Automated location-intelligent traffic notification service systems and methods

• US 7,617,043 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ZAMA Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morgan, Lara F., Gao, Xiaofeng, Zhao, Wei, Oblon, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/239,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/201
• 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 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90 Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0968 Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

Traffic notification systems include a location determination system that is configured to determine a geographic location of a subscriber and an automated traffic notification system that is configured to automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal that is associated with the subscriber.

Claims

1. An automated traffic advisory system comprising at least one server having at least one database of subscriber data, wherein the system is configured to electronically communicate with communication devices associated with subscribers, wherein the system is configured to electronically notify subscribers of planned police enforcement activities in a travel route associated with a respective subscriber, and wherein the system is configured to electronically provide subscribers with data regarding numbers of speeding tickets issued by police in the travel route associated with a respective subscriber.

2. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 1, wherein the communication devices include wireless devices, at least one for each respective subscriber.

3. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to electronically generate and transmit travel advisories to subscribers using a drivability rating for different travel routes, and wherein the drivability rating is based on the weather, current traffic conditions, planned enforcement activities and a number of vehicle accidents on one or more roadways in the travel route over a time interval, and wherein the system is configured to electronically transmit the drivability rating of a roadway associated with a travel route of a respective subscriber to the communication device of the respective subscriber.

4. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 3, wherein the drivability rating also considers whether there are reported criminal activities along or proximate one or more roadways in the travel route, and wherein the system is configured to electronically transmit the drivability rating of a roadway associated with a travel route of a respective subscriber to the communication device of the respective subscriber.

5. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 2, wherein the system is configured to generate and electronically transmit to the wireless device of a subscriber a drivability rating that considers a number of traffic accidents along a roadway in a travel route associated with a respective subscriber over a time interval.

6. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 1, wherein the notification of data regarding speeding tickets issued by police along one or more roadways associated with the travel route of a respective subscriber includes an average number of speeding tickets given over a time interval.

7. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 2, wherein the system is configured to obtain substantially real-time speeding ticket event information and electronically transmit notices of speeding ticket events based on this information to the wireless devices of the subscribers.

8. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 2, wherein the system is configured to electronically associate a travel route with a respective subscriber, and to transmit a travel notification message associated with a travel route or roadway associated with the subscriber to the subscriber wireless device.

9. An automated traffic advisory system according to claim 8, wherein the system is configured to accept traveler-reported police speed ticket event data and generate travel advisories to subscriber wireless devices located on an affected roadway and/or in an affected travel route using this data.

10. An automated travel advisory system comprising at least one server configured to electronically communicate with portable wireless communication devices and/or on-board vehicle communication devices associated with subscribers, wherein the system is configured to electronically:

(a) associate a subscriber with a travel route and at least one communication device; and

(b) transmit speeding ticket information associated with a respective subscriber'"'"'s travel route to the subscriber'"'"'s communication device.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the system is configured to electronically store defined travel routes of respective subscribers in a database, monitor the position or travel route of subscribers, and automatically electronically transmit travel messages to the communication devices.

12. A system according to claim 10, wherein the system is configured to accept traveler-reported police speed ticket event data and generate travel advisories to subscriber wireless devices using this data.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the system is configured to transmit a travel notification message to respective subscribers, the message including a number of speeding tickets given over a time interval along a roadway associated with a respective subscriber'"'"'s travel route.