Touch Screen Based Interaction with Traffic Data

• US 20100312462A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pelmorex Canada Inc.
• Inventors: Guéziec, André, Blanquart, Briac
• Granted Patent: US 8,982,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0116 from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/012 from other sources than vehicle or roadside beacons, e.g. mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0967 Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968

Abstract

Touch screen based interaction with traffic data is disclosed. A virtual broadcast presentation may be generated based on dynamic information such as traffic information, weather information, or other information that may be featured on a virtual broadcast presentation. A signal generated by a touch screen may be received. The generated signal may be processed and the virtual broadcast presentation may be updated in response to the processed signal.

Claims

1. A method for touch screen based interaction with traffic data, the method comprising:

generating a virtual broadcast presentation based on traffic data received from one or more information sources,

receiving a signal generated by a touch screen, the signal based on user interaction with the touch screen, wherein the user interaction includes selection of an interactive element included in the virtual broadcast presentation;

processing the signal generated by the touch screen; and

updating the virtual broadcast presentation in response to the processed signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive element is a traffic alert.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive element is a soft key displayed within the virtual broadcast presentation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive element is a traffic camera showing a real time traffic condition associated with a real world location of the traffic camera.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating an estimated travel time between two selected locations displayed in the virtual broadcast presentation, wherein the user interaction includes selection of a first interactive element corresponding to a first location designated as a starting point and selection of a second interactive element corresponding to a second location designated as an end point.

6. The method of claim 5, further including displaying the calculated estimated travel time within the virtual broadcast presentation on the touch screen.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the calculated travel time is based on a designated time of day.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the calculated travel time is based on a condition affecting travel.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating an estimated travel distance between two selected locations displayed in the virtual broadcast presentation, wherein the user interaction includes selection of a first interactive element corresponding to a starting point of the travel distance and selection of a second interactive element corresponding to an end point of the travel distance.

10. The method of claim 9, further including displaying the calculated estimated traveling distance within the virtual broadcast presentation on the touch screen.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the virtual broadcast presentation includes displaying information regarding the selected interactive element.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the virtual broadcast presentation includes manipulating a view of the virtual broadcast presentation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the view includes rotating or tilting the virtual broadcast presentation.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the view includes zooming in or zooming out of the virtual broadcast presentation.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the view includes scrolling through the virtual broadcast presentation.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the virtual broadcast presentation is further based on weather data received from an information source.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the virtual broadcast presentation is further based on a newsworthy event received from an information source.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the newsworthy event is a school closing.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual broadcast presentation is three-dimensional.

20. A system for touch screen based interaction with traffic data, the system comprising:

a communications module stored in memory and executable by a processor to receive a signal generated by a touch screen, the signal based on user interaction with the touch screen, wherein the user interaction includes selection of an interactive element included in a virtual broadcast presentation;

a presentation rendering module stored in memory and executable by a processor to;

generate the virtual broadcast presentation based on traffic data received from one or more information sources;

process the signal generated by the touch screen; and

update the virtual broadcast presentation in response to the processed signal.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a selection module stored in memory and executable by a processor to allow for selection of the interactive element.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising a feedback module stored in memory and executable by a processor to inform a user that the interactive element is selectable.

23. The system of claim 20, further comprising a trip calculation module stored in memory and executable by a processor to determine an estimated travel time or travel distance between two selected locations.

24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having a program embodied thereon, the program executable by a processor to perform a method for touch screen based interaction with traffic data, the method comprising:

generating a virtual broadcast presentation based on traffic data received from one or more information sources,

receiving a signal generated by a touch screen, the signal based on user interaction with the touch screen, wherein the user interaction includes selection of an interactive element included in the virtual broadcast presentation;

processing the signal generated by the touch screen; and

updating the virtual broadcast presentation in response to the processed signal.