Automated location-intelligent traffic notification service systems and methods

• US 9,310,215 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US14/330,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20140330510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 associated with a mobile device,

identifying a travel route based upon the direction of travel and the geographic location associated with the mobile device, the travel route comprising a roadway,

determining that a traffic condition exists on the roadway and a location of the traffic condition, and

determining a drivability associated with the roadway based upon the traffic condition and the location of the traffic condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

identifying an alternative travel route in response to a determination that the traffic condition exists on the roadway.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a request for alternative route information; and

providing data identifying the alternative travel route in response to the request.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

generating a map that illustrates the drivability.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

in response to a determination that the traffic condition exists on the roadway, transmitting, to a device, a notification indicating the traffic condition and the location of the traffic condition.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the notification comprises a visual representation of the roadway, an indication of the traffic condition, and the location of the traffic condition.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein

the notification comprises text.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

storing data that relates to the drivability.

9. 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 associated with a mobile device;

identifying a travel route based upon the direction of travel and the geographic location associated with the mobile device, the travel route comprising a roadway;

determining that a traffic condition exists on the roadway and a location of the traffic condition; and

determining a drivability associated with the roadway based upon the traffic condition and the location of the traffic condition.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

generating a map that illustrates the drivability.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting, to a device, a notification indicating the traffic condition and the location of the traffic condition.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

identifying an alternative travel route in response to a determination that the traffic condition exists on the roadway.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a request for alternative route information; and

providing data identifying the alternative travel route in response to the request.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the traffic condition comprises a traffic accident.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of 9, wherein the traffic condition comprises traffic congestion.

16. A method comprising:

determining, at a system comprising a traffic monitoring service, a direction of travel and a geographic location associated with a mobile device;

identifying, by the system, a travel route based upon the direction of travel and the geographic location associated with the mobile device, the travel route comprising a roadway;

determining, by the system, that a traffic condition exists on the roadway and a location of the traffic condition; and

determining, by the system, a drivability associated with the roadway based upon the traffic condition and the location of the traffic condition.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

identifying, by the system, an alternative travel route in response to a determination that the traffic condition exists on the roadway.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving, by the system, a request for alternative route information; and

providing, by the system, data identifying the alternative travel route in response to the request.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

generating, by the system, a map that illustrates the drivability associated with the roadway.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

transmitting, to a device, a visual representation of the roadway, an indication of the traffic condition, and the location of the traffic condition.