SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED ROUTING THAT COMBINES REAL-TIME AND LIKELIHOOD INFORMATION

• US 20140163876A1
• Filed: 02/18/2014
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gil Fuchs
• Inventors: Fuchs, Gil
• Granted Patent: US 9,188,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/532
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• 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 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map

Abstract

A system and method for improved routing that combines real-time and likelihood information. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a digital map/map information; a likelihood routing information; a route processor; wherein, when a request is received from a user/driver, or from another system, to receive a routing information, the system receives real-time information from a traffic-monitoring device or service providing real-time information; wherein the route processor adjusts the received real-time information based on the system'"'"'s likelihood routing information; and wherein the routing information based on the combination of real-time and likelihood information can then be provided to the user/driver or other system in response to the original request.

Claims

1. A system for estimating drive time for a route at a given time interval that combines historical and real time traffic flow information, comprising:

a digital map/map information;

a historical traffic flow information;

a route processor;

wherein, upon a route drive time request for the given time interval, the system receives real time traffic flow information along the route and real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route;

wherein the route processor determines a drive time along the route at the given time interval using the received real time traffic flow information along the route adjusted by the historical traffic flow information for the given time interval and the real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the historical traffic flow information is provided by a database or service that includes or otherwise provides traffic flow information about a plurality of routes, based on particular time intervals, conditions, and probabilities.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the historical traffic flow information is subsequently provided either on-demand or from persistent storage within a mapping/routing system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the time interval comprises one or more of:

time of day, and weekday or weekend or holiday;

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditions comprise one or more of:

lane closures, accidents, weather conditions, and road closures.

4. A method for estimating travel time for a route at a time interval that combines real-time and historical traffic flow information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for the travel time for the route at the time interval;

receiving real time traffic flow information along the route and real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route;

determining the travel time along the route at the time interval using the received real time traffic flow information along the route adjusted by the historical traffic flow information for the given time interval and the real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the historical traffic flow information is included within or provided by a database or service that includes or otherwise provides historical information about a plurality of routes, based on particular conditions, time intervals, and probabilities.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the historical traffic flow information is subsequently provided either on-demand or for persistent storage within a mapping/routing system.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium, including instructions stored thereon which when read and executed by one or more computers cause the one or more computers to perform the steps comprising:

receiving a request for a travel time for a route at a time interval;

receiving real-time traffic flow information along the route and real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route;

determining the travel time along the route at the time interval using the received real time traffic flow information along the route adjusted by the historical traffic flow information for the given time interval and the real time conditions that affect traffic flow along the route.

10. A system for storage of traffic flow information used to determine route travel times, comprising:

a processor;

a digital memory used for storage of a map/map information and a historical traffic flow information;

wherein the historical traffic flow information comprises the average traffic density and drive time for each of a plurality of route patterns.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the average for traffic density and drive time is further subdivided based on one or more of a time interval, weather type, and construction advisories.