Traffic information system

• US 5,864,305 A
• Filed: 11/07/1996
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AB Volvo
• Original Assignee: AB Volvo
• Inventors: Rosenquist, Mats
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/704,627
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 340/990, 340/995, 340/988, 340/993, 340/905, 364/449.1, 364/449.2, 364/449.6, 701/200, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/212, 701/213
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station

Abstract

A traffic information system for receiving, selecting and presenting relevant traffic information to a user allows the kind and amount of presented information to be defined subjectively by a user. At least part of the information is optional with different detail levels relating to a range of most basic information to most detailed information. The information are subjectively defined via a programable filtering function through which a filter can be defined or programmed to select a detail level of the basic information.

Claims

1. Traffic information system receiving traffic information from at least one primary traffic information center for providing traffic information to a receiving arrangement, said traffic information center further comprising coding and transmitting arrangements for transmitting coded, digital traffic information over a digital radio communication system to the receiving arrangement comprising a receiving station which comprises decoding and processing means for decoding and processing the coded, digital traffic information, presentation means for presentation of user input or the coded, digital traffic information, said receiver arrangement further comprising means storing basic or background information in relation to which the user input or coded, digital traffic information is presented, the means for storing at least part of the basic information being an exchangeable memory card, at least part of the basic information being optional with different detail levels relating to a range of most basic information to most detailed information wherein the different detail levels include symbols, traffic signs and text levels and in that control means are provided for subjectively defining the information to be shown via a programable filtering function through which a filter can be defined or programmed to select a detail level of the basic information.

2. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable filtering function is programmed from a Filter Setup menu shown on the display and on which can be indicated which information is to be displayed or not.

3. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the digital radio communication system is RDS/TMS.

4. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the means for presentation is a graphical display, a colour display or not.

5. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the basic information stored on the memory card comprises a limited number of maps and location codes for connection to a code on a map.

6. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the coded, digital traffic information include a traffic message list stored on the memory card in at least one optional language.

7. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein symbols or icons and/or traffic signs are stored on the memory card.

8. Traffic information system according to claim 7, wherein remote control means are used for setting or defining the desired information or display level that is automatically shown when the system is activated.

9. Traffic information system according to claim 7, wherein remote control means further can be used for zooming on a map.

10. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein all basic or background information is stored on the memory card whereas all transmitted user and area dependent traffic information is stored in a memory in the receiver station.

11. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the different information levels include one of a selected one of symbols, traffic signs and text levels.

12. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein via an adaptable filter function, a subjective information level can be defined or programmed in such a way that symbols, signs, or text levels corresponding to information that is not desired, is/are not shown.

13. Traffic information system according to claim 12, wherein the adaptable filter function is defined or programmed by selecting one of symbols, signs, or text levels to be displayed.

14. Traffic information system according to claim 13, wherein the text level is only available when the receiving station does not move.

15. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to select between at least two different palettes having different colours and light intensities.

16. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein it is linked to a positioning system so that both traffic information and the position of the receiving station is available at the same time.

17. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving station is located in a moveable unit such as a car or similar.

18. Traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving station is arranged in a fixed unit or that it is stationary.

19. Method for providing traffic information wherein a primary traffic information center comprises or collects traffic information, the traffic information center selects the information to be transmitted, the traffic center codes and transmits digital traffic information via a digital radio communication system to a receiving arrangement comprising a receiving station wherein the receiving station provides for decoding and processing of user input information or the coded, digital traffic information, the receiving arrangement further including memory means for storing basic or background information, the user input information or the coded, digital traffic information being connected to or superposed on the basic or background data on the memory means;

and presentation means displaying the the coded, digital traffic information superposed on the basic information, at least an essential part of the basic or background information, with basic information having different detail levels relating to a range of most basic information to most detailed wherein the different detail levels include symbols, traffic signs and text levels, said information being located on a memory card which is exchangeable, said memory card being connected directly or indirectly to the receiver station, and in that a filtering function can be selected through which a Filter Setup menu is shown on the display so that a user can choose which information to be displayed.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the available information comprises different levels including one of a selected one of symbols, traffic signs and text levels.