JP5025993B2 - GPS-based traffic monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

Field of Invention

  [0001] The present invention relates to traffic monitoring systems, and more specifically to a global positioning system (GPS) based traffic monitoring system for vehicles.

Background of the Invention

  [0002] A global positioning system (GPS) for vehicles typically includes a receiver that triangulates vehicle position using beacons generated by GPS satellites. These systems also typically include a map database used to provide vehicle location on the map, driving directions, restaurant and company locations, and / or other information. It is becoming more difficult for cities to travel without suffering delays due to traffic jams, accidents, construction and / or other problems. Finding a parking lot in a crowded city is also difficult.

Summary of the Invention

  [0003] A vehicle traffic information system comprises a transmitter and a global positioning system (GPS) associated with the vehicle that selectively generates position and vector data. The control module receives the position and vector data and wirelessly transmits the position and vector data using the transmitter while the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads. The position and vector data are not transmitted while traveling on a predetermined road of the set.

  [0004] In another feature, a receiver communicates with the control module to wirelessly receive traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring system. The traffic report includes travel speed information relating to traffic traveling on at least one road of the first set of predetermined roads. The service support system communicates with the control module and wirelessly communicates with the remote service support system.

  [0005] In yet another feature, the remote traffic monitoring system receives the vector and position data, sets the vehicle speed on a first road to a first threshold and average travel on the first road. Compared to speed, the service assistance system and the remote service assistance system are used to selectively trigger contact with the vehicle. The traffic report includes parking status information of public parking spots. The parking situation information of the public parking spot includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown while leaving.

  [0006] In yet another feature of the invention, the control module periodically transmits the vector and position data. The control module monitors the direction change of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data when the vehicle changes direction greater than a direction change threshold. The control module monitors the vehicle speed change and transmits the vector and position data when the vehicle speed change is greater than a speed change threshold.

  [0007] In yet another aspect of the invention, the control module uses the transmitter to selectively transmit parking indication and position data when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The control module uses the transmitter to selectively transmit parking indication and position data when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked at a public parking spot. The control module selectively transmits vector and position data using the transmitter when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot.

  [0008] In yet another feature of the invention, the control module selectively generates position and parking indication data when the vehicle engine is turned off and uses the transmitter to position the position. And selectively transmit parking display data. A parking lot monitoring system located remotely from the vehicle receives the location and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generates a parking status report, and selects the parking status report for the vehicle To send.

  [0009] In yet another aspect of the invention, a parking lot module associated with a parking lot identifies an available parking spot in the parking lot, and a parking lot transmitter includes a parking lot associated with the available parking spot. The lot data is transmitted to the parking lot monitoring system. The parking spot module associated with the parking spot identifies the full status of the parking spot, and the parking spot transmitter transmits parking spot data based on the full status to the parking lot monitoring system.

  [0010] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on the parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking spot data. The parking status report includes parking spot information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance from at least one vehicle. The parking spot information includes a parking situation of a parking space on at least one road. The parking situation includes at least one selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown, and leaving. The control module is integrated with the GPS.

  [0011] A method for operating a vehicle traffic information system includes the step of selectively generating position and vector data using a global positioning system associated with the vehicle, the vehicle traveling on a first set of predetermined roads. And wirelessly transmitting the position and vector data, and not transmitting the position and vector data while the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads.

  [0012] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes wirelessly receiving traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring system at the vehicle. The traffic report includes travel speed information of traffic traveling on at least one of the first set of predetermined roads. The method uses a remote service assistance system based on the comparison of the vehicle speed on the first road to a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road. Selectively triggering contact with the vehicle.

  [0013] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic report includes parking status information for public parking spots. The parking situation information of the parking spot includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown while leaving.

  [0014] In yet another feature of the invention, the method comprises the step of periodically transmitting the vector and position data. The method comprises monitoring the direction change of the vehicle, and transmitting the vector and position data when the vehicle changes direction greater than a direction change threshold.

  [0015] In yet another feature of the invention, the method monitors the speed change of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data when the speed change of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. Including the step of. The method comprises selectively transmitting parking indication and position data when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The method further comprises selectively transmitting parking indication and location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot.

  [0016] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method comprises transmitting vector and location data when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot. The method includes selectively generating position and parking lot display data when the vehicle engine is turned off, and selectively transmitting the position and parking lot display data.

  [0017] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes receiving the position and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generating a parking status report, and the parking status. Selectively transmitting a report to the vehicle. The method further comprises identifying an available parking spot in the parking lot and wirelessly transmitting parking lot data regarding the available parking spot to a remote parking lot monitoring system.

  [0018] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes identifying a parking spot full condition and transmitting parking spot data based on the full condition to a remote parking lot monitoring system. The method includes the parking status report based in part on the parking lot data. The method comprises the parking report based in part on the parking spot data. The method includes parking spot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from at least one vehicle. The method includes the parking spot information including parking conditions of parking spots. The parking situation includes at least one selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown, and leaving.

  [0019] A vehicular traffic information system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) means associated with the vehicle for selectively generating position and vector data, a transmission means for wirelessly transmitting data, the position And vector data, and when the vehicle is traveling on the first set of predetermined roads, the transmission means is used to wirelessly transmit the position and vector data, and the vehicle transmits the second set of roads. Control means for not transmitting the position and vector data during traveling is provided.

  [0020] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic information system comprises receiving means for wirelessly receiving traffic reports from remote traffic monitoring means for monitoring traffic. The traffic report includes travel speed information for traffic traveling on at least one of the first set of predetermined roads. The remote service support means communicates with the control means and wirelessly communicates with the remote service support system. The remote traffic monitoring means compares the speed of the vehicle on a first road with a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road, and uses the remote service support system to Selectively triggers contact.

  [0021] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic report includes parking status information for public parking spots. The parking status information of the parking spot includes at least one type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown during leaving.

  [0022] In yet another feature of the invention, the control means periodically transmits the vector and position data. The control means monitors the direction change of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data using the transmission means when the vehicle changes direction greater than a direction change threshold. The control means monitors the speed change of the vehicle, and the transmission means transmits the vector and position data using the transmission means when the speed change of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. The control means selectively transmits the parking lot display and the position data using the transmission means when the vehicle ignition is turned off.

  [0023] In yet another feature of the invention, the control means uses the transmitting means to display a parking lot indication and when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked at a public parking spot. Selectively transmit position data. The control means selectively transmits vector and position data using the transmission means when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot. The control means selectively generates position and parking lot display data when the vehicle engine is turned off, and selectively transmits the position and parking lot display data using the transmission means.

  [0024] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic information further monitors the parking lot remotely, receives the position and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, and provides a parking status report. And a parking lot monitoring means for selectively transmitting the parking status report to the vehicle.

  [0025] In yet another feature of the invention, the system further includes parking lot means associated with the parking lot for identifying available parking spots in the parking lot, and parking with respect to the usable parking spots. Parking lot transmission means for transmitting lot data to the parking lot monitoring means, parking spot means related to the parking spot for identifying the parking spot full condition, and parking spot data based on the full condition Parking spot transmission means for transmitting to the parking lot monitoring means.

  [0026] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on the parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking spot data. The parking status report includes parking spot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the at least one vehicle. The parking situation includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown and leaving.

  [0027] The system comprises a vehicle that includes a global positioning system (GPS) that selectively generates position and parking display data when the vehicle is parked. The transceiver selectively transmits data wirelessly. The control module receives the position and parking lot display data from the GPS, and transmits the position and parking lot display data using the transmitter. A parking lot monitoring system disposed away from the vehicle receives the position and parking lot display data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, and generates a parking status report based on the position and parking lot display data. The parking status report is selectively transmitted to the vehicle.

  [0028] In another feature, a parking lot module associated with the parking lot identifies the number of available parking spots in the parking lot. The parking lot transmitter transmits parking lot data related to the number of usable parking spots to the parking lot monitoring system. The parking spot module associated with the parking spot identifies the full status of the parking spot. The parking spot transmitter transmits parking spot data based on the full condition to the parking lot monitoring system.

  [0029] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on the parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking spot data. The parking status report of the vehicle includes parking lot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

  [0030] In yet another feature, the parking report includes parking status of a parking space on a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance from at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by the GPS user. including. The parking situation includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown and leaving. The control module selectively receives position and vector data from the GPS when the vehicle is not parked. The transceiver transmits the position and vector data.

  [0031] In yet another feature of the invention, the control module uses the transceiver to transmit the location and vector data while the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, The position and vector data are not transmitted while traveling on the second set of roads. A remote traffic monitoring system receives the vector and location data from the vehicle and other vehicles and generates a traffic report based thereon. The traffic report includes travel speed information of traffic on at least one road of the first set of predetermined roads.

  [0032] In yet another feature of the invention, the service support system communicates with the control module and wirelessly communicates with the remote service support system. The remote traffic monitoring system compares the speed of the vehicle on a first road with a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road, and uses the remote service support system to Selectively triggers contact.

  [0033] In yet another aspect of the invention, the control module periodically generates the vector and position data using the transceiver. The control module monitors the turning of the vehicle and uses the transceiver to transmit the vector and position data when the vehicle turns more than a turning threshold. The control module monitors the vehicle speed change and transmits the vector and position data using the transceiver when the vehicle speed change is greater than a speed change threshold.

  [0034] In yet another feature of the invention, the control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transceiver when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transceiver when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot. The control module selectively transmits parking indication and position data using the transceiver when the vehicle leaves a public parking spot.

  [0035] The method selectively generates position and parking display data when the vehicle is parked; selectively wirelessly transmits the position and parking display data; Receiving the location and parking indication data from another vehicle; generating a parking status report based on the location and parking data; selectively sending the parking status report to the vehicle; Is provided.

  [0036] In yet another feature, the method identifies the number of available parking spots in a parking lot, and sends parking lot data regarding the number of available parking spots to a remote parking lot monitoring system. including.

  [0037] In yet another feature, the method includes identifying a parking spot full condition and transmitting parking spot data based on the full condition to a remote parking monitoring system. The parking status report is based in part on the parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking spot data. The parking status report for the vehicle includes parking lot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

  [0038] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking lot information includes parking conditions of a parking space of a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance from at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by the user. including. The parking situation includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown and leaving.

  [0039] In yet another feature of the invention, the method includes selectively generating position and vector data when the vehicle is not parked and transmitting the position and vector data. . The method further transmits the position and vector data while the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and the position and vector when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads. Including a step of not transmitting data.

  [0040] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes wirelessly receiving a traffic report from a remote traffic monitoring system. The traffic report includes travel speed information of traffic on at least one road of the first set of predetermined roads.

  [0041] In yet another feature of the invention, the method comprises comparing the speed of the vehicle on a first road with a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road; Selectively triggering contact with the vehicle using a service assistance system. The method includes periodically transmitting the vector and position data.

  [0042] In yet another feature of the invention, the method monitors the turning of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data when the vehicle turns more than a turning threshold. Including the step of. The method further includes monitoring the vehicle speed change and transmitting the vector and position data when the vehicle speed change is greater than a speed change threshold.

  [0043] In yet another feature of the invention, the method includes selectively transmitting parking indication and location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The method includes the steps of transmitting parking indication and location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot, and parked when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot. Selectively transmitting parking indication and position data.

  [0044] The system includes a global positioning system (GPS) means for selectively generating position and parking display data when the vehicle is parked, and transceiver means for selectively wirelessly transmitting the data; And a vehicle including control means for receiving the location and parking indication data from the GPS means and transmitting the location and parking data using the transceiver means. A parking lot monitoring means arranged away from the vehicle receives the position and parking lot display data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generates a parking situation report based on the position and parking lot display data, The parking status report is selectively transmitted to the vehicle.

  [0045] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking lot means associated with the parking lot identifies the number of available parking spots in the parking lot. The parking lot transmission means transmits parking lot data related to the number of usable parking spots to the parking lot monitoring means. The parking spot means associated with the parking spot identifies the full status of the parking spot. The parking spot transmission means transmits parking spot data based on the full vehicle condition to the parking lot monitoring means.

  [0046] In yet another aspect of the invention, the parking report is based in part on the parking spot data. The parking status report for the vehicle includes parking lot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

  [0047] In yet another feature of the invention, the parking lot information includes parking of a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance from at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by a user of the GPS means. Including space parking conditions. The parking situation includes at least one selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown, and leaving.

  [0048] In yet another feature of the invention, the control means selectively generates position and vector data when the vehicle is not parked, and the transceiver means transmits the position and vector data. The control means transmits the position and vector data using the transceiver means while the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, while the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads. Does not transmit the position and vector data. The system further comprises the remote traffic monitoring means for remotely monitoring traffic. The transceiver means wirelessly receives traffic reports from the remote traffic monitoring means. The traffic report includes travel speed information for at least one traffic of the first set of predetermined roads.

  [0049] In yet another feature of the invention, the system comprises remote service support means for interfacing with a remote service support system. The remote traffic monitoring means compares the speed of the vehicle on a first road with a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road, and uses the remote service support system to Selectively triggers contact. The control means periodically transmits the vector and position data.

  [0050] In still another feature of the invention, the control means monitors the turning of the vehicle and uses the transceiver means when the vehicle turns more than a turning threshold, the vector using the transceiver means. And send location data. The control means monitors the speed change of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data using the transceiver means if the speed change of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. The control means selectively transmits parking indication and position data using the transceiver means when the vehicle ignition is turned off.

  [0051] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the control means uses the transceiver means when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot, Selectively transmit position data. The transceiver means selectively transmits parking indication and location data when the vehicle leaves a public parking spot.

  [0052] The traffic monitoring system comprises a memory for storing traffic data. The traffic monitoring module collects vector and position data for the plurality of vehicles while the plurality of vehicles are traveling on the first set of predetermined roads, and the vehicle is traveling on the second set of predetermined roads. Does not collect the vector and position data. The traffic monitoring module stores the vector and location data in the memory, analyzes the vector and location data, and generates a traffic report for the first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed vector and location data To do.

  [0053] In another feature, the traffic monitoring module receives a request for the traffic report from at least one vehicle, confirms that the vehicle is a subscriber of the traffic report, and the vehicle is a subscriber. If there is, the traffic report is transmitted to the vehicle. The traffic monitoring module receives parking lot indication and location data for the vehicle and stores the parking lot indication and location data in the memory. The traffic monitoring module receives the parking lot indication and location data for only the vehicles parked at public parking spots. The traffic monitoring module generates a parking report for the contractor based on the parking lot display and location data.

  [0054] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic monitoring module receives parking lot data for a parking lot. The parking lot data indicates the number of empty parking spots for each one of the parking lots. The traffic monitoring module receives parking spot data for parking spots. The parking spot data indicates a full vehicle status for each one of the parking spots.

  [0055] The traffic monitoring system comprises storage means for storing traffic data. The traffic monitoring means collects vector and position data of the plurality of vehicles while the plurality of vehicles are traveling on the first set of predetermined roads, and the vehicle is traveling on the second set of predetermined roads. Does not collect the vector and position data. The traffic monitoring means stores the vector and location data in the storage means, analyzes the vector and location data, and based on the analyzed vector and location data, a traffic report for the first set of predetermined roads. Is generated.

  [0056] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic monitoring means receives a request for the traffic report from at least one vehicle, confirms that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report, and the vehicle If is a contractor, the traffic report is transmitted to the vehicle. The traffic monitoring means receives the parking lot display and position data for the vehicle, and stores the parking lot display and position data in the storage means. The traffic monitoring means receives the parking lot indication and position data for only the vehicle parked at a public parking spot.

  [0057] In yet another feature of the invention, the traffic monitoring means generates a parking report for the contractor based on the parking lot indication and location data. The traffic monitoring means receives the parking lot data of the parking lot. The parking lot data indicates the number of empty parking spots for each one of the parking lots. The traffic monitoring means receives parking spot data of parking spots. The parking spot data indicates a full state of each parking spot.

  [0058] A method of operating a traffic monitoring system comprises the steps of storing traffic data, collecting vector and position data of the plurality of vehicles while the plurality of vehicles are traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, Not collecting the vector and position data while the vehicle is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads; storing the vector and position data; analyzing the vector and position data; Generating a traffic report for the first set of predetermined roads based on the generated vector and location data.

  [0059] In another feature, the method includes receiving a request for the traffic report from at least one vehicle, confirming that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report, and A person who transmits the traffic report to the vehicle. The method includes receiving a parking lot indication and position data for the vehicle, and storing the parking lot indication and position data. The method further comprises receiving the parking lot indication and location data for the vehicle parked at a public parking spot.

  [0060] In yet another feature of the invention, the method comprises generating a parking report for the contractor based on the parking lot indication and location data. The method comprises receiving parking lot data for a parking lot. The parking lot data indicates the number of empty parking spots for each one of the parking lots. The method further comprises receiving parking spot data for parking spots. The parking spot data indicates a full state of each parking spot.

  [0061] The traffic information providing method comprises the steps of maintaining a list of vehicles that are contractors of the traffic information, receiving vector and location data from a plurality of vehicles traveling on a first set of roads, Analyzing the vector and position data; generating a traffic report based on the vector and position data; and transmitting the traffic report to the vehicle that is a contractor of the traffic information.

  [0062] In another feature of the invention, the method comprises the steps of receiving a request for the traffic report from the vehicle, transmitting the traffic report to a subscriber of the traffic report; At least one of the steps of pushing to the contractor. The method comprises billing the contractor for the traffic information. The method wirelessly transmits the position and vector data while one of the plurality of vehicles is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, and one of the plurality of vehicles is of a second set of predetermined roads. The vehicle is provided with a step of not transmitting the position and vector data while traveling on the road.

  [0063] In another feature of the invention, the traffic report includes travel speed information for traffic on at least one road of the first set of predetermined roads. The method further uses the vector and position data to diagnose a possible problem with the first vehicle and uses the remote service assistance system when the vector and position data indicates the possible problem. And contacting the first vehicle.

  [0064] In yet another feature of the invention, the method compares the speed of one of the vehicles on a first road to a first threshold and an average travel speed of the first road. And selectively contacting the vehicle using a remote service assistance system based on the comparison. The method includes receiving parking data from the vehicle, and generating parking status information of public parking spots based on the parking data. The parking status information includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown during leaving.

  [0065] In another feature of the invention, the vehicle periodically transmits the vector and position data. The method comprises monitoring the direction change of the vehicle, and transmitting the vector and position data when the vehicle changes direction greater than a direction change threshold. The method comprises monitoring the speed change of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and position data when the speed change of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

  [0066] In another feature of the invention, the method further comprises selectively transmitting parking indication and location data when one of the vehicles is parked in a public parking spot. The method comprises transmitting vector and location data when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot. The method includes selectively generating position and parking lot display data when the vehicle engine is turned off, and selectively transmitting the position and parking lot display data.

  [0067] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to parking status reports, receiving position and parking indication data from the vehicles, Generating a status report; and selectively transmitting the parking status report to the contractor vehicle. The parking status report for each one of the vehicles includes parking lot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the respective one of the vehicles.

  [0068] In another feature of the invention, the method comprises the steps of monitoring when the vehicle has changed a road and transmitting the vector and location data when the change occurs.

  [0069] The parking information providing method includes a step of maintaining a list of vehicles that are contractors of the parking information, and parking indications and positions from a plurality of vehicles when the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot. Receiving the data, generating a parking report based on the parking lot display and position data, and transmitting the parking report to the vehicle that is a contractor of the parking lot information.

  [0070] In yet another feature of the invention, the method includes receiving a request for the parking report from the vehicle, sending the parking report to a subscriber of the parking report, and sending the parking report to the contract. Pushing to the person. The method comprises charging the contractor for the parking lot information.

  [0071] In yet another feature, the method wirelessly transmits the parking lot indication and location data when one of the plurality of vehicles is parked in a public parking spot, If the one of them is parked at a non-public parking spot, the method includes a step of not transmitting the parking lot display and position data. The parking situation information of the parking spot includes at least one situation type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown while leaving.

  [0072] In yet another feature of the invention, the method further comprises transmitting vector and location data when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot. The method includes selectively generating position and parking lot display data when the vehicle engine is turned off, and selectively transmitting the position and parking lot display data. The method further comprises maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to parking status reports. The parking status report for each one of the vehicles includes parking lot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the at least one vehicle.

  [0073] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

  [0074] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

  [0092] The following description of a preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention and its application or use. For simplicity, the same reference numbers are used to identify the same elements in the drawings.

  [0093] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary traffic monitoring system for monitoring vehicle traffic in accordance with the present invention is shown. Vehicles 20-1, 20-2,..., And 20-N (generally identified as vehicle 20) travel on a road in a first direction, generally identified as 22. Vehicles 24-1, 24-2,..., And 24-M (generally identified as vehicle 24) travel on a road in a second direction, generally identified as 32. For example, if vehicles 20-5 and 20-6 are involved in an accident, they slow traffic flow in the first direction 22. This accident does not delay traffic traveling in the second direction 32. The traffic monitoring system alerts the driver with information on delays in road traffic in the first direction, as well as traffic on other highways, streets and other major roads.

  [0094] According to the present invention, some of the vehicles 20 and 24 include a global positioning system (GPS) that includes a receiver that triangulates the vehicle position based on signals generated by GPS satellites. In addition, the GPS may include an integrated transmitter and / or transceiver that wirelessly transmits vector and location data to a traffic monitoring system 50 that is located remotely from the vehicles 20 and 24. Alternatively, a separate transmitter and / or transceiver may be used in conjunction with the receiver only GPS. Vector data may include velocity and direction data. The position data may include longitude and latitude information and position information using another coordinate system. The traffic monitoring system 50 receives vector and location data and performs data calculations to provide a GPS system and / or a separate transmitter and / or separate transmitter and / or transceiver, as further described below. Traffic and / or parking information is sent back to the vehicles 20 and 24 by a GPS system equipped with a transceiver. The vehicle's GPS system provides visual and / or audible traffic information to allow the driver to avoid traffic disturbances such as accidents and / or find parking spots.

  [0095] Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, a plurality of exemplary vehicle configurations are shown. While specific examples are shown, other configurations may be used. In FIG. 2A, the vehicle 60 includes a GPS 62, a wireless transceiver 64, and a display 66. A control module 65 integrated with the GPS 62 performs control functions associated with the traffic and / or parking information system. The GPS 62 triangulates the position and location data of the vehicle 60 and calculates vector data using a GPS signal generated by a GPS satellite. Vehicle 60 selectively wirelessly transmits position and vector data to remote traffic monitoring system 50 via transceiver 64. The transceiver 64 periodically receives traffic data from the remote traffic monitoring system 50 as further described below. The GPS system 62 uses the display 66 to output traffic and other GPS related information. In some embodiments, the transceiver 64 may be integrated with the GPS 62. As will be appreciated, the control module 65 may be separate from the GPS 62 as shown at 62 'and 65' in FIG. 2B.

  [0096] In FIG. 3A, a vehicle 60 'similar to FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown and further includes a vehicle-based remote service support system 70, which is connected to the main remote service support system and / or service assistant. Provide connection. For example, one suitable remote service support system 70 is OnStar®, although other remote service support systems can be used. In FIG. 3A, the remote service support system 70 and the traffic monitoring system 50 share a common transceiver 64. In some embodiments, the transceiver 64 may be integrated with the GPS 62 and / or the remote service system 70.

  [0097] In FIG. 3B, a vehicle 60 'similar to that of FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown and further includes an alternative remote service support system 70'. In FIG. 3B, the remote service assistance system 70 ′ utilizes a transceiver 72 that is separate from the transceiver 64 used by the GPS system 62. As will be appreciated, cellular systems, WiFi systems such as 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (and individually incorporated by reference) and / or other future 802 Any suitable wireless system, including the WiMAX system such as the 802.11 standard (which is incorporated herein by reference) and / or other suitable types of wireless systems that allow long-range communication May be used. In some embodiments, one or both of transceivers 64 and 72 are integrated with GPS 62 and / or remote service system 70 '. As in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the control module may be integrated with or separate from the GPS and / or other system components.

  [0098] Referring now to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram of an exemplary traffic and / or parking lot monitoring system is shown. The traffic monitoring system includes a plurality of monitoring stations 100-1, 100-2,..., And 100-X (generally monitoring station 100), such as station 50 as shown in FIG. Parking information can be provided in addition to or separately from traffic information. The monitoring station 100 includes a transceiver 104. The monitoring station 100 receives location and vector data from the vehicle and transmits traffic and / or parking information to the vehicle, as will be described. To that end, the monitoring station 100 is connected to one or more databases 110 that store traffic and / or parking information. The traffic monitoring module or program 112 analyzes the data stored in the database 110.

  [0099] Although the present invention is described in connection with a distributed communication system 114, there are many other suitable ways to interconnect the monitoring stations 100. The monitoring station 100-1 includes a server 120-1 and a network interface (NI) 124-1. The NI 124-1 provides a connection to the distributed communication system 114. In some embodiments, the distributed communication system 114 includes the Internet, but other types of networks may be used. Database 110 may also be connected to distributed communication system 114 by server 130 via NI 132. Other types of interconnections can use dedicated telephone lines, terrestrial links, satellite links and / or other suitable links. The main RSA system 133 may communicate with one or more of the servers 130 and / or may have all independent links through the DCS 114. The system may use query response technology and / or push technology to provide parking and / or traffic information.

  [00100] In addition to the above, a plurality of smart parking meters 138-1, 138-2,..., And 138 -P (collectively smart parking meters 138) can be provided. The smart parking meter 138 displays when the parking spot is full or empty. In some embodiments, the smart parking meter 138 may make this determination based on a meter status signal generated by the expiration module 139. The revocation module generates a meter status signal that fills the spot when the meter is running. The meter status signal leaves the spot empty when the meter expires. That is, when the meter expires, the smart parking meter can assume that the spot is empty.

  [00101] Alternatively, the smart parking meter 138 may include a sensor 140 that detects whether the vehicle is at a corresponding parking spot. In some embodiments, the sensor outputs a radio frequency signal in a direction relative to the parking space and generates a meter status signal in response to the received reflected signal. If the reflected signal returns in a period below the threshold and / or has an amplitude greater than the threshold, the vehicle is at that spot. Otherwise, the spot is empty. In some embodiments, the reflected signal needs to be below the threshold for a predetermined period (to reduce noise). In yet another embodiment, a group of meters may include a common sensor that detects the presence or absence of one or more vehicles at one or more parking spots in the group. In addition, the parking lot 142 may include a parking spot module 143 that provides a collective signal that K parking spots are available throughout the parking lot 142. Smart parking meter 138 and smart parking lot 142 may be connected to the traffic monitoring system in any suitable and / or other suitable manner, including network interface (NI) 144, wireless transmitter 146. In transmitting information, a wireless or wired connection may be used.

  [00102] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a system associated with a vehicle is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the vehicle periodically transmits vehicle vector and position data. Data transmission may be selectively enabled when the vehicle ignition is on, when the vehicle ignition is on or off, when the vehicle is moving and / or using other criteria. Control begins at step 150. In step 152, the vehicle transmits vector and position data. In step 154, the timer is reset. In step 156, control determines whether the timer is up. If no, control returns to step 156. If step 156 is yes, control returns to step 152. Control can be performed by the GPS system 62 or using other control modules of the vehicle. Alternatively and / or in addition to the above, the traffic monitoring system may periodically query the vehicle remotely for vector and / or location data. The vehicle responds to the query by sending vector and / or location data.

  [00103] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a system associated with a vehicle is shown. Control begins at step 160. In step 162, control determines whether the vehicle is on a main road. For example, main roads may be defined to include highways, highways and boulevards. The main road may exclude small streets, residential areas and low traffic streets to reduce the amount of data transmitted. This type of road does not require traffic information because of the low traffic volume. If step 162 is no, control returns to step 162. If step 162 is yes, control resets the timer at step 164. In step 166, control determines whether the timer has expired. If no, control continues from step 168 to determine whether the vehicle has changed direction greater than the first threshold. If no, control continues from step 170 to determine whether the vehicle has made a speed change greater than a second threshold. Steps 166, 168 and 170 also tend to limit the data sent by the vehicle to the traffic monitoring system. One or more of these steps may be performed.

  [00104] Referring now to FIG. 7A, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins at step 180. In step 182, the control determines whether the vehicle ignition has changed from on to off. If yes, control determines at step 184 whether the vehicle is in a public parking area. This step may be performed by the vehicle alone and / or by a vehicle that sends location information to the traffic monitoring system and receives a response indicating whether the location is a parking spot in a public parking area. If step 184 is yes, the vehicle transmits parking indication and position data at step 186. Control continues from step 186 to step 182. If step 184 is no, control returns to step 182. Thus, the traffic monitoring system receives data regarding parked vehicles.

  [00105] If step 182 is no, control continues from step 190, where the control determines whether the vehicle ignition has been turned on from off and whether the vehicle has been moved. If the ignition is turned on, the vehicle may have left the parking space. If step 190 is yes, control sends vehicle vector and position data to the traffic monitoring system at step 192 and control returns to step 182. If step 190 is no, control also continues from step 182. The traffic monitoring system uses parking and leaving data to provide parking information to other vehicles.

  [00106] Referring now to FIG. 7B, a flowchart illustrating another exemplary step performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins at step 200. In step 202, the control determines whether the vehicle ignition has been turned off from on. If step 202 is yes, control transmits vehicle parking indication and position data as described above at step 204. If step 202 is no, control continues from step 206. In step 206, the control determines whether the vehicle ignition has been turned on from off and the vehicle has been moved. If yes, the control sends vehicle vector and position data. If step 206 is no, control returns to step 202.

  [00107] Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating data collection and analysis steps performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins at step 220. In step 224, the control receives data from the vehicle. In step 228, the control estimates the average speed of the selected portion of the road based on data from one or more vehicles. For example, the traffic monitoring system may estimate an average speed for a given distance or increment. The increment may vary based on road type, condition or calculated speed. For example, since the difference between the average speed and the presentation speed is different, the predetermined increment may be shortened. The traffic information is transmitted to the vehicle based on calculations made on the collected vehicle data. The traffic information may be pushed to the vehicle and / or query / response techniques may be used at step 230. Control ends at step 232. In addition to traffic information, parking data may also be sent to the vehicle using push technology and / or query / response technology.

  [00108] Referring now to FIG. 9, the steps performed by the traffic monitoring system to monitor the parking lot are shown. Control begins at step 250. In step 252, control determines whether the vehicle is stopped at a public parking spot. This determination may be based on location and vector data samples and / or based on parking lot indication and location data. The determination that the parking spot is a public spot is based on the position data. If yes, control is in step 254 indicating that the corresponding public parking spot is full.

  [00109] Control continues from step 252 and 254 to 256. In step 256, control determines whether the vehicle has transitioned from parking to movement. If step 256 is yes, control starts a timer at step 258. In step 260, control indicates that the vehicle is leaving the public parking space. The timer is used to limit the time during which the parking space is identified as “vehicle leaving”. Control continues from step 256 and 260 to 262. In step 262, control determines whether the vehicle timer has been increased. If step 262 is yes, control changes the parking space status to unknown at step 264. Control continues from step 262 and 264 to step 252.

  [00110] Referring now to FIG. 10, the steps performed by the traffic monitoring system to identify vehicles having operational problems are shown. Control begins at step 280. In step 282, the control receives data from the vehicle. In steps 284 and 286, for each of the vehicles, control determines the average speed of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. In step 288, the control determines whether the speed of each vehicle is less than the first speed threshold and whether the average speed of the road is greater than the second speed threshold.

  [00111] For example, if the average road speed is 50 mph and the vehicle speed is less than 5 mph, the vehicle may have operational problems and / or be involved in an accident, Sometimes it needs help. If step 288 is yes, control triggers an inquiry at step 290 via the remote service assistance system. For example, the traffic monitoring system notifies the main remote service support system to have the service assistant contact the vehicle driver. The service assistant can determine if there is a problem such as an accident or other operational problem and can contact emergency personnel, roadside assistance and / or other assistance if necessary. Control continues from step 288 and 290 to step 294. In step 294, the control determines whether there are additional vehicles to evaluate. If step 294 is yes, control returns to step 284. If step 294 is no, control returns to step 282.

  [00112] Referring now to FIG. 11, a display showing vehicle speed on roads 298-1, 298-2,... And 298-Z is shown. A display 66 associated with the GPS system 62 is shown. Visual elements generally identified by 300-1, 300-2,... And 300-Y are provided on the map. Visual elements indicate obstacles and / or other traffic on the main road. An appropriate visual display may be used to identify the problem. For example, color, cross-hatching, shading, shaping, flashing and / or other techniques may be used to identify high traffic areas, low traffic areas, construction areas and / or accident areas. For example, visual element 300-3 may be illuminated red to indicate an accident. The speed on the road also indicates the problem (eg, the speed decreases as the distance to the accident 300-3 decreases).

  [00113] Referring now to FIG. 12, an exemplary display of available parking lots near a vehicle is shown. Based on the collected information, the display 62 of the GPS 62 can be used to identify the available parking spaces 340-1, 340-2, ... and 340-G in the selected area. The traffic monitoring system may provide full (F), leaving (L), empty (O) and / or unknown (U) status data for the parking space in the selected area. These indicators may be displayed using a suitable visual display.

  [00114] The full indicator is used when a vehicle with a GPS system parks at a spot and the traffic monitoring system does not receive data indicating that the vehicle has moved. The unknown indicator is used when there is no information about the space and / or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle equipped with the GPS system has left the parking spot. The leaving indicator is used within a predetermined time after the vehicle equipped with the GPS system leaves the parking spot. The leaving indicator may also be triggered when a vehicle equipped with a GPS system starts the engine after a period of stoppage. Free status is used when space is available. In some embodiments, the situation is provided by a smart parking meter 138. The space for the smart parking lot 142 may also be indicated at 342.

  [00115] Referring now to FIG. 13, steps for identifying an accident are shown. Control begins at step 300. In step 302, the traffic monitoring system receives data from the vehicle. In step 304, the traffic monitoring system compares vehicle positions simultaneously. Based on the location and time, the traffic monitoring system can determine whether an accident has occurred. If the vehicle is at substantially the same location at the same time, the traffic monitoring system may ask the user to determine whether an accident has occurred at step 308. That is, if two vehicles show their locations at a specific time and the locations collide, the traffic monitoring system will assume that an accident may have occurred and take action via the remote service support system. It may be taken.

  [00116] Referring now to FIG. 14, a subscriber service according to the present invention is shown. Control begins at step 320. In step 324, a fee is charged for the subscriber service. The fee may be based on the requested service level. In step 328, data is collected from at least one of the contracted and non-contracted vehicles and / or from smart parking meters and / or lots. In some embodiments, data from other subscriber systems may be used. In step 332, the data is analyzed to generate traffic, parking, and other information. In step 334, the selected traffic, parking and / or other information is transmitted to the contractor based on the service contracted by the user. For example, some users pay a contract fee to receive traffic information rather than parking information. Some contractors receive either parking information only or traffic and parking information. The subscriber level may also be differentiated based on terrain, date and time, and / or using other criteria. Control ends at step 338.

  [00117] Referring now to FIG. 15, another exemplary subscriber service in accordance with the present invention is shown. Control begins at step 340. In step 342, data is collected from at least one of the contracted and non-contracted vehicles and / or from smart parking meters and / or lots. In step 344, the collected data is analyzed and traffic, parking and other information is updated. In step 346, the control determines whether a request for information has been received. Alternatively, the information may be pushed to the user based on the user's contract. If step 346 is no, control returns to step 342. If step 346 is yes, control determines whether the user is a contractor of the requested information. If no, control will prompt the user to sign up. Payment of the contract fee may be periodic, on a usage basis, or other methods. If step 348 is yes, the requested information is sent to the contractor. As will be appreciated, encryption and / or other techniques may be used to prevent unauthorized access to traffic and / or parking information.

  [00118] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. As will be appreciated, the steps of the disclosed and claimed methods may be performed in a different order than that described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, while the invention has been described in connection with this specific example, the scope of the invention is not limited as other modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the drawings, specification and claims that follow. Should not be done.

1 illustrates an exemplary traffic monitoring system for monitoring vehicle traffic in accordance with the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle including a GPS, transceiver, control module, and display. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle including a GPS, transceiver, control module, and display. FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the example vehicle of FIG. 2A with a remote service assistance (RSA) system. FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the example vehicle of FIG. 2A with an alternative RSA system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of portions of an exemplary traffic monitoring system. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a vehicle to transmit data. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first alternative exemplary step performed by a vehicle to transmit data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a traffic monitoring system to transmit parking related data. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating alternative exemplary steps performed by a traffic monitoring system to transmit parking related data. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by a traffic monitoring system to receive and process traffic and parking data. Fig. 4 shows the steps performed by a traffic monitoring system to monitor a parking lot. Fig. 4 illustrates steps performed by a traffic monitoring system and an RSA system to identify vehicles having operational problems. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary map display with average vehicle speed on the road, accidents, construction, and / or other items. 2 shows an exemplary display of available parking lots in the vicinity of a vehicle. Fig. 4 shows the steps performed by the traffic monitoring system to identify possible vehicle accidents. Fig. 4 illustrates steps performed by an exemplary traffic and / or parking information subscriber system. Fig. 4 illustrates steps performed by another exemplary traffic and / or parking information subscriber system.

Explanation of symbols

20 ... Vehicle, 22 ... First direction, 24 ... Vehicle, 32 ... Second direction, 50 ... Traffic monitoring system, 60 ... Vehicle, 62 ... GPS, 64 ... Transceiver, 65 ... Control module, 70 ... Remote service support System, 72 ... Transceiver, 100 ... Monitoring station, 110 ... Database, 112 ... Traffic monitoring module, 114 ... Distributed communication system, 120 ... Server, 124 ... Network interface, 130 ... Server, 132 ... Network interface, 133 ... Main RSA System, 138 ... smart parking meter, 140 ... sensor, 142 ... parking lot, 144 ... network interface, 146 ... transmitter.

Claims (20)

A traffic information system for vehicles,
A global positioning system (GPS) associated with the vehicle that selectively generates position and velocity vector data;
A transmitter,
The position and speed vector data is received, and when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads that are predefined main roads, the position and speed vector data are used by the transmitter. A control module that does not transmit the position and velocity vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads other than the first set of roads,
The speed vector and position data are received, and the speed of the vehicle on a first road is set to a first threshold value (where the first threshold value is a second threshold value for average travel speed). The threshold is small enough to indicate that the vehicle has operational problems or needs assistance) and compared to the average travel speed of multiple vehicles traveling on the first road and the average running speed compared to the second threshold value, when and the average running speed the speed is less than the first threshold value is greater than the second threshold, the communication unit A remote traffic monitoring system for notifying a signal for causing the remote service support system to have contact with the vehicle;
A vehicle traffic information system comprising: A receiver that communicates with the control module and wirelessly receives traffic reports from the remote traffic monitoring system;
The traffic information system of claim 1, wherein the traffic report includes travel speed information for traffic traveling on at least one of the first set of predetermined roads. The traffic report includes parking status information for public parking spots;
The traffic information system according to claim 2, wherein the parking status information of the public parking spot includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of full, empty, and unknown during exit. The control module is
Monitoring the direction change of the vehicle, transmitting the speed vector and position data when the vehicle changes direction greater than a direction change threshold, and monitoring the speed change of the vehicle, the vehicle The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of transmitting the speed vector and the position data is executed when a speed change of a vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.   The control module uses the transmitter when the ignition of the vehicle is turned off and / or when the ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking spot. The traffic information system according to claim 1, wherein the parking lot display and the position data are selectively transmitted.   6. The traffic information system of claim 5, wherein the control module selectively transmits speed vectors and position data using the transmitter when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot.   The control module selectively generates position and parking lot display data when the vehicle engine is turned off, and selectively transmits the position and parking lot display data using the transmitter; The traffic information system according to claim 2.   A system comprising the traffic information system according to claim 7, wherein the position and parking lot display data are received from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, a parking status report is generated, and the parking status report is A system further comprising a parking lot monitoring system disposed remotely from the vehicle for selectively transmitting to the vehicle. A parking lot module associated with the parking lot for identifying available parking spots in the parking lot;
A transmitter for transmitting parking lot data relating to the usable parking spot to the parking lot monitoring system;
The system of claim 8, further comprising: A parking spot module associated with the parking spot that identifies a full situation at the parking spot;
A transmitter for transmitting parking spot data based on the full vehicle status to the parking lot monitoring system;
The system of claim 8, further comprising:   The system of claim 8, wherein the parking status report includes parking spot information regarding parking spots within a predetermined distance from the at least one vehicle.   The parking spot information includes a parking status of a parking space on at least one road, and the parking status includes at least one selected from the group consisting of vacant, full, unknown, and leaving. 11. The system according to 11. A traffic monitoring system comprising the traffic information system according to claim 1,
It has a memory for storing traffic data and a traffic monitoring module.
The traffic monitoring module includes:
The speed vectors and position data are collected for a plurality of vehicles while the plurality of vehicles are traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, and the speeds are collected while the vehicles are traveling on a second set of predetermined roads. Do not collect vector and location data,
Storing the velocity vector and position data in the memory;
Analyzing the velocity vector and position data;
A traffic monitoring system that generates traffic reports for the first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed velocity vector and position data. The traffic monitoring module is
Receiving a request for said traffic report from at least one vehicle;
Confirm that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report,
The traffic monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein if the vehicle is a contractor, the traffic report is transmitted to the vehicle. The traffic monitoring module is
Receiving parking lot indication and position data about the vehicle;
The traffic monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the parking lot display and position data are stored in the memory.   The traffic monitoring system of claim 15, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives the parking lot indication and location data for only the vehicle parked in a public parking spot.   The traffic monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the traffic monitoring module generates a parking report based on the parking lot indication and location data.   The traffic monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives parking lot data of a parking lot, and the parking lot data indicates a number of empty parking spots for each one of the parking lots.   The traffic monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives parking spot data of a parking spot, and the parking spot data indicates a full vehicle status for each one of the parking spots.   The remote traffic monitoring system receives the position and speed vector data and determines a first lane of a road including a plurality of lanes where the vehicle is based on at least the position and speed vector data. The traffic information system described in 1.

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