Method and apparatus for providing shortest elapsed time route information to users
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users, comprising the steps ofindividually and directly monitoring instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations by sensor means located on the respective route segments;
- transferring the instant rates of travel for each of the multiple route segments to a central processor;
receiving information of desired origin and destination combinations in the central processor from different users;
calculating in the central processor the route segment or combination of route segments providing a shortest elapsed time route between each origin-destination combination; and
transmitting information of the shortest elapsed time routes for the origin-destination combinations from the central processor to the respective users whereupon route selection by the central processor is based on an accurate comparison of instant rates of travel along the respective route segments and each user receives specific information from the central processor as to the combination of route segments providing the shortest elapsed time route between the origin and destination for that user.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users wherein information of desired origin and destination combinations is received from the users in a central processor or computer, instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations being monitored and transferred to the central processor which then calculates the route segment or segment combination providing shortest elapsed time routes for each origin-destination combination and transmitting that information to the respective user. Communication between the central processor and the users is preferably by telephone and more preferably by cellular telephone.
280 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users, comprising the steps of
individually and directly monitoring instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations by sensor means located on the respective route segments; -
transferring the instant rates of travel for each of the multiple route segments to a central processor; receiving information of desired origin and destination combinations in the central processor from different users; calculating in the central processor the route segment or combination of route segments providing a shortest elapsed time route between each origin-destination combination; and transmitting information of the shortest elapsed time routes for the origin-destination combinations from the central processor to the respective users whereupon route selection by the central processor is based on an accurate comparison of instant rates of travel along the respective route segments and each user receives specific information from the central processor as to the combination of route segments providing the shortest elapsed time route between the origin and destination for that user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for determining and communicating shortest elapsed time route information to users, comprising
sensor means for individually monitoring instant rates of travel on multiple route segments interconnecting various possible origins and destinations, the sensor means being located on the respective route segments; -
means for transferring the instant rates of travel for each of the multiple route segments to a central processor; means for receiving information of desired origin and destination combinations in the central processor from different users; means in the central processor for calculating the route segment or combination of route segments providing a shortest elapsed time route between each origin-destination combination; and means for transmitting information of the shortest elapsed time routes for the origin-destination-combinations from the central processor to the respective users, whereupon route selection is based on an accurate reflection of instant rates of travel along the respective route segments and each user receives specific information from the central processor as to the combination of route segments providing the shortest elapsed time between the origin and destination for that user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification