System for and method of monitoring real time traffic conditions using probe vehicles
First Claim
1. A traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a thoroughfare link, wherein the condition presents link specific data, said system comprising:
- a traffic information center configured to determine and store a first value of the condition; and
at least one probe vehicle communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to determine a probed value of the condition;
said center being configured to transmit to said at least one probe vehicle the first value of the condition,said at least one probe vehicle being further configured to compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value to the center, where the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold,said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe vehicle, and transmit the modified first value to said at least one receiving vehicle,wherein each probe vehicle is configured to determine and transmit to the center a current time, location, and heading, and said first value of the condition is based on the current time, location and heading,wherein the condition is the anticipated travel speed of a vehicle traveling upon the thoroughfare link, each probe vehicle is configured to transmit a destination input to the center, and the center includes a map database, and is configured to determine an average travel speed for a plurality of thoroughfare links within the database, the current location of the probe vehicle, a recommended route based on the current location and destination input, and the estimated total travel time of the route.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database.
31 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a thoroughfare link, wherein the condition presents link specific data, said system comprising:
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a traffic information center configured to determine and store a first value of the condition; and at least one probe vehicle communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to determine a probed value of the condition; said center being configured to transmit to said at least one probe vehicle the first value of the condition, said at least one probe vehicle being further configured to compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value to the center, where the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold, said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe vehicle, and transmit the modified first value to said at least one receiving vehicle, wherein each probe vehicle is configured to determine and transmit to the center a current time, location, and heading, and said first value of the condition is based on the current time, location and heading, wherein the condition is the anticipated travel speed of a vehicle traveling upon the thoroughfare link, each probe vehicle is configured to transmit a destination input to the center, and the center includes a map database, and is configured to determine an average travel speed for a plurality of thoroughfare links within the database, the current location of the probe vehicle, a recommended route based on the current location and destination input, and the estimated total travel time of the route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An event-triggered traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a thoroughfare link, wherein the condition presents link specific data, said system comprising:
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a traffic information center configured to determine and store a first value of the condition; and at least one probe vehicle communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to determine an event, request the first value from the center only when the event is determined, and determine a probed value of the condition; said center being configured to transmit to said at least one probe vehicle the first value of the condition upon receiving a request from the probe vehicle, said at least one probe vehicle being further configured to compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value to the center, only when the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold, said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe vehicle, and transmit the modified first value to said at least one receiving vehicle upon receiving a request therefrom, wherein the condition is the anticipated travel speed of a vehicle traveling upon the thoroughfare link, each probe vehicle is configured to transmit a destination input to the center, and the center includes a map database, and is configured to determine an average travel speed for a plurality of thoroughfare links within the database, the current location of the probe vehicle, a recommended route based on the current location and destination input, and the estimated total travel time of the route.
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Specification