HK1102018A - Gps-based traffic monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

GPS-based traffic monitoring system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to traffic monitoring systems, and more particularly to Global Positioning System (GPS) based vehicular traffic monitoring systems.

Background

Global positioning systems (GSPs) for vehicles typically include a receiver that triangulates the position of the vehicle using beacons generated by GPS satellites. These systems also typically include a map database for providing the location of the vehicle on the map, driving directions, locations of restaurants and other stores, and/or other information. As cities become more populated, it becomes more difficult to travel without encountering delays caused by traffic congestion, accidents, construction, and/or other problems. It is also difficult to find parking spaces in crowded cities.

Disclosure of Invention

A traffic information system for a vehicle, comprising: a transmitter; and a Global Positioning System (GPS) associated with the vehicle that selectively generates the location and vector data. The control module receives the position and vector data and wirelessly transmits the position and vector data with the transmitter when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads.

In other features, the receiver communicates with the control module and wirelessly receives traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring system. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic traveling on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads. The service assistance system is in communication with the control module and is in wireless communication with the remote service assistance system.

In other features, the remote service assistance system receives the vector and the location data, compares a speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road, and selectively triggers contact with the vehicle using the service assistance system and the remote service assistance system. The traffic report includes parking status information for the public parking space. The parking status information of the public parking spot includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

In other features of the invention, the control module periodically transmits the vector and position data. The control module monitors a change in direction of the vehicle and transmits the vector and location data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The control module monitors a change in speed of the vehicle and transmits the vector and location data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

In other features of the invention, the control module selectively transmits the parking indication and the location data using the transmitter when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transmitter when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in the public parking space. The control module selectively transmits the vector and position data using the transmitter when the vehicle leaves the public parking space.

In other features of the invention, the control module selectively generates the location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off and selectively transmits the location and parking indication data using the transmitter. A parking monitoring system remotely located 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 selectively transmits the parking status report to the vehicle.

In other features of the invention, a parking lot module associated with the parking lot identifies available parking slots in the parking lot and a parking lot transmitter transmits parking lot data relating to the available parking slots to the parking monitoring system. A parking space module associated with a parking space identifies a full state of the parking space, and a parking space transmitter transmits parking space data based on the full state to a parking monitoring system.

In other features of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking bit data. The parking status report includes parking spot information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of at least one vehicle. The parking space information includes parking states of the parking spaces on at least one road. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away. The control module is integrated with the GPS.

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

In other features of the invention, the method includes wirelessly receiving at the vehicle a traffic report from a remote traffic monitoring system. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic traveling on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads. The method includes comparing a speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road, and selectively triggering contact with the vehicle with a remote service assistance system based on the comparison.

In other features of the invention, the traffic report includes parking status information for the public parking spot. The parking status information of the public parking spot includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

In other features of the invention, the method includes periodically transmitting the vector and the location data. The method includes monitoring a change in direction of the vehicle and transmitting vector and location data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold.

In other features of the invention, the method includes monitoring a change in speed of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. The method includes selectively transmitting parking indication and location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The method also includes selectively transmitting parking indication and location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in the public parking space.

In other features of the invention, the method includes selectively transmitting the vector and location data when the vehicle leaves the common parking space. The method includes selectively generating location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off, and selectively transmitting the location and parking indication data.

In other features of the invention, the method includes receiving location and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generating a parking status report, and selectively transmitting the parking status report to the vehicle. The method also includes identifying available parking slots in the parking lot and wirelessly transmitting parking lot data related to the available parking slots to a remote parking monitoring system.

In other features of the invention, the method includes identifying a full status of the parking space and transmitting parking space data based on the full status to the remote parking monitoring system. The method includes parking status reporting based in part on the parking lot data. The method includes parking reporting based in part on the parking spot data. The method includes parking space information relating to parking spaces within a predetermined distance of at least one vehicle. The parking space information includes a parking state of the parking space. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away.

A traffic information system for a vehicle, comprising: a Global Positioning System (GPS) device associated with the vehicle for selectively generating location and vector data; transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the data, and control means for receiving the position and vector data and wirelessly transmitting the position and vector data using the transmitting means when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and not transmitting the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads.

In other features, the traffic information system includes a receiving device for wirelessly receiving traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring device for monitoring traffic. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic traveling on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads. The service assistance device is in communication with the control device and is in wireless communication with the remote service assistance system. The remote traffic monitoring device compares the speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road and selectively triggers contact with the vehicle with the remote service assistance device.

In other features of the invention, the traffic report includes parking status information for the public parking spot. The parking status information of the parking space includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

In other features of the invention, the control means periodically transmits the vector and position data. The control device monitors a change in direction of the vehicle and transmits the vector and the position data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The control device monitors a change in speed of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. The control device selectively transmits the parking indication and the location data using the transmitting device when the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.

In other features of the invention, the control device selectively transmits the parking indication and the location data using the transmitting device when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in the public parking space. The control device selectively transmits the vector and the position data using the transmitting device when the vehicle leaves the public parking space. The control device selectively generates the location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off, and selectively transmits the location and parking indication data using the transmitting device.

In still other features of the invention, the traffic information system further comprises a parking monitoring device for remotely monitoring parking, receiving location and parking indication data from the vehicle and the plurality of other vehicles, generating a parking status report, and selectively transmitting the parking status report to the vehicle.

In other features of the invention, the system further comprises: a parking lot device associated with a parking lot for identifying available parking slots in the parking lot; and parking lot transmitting means for transmitting parking lot data relating to available parking lots to the parking monitoring system. The parking space device associated with the parking space is used for recognizing the full state of the parking space, and the parking space transmitting device is used for transmitting the parking space data based on the full state to the parking monitoring device.

In other features of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking bit data. The parking status report includes parking spot information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of at least one vehicle. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away.

A system includes a vehicle including a Global Positioning System (GPS) that selectively generates location and parking indication data when the vehicle is parked. The transceiver selectively wirelessly transmits data. The control module receives the location and parking indication data from the GPS and transmits the location and parking indication data using the transceiver. A parking monitoring system located remotely from the vehicle receives location and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generates a parking status report based on the location and parking indication data, and selectively transmits the parking status report to the vehicle.

In other features, a parking lot module associated with a parking lot identifies an available plurality of parking spots in the parking lot. The parking lot transmitter transmits parking lot data relating to the available plurality of parking lots to the parking monitoring system. The parking space module associated with the parking space identifies a full state of the parking space. The parking space transmitter transmits parking space data based on the full state to the parking monitoring system.

In other features of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on parking lot data. The parking report is based in part on the parking bit data. The parking status report of the vehicle includes parking information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the vehicle.

In other features, the parking report includes a parking status of the parking space on a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance of at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by a user of the GPS. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away. 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.

In other features of the invention, the control module transmits the position and vector data using the transceiver when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads. The remote traffic monitoring system receives vector and position data from vehicles and other vehicles and generates traffic reports based thereon. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads.

In other features of the invention, the service assistance system is in communication with the control module and is in wireless communication with the remote service assistance system. The remote traffic monitoring system compares the speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road and selectively triggers contact with the vehicle with the remote service assistance system.

In other features of the invention, the control module periodically generates the vector and position data using the transceiver. The control module monitors a change in direction of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data with the transceiver when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The control module monitors a change in speed of the vehicle and transmits the vector and position data with the transceiver when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

In other features of the invention, the control module selectively transmits the parking indication and the location data using the transceiver when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data with the transceiver when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in the public parking space. The control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transceiver when the vehicle leaves the public parking spot.

A method, comprising: selectively generating location and parking indication data while the vehicle is parked; selectively wirelessly transmitting location and parking indication data; receiving location and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles; generating a parking status report based on the location and the parking indication data; and selectively transmitting the parking status report to the vehicle.

In other features, the method includes identifying an available plurality of parking slots in the parking lot and transmitting parking lot data relating to the available plurality of parking slots to the remote parking monitoring system.

In other features, the method includes identifying a full status of the parking spot and transmitting parking spot data based on the full status 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 bit data. The parking status report of the vehicle includes parking information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the vehicle.

In other features of the invention, the parking information includes a parking status of the parking space on a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance of at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by a user of the GPS. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away.

In other features of the invention, the method includes selectively generating the position and vector data when the vehicle is not parked, and transmitting the position and vector data. The method includes transmitting the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and not transmitting the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads.

In other features of the invention, the method includes wirelessly receiving traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring system. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads.

In other features of the invention, the method includes comparing a speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road and selectively triggering contact with the vehicle using the remote service assistance system. The method includes periodically transmitting the vector and the location data.

In other features of the invention, the method includes monitoring a change in direction of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The method also includes monitoring a change in speed of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

In other features of the invention, the method includes selectively transmitting the parking indication and the location data when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The method includes transmitting parking indication and location data when the ignition of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking space, and selectively transmitting the parking indication and location data when the vehicle leaves the public parking space.

A system comprising a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a Global Positioning System (GPS) device for selectively generating location and parking indication data when the vehicle is parked; transceiver means for selectively wirelessly transmitting data; and a control device for receiving the location and parking indication data from the GPS device and transmitting the location and parking indication data using the transceiver device. A parking monitoring device 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 based on the location and parking indication data, and selectively transmits the parking status report to the vehicle.

In other features of the invention, a parking lot device associated with a parking lot identifies a plurality of parking spots available in the parking lot. The parking lot transmitting device transmits parking lot data relating to a plurality of available parking lots to the parking monitoring system. A parking space device associated with a parking space identifies a full state of the parking space. The parking space transmitting device transmits the parking space data based on the full state to the parking monitoring system.

In other features of the invention, the parking status report is based in part on parking lot data. The parking status report of the vehicle includes parking information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the vehicle.

In other features of the invention, the parking information includes a parking status of the parking space on a predetermined type of road within a predetermined distance of at least one of the vehicle and another location selected by a user of the GPS device. The parking state includes at least one state selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away.

In other features 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 when the vehicle is travelling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the position and vector data when the vehicle is travelling on a second set of roads. The system also includes a remote traffic monitoring device for remotely monitoring traffic. Wherein the transceiver device wirelessly receives traffic reports from the remote traffic monitoring device. The traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic on at least one road in the first set of predetermined roads.

In other features of the invention, the system includes a remote service assistance device for interfacing with the remote service assistance system. The remote traffic monitoring device compares the speed of the vehicle on the first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road and selectively triggers contact with the vehicle with the remote service assistance system. The control means periodically transmits the vector and position data.

In another feature of the present invention, the control device monitors a change in direction of the vehicle and transmits the vector and the position data using the transceiver when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The control device monitors a change in speed of the vehicle and transmits the vector and the position data using the transceiver device when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold. The control device selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transceiver device when the vehicle ignition is turned off.

In other features of the invention, the control device selectively transmits the parking indication and the location data using the transceiver device when the ignition of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle is parked in the public parking space. The transceiver device selectively transmits parking indication and location data when the vehicle leaves a public parking spot.

A traffic monitoring system includes a memory storing traffic data. The traffic monitoring module collects vector and position data for a plurality of vehicles while the vehicles are traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not collect vector and position data while the vehicles are traveling on a second set of predetermined roads. The traffic monitoring module stores the vector and location data in a memory, analyzes the vector and location data, and generates traffic reports for a first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed vector and location data.

In other features, the traffic monitoring module receives a request for a traffic report from at least one vehicle, confirms that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report, and sends the traffic report to the vehicle if the vehicle is a subscriber. The traffic monitoring module receives parking indication and location data for the vehicle and stores the parking indication and location data in a memory. The traffic monitoring module receives only parking indication and location data for vehicles parked in the public parking space. The traffic monitoring module generates a parking report for the subscriber based on the parking indication and the location data.

In other features of the invention, the traffic monitoring module receives parking lot data for a parking lot. The parking lot data indicates a plurality of vacant parking spaces of a corresponding one of the parking lots. The traffic monitoring module receives parking space data of the parking space. The parking space data indicates a full state of a corresponding one of the parking spaces.

A traffic monitoring system includes a storage device for storing traffic data. The traffic monitoring device collects vector and position data of a plurality of vehicles when the vehicles travel on a first set of predetermined roads and does not collect vector and position data when the vehicles travel on a second set of predetermined roads. The traffic monitoring device stores the vector and location data in a storage device, analyzes the vector and location data, and generates traffic reports for the first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed vector and location data.

In other features of the invention, the traffic monitoring device receives a request for a traffic report from at least one vehicle, confirms that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report, and sends the traffic report to the vehicle if the vehicle is a subscriber. The traffic monitoring device receives parking indication and location data of the vehicle and stores the parking indication and location data in the storage device. The traffic monitoring device receives only parking instructions and location data for vehicles parked in the public parking space.

In other features of the invention, the traffic monitoring device generates parking reports for the subscribers based on the parking instructions and the location data. The traffic monitoring device receives parking lot data for a parking lot. The parking lot data indicates a plurality of vacant parking spaces of a corresponding one of the parking lots. The traffic monitoring device receives parking space data of a parking space. The parking space data indicates a full state of a corresponding one of the parking spaces.

A method for operating a traffic monitoring system, comprising: storing the traffic data; collecting vector and position data for a plurality of vehicles while the vehicles are traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and not collecting vector and position data while the vehicles are traveling on a second set of predetermined roads; storing the vector and location data; analyzing the vector and location data; and generating traffic reports for the first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed vector and location data.

In other features, the method comprises: receiving a request for a traffic report from at least one vehicle; confirming that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report; and sending a traffic report to the vehicle if the vehicle is a subscriber. The method includes receiving parking indication and location data for a vehicle and storing the parking indication and location data. The method also includes receiving parking indication and location data only for vehicles parked in the public parking space.

In other features of the invention, the method includes generating a parking report for the subscriber based on the parking indication and the location data. The method includes receiving parking lot data for a parking lot. The parking lot data indicates a plurality of vacant parking spaces of a corresponding one of the parking lots. The method also includes receiving parking spot data for the parking spot. The parking space data indicates a full state of a corresponding one of the parking spaces.

A method for providing traffic information, comprising: maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to the traffic information; receiving vector and position data from a plurality of vehicles traveling on a first set of roads; analyzing the vector and location data; generating a traffic report based on the vector and the location data; and sends the traffic report to the vehicle as a subscriber of the traffic information.

In other features of the invention, the method includes at least one of: receiving a request for a traffic report from a vehicle and sending the traffic report to a subscriber of the traffic report; and pushing traffic reports to subscribers. The method includes billing the subscriber for traffic information. The method includes transmitting the position and vector data when one of the plurality of vehicles is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and not transmitting the position and vector data when one of the plurality of vehicles is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads.

In other features of the invention, the traffic report includes traffic speed information for traffic on at least one link in the first set of predetermined links. The method also includes diagnosing a possible problem with the first vehicle using the vector and location data, and contacting the first vehicle using a remote service assistance system when the vector and location data indicates the possible problem.

In other features of the invention, the method includes comparing a speed of one of the vehicles on the first road to a first threshold and to an average speed on the first road and selectively contacting the vehicle with the remote service assistance system based on the comparison. The method includes receiving parking data from a vehicle and generating parking status information for a public parking spot based on the parking data. The parking status information includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

In other features of the invention, the vehicle periodically transmits the vector and position data. The method includes monitoring a change in direction of the vehicle and transmitting vector and location data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold. The method includes monitoring a change in speed of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

In still other features of the invention, the method further comprises selectively transmitting the parking indication and the location data when one of the vehicles is parked in the common parking space. The method includes transmitting the vector and position data when the vehicle leaves the public parking space. The method includes selectively generating location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off, and selectively transmitting the location and parking indication data.

In other features of the invention, the method comprises: maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to the parking status report; receiving location and parking indication data from the vehicle; a parking status report is generated and the parking status report is selectively transmitted to the vehicle as a subscriber. The parking status report of the respective one of the vehicles includes parking information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the respective one of the vehicles.

In other features of the invention, the method includes monitoring when the vehicle transitions from one road to another and transmitting the vector and location data when the transition occurs.

A method for providing parking information, comprising: maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to the parking information; receiving parking instructions and location data from a plurality of vehicles while the vehicles are parked in a common parking slot; generating a parking report based on the parking indication and the location data; and sends a parking report to the vehicle as a subscriber of the parking information.

In other features of the invention, the method includes receiving a request for a parking report from the vehicle and sending the parking report to a subscriber of the parking report; and push parking reports to the subscriber. The method includes billing the subscriber for the parking information.

In other features, the method includes wirelessly transmitting the parking indication and the location data when one of the plurality of vehicles is parked in the public parking space and not transmitting the parking indication and the location data when the one of the plurality of vehicles is parked in the non-public parking space. The parking status information of the parking space includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

In other features of the invention, the method includes transmitting the vector and location data when the vehicle leaves the public parking space. The method includes selectively generating location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off, and selectively transmitting the location and parking indication data. The method includes maintaining a list of vehicles that are subscribers to the parking status report. The parking status report of the respective one of the vehicles includes parking information related to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the respective one of the vehicles.

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

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary traffic monitoring system for monitoring vehicular traffic in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are functional block diagrams of an exemplary vehicle including a GPS, a transceiver, a control module, and a display;

FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram of the example vehicle of FIG. 2A with a Remote Service Assistance (RSA) system;

FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram of the exemplary vehicle of FIG. 2A with an alternative RSA system;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of portions of an exemplary traffic monitoring system;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a vehicle for transmitting data;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating alternative exemplary steps performed by a vehicle for transmitting data;

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the traffic monitoring system for transmitting parking-related data;

FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating alternative exemplary steps performed by the traffic monitoring system for transmitting parking-related data;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing steps performed by the traffic monitoring system to receive and process traffic and parking data;

FIG. 9 shows steps performed by the traffic monitoring system for monitoring parking;

FIG. 10 illustrates steps performed by the traffic monitoring system and the RSA system to identify vehicles having operational problems;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary map display with average vehicle speed, accident, construction, and/or other items on a road;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary display of available parking slots in the vicinity of a vehicle;

FIG. 13 shows steps performed by the traffic monitoring system for identifying a possible vehicle accident;

FIG. 14 illustrates steps performed by an exemplary traffic and/or parking information subscriber system; and

fig. 15 illustrates steps performed by another exemplary traffic and/or parking information subscriber system.

Detailed Description

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements.

Referring now to fig. 1, an exemplary traffic monitoring system for monitoring vehicular traffic in accordance with the present invention is shown. Vehicles 20-1, 20-2,. and 20-N (collectively referred to as vehicles 20) travel on a first directional road generally designated 22. The vehicles 24-1, 24-2,. and 24-M (collectively 24) travel on a road in a second direction, generally indicated at 32. For example, vehicles 20-5 and 20-6 are involved in an accident that slows the flow of traffic in the first direction 22. The accident does not slow down traffic moving in the second direction 32. Traffic monitoring systems alert motorists that traffic traveling in a first direction on the road is slow, as well as information about traffic on other highways, streets, and other major thoroughfares.

In accordance with the present invention, some of the vehicles 20 and 24 include Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that include receivers that triangulate the position of the vehicle 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 located remotely from the vehicles 20 and 24. Alternatively, a separate transmitter and/or transceiver may be used in conjunction with a GPS that includes only a receiver. The vector data may include speed and direction data. The location data may include longitude and latitude information or location information using another coordinate system. The traffic monitoring system 50 receives the vector and location data, performs calculations on the data, and transmits traffic and/or parking information back to the vehicles 20 and 24 having GPS systems with integrated transmitters and/or transceivers, or with separate transmitters and/or transceivers, as will be described further below. The vehicle's GPS system provides visual and/or audible traffic information to allow the driver to avoid traffic bottlenecks, such as accidents, and/or to locate parking spaces.

Referring now to fig. 2A, 2B, 3B, and 3B, several exemplary vehicle configurations are shown. Although a specific example is 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 related to the traffic and/or parking information system. The GPS 62 triangulates position or location data of the vehicle 60 and calculates vector data using GPS signals generated by GPS satellites. The vehicle 60 selectively wirelessly transmits the position and vector data to the remote traffic monitoring system 50 via the transceiver 64. The transceiver 64 periodically receives traffic data from the remote traffic monitoring system 50, as will be described further below. The GPS system 62 outputs traffic and other GPS related information using a display 66. In some implementations, the transceiver 64 may be integrated with the GPS 62. It will be appreciated that the control module 65 may be separate from the GPS 62, which is shown as 62 'and 65' in fig. 2B.

In fig. 3A, a vehicle 60' similar to that of fig. 2A and 2B is shown, further comprising a vehicle-based teleservices assistance system 70, the teleservices assistance system 70 providing a connection to a master teleservices assistance system and/or service assistant. For example, one suitable remote service assistance system 70 is OnStar^However, other remote service assistance systems may be used. In fig. 3A, the remote service assistance system 70 and the traffic monitoring system 50 share a common transceiver 64. In some implementations, the transceiver 64 may be integrated with the GPS 62 and/or the remote service assistance system 70.

In fig. 3B, a vehicle 60 "similar to that of fig. 2A and 2B is shown, which also includes an alternative remote service assistance system 70'. In FIG. 3B, remote service assistance system 70' utilizes a transceiver 72 that is separate from transceiver 64 used by GPS system 62. It will be appreciated that any suitable wireless system may be employed, including cellular systems, WiFi systems such as 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n (incorporated by reference herein), and/or other future 802.11 standards, WiMax systems such as 802.16 (incorporated by reference herein), and/or any other suitable type of wireless system that allows communication over substantially long distances. In certain implementations, one or both of the transceivers 64 and 72 are integrated with the GPS 62 and/or the remote service assistance system 70'. As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the control module may be integrated with or separate from the GPS and/or other system components.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram of an exemplary traffic and/or parking monitoring system is presented. A traffic monitoring system includes a plurality of monitoring stations 100-1, 100-2,. and 100-X (collectively monitoring stations 100), such as station 50 shown in fig. 1. The parking information may be provided in addition to or separate from the traffic information. The monitoring station 100 includes a transceiver 104. As described below, the monitoring station 100 receives location and vector data from the vehicle and transmits traffic and/or parking information to the vehicle. To this 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.

Although the present invention will be described in connection with a distributed communication system 114, many other suitable ways of interconnecting monitoring stations 100 exist. 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 implementations, the distributed communication system 114 includes the Internet, although other types of networks may be used. The database 110 may also be connected by the server 130 to the distributed communication system 114 via the NI 132. Other types of interconnects may be used, including dedicated telephone lines, terrestrial links, satellite links, and/or other suitable links. The primary RSA system 133 may communicate with one or more of the servers 130 and/or may have all of the independent links via the DCS 114. The system may use query response techniques and/or push techniques to provide parking and/or traffic information.

In addition to the foregoing, a plurality of intelligent parking meters 138-1, 138-2,. and 138-P (collectively referred to as intelligent parking meters 138) may be provided. The intelligent parking meter 138 provides an indication of when the parking space is full or free. In certain implementations, intelligent parking meter 138 makes this determination based on meter status signals generated by expiration module 139. The expiration module generates a meter status signal having a parking space full status when the meter is running. When the meter expires, the meter status signal has a parking space idle status. In other words, when the meter expires, the intelligent parking meter may assume that the parking space is free.

Alternatively, intelligent parking meter 138 may include a sensor 140 that senses whether the vehicle is located in a corresponding parking space. In certain implementations, the sensor outputs a radio frequency signal in a direction toward the parking space and generates a meter status signal based on the received reflected signal. If the reflected signal is returned within a period of time less than the threshold value and/or has an amplitude greater than the threshold value, then the vehicle is in the parking space. If not, the parking space is free. In some implementations, the reflected signal needs to be less than the threshold (to reduce noise) at all times for a predetermined period of time. In other embodiments, a set of meters may include a common sensor that senses the presence of one or more vehicles in one or more parking spaces of the group. In addition, parking lot 142 may include parking space module 143 that provides a collective signal indicating that K parking spaces are available throughout parking lot 142. The intelligent parking meters 138 and the intelligent parking lot 142 may be connected to the traffic monitoring system in any suitable manner, including a Network Interface (NI)144, a wireless transmitter 146, and/or in any other suitable manner. When transmitting information, a wireless or wired connection may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a system associated with a vehicle is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle periodically transmits the vehicle vector and the position data. Data transmission may be selectively initiated while the vehicle ignition is on, the vehicle ignition is on or off, the vehicle is moving, or using other criteria. Control begins in step 150. In step 152, the vehicle transmits the vector and position data. In step 154, the timer is reset. In step 156, control determines whether the timer has expired. If false, control returns to step 156. If step 156 is true, control returns to step 152. Control may be performed by the GPS system 62 or with any other control module in the vehicle. Alternatively and/or in addition to the foregoing, the traffic monitoring system may periodically remotely query the vehicle for vector and/or location data. The vehicle responds to the query by transmitting vector and/or position data.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a system associated with a vehicle is shown. Control begins in step 160. In step 162, control determines whether the vehicle is on the arterial road. For example, a main road may be defined to include a highway, and a street. The arterial road may not include smaller streets, residential areas, and low traffic streets to reduce the amount of data transmitted. Traffic information is not needed because of the low traffic volume on these types of roads. If step 162 is false, control returns to step 162. If step 162 is true, control resets the timer in step 164. In step 166, control determines whether the timer has expired. If not, control continues with step 168 and determines whether the vehicle has a change in direction greater than a first threshold. If not, control continues with step 170 and determines whether a speed change of the vehicle greater than a second threshold has occurred. 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.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins in step 180. In step 182, control determines whether the vehicle ignition has transitioned from on to off. If so, control determines whether the vehicle is located in a public parking area in step 184. This step may be performed by the vehicle alone and/or by the vehicle sending location information to a traffic monitoring system and receiving a response indicating whether the location is a parking spot in a public parking area. If step 184 is true, the vehicle transmits a parking indicator and location data in step 186. Control continues from step 186 to step 182. If step 184 is false, control returns to step 182. Thus, the traffic monitoring system receives data about the parked vehicle.

If step 182 is false, control continues with step 190 and control determines whether the vehicle ignition is switched from off to on and the vehicle is moving. When the ignition is turned on, it is highly likely that the vehicle will leave the parking space. If step 190 is true, control sends the vehicle vector and position data to the traffic monitoring system in step 192 and control returns to step 182. If step 190 is false, control also continues with step 182. Traffic monitoring systems utilize vehicle parking and vehicle departure data to provide parking information to other vehicles.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, a flowchart illustrating alternative exemplary steps performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins in step 200. In step 202, control determines whether the vehicle ignition is switched from on to off. If step 202 is true, control sends the vehicle parking indicator and location data in step 204 as described above. If step 202 is false, control continues with step 206. In step 206, control determines whether the vehicle ignition is switched from off to on and whether the vehicle is moving. If so, control transmits the vehicle vector and the position data. If step 206 is false, control returns to step 202.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating the data collection and analysis steps performed by the traffic monitoring system is shown. Control begins in step 220. In step 224, control receives data from the vehicle. In step 228, control estimates an average speed over the selected portion of the thoroughfare based on data from the one or more vehicles. For example, the traffic monitoring system may estimate an average speed for a predetermined distance or increment. The increments may change based on road type, condition, or calculated speed. For example, when the difference between the average speed and the published speed is different, the predetermined increment length may be decreased. The traffic information is sent to the vehicles based on calculations performed on the collected vehicle data. In step 230, the traffic information may be pushed to the vehicle, and/or query/response techniques may be used. Control ends in step 132. In addition to traffic information, the parking data may be transmitted to the vehicle using push technology and/or query/response technology.

Referring now to FIG. 9, steps performed by the traffic monitoring system for monitoring parking are illustrated. Control begins in step 250. In step 252, control determines whether the vehicle is parked in a public parking space. The determination may be made based on the location and vector data samples and/or based on the parking indicator and the location data. Determining that the parking space is a public parking space is based on the location data. If so, control indicates that the corresponding public parking space is full in step 254.

Control continues from steps 252 and 254 to step 256. In step 256, control determines whether the vehicle is transitioning from parked to moving. If step 256 is true, control starts a timer in step 258. In step 260, control indicates that the vehicle is leaving the public parking space. The timer is used to limit the amount of time that the parking space is identified as "vehicle away". Control continues from steps 256 and 260 to step 262. In step 262, control determines whether a timer of the vehicle has expired. If step 262 is true, control changes the state of the parking space to unknown in step 264. Control continues from steps 262 and 264 to step 262.

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

For example, if the average speed on the thoroughfare is 50mph and the speed of the vehicle is less than 5mph, the vehicle may have operational problems and/or may be involved in an accident and require assistance. If step 288 is true, control triggers a query via the remote service assistance system in step 290. For example, the traffic monitoring system notifies the host remote service assistance system to contact the service assistant with the driver of the vehicle. The service assistant may determine whether there is a problem, such as an accident, or other operational problem, and contact emergency personnel, roadside assistance, and/or other assistance as needed. Control continues from steps 288 and 290 to step 294. In step 294, control determines whether there are additional vehicles to evaluate. If step 294 is true, control returns to step 284. If step 294 is false, control returns to step 282.

Returning now to FIG. 11, a display indicating vehicle speed on thoroughfares 298-1, 298-2,. and 298-Z is shown. A display 66 associated with the GPS system 62 is shown. Visual elements generally identified as 300-1, 300-2,. and 300-Y are provided on the map. The visual elements indicate bottlenecks and/or other traffic on the main road. Any suitable visual indication may be used to identify the problem. For example, color, cross-hatching, shading, shape, flashing, and/or other techniques may be used to identify high traffic volume areas, low speed areas, construction areas, and/or accident areas. For example, visual element 300-3 may be colored red and flash to indicate an accident. The velocity on the thoroughfare also provides an indication of a problem (e.g., as the distance from the incident 300-3 decreases, the velocity also decreases).

Referring now to FIG. 12, an exemplary display of available parking slots in the vicinity of a vehicle is shown. Based on the collected information, the vehicle 60 of the GPS 62 may 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), in-exit (L), open (O), and/or unknown (U) status data for parking spaces in the selected area. These indicators may be indicated by any suitable visual indication.

The full indicator is used when a vehicle having a GPS system is parked in a parking space 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 amount of time has elapsed after the vehicle with the GPS system leaves the parking space. The in-departure indicator is used within a predetermined amount of time after a vehicle having a GPS system leaves the parking space. The in-departure indicator may also be triggered when a vehicle with a GPS system starts its engine after a stop period. When the space is open, the open state is used. In some implementations, the status is provided by the intelligent parking meter 138. The space in the intelligent parking lot 142 may also be shown at 342.

Referring now to FIG. 13, steps for identifying an incident are shown. Control begins in step 300. In step 302, a traffic monitoring system receives data from a vehicle. In step 304, the traffic monitoring system compares the vehicle positions at the same time. Based on the location and time, the traffic monitoring system may determine whether an accident has occurred. If the vehicles have substantially the same location at the same time, the traffic monitoring system may query the user to determine if an accident has occurred in step 308. In other words, if two vehicles provide their locations at a particular time, and these locations conflict, the traffic monitoring system may assume that an accident is likely to occur and take action via the remote service assistance system.

Referring now to fig. 14, a subscriber service according to the present invention is shown. Control begins in step 320 with charging for the subscribed service in step 324. The fee may be based on the requested service level. In step 328, data from at least one of the reserved and unreserved vehicles and/or from the intelligent parking meter and/or parking lot is collected. In some implementations, data from other subscriber systems may be used. In step 332, the data is analyzed and traffic, parking, and other information is generated. In step 334, the selected traffic, parking, and/or other information is sent to the subscriber based on the user's subscription service. For example, some users may pay a subscription fee to receive traffic information but not parking information. Other subscribers may receive only parking information, or traffic and parking information simultaneously. Subscriber levels may also be differentiated based on geographic location, time of day, and/or using other criteria. Control ends in step 338.

Referring now to fig. 15, another exemplary subscriber service according to the present invention is shown. Control begins in step 340. In step 342, data from at least one of the reserved and unreserved vehicles and/or from the intelligent parking meter and/or parking lot is collected. In step 344, the collected data is analyzed and traffic, parking, and other information is updated. In step 346, control determines whether a request for information is received. Alternatively, information may be pushed to the user based on the user's subscription. If step 346 is false, control returns to step 342. If step 346 is true, control determines whether the user is subscribed to the requested information. If not, control prompts the user to obtain a subscription. The subscription may be periodic, pay-per-use based, or based on any other means. If step 348 is true, the requested information is sent to the subscriber. It will be appreciated that encryption and/or other techniques may be used to prevent fraudulent access to traffic and/or parking information.

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. It will be appreciated that the method steps disclosed and claimed may be performed in a different order than those described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A traffic information system for a vehicle, comprising:

a Global Positioning System (GPS) associated with the vehicle that selectively generates location and vector data;

a transmitter; and

a control module that receives the position and vector data and wirelessly transmits the position and vector data with the transmitter when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the position and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of roads.

2. The traffic information system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver in communication with the control module and wirelessly receiving traffic reports from a remote traffic monitoring system, wherein the traffic reports include traffic speed information for traffic traveling on at least one of the first set of predetermined roads.

3. A system comprising the traffic information system of claim 2, further comprising:

a remote service assistance system;

a service assistance system in communication with the control module and in wireless communication with the remote service assistance system,

wherein the teleservices assistance system receives the vector and location data, compares the speed of the vehicle on a first road to a first threshold and to an average traffic speed on the first road, and selectively triggers contact with the vehicle with the services assistance system and the teleservices assistance system.

4. The traffic information system of claim 2, wherein the traffic report includes parking status information for a public parking spot, wherein the parking status information for the public parking spot includes at least one status type selected from the group consisting of: leave, full, open, and unknown.

5. The traffic information system of claim 1, wherein the control module performs at least one of: monitoring a change in direction of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in direction of the vehicle is greater than a direction change threshold; monitoring a change in speed of the vehicle and transmitting the vector and location data when the change in speed of the vehicle is greater than a speed change threshold.

6. The traffic information system of claim 1, wherein the control module selectively transmits parking indication and location data using the transmitter under at least one of: when the vehicle ignition is turned off, when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the vehicle is parked in a public parking space.

7. The traffic information system of claim 6, wherein the control module selectively transmits vector and position data with the transmitter when the vehicle leaves the public parking space.

8. The traffic information system of claim 2, wherein the control module selectively generates location and parking indication data when an engine of the vehicle is turned off and selectively transmits the location and parking indication data with the transmitter.

9. A system comprising the traffic information system of claim 8, further comprising a parking monitoring system remotely located from the vehicle that receives the location and parking indication data from the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles, generates a parking status report, and selectively transmits the parking status report to the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a parking lot module associated with a parking lot that identifies available parking slots in the parking lot; and

a transmitter that transmits parking lot data related to the available parking slots to the parking monitoring system.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a parking space module associated with a parking space that identifies a full state of the parking space; and

a transmitter that transmits parking space data based on the full state to the parking monitoring system.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the parking status report includes parking spot information relating to parking spots within a predetermined distance of the at least one vehicle.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the parking spot information includes parking status of the parking space on the at least one road, wherein the parking status includes at least one status selected from the group consisting of: idle, full, unknown, and away.

14. A traffic monitoring system comprising the traffic information system of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory storing traffic data; and

a traffic monitoring module that performs the following operations:

collecting the vector and position data for a plurality of vehicles while the vehicles are traveling on a first set of predetermined roads, the vector and position data not being collected while the vehicles are traveling on a second set of predetermined roads;

storing the vector and location data in the memory;

analyzing the vector and location data; and

generating traffic reports for the first set of predetermined roads based on the analyzed vector and location data.

15. The traffic monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the traffic monitoring module:

receiving a request for the traffic report from at least one vehicle;

confirming that the vehicle is a subscriber to the traffic report; and

sending the traffic report to the vehicle if the vehicle is a subscriber.

16. The traffic monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the traffic monitoring module:

receiving parking indication and location data for the vehicle; and

storing the parking indication and location data in the memory.

17. The traffic monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives only the parking indication and location data for the vehicle parked in a public parking slot.

18. The traffic monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the traffic monitoring module generates a parking report for the subscriber based on the parking indication and location data.

19. The traffic monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives parking lot data for parking lots, and wherein the parking lot data indicates a plurality of free parking slots for a respective one of the parking lots.

20. The traffic monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives parking space data for parking spaces, and wherein the parking space data indicates a full status of a respective one of the parking spaces.

21. The traffic information system of claim 1, wherein the traffic monitoring module receives position and vector data and determines a first lane on a pathway including a plurality of lanes in which the vehicle is located based at least on the position and vector data.