Method and system for using traffic flow data to navigate a vehicle to a destination
First Claim
1. A method for using an onboard computer system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
- setting a traffic flow data availability level in said onboard computer system;
said onboard computer system calculating a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point;
said onboard computer system receiving first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route, wherein said traffic flow data availability level identifies at least a minimum quantity of said traffic flow sensors that are transmitting traffic flow data;
said onboard computer system determining whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level;
said onboard computer system enabling a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and
said onboard computer system utilizing a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for selectively using traffic flow data to provide routing options for a vehicle traveling to a destination point. There is provided a method comprising setting a threshold traffic flow data availability level, receiving traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along one or more routes to the destination point, and determining whether the traffic flow data for each route meets the threshold availability level. The method further comprises enabling a flow-based route guidance for those routes for which the traffic flow data meets the threshold availability level. In one embodiment, the flow-based route guidance comprises utilizing the traffic flow data to calculate an estimated time of arrival at the destination point along each route.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for using an onboard computer system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
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setting a traffic flow data availability level in said onboard computer system; said onboard computer system calculating a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; said onboard computer system receiving first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route, wherein said traffic flow data availability level identifies at least a minimum quantity of said traffic flow sensors that are transmitting traffic flow data; said onboard computer system determining whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; said onboard computer system enabling a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and said onboard computer system utilizing a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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2. A method for using an onboard computer system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
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setting a traffic flow data availability level in said onboard computer system; said onboard computer system calculating a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; said onboard computer system receiving first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route; said onboard computer system determining whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; said onboard computer system enabling a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and said onboard computer system utilizing a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level; wherein setting the traffic flow data availability level comprises setting the traffic flow data availability level to traffic flow data being received from a majority of the traffic flow sensors placed along the first route. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A method for using an onboard computer system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
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setting a traffic flow data availability level in said onboard computer system; said onboard computer system calculating a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; said onboard computer system receiving first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route; said onboard computer system determining whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; said onboard computer system enabling a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and said onboard computer system utilizing a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level; wherein setting the traffic flow data availability level comprises setting the traffic flow data availability level to traffic flow data being received from about 50% to about 90% availability of the traffic flow sensors placed along the first route.
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13. A system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
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an onboard vehicle computer programmed to; set a traffic flow data availability level; calculate a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; receive first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route, wherein said traffic flow data availability level identifies at least a minimum percentage of said traffic flow sensors that are transmitting traffic flow data; determine whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; enable a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and utilize a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level; and a vehicle display device operatively coupled to the vehicle computer for displaying map and routing information for a user. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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14. A system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising:
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an onboard vehicle computer programmed to; set a traffic flow data availability level; calculate a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; receive first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route; determine whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; enable a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and utilize a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level; and a vehicle display device operatively coupled to the vehicle computer for displaying map and routing information for a user; wherein the traffic flow data availability level comprises traffic flow data being received from a majority of the traffic flow sensors placed along the first route. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification