Vehicle operator and/or occupant information apparatus and method

• US 9,075,136 B1
• Filed: 03/01/1999
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NavBlazer, LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Original Assignee: GTJ Ventures, LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US09/259,957
• Time in Patent Office: 5,972 Days
• Field of Search: 348113-117, 348/118, 348142-160, 725/105, 701/117, 342/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• 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: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

An apparatus including a processing device which identifies a first travel route, on which first travel route a vehicle can travel to a destination, and which generates a first message containing information regarding the first travel route, and a transmitter which transmits the first message to a communication device located at the vehicle. The apparatus automatically detects a departure of the vehicle from the first travel route, identifies a second travel route in response to the detected departure of the vehicle from the first travel route, generates a second message containing information regarding the second travel route, and transmits the second message to the communication device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a request for information regarding a first travel route and a second travel route, wherein the request for information is transmitted to the receiver from a vehicle computer located at a vehicle, and further wherein the request for information contains information regarding a location of the vehicle and a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the request for information, wherein the processing device determines a first travel route along or on a first at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which first travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the processing device determines a second travel route to the destination on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which second travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the processing device identifies a first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and identifies a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the first travel route or the second travel route, and further wherein the apparatus receives video information from at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and receives video information from at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the video information obtained from the at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras to the vehicle computer, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the video information obtained from the at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras to the vehicle computer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a database, wherein the database stores information regarding the first travel route and the second travel route, location information for at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the second plurality of video cameras, information regarding a link associated with at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the second plurality of video cameras, and information regarding at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a parkway, an entrance to or exit from at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a parkway, a bridge, a tunnel, a toll booth, a toll booth plaza, an entrance to or exit from at least one of a bridge, a tunnel, a toll booth, a toll booth plaza, and a parking lot for at least one of a shopping mall, a store, a beach, a sports facility, an arena, and an entertainment facility or center.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video information obtained from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the video information obtained from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras is transmitted to the vehicle computer in a sequential manner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein video information regarding a plurality of locations is transmitted to the vehicle computer for simultaneous viewing via the vehicle computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, is located at a location for viewing at least one of a roadway, an entrance to a roadway, an exit from a roadway, a bridge, a bridge entrance, a bridge exit, a tunnel, an inside of a tunnel, a tunnel entrance, a tunnel exit, a toll booth, an entrance to a toll booth plaza, and a parking lot.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits at least one of information regarding a traffic condition, a traffic forecast, a forecasted traffic condition, a weather condition, a forecasted weather condition, weather information, a weather forecast, maintenance information, and a news report.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus controls at least one of a movement, a rotation, and a pivoting, of at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras is at least one of stationed on at least one of a pole, a road sign, a building, an overpass, and a wall or structure, adjacent to or at a location for viewing at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a bridge, a tunnel, and a parking lot, and stationed along at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a bridge, a tunnel, and a parking lot.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of an automobile, a recreational vehicle, a motorcycle, a motor home, a mobile home, a commercial land vehicle, and a commercial equipment.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is programmed to automatically detect a departure of the vehicle from the first travel route or from the second travel route, and further wherein the processing device identifies a third travel route in response to detecting the departure of the vehicle from the first travel route or the second travel route, wherein the apparatus obtains video information from at least one video camera of a third plurality of video cameras associated with the third travel route, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the video information obtained from the at least one video camera of the third plurality of video cameras associated with the third travel route to the vehicle computer.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits video information, text information, or audio information, regarding a traffic condition or traffic information regarding or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route to the vehicle computer.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits text information or audio information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the first travel route or the second travel route to the vehicle computer.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits text information or audio information regarding a weather condition, weather information, or a forecasted weather condition or a weather forecast, on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route, to the vehicle computer.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits text information or audio information regarding maintenance information associated with the first travel route or the second travel route, to the vehicle computer.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits text information or audio information regarding a news report to the vehicle computer.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

an input device, wherein the input device inputs information regarding at least one of a location of a vehicle and a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, wherein the input device is located at the vehicle;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes information input via the input device, wherein the processing device determines a first travel route along or on a first at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which first travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the processing device determines a second travel route to the destination on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which second travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the processing device identifies a first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and identifies a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the first travel route or the second travel route;

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives video information obtained from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and receives video information from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras; and

a display device, wherein the display device displays the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and displays the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, wherein the display device is located at the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device determines a position or a location of the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the input device and the display device is located at least one of on, in, and adjacent to, a dashboard of the vehicle or a console of the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a head-up display device, wherein the head-up display device provides information on a windshield of the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is programmed to provide video information for a location up ahead on the first travel route or up ahead on the second travel route.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display device displays a plurality of video images simultaneously.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a speaker, wherein the speaker provides audio information.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a database, wherein the database stores at least one of information regarding the first travel route and the second travel route, location information for at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the second plurality of video cameras, information regarding a link associated with at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the second plurality of video cameras, and information regarding at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a parkway, an entrance to or exit from at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a parkway, a bridge, a tunnel, a toll booth, a toll booth plaza, an entrance to or exit from at least one of a bridge, a tunnel, a toll booth, a toll booth plaza, and a parking lot for at least one of a shopping mall, a store, a beach, a sports facility, an arena, and an entertainment facility or center.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the video information from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras, and the video information obtained from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, is displayed on the display device in a sequential manner.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, is located at a location for viewing at least one of a roadway, an entrance to a roadway, an exit from a roadway, a bridge, a bridge entrance, a bridge exit, a tunnel, an inside of a tunnel, a tunnel entrance, a tunnel exit, a toll booth, an entrance to a toll booth plaza, and a parking lot.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus receives at least one of information regarding a traffic condition, a traffic forecast, a forecasted traffic condition, a weather condition, a forecasted weather condition, weather information, a weather forecast, maintenance information, and a news report.

21. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras is at least one of stationed on at least one of a pole, a road sign, a building, an overpass, and a wall or structure, adjacent to or at a location for viewing at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a bridge, a tunnel, and a parking lot, and stationed along at least one of a roadway, a highway, an expressway, a bridge, a tunnel, and a parking lot.

31. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus provides video information, text information, or audio information, regarding at least one of a traffic condition, a traffic forecast, a weather condition, weather information, and a forecasted weather condition or a weather forecast, associated with the first travel route or the second travel route, to the vehicle computer.

32. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus provides text information or audio information regarding maintenance information associated with the first travel route or the second travel route to the vehicle computer.

33. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus provides text information or audio information regarding a news report.

34. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is programmed to automatically detect a departure of the vehicle from the first travel route or from the second travel route, and further wherein the processing device identifies a third travel route in response to detecting the departure of the vehicle from first travel route or the second travel route, wherein the apparatus obtains or receives video information from at least one video camera of a third plurality of video cameras associated with the third travel route.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

an input device, wherein the input device inputs information regarding at least one of a location of a vehicle and a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, wherein the apparatus is located at the vehicle;

a first processing device, wherein the first processing device processes information input via the input device, wherein the first processing device generates a travel route information request for information regarding a travel route on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination;

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the travel route information request to a second processing device located remote from the vehicle;

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives information regarding a travel route on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination from the second processing device, wherein the second processing device determines or identifies a first travel route on a first at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which first travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the second processing device determines or identifies a second travel route on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which second travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the information regarding a travel route contains video information obtained from a first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and contains video information obtained from a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, and further wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the first travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the second travel route; and

a display device, wherein the display device displays the video information obtained from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and for displaying the video information obtained from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, wherein the video information obtained from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and the video information obtained from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras is displayed on the display device in a sequential manner.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a request for information regarding a travel route to a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, wherein the request for information is transmitted to the receiver from a communication device located at the vehicle, wherein the request for information contains information regarding a location of the vehicle and the destination;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the request for information, wherein the processing device identifies a first travel route on which the vehicle can travel to the destination, and further wherein the processing device generates a first message containing information regarding the first travel route; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the first message to the communication device,

wherein the apparatus automatically detects a departure of the vehicle from the first travel route, and further wherein the apparatus identifies a second travel route on which the vehicle can travel to the destination in response to the detected departure of the vehicle from the first travel route, wherein the apparatus generates a second message containing information regarding the second travel route, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the communication device is at least one of a computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a palmtop computer, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, a personal communication device, and a personal communications services device.

35. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information regarding a traffic condition or traffic information on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

36. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains audio information regarding a traffic condition or traffic information on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

37. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

38. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains audio information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

39. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information regarding a weather condition or weather information on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

40. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains audio information regarding a weather condition or weather information on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

41. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information or audio information regarding a forecasted weather condition or a weather forecast on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

42. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information or audio information regarding maintenance information associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

43. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains text information regarding a news report.

44. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains audio information regarding a news report.

45. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first message or the second message contains video information associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

46. A method, comprising:

receiving, with a receiver, a request for information regarding a first travel route and a second travel route, wherein the request for information is transmitted from a vehicle computer located at a vehicle, and further wherein the request for information contains information regarding a location of the vehicle and a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

processing, with a processing device, the request for information;

determining, with the processing device or with a computer, a first travel route along or on a first at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which first travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination;

determining, with the processing device or with the computer, a second travel route to the destination on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which second travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination;

identifying, with the processing device or with the computer, a first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and identifying, with the processing device or with the computer, a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the first travel route or the second travel route;

receiving video information from at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and receiving video information from at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras; and

transmitting, with or via a transmitter, the video information obtained from the at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras to the vehicle computer, and transmitting the video information obtained from the at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras to the vehicle computer.

47. A method, comprising:

inputting, with an input device, information regarding at least one of a location of a vehicle and a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, wherein the input device is located at the vehicle;

processing, with a processing device, the information input via the input device;

determining, with the processing device or with a computer, a first travel route along or on a first at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which first travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination, and determining, with the processing device or with the computer, a second travel route to the destination on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, on which second travel route the vehicle can travel to the destination;

identifying, with the processing device or with the computer, a first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and identifying, with the processing device or with the computer, a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras associated with the first travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the first travel route or the second travel route;

receiving, with a receiver, video information obtained from each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and receiving video information from each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras; and

displaying, via a display device, the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras and displaying, via the display device, the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras, wherein the display device is located at the vehicle.

48. A method, comprising:

receiving, with a receiver, a request for information regarding a travel route to a destination to which a vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, wherein the request for information is transmitted to the receiver from a communication device located at the vehicle, and further wherein the request for information contains information regarding a location of the vehicle or the destination;

processing, with a processing device, the request for information;

identifying, with the processing device or with a computer, a first travel route on which the vehicle can travel to the destination;

generating, with the processing device or with the computer, a first message containing information regarding the first travel route;

transmitting, with or via a transmitter, the first message to the communication device;

detecting a departure of the vehicle from the first travel route, wherein the departure of the vehicle from the first travel route is automatically detected by the processing device or by the computer;

identifying, with the processing device or with the computer, a second travel route on which the vehicle can travel to the destination in response to the detected departure of the vehicle from the first travel route;

generating, with the processing device or with the computer, a second message containing information regarding the second travel route, wherein the second message is automatically generated by the processing device or by the computer; and

transmitting the second message to the communication device.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

transmitting a third message to the communication device, wherein the third message contains video information regarding the first travel route or the second travel route.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the video information is obtained with or by at least one camera located along, on, adjacent to, or near, the first travel route or the second travel route.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

transmitting a third message to the communication device, wherein the third message contains text information or audio information regarding at least one of a traffic condition or traffic information on or associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

transmitting a third message to the communication device, wherein the third message contains text information or audio information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the first travel route or the second travel route, or text information or audio information regarding maintenance information associated with the first travel route or the second travel route.

53. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

transmitting a third message to the communication device, wherein the third message contains text information or audio information regarding a weather condition, weather information, a forecasted weather condition, or a weather forecast.

54. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

transmitting a third message to the communication device, wherein the third message contains text information or audio information regarding a news report.

55. An apparatus, comprising:

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device determines a position or a location of a vehicle;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes information regarding the position or the location of the vehicle and information regarding a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, and further wherein the processing device determines or identifies a travel route to the destination;

a display device or a speaker, wherein the display device displays information regarding the travel route or the speaker provides audio information regarding the travel route; and

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives traffic information or information regarding a traffic condition, wherein the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition is transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located at a location remote from the vehicle,

wherein the apparatus provides the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition at the vehicle via the display device or via the speaker.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus detects a departure of the vehicle from the travel route, and further wherein the apparatus determines or identifies a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides information regarding the second travel route.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives video information regarding the travel route or video information regarding a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the video information regarding the travel route or the video information regarding the second travel route.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the video information regarding the travel route or the video information regarding the second travel route is obtained with or by at least one camera located along, on, adjacent to, or near, the travel route or the second travel route.

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus provides a video preview of the travel route or a video preview of a second travel route to the destination.

60. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the travel route or a traffic forecast associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the traffic forecast associated with the travel route or the traffic forecast associated with the second travel route.

61. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives maintenance information associated with the travel route or maintenance information associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the maintenance information associated with the travel route or the maintenance information associated with the second travel route.

62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a weather condition, weather information, a forecasted weather condition, or a weather forecast, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the weather condition, the weather information, the forecasted weather condition, or the weather forecast.

63. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a news report, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the news report.

64. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the display device is located or mounted on, or adjacent to, a dashboard of the vehicle or a console of the vehicle.

65. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising:

a head-up display device, wherein the head-up display device displays information on a windshield of the vehicle.

66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus receives travel route information transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located remote from the vehicle, and further wherein the apparatus provides the travel route information.

67. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising:

a microphone and voice recognition software, wherein the microphone and the voice recognition software provides or facilitates a hands-free mode of apparatus operation.

68. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus processes a request to provide video information from or associated with a selected location, wherein the selected location is located remote from the vehicle, wherein the apparatus receives the video information from or associated with the selected location, and further wherein the apparatus provides the video information via the display device or via a second display device.

69. A method, comprising:

processing, with a processing device, information regarding a location of a vehicle and information regarding a destination to which the vehicle can travel on at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

determining or identifying, with the processing device or with a computer, a travel route to the destination;

displaying, via a display device, information regarding the travel route or providing, via a speaker, audio information regarding the travel route;

receiving, with a receiver, traffic information or information regarding a traffic condition, wherein the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition is transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located at a location remote from the vehicle; and

providing the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition at the vehicle via the display device or via the speaker.

70. An apparatus, comprising:

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device determines a position or a location of the apparatus;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes information regarding the position or the location of the apparatus and information regarding a destination, wherein the processing device determines or identifies a travel route to the destination on or along at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

a display device or a speaker, wherein the display device displays information regarding the travel route or the speaker provides audio information regarding the travel route; and

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives traffic information or information regarding a traffic condition, wherein the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition is transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located at a location remote from the apparatus,

wherein the apparatus provides the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition via the display device or via the speaker.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus detects a departure from the travel route, and further wherein the apparatus determines or identifies a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides information regarding the second travel route.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives video information regarding the travel route or video information regarding a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the video information regarding the travel route or the video information regarding the second travel route.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the video information regarding the travel route or the video information regarding the second travel route is obtained or recorded with or by at least one camera located along, on, adjacent to, or near, the travel route or the second travel route.

74. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus provides a video preview of the travel route or a video preview of a second travel route to the destination.

75. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the travel route or a traffic forecast associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the traffic forecast associated with the travel route or the traffic forecast associated with the second travel route.

76. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives maintenance information associated with the travel route or maintenance information associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus provides the maintenance information associated with the travel route or the maintenance information associated with the second travel route.

77. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a weather condition, weather information, a forecasted weather condition, or a weather forecast, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the weather condition, the weather information, the forecasted weather condition, or the weather forecast.

78. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives information regarding a news report, and further wherein the apparatus provides the information regarding the news report.

79. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus receives travel route information transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located remote from the apparatus, and further wherein the apparatus provides the travel route information.

80. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

a microphone and voice recognition software, wherein the microphone and the voice recognition software provides or facilitates a hands-free mode of apparatus operation.

81. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus processes a request to provide video information from or associated with a selected location, wherein the selected location is located remote from the apparatus, wherein the apparatus receives the video information from or associated with the selected location, and further wherein the apparatus provides the video information via the display device.

82. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus automatically detects a departure from the travel route, and further wherein the apparatus identifies a second travel route to the destination in response to the detected departure from the travel route, wherein the apparatus provides information regarding the second travel route.

83. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus or the processing device determines a second travel route to the destination along or on a second at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway, and further wherein the apparatus or the processing device identifies a first plurality of video cameras associated with the travel route and identifies a second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route, wherein each video camera of the first plurality of video cameras associated with the travel route and each video camera of the second plurality of video cameras associated with the second travel route is assigned to a location at least one of along, on, adjacent to, and near, the travel route or the second travel route, and further wherein the apparatus receives video information obtained from one or more video cameras of the first plurality of video cameras and receives video information from one or more video cameras of the second plurality of video cameras, and further wherein the display device displays the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the first plurality of video cameras or displays the video information obtained from at least one video camera of the second plurality of video cameras.

84. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the display device displays a plurality of video images simultaneously.

85. A method, comprising:

determining a current position or a current location of a device or an apparatus, wherein the current position or the current location is determined with or using a global positioning device located at or in the device or the apparatus;

processing, with or using a processing device, information regarding the current position or the current location of the device or the apparatus;

identifying, with or using the processing device, a travel route to a destination on or along at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

transmitting, from or with a transmitter, information regarding the travel route to the device or the apparatus; and

transmitting traffic information or information regarding a traffic condition to the device or the apparatus, or transmitting, to the device or the apparatus, information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the travel route or a traffic forecast associated with a second travel route to the destination, or transmitting, to the device or the apparatus, maintenance information associated with the travel route or maintenance information associated with a second travel route to the destination, or transmitting, to the device or the apparatus, information regarding a weather condition, weather information, a forecasted weather condition, or a weather forecast.

86. An apparatus, comprising:

a global positioning device for determining a position or a location of the apparatus;

a processing device for processing information regarding the position or the location of the apparatus and information regarding a destination, wherein the processing device is adapted to determine or identify a travel route to the destination on or along at least one of a road, a roadway, a highway, a parkway, and an expressway;

a receiver for receiving traffic information or information regarding a traffic condition; and

a display device for displaying information regarding the travel route or a speaker for providing audio information regarding the travel route,

wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the traffic information or the information regarding a traffic condition via the display device or via the speaker.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of being located or mounted on, in, or adjacent to, a vehicle dashboard or a vehicle console.

88. The apparatus of claim 86, further comprising:

a microphone; and

voice recognition software,

wherein the apparatus is capable of providing a hands-free mode of operation.

89. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is a computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a palmtop computer, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, a personal communication device, or a personal communications services device.

90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving video information regarding the travel route or is capable of receiving video information regarding a second travel route, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the video information regarding the travel route or the video information regarding the second travel route via the display device.

91. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of detecting a departure from the travel route, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing information regarding the second travel route to the destination.

92. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of providing a video preview of the travel route or a video preview of a second travel route to the destination.

93. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving information regarding a traffic forecast associated with the travel route or a traffic forecast associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the information regarding the traffic forecast associated with the travel route or the traffic forecast associated with the second travel route.

94. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving maintenance information associated with the travel route or maintenance information associated with a second travel route to the destination, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the maintenance information associated with the travel route or the maintenance information associated with the second travel route.

95. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving information regarding a weather condition, weather information, a forecasted weather condition, or a weather forecast, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the information regarding the weather condition, the weather information, the forecasted weather condition, or the weather forecast.

96. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving information regarding a news report, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the information regarding the news report.

97. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is capable of receiving travel route information transmitted from a computer, a transmitter, or a device, located remote from the apparatus, and further wherein the apparatus is capable of providing the travel route information.

98. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the apparatus is a wireless device.