map matching result;

a traffic information providing digital map database for storing a digital map for providing traffic information; and

a traffic information provider for generating traffic information by mapping the communication information on the traffic information providing digital map, and providing the traffic information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the data generator determines whether a traveling object has passed through a predetermined section between unit nodes according to the map matching information, and generates section communication information including a traveling speed by using a distance and a traveling time that is generated while the traveling object passes through the section when the traveling object is found to have passed through the section.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein

the data generator generates communication information excluding a traveling time and distance information on a rest area on the expressway.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein

the data generator includes:

a map matching module for mapping location information provided by the data collector on unit node map information of a traffic information collecting digital map database; and

a communication information generating module for determining whether the traveling object has passed through a predetermined section between unit nodes according to the map matching information, calculating a passing speed by using the time and distance for passing through the section when the traveling object has passed through the section, and generating communication information excluding a traveling time and distance information on a rest area on the expressway.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database installs a node in the center of the crossroads, and

the data generator generates communication information by using the traveling time between the central node of the crossroads and the node of the road and the distance.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database generates the double-lined neighboring roads into a single lined road and installs a node at the entrance and exit of the road, and

the data generator generates communication information by determining passing through of the corresponding path according to the passing state of the node of the entrance and the exit of the road.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database installs a node at the entrance of the overpass or underground roadway and the center of the crossroads, and

the data generator determines turning to the left or turning to the right according to the corresponding direction when the traveling object passes through the entrance of another road after passing through the entrance and the center of the previous road, determines that the traveling object has passed through the overpass or underground roadway when the traveling object goes straight, and generates communication information.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes:

a collecting information database for storing collected location information;

a processing information database for storing communication information on the section; and

a traffic information database for storing the traffic information, and wherein

the traffic information target location information is at least one of GPS data for an established traffic information generating point, GPS data for an established location corresponding to an established distance from the traffic information generating point, and GPS data corresponding to an established area having a predetermined radius with reference to the traffic information generating point or the established location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein

the traffic information provider includes:

a data processor for mapping the communication information on the traffic information providing digital map, and generating traffic information;

a data provider for providing the traffic information to the outside.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein

the step of b) includes:

the system loading unit node map information of the traffic information collecting digital map in a memory;

searching a map matching point from the map information based on the traffic information target location information; and

mapping the location information on the searched matching point.

10. A method for providing traffic information by a system for generating and providing traffic information on a predetermined section though communication with a terminal installed in a traveling object, the method comprising:

a) the system receiving traffic information target location information from the terminal, the traffic information target location information including at least one of a coordinate, a time, a node type, and an order;

b) the system matching the traffic information target location information on unit node map information of the traffic information collecting digital map;

c) generating communication information on a predetermined section with reference to a unit node based on the map matching result; and

d) the system generating traffic information by mapping the communication information on the traffic information providing digital map, and providing the traffic information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein

the step of c) further includes:

determining whether the map matching result information has an expressway rest area section; and

generating communication information excluding a traveling time and distance information on the expressway rest area section when it has the expressway rest area section.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein

the step of c) includes determining whether a traveling object has passed through a predetermined section between unit nodes according to the map matching information, and generating section communication information including a traveling speed by using a distance and a traveling time that is generated while the traveling object passes through the section when the traveling object is found to have passed through the section.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database installs a node in the center of the crossroads, and

the step of c) includes generating communication information from the traveling time and the distance between the crossroads center node and the node of the road.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database generates the double-lined neighboring roads into a single lined road and installs a node at the entrance and exit of the road, and

the step of c) includes generating communication information by determining passing through of the corresponding path according to the passing state of the node of the entrance and the exit of the road.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein

the traffic information collecting digital map database installs a node at the entrance of the overpass or underground roadway and the center of the crossroads, and

the step of c) includes determining turning to the left or turning to the right according to the corresponding direction when the traveling object passes through the entrance of another road after passing through the entrance and the center of the previous road, determining that the traveling object has passed through the overpass or underground roadway when the traveling object goes straight, and generating communication information.