Automated location-intelligent traffic notification service systems and methods

• US 8,781,738 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2013
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZAMA Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhao, Wei, Morgan, Lara F., Gao, Xiaofeng, Oblon, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US14/033,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20140025281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/516
• 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 can determine a geographic location of a subscriber, and an automated traffic notification system that can automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal associated with the subscriber.

Claims

1. A traffic advisory system comprising:

a processor; and

a database that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

determining a direction of travel and a geographic location of a mobile device,

storing route data identifying a route traveled by the mobile device,

determining that a traffic condition exists on the route traveled based upon the route data, the geographic location, and the direction of travel of the mobile device,

in response to determining that the traffic condition exists on the route traveled, transmitting, to the mobile device, a notification for presentation at the mobile device, the notification indicating the traffic condition and a location of the traffic condition, and

determining a code value indicating drivability for the route traveled.

2. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition comprises a traffic incident.

3. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition comprises traffic congestion.

4. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition comprises a traffic accident.

5. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition comprises road construction.

6. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising transmitting the notification using an audio message.

7. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising transmitting the notification using a text message.

8. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device, the input corresponding to a request for alternative route information.

9. The traffic advisory system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device confirming that the mobile device is in transit and that relevant driving-condition updates are to be transmitted to the mobile device.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

determining a direction of travel and a geographic location of a mobile device;

storing route data identifying a route traveled by the mobile device;

determining that a traffic condition exists on the route traveled based upon the route data, the determined geographic location, and the direction of travel of the mobile device;

in response to determining that the traffic condition exists on the route traveled;

transmitting a notification for presentation at the mobile device, the notification indicating the traffic condition and a location of the traffic condition; and

determining a code value indicating drivability for the route traveled.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device, the input corresponding to a request for alternative route information.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device confirming that the mobile device is in transit and that relevant driving-condition updates are to be transmitted to the mobile device.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising transmitting the notification using an audio message.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising transmitting the notification using a text message.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the traffic condition comprises a traffic incident.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the traffic condition comprises traffic congestion.

17. A traffic advisory system comprising:

a processor; and

a database that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

determining a direction of travel and a geographic location of a mobile device,

storing route data identifying a route traveled by the mobile device,

determining that a traffic condition exists on the route traveled based upon the route data, the geographic location, and the direction of travel of the mobile device,

in response to determining that the traffic condition exists on the route traveled,

transmitting, to the mobile device, a notification for presentation at the mobile device in a graphical user interface presenting a map and visual representation of the route, the notification indicating the traffic condition and a location of the traffic condition on the map, and

determining a code value indicating drivability for the route traveled.

18. The traffic advisory system of claim 17, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device, the input corresponding to a request for an alternative route.

19. The traffic advisory system of claim 17, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising receiving input from the mobile device indicating that driving-condition updates are to be transmitted to the mobile device.

20. The traffic advisory system of claim 17, wherein the traffic condition comprises traffic congestion, and wherein a location of the traffic congestion is indicated on the map displayed at the mobile device.