System and Method for Traffic Condition Communications

• US 20130049989A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howarter, Jamie C., Bradford, Richard G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,842,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with traffic detectors, the method comprising:

determining, with a location determining transceiver of a wireless device, a location of a vehicle;

communicating, with a wireless transceiver of the wireless device acting as a traffic detector, with one or more other vehicles to indicate a traffic condition and a location of the vehicle, in response to sensing the traffic condition or a user selection indicating the traffic condition is present; and

receiving the user selection with a user interface of the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

utilize wireless triangulation or global positioning satellites to determine the location of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition is one of a plurality of traffic conditions the wireless device is operable to sense or communicate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition is sensed in response to a condition of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the condition is an accident involving the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic condition is a warning played, displayed, or presented to the one or more other vehicles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating with one or more other vehicles comprises transmitting a message for reception by the one or more other vehicles.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message utilizing a database.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

associating safety parameters with the message based on a selection by an administrator.

11. A wireless device for broadcasting traffic conditions comprising:

a location determining transceiver operable to determine a location of a vehicle associated with the wireless device;

a wireless transceiver operable to communicate wirelessly as a traffic detector with one or more other vehicles, to indicate a traffic condition and a location of the vehicle;

traffic logic operable to command the wireless transceiver to communicate as a traffic detector in response to sensing the traffic condition or a user selection indicating the traffic condition is present; and

a user interface configured to receive the user selection.

12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the location determining transceiver is operable to utilize wireless triangulation or global positioning satellites to determine the location of the vehicle.

13. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is one of a plurality of traffic conditions the wireless device is operable to sense or communicate.

14. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is sensed in response to a condition of the vehicle.

15. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the condition is an accident involving the vehicle.

16. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the traffic condition is a warning played, displayed, or presented to the one or more other vehicles.

17. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein communicating with one or more other vehicles comprises transmitting a message for reception by the one or more other vehicles.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein a code in the message indicates a type of traffic condition.

19. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein safety parameters are associated with the message, based on a database.

20. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein safety parameters are associated with the message based on a selection by an administrator.