Data-driven traffic views with the view based on a user-selected object of interest

• US 20060247845A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Trafficcom Incorporated (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Brian J., Agree, Jonathan K., Soulchin, Robert M., Matzelle, Brent R., Smith, Eric R., Balcerzak, Michal, Auxer, Gregory A., Cera, Christopher D., Grubner, John B. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09 Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions railroad crossing signals B61L; reflectors E01F, G08B; indicating arrangements for variable information by selection or combination of individual elements G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/13 the indicator being in the form of a map

Abstract

Traffic flow data is obtained for a road system that encompasses a predefined geographical region. A user then selects an object of interest within the geographical region. The object of interest has a corresponding geographical location. A graphical map of the road system is then created and the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on the road system is displayed on the graphical map, wherein the graphical map includes the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying on a graphical map traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the road system encompassing a predefined geographical region, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

(b) a user selecting an object of interest within the geographical region, the object of interest having a corresponding geographical location; and

(c) creating a graphical map of at least a portion of the road system and displaying the traffic flow data on the graphical map, wherein the graphical map includes the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

(d) rotating the graphical map around the user-selected object of interest.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical map is centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) rotating the graphical map around the user-selected object of interest while maintaining the graphical map centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) zooming towards or away from the user-selected object of interest while maintaining the graphical map centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) maintaining a database of current traffic events on the road system, wherein the object of interest is a specific traffic event.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the traffic event is a traffic incident.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the road system is defined by a plurality of predefined sections, and the object of interest is a predefined section of the road system.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the road system includes a plurality of sensors, and the object of interest is a roadside sensor.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the geographical region includes a plurality of landmarks, and the object of interest is a landmark.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the object of interest is a physical address within the geographical region.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) zooming towards or away from the user-selected object of interest.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) adjusting the view angle with respect to the ground plane while maintaining focus on the user-selected object of interest.

16. An article of manufacture for displaying on a graphical map traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system, the road system encompassing a predefined geographical region, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

(a) obtaining traffic flow data for the road system;

(b) a user selecting an object of interest within the geographical region, the object of interest having a corresponding geographical location; and

(c) creating a graphical map of at least a portion of the road system and displaying the traffic flow data on the graphical map, wherein the graphical map includes the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 17 wherein step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 17 further comprising:

(d) rotating the graphical map around the user-selected object of interest.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the graphical map is centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) rotating the graphical map around the user-selected object of interest while maintaining the graphical map centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) zooming towards or away from the user-selected object of interest while maintaining the graphical map centered around the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 16 further comprising:

(d) maintaining a database of current traffic events on the road system, wherein the object of interest is a specific traffic event.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 23 wherein the traffic event is a traffic incident.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the road system is defined by a plurality of predefined sections, and the object of interest is a predefined section of the road system.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the road system includes a plurality of sensors, and the object of interest is a roadside sensor.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the geographical region includes a plurality of landmarks, and the object of interest is a landmark.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the object of interest is a physical address within the geographical region.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) zooming towards or away from the user-selected object of interest.

30. The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein the graphical map of the at least a portion of the road system is a 3D graphical map and step (c) further includes creating and displaying selected 3D landmarks that are within the geographical region, the method further comprising:

(d) adjusting the view angle with respect to the ground plane while maintaining focus on the user-selected object of interest.