Method and system for determining vehicle traffic characteristics from wireless network registrations
First Claim
1. A method for determining a density of wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a road, wherein the road intersects a plurality of wireless coverage areas, and wherein the plurality of wireless coverage areas serve a first set of WCDs, the method comprising:
- querying registration data related to each WCD in the first set to determine, as a second set of WCDs, WCDs of the first set that have registered with any of the plurality of wireless coverage areas within a threshold time period;
determining a respective geographic location for each WCD in the second set;
comparing the determined geographic location of each WCD in the second set to a predefined geographic definition of the road;
establishing a third set of WCDs by selecting from the second set each WCD whose determined geographic location is within the predefined geographic definition of the road;
evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine the density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road, wherein evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine the density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road comprises dividing a number of WCDs in the third set by a predetermined average number of WCDs per vehicle; and
providing an output based on the determined density of WCDs on the road.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for determining the density and velocity of wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a road are provided. A preferred embodiment involves determining a set of WCDs that are being served by a plurality of wireless coverage areas that intersect the road. This set of WCDs is narrowed to include only those WCDs that are (1) presumed to be in motion and (2) within a predefined geographic definition of the road. The density and aggregate velocity of the resulting WCDs is determined. From these determinations, the traffic density and aggregate traffic velocity of vehicles on the road can be estimated and an associated output can be provided.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining a density of wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a road, wherein the road intersects a plurality of wireless coverage areas, and wherein the plurality of wireless coverage areas serve a first set of WCDs, the method comprising:
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querying registration data related to each WCD in the first set to determine, as a second set of WCDs, WCDs of the first set that have registered with any of the plurality of wireless coverage areas within a threshold time period; determining a respective geographic location for each WCD in the second set; comparing the determined geographic location of each WCD in the second set to a predefined geographic definition of the road; establishing a third set of WCDs by selecting from the second set each WCD whose determined geographic location is within the predefined geographic definition of the road; evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine the density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road, wherein evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine the density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road comprises dividing a number of WCDs in the third set by a predetermined average number of WCDs per vehicle; and providing an output based on the determined density of WCDs on the road. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining a density of wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a road, wherein the road intersects a first wireless coverage area operating according to a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless coverage area serves a first set of WCDs that operate according to the first wireless technology, wherein the road also intersects a second wireless coverage area operating according to a second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless coverage area serves a fourth set of WCDs that operate according to the second wireless technology, the method comprising:
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querying registration data related to each WCD in the first set to determine, as a second set of WCDs, WCDs of the first set that have registered with the first wireless coverage area within a threshold time period; determining a respective geographic location for each WCD in the second set; comparing the determined geographic location of each WCD in the second set to a predefined geographic definition of the road; establishing a third set of WCDs by selecting from the second set each WCD whose determined geographic location is within the predefined geographic definition of the road; evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine a first density of WCDs on the road; querying registration data related to each WCD in the fourth set to determine, as a fifth set of WCDs, WCDs of the fourth set that have registered with the second wireless coverage area within a threshold time period; determining a respective geographic location for each WCD in the fifth set; comparing the determined geographic location of each WCD in the fifth set to the predefined geographic definition of the road; establishing a sixth set of WCDs by selecting from the fifth set each WCD whose determined geographic location is within the predefined geographic definition of the road; evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the sixth set to determine a second density of WCDs on the road; combining the first density and the second density to form a third density of WCDs on the road; and providing an output based on the third density of WCDs on the road. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A traffic server for determining a density of wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a road, wherein the road intersects a plurality of wireless coverage areas, and wherein the plurality of wireless coverage areas serve a first set of WCDs, the traffic server comprising:
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a processor; a memory; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to receive a request to determine traffic characteristics of the road; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to query registration data related to each WCD in the first set, wherein the querying determines, as a second set of WCDs, WCDs of the first set that have registered with any of the plurality of wireless coverage areas within a threshold time period; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to determine a respective geographic location for each WCD in the second set; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to compare the determined geographic location of each WCD in the second set to a predefined geographic definition of the road; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to establish a third set of WCDs by selecting from the second set each WCD whose determined geographic location is within the predefined geographic definition of the road; program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to evaluate the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine a density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road, wherein evaluating the geographic locations of the WCDs in the third set to determine the density of WCDs within the predefined geographic definition of the road comprises dividing a number of WCDs in the third set by a predetermined average number of WCDs per vehicle; and program logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor to provide an output based on the determined density of WCDs on the road. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification