Real time vehicle guidance and traffic forecasting system

• US 6,615,130 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Makor Issues & Rights Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Makor Issues & Rights Ltd.
• Inventors: Myr, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US09/800,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 701/200, 701/201, 701/202, 701/203, 701/205, 701/206, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 701/212, 701/213, 340/988, 340/989, 340/990, 340/991, 340/993, 340/995, 340/996, 340/905
• US Class Current: 701/117
• 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: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096816 where the complete route is transmitted to the vehicle at once
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases

Abstract

Real time vehicle guidance by central traffic unit is provided by a system which includes a central traffic unit, a plurality of vehicles equipped with mobile guidance units, and communication system based on GSM/GPS technology. The central traffic unit maintains the perpetually updated database of travel times for all sections of roads, while mobile guidance units include mobile cell phone handset units communicatively linked to the central traffic unit computer server. Mobile guidance units also comprise smart card capable to detect when a mobile cell phone unit is located in the mounting receptacle. To detect a bottleneck situation when it arises and to estimate a current travel time for a corresponding section of road, the central traffic unit maintains a list of probe vehicles that have recently exited that section. If the times those vehicles have spent on the section differ considerably from a regular travel time stored in the database, the central traffic unit uses statistical tools for forecasting the future travel time along this section. By appropriately combining those travel times, the central traffic unit calculates the fastest route based on the most updated information on traffic load disposition. The guidance system also allows the driver to enter alternative time schedules for the same destination and receive alternative travel time estimates reflecting different estimated travel times along the roads at different times.

Claims

1. A system for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times within a predetermined travel region, the system comprising:

central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS)

the COS providing wireless communications for communicating with client vehicles;

the CTU operatively connected to the communications system, the CTU performing a computed route search based on current and statistical section data;

a receiving device for collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within the predetermined travel region, and operatively connected to the CTU;

said CTU operatively connected to the communications system capable of processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data;

a database suitable for storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters on at least a limited number of individual roads as sensed by the sample vehicles;

computational tools for automatic identification of real time traffic jam conditions at various locations of the individual roads by utilizing the sample vehicles for measuring time delays; and

the central traffic unit further comprising;

a map database containing digital road maps of a predetermined geographical region together with predetermined relevant data on road factors, including data on speed limits, road capacity, road intersections, and street directional designations;

a server for processing the location data received from MGUs and transforming them into structured data suitable for storage;

a database suitable for storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters on at least a limited number of individual roads as sensed by the sample vehicles;

a table of administrator wherein said statistical data is further subdivided according to time into subdivisions;

statistical application for collecting said structured data, computing individual statistical travel time estimates for at least said limited number of individual roads, and storing the results in the table of administrator according to said subdivisions;

statistical application for collecting structured GPS data, computing individual statistical travel time estimates (regular times) for predetermined roads, and storing the results, the statistical application periodically updating the statistical data using statistical criteria for determining volumes of data necessary for obtaining valid and reliable estimates, the estimates having a predetermined validity;

computational tools for dividing said geographical region into a number of smaller geographical zones for reducing volumes of traffic parameter data broadcast to client vehicles;

software for calculation of said current travel times in traffic congestion based on said travel time traffic updates, thereby minimizing reliance on vehicle speed estimates, thereby increasing the reliability and stability of resulting statistical estimates; and

software for calculation of fastest travel routes using said current travel time estimates in the zones contiguous to the vehicle while using statistical travel times in the zones situated further from the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing wireless telephone technology for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing wireless telephone technology and GPS equipment for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions; and

one of said central processing unit and mobile guidance units applying an optimization procedure for computing an optimal route.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central traffic unit further comprises:

the map database containing road category data; and

guidance software based on mathematical and artificial intelligence algorithms together with the map databases for calculating fastest available travel routes from the present vehicle position to the desired destination while taking into account both statistical travel times and current travel time estimates.

5. A system for real time vehicle guidance and forcasting travel times within a predetermined travel region, the system comprising:

central traffic unit (CTU)), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS)

the COS providing wireless communications for communicating with client vehicles;

the CTU operatively connected to the communications system, the CTU performing a computed mute search based on current and statistical section data;

a receiving device for collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within the predetermined travel region, and operatively connected to the CTU;

map database containing digital road maps of a predefined geographical region together with predetermined relevant data on road factors;

said CTU operatively connected to the communications system capable of processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data;

a database suitable for storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters on individual roads as sensed by the sample vehicles;

statistical application for collecting structured GPS data, computing individual statistical travel time estimates (regular times) for predetermined roads, and storing the results, the statistical application periodically updating the statistical data using statistical criteria for determining volumes of data necessary for obtaining valid and reliable estimates; and

computational tools for automatic identification of real time traffic jam conditions at various locations of the individual roads by utilizing the sample vehicles for measuring time delays,

wherein a plurality of the mobile guidance units further comprise;

mobile unit with hybrid telecommunications and GPS capabilities connected to an existing mobile telecommunications network and utilizing a GPS receiver for accurate positioning;

a mobile phone telematics protocol (MPTP) connection to a mobile telecommunications network server for real time position updates;

a mounting receptacle for holding mobile cell phone handset unit;

a sensor to identify when a mobile cell phone handset unit is located in the mounting receptacle;

said mobile guidance units having a capability of accepting voice queries and transmit navigation commands; and

said mobile guidance units containing computational units for storing route information and displaying it on the display unit.

6. A system for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times within a predetermined travel region, the system comprising:

central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS)

the COS providing wireless communications for communicating with client vehicles;

the CTU operatively connected to the communications system, the CTU performing a computed route search based on current and statistical section data;

a receiving device for collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within the predetermined travel region, and operatively connected to the CTU;

map database containing digital road maps of a predefined geographical region together with predetermined relevant data on road factors;

said CTU operatively connected to the communications system capable of processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data;

a database suitable for storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters on individual roads as sensed by the sample vehicles;

statistical application for collecting structured GPS data, computing individual statistical travel time estimates (regular times) for predetermined roads, and storing the results, the statistical application periodically updating the statistical data using statistical criteria for determining volumes of data necessary for obtaining valid and reliable estimates; and

computational tools for automatic identification of real time traffic jam conditions at various locations of the individual roads by utilizing the sample vehicles for measuring time delays,

the system utilizing wireless mobile telephone telecommunications for the purpose of providing reliable connection among the CTU, telecommunications operator stations, and MGUs wherein;

said COS is capable of transmitting location data from MGUs to CTU via telecommunications service operator stations when relevant handset units are located in the client vehicles;

said COS is capable of transmitting client requests from MGUs to CTU for a fastest route from a given location to a desired destination; and

said COS is capable of transmitting appropriately coded information on calculated routes from CTU to MGUs for displaying it on the PC unit screen and communicating it by voice on the car navigational terminal.

7. A mobile unit for use with system which includes central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS) for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times, the mobile unit comprising:

mobile unit with hybrid telecommunications and GPS capabilities connected to an existing mobile telecommunications network and utilizing a GPS receiver for accurate positioning, the mobile unit receiving data from a central traffic unit, the data including updated statistical data on traffic parameters of individual roads, the updated data including data for computing individual statistical travel time estimates as provided by sample vehicles;

a mobile phone telematics protocol (MPTP) connection to a mobile telecommunications network server for real time position updates;

a mounting receptacle for holding mobile cell phone handset unit;

a sensor to identify when a mobile cell phone handset unit is located in the mounting receptacle;

said mobile guidance units having a capability of accepting voice queries and transmit navigation commands; and

said mobile guidance units containing computational units, the computational units capable of storing route information and displaying it on the display unit.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing wireless telephone technology for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions.

9. The system according to claim 7, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing wireless telephone technology and GPS equipment for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

said central traffic unit utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the central traffic unit further comprises:

the map database containing road category data; and

guidance software based on mathematical and artificial intelligence algorithms together with the map databases for calculating fastest available travel routes from the present vehicle position to the desired destination while taking into account both statistical travel times and current travel time estimates.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the central traffic unit further comprises:

a map database containing digital road maps of a predetermined geographical region, data on speed limits, road capacity, road intersections, and street directional designations;

a server for processing the location data received from MGUs and transforming them into structured data suitable for storage;

a database suitable for storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters at least on a limited number of individual roads;

a table of administrator wherein said statistical data is further subdivided according to time into subdivisions;

statistical application for collecting said structured data, computing individual statistical time travel estimates for at least said limited number of individual roads, and storing the results in the table of administrator according to said subdivisions;

statistical application for periodical updating of said statistical data using statistical criteria for determining volumes of data required for obtaining estimates of a predetermined validity;

computational tools for dividing said geographical region into a number of smaller geographical zones for reducing volumes of traffic parameter data broadcast to client vehicles;

software for calculation of said current travel times in traffic congestion based on said travel time traffic updates, thereby minimizing reliance on vehicle speed estimates, thereby increasing the reliability and stability of resulting statistical estimates;

software for calculation of fastest travel routes using said current travel time estimates in the zones contiguous to the vehicle while using statistical travel times in the zones situated further from the vehicle.

12. The system according to claim 7, utilizing wireless mobile telephone telecommunications for the purpose of providing reliable connection among the CTU, telecommunications operator stations, and MGUs wherein:

said COS is capable of transmitting location data from MGUs to CTU via telecommunications service operator stations when relevant handset units are located in the mounting receptacles;

said COS is capable of transmitting client requests from MGUs to CTU for a fastest route from a given location to a desired destination; and

said COS is capable of transmitting appropriately coded information on calculated routes from CTU to MGUs for displaying it on the PC unit screen and communicating it by voice on the car navigational terminal.

13. A method for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times, the method comprising:

providing central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS) for wireless communication with client vehicles and operatively connected to the CTU;

connecting the central traffic unit to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

using said central traffic unit for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system by utilizing wireless telephone technology;

receiving and collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within a predetermined travel region;

using said central traffic unit and the GPS location data, and processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions;

storing road category data in the map database;

utilizing the data from the sample vehicles for automatic identification of real time traffic jam conditions at various locations of the individual roads by utilizing the sample vehicles for measuring time delays and computing travel time estimates;

using mathematical and artificial intelligence algorithms together with the map databases for calculating fastest available travel routes from the present vehicle position to the desired destination while taking into account both statistical travel times and current travel time estimates; and

applying an optimization procedure for computing an optimal route.

14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

utilizing wireless telephone technology and GPS equipment for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions.

15. Method according to claim 13, further comprising:

using information gathered by the CTU for developing statistical traffic data and data collection of vehicle movements along federal, state, municipal and rural regional road networks, including developing a database of long-term traffic data and their accumulated effects on optimal traffic flows in specific geographical regions.

16. A method for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times, the method comprising:

providing central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS) for wireless communication with client vehicles and operatively connected to the CTU;

connecting the central traffic unit to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

using said central traffic unit for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system by utilizing wireless telephone technology;

receiving and collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within a predetermined travel region;

using said central traffic unit and the GPS location data, and processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions;

providing a map database containing digital road maps of a predetermined geographical region, together with predetermined relevant data on road factors including, data on speed limits, road capacity, road intersections, and street directional designations;

processing the location data received from MGUs and transforming them into structured data suitable for storage;

storing and updating statistical data on traffic parameters at least on a limited number of individual roads;

further subdividing said statistical data according to time into subdivisions;

collecting said structured data, using the structured data to compute individual statistical time travel estimates for at least said limited number of individual roads, and storing the results according to said subdivisions;

periodically updating said statistical data using statistical criteria for determining volumes of data required for obtaining estimates of a predetermined validity;

dividing said geographical region into a number of smaller geographical zones for reducing volumes of traffic parameter data broadcast to client vehicles;

calculating said current travel times in traffic congestion based on said travel time traffic updates, thereby minimizing reliance on vehicle speed estimates, thereby increasing the reliability and stability of resulting statistical estimates;

calculating fastest travel routes using said current travel time estimates in the zones contiguous to the vehicle while using statistical travel times in the zones situated further from the vehicle; and

applying an optimization procedure for computing an optimal route.

17. A method for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times, the method comprising:

providing central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS) for wireless communication with client vehicles and operatively connected to the CTU;

connecting the central traffic unit to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

using said central traffic unit for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system by utilizing wireless telephone technology;

receiving and collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within a predetermined travel region;

using said central traffic unit and the GPS location data, and processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions;

providing a plurality of mobile unit with hybrid telecommunications and GPS capabilities connected to an existing mobile telecommunications network and utilizing a GPS receiver for accurate positioning;

using a mobile phone telematics protocol (MPTP) connection to a mobile telecommunications network server for real time position updates;

using said mobile guidance units to accept voice queries and transmit navigation commands; and

storing route information and displaying said route information in display units associated with said mobile units.

18. Method according to claim 17, further comprising using information gathered by the CTU for developing statistical traffic data.

19. Method according to claim 17, further comprising:

the central traffic unit connected to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

utilizing wireless telephone technology and GPS equipment for communication with MGUs via the communication system;

utilizing the GPS location data, for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions.

20. Method according to claim 17, further comprising:

using information gathered by the CTU for developing statistical traffic data and data collection of vehicle movements along federal, state, municipal and rural regional road networks, including developing a database of long-term traffic data and their accumulated effects on optimal traffic flows in specific geographical regions.

21. A method for real time vehicle guidance and forecasting travel times, the method comprising:

providing central traffic unit (CTU), mobile guidance units (MGU), and communication system (COS) for wireless communication with client vehicles and operatively connected to the CTU;

connecting the central traffic unit to telecommunications operator base stations and to the mobile guidance units via the communication system;

using said central traffic unit for determination of location and for communication with MGUs via the communication system by utilizing wireless telephone technology;

receiving and collecting GPS data at predetermined time intervals from sample vehicles moving within a predetermined travel region;

using said central traffic unit and the GPS location data, and processing in real time said GPS data and transforming them into appropriately structured data for achieving maximum feasible precision in determining MGU positions; and

utilizing wireless mobile telephone telecommunications for the purpose of providing reliable connection among the CTU, telecommunications operator stations, and MGUs wherein;

said COS is used to transmit location data from MGUs to CTU via telecommunications service operator stations when relevant handset units are located in mounting receptacles;

said COS is used to transmit client requests from MGUs to CTU for a fastest route from a given location to a desired destination; and

said COS is used to transmit appropriately coded information on calculated routes from CTU to MGUs for displaying it on the PC unit screen and communicating it by voice on the car navigational terminal.