System and method for traffic condition communications

• US 8,321,123 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howarter, Jamie C., Bradford, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kim T
• Application Number:
  US13/033,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 701117-119, 701/408, 701/410, 701/412, 701/414, 701418-419, 701/425, 701/428
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with traffic detectors, the method comprising:

determining a location of a vehicle;

searching for any of a plurality of traffic detectors in a wireless environment;

establishing a communications session with one of the plurality of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the plurality of traffic detectors; and

communicating a message associated with the one of the plurality of traffic detectors to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of the one or more traffic detectors; and

displaying the message through one or more devices of the vehicle according to user preferences.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an identity of a driver of the vehicle, wherein the user preferences are associated with the driver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more devices of the vehicle broadcast the message for other vehicles.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message utilizing a database.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message based on a selection by an administrator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is communicated utilizing a display, vibration element, or speaker, and wherein the message provides a suggested course of action to the vehicle in response to a traffic condition.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of traffic detectors are activated in response to an accident or a user selection.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the range indicates locations for determining the message is to be communicated to the vehicle.

10. A wireless device comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions operable to respond to traffic conditions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are operable to;

determine a location of a vehicle, search for any of a plurality of traffic detectors in a wireless environment, establish a communications session with one of the plurality of traffic detectors in response to entering the range of one of the plurality of traffic detectors, communicate a message associated with the one of the plurality of traffic detectors to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of the one or more traffic detectors, and display the message through one or more devices of the vehicle according to user preferences.

11. The wireless device according to claim 10, wherein the location is determined utilizing a global positioning system or wireless triangulation.

12. The wireless device according to claim 10, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition, wherein the message is communicated utilizing a display, vibration element, or speaker, and wherein the message provides a suggested course of action to the vehicle in response to a traffic condition.

13. The wireless device according to claim 10, wherein the wireless device or one or more devices in communication with the wireless device of the vehicle broadcast the message for other vehicles.