Network Providing Vehicles with Improved Traffic Status Information
First Claim
1. An apparatus in a vehicle for implementing a communication network with at least two nodes for sharing information related to local traffic conditions, comprising:
- a radio communication interface for connecting to the communication network;
a data source associated with the vehicle for providing information related to vehicle operation;
a processor communicatively coupled to the data source and the radio communication interface and operable to transfer information derived from the data source to the radio communication interface for transmission to another node in the communication network; and
the processor being further operable to process information received at the radio communication interface and generate a signal related to local traffic conditions based on the received information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle communication network provides information about traffic conditions in a local area on a near real time basis. An RF transceiver in a vehicle communicates with other transceivers in other vehicles to relay traffic condition related information. The traffic information can be provided to local vehicles equipped with transceivers, or roadside devices that participate in the communication network. The traffic information is derived from data that may include time, position, velocity, acceleration or other information related to traffic flow. The data can be derived from a GPS, accelerometer or other devices that are typically prevalent in automobiles, whether as standalone units or integrated into the automobile. The transceivers can implement an emergency messaging construct to permit rapid dissemination of traffic information that may be derived from collisions, slowdowns, congestion or other traffic conditions that may prompt drivers to slowdown or otherwise increase vehicle spacing. The vehicle network can be implemented using add-on equipment in conjunction with PNDs or smart cellular telephones, or as a standalone device that is optionally integrated into a PND or vehicle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus in a vehicle for implementing a communication network with at least two nodes for sharing information related to local traffic conditions, comprising:
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a radio communication interface for connecting to the communication network; a data source associated with the vehicle for providing information related to vehicle operation; a processor communicatively coupled to the data source and the radio communication interface and operable to transfer information derived from the data source to the radio communication interface for transmission to another node in the communication network; and the processor being further operable to process information received at the radio communication interface and generate a signal related to local traffic conditions based on the received information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for sharing information about local traffic conditions using a vehicle communication network, comprising:
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obtaining data representative of operation of a vehicle associated with a network node; processing the data to produce formatted data for transmission in the vehicle communication network; and transmitting the formatted data in the vehicle communication network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification