SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRAFFIC CONDITION COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20110144896A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bradford, Richard G., Howarter, Jamie C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with traffic detectors, the method comprising:

determining a location of a vehicle;

searching for any of a plurality of traffic detectors in a wireless environment;

establishing a communications session with one of the plurality of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the plurality of traffic detectors; and

communicating a message associated with the one of the plurality of traffic detectors to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of the one or more traffic detectors.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the message to one or more devices of the vehicle according to user preferences.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining an identity of a driver of the vehicle, wherein the user preferences are associated with the driver.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more devices of the vehicle broadcast the message for other vehicles.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message utilizing a database.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message based on a selection by an administrator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is communicated utilizing a display, vibration element, or speaker, and wherein the message provides a suggested course of action to the vehicle in response to a traffic condition.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of traffic detectors are activated in response to an accident or a user selection.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the range indicates locations for determining the message is to be communicated to the vehicle.

11. A wireless device for broadcasting traffic conditions comprising:

a location determining transceiver operable to determine a location of a vehicle associated with the wireless device;

a wireless transceiver operable to communicate wirelessly as a traffic detector to one or more other vehicles, the traffic detector indicating a traffic condition and a location of the vehicle;

traffic logic operable to command the wireless transceiver to communicate as a traffic detector in response to sensing the traffic condition or a user selection indicating the traffic condition is present; and

a user interface configured to receive the user selection.

12. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the location determining transceiver is operable to utilize wireless triangulation or global positioning satellites to determine the location of the vehicle.

13. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is one of a plurality of traffic conditions the wireless device is operable to sense or communicate.

14. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is sensed in response to a condition of the vehicle.

15. The wireless device according to claim 14, wherein the condition is an accident involving the vehicle.

16. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is a warning played, displayed, or presented to the one or more other vehicles.

17. A wireless device comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions operable to respond to traffic conditions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are operable to;

determine a location of a vehicle, search for any of a plurality of traffic detectors in a wireless environment, establish a communications session with one of the plurality of traffic detectors in response to entering the range of one of the plurality of traffic detectors, and communicate a message associated with the one of the plurality of traffic detectors to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of the one or more traffic detectors.

18. The wireless device according to claim 17, wherein the location is determined utilizing a global positioning system or wireless triangulation.

19. The wireless device according to claim 17, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition, wherein the message is communicated utilizing a display, vibration element, or speaker, and wherein the message provides a suggested course of action to the vehicle in response to a traffic condition.

20. The wireless device according to claim 17, wherein the wireless device or one or more devices in communication with the wireless device of the vehicle broadcast the message for other vehicles.