System for providing traffic information

Abstract

A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the network. The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of mobile user stations, each of said mobile user stations being associated with a respective display, a respective receiving device to allow each of said mobile user stations to receive signals, and a respective global positioning system device for determining a geographic location of said mobile user station;    (b) a computer system associated with a transmitting device, said computer system being capable of sending signals to said mobile user stations;    (c) said computer system including a traffic information database, said traffic information database containing data representative of traffic at a plurality of locations;    (d) said computer system providing to said mobile user stations information representative of said traffic information database; and    (e) said mobile user stations displaying graphically on said display information representative of selected portions of said traffic information database based on said geographic location of said mobile user station.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said computer system updates said traffic information database and transmits updated traffic information to said mobile user stations.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said at least one of said mobile user stations is a cellular phone.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said mobile user station further comprises a memory capable of storing a map database.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said mobile user station displays a selected portion of said map database.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said computer system further transmits information representative of a map database to said mobile user stations.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein said mobile user station displays a selected portion of said map database.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said mobile user station determines the longitude and latitude of said geographic location of said mobile user station.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said location of said one of said mobile user stations is displayed graphically.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 21  wherein less than all available traffic information is displayed by said display.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the displayed traffic information geographically encompasses said geographic location of said mobile user station.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said information representative of said traffic information database includes data representative of the speed of the traffic.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein said speed of the traffic is displayed graphically.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said computer system transmits the location of an accident or construction site, and said mobile user stations display graphically on said display an icon indicating the location of said accident or said highway construction site.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said mobile user stations display a text message about road conditions in response to a signal received from said computer system.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said mobile user station determines a fastest route based on current traffic conditions.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said geographic location of said mobile user stations is displayed graphically near the center of said display.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said geographic location of the said mobile user stations is displayed near an edge of said display.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said mobile user stations displays graphically on said display different colors or patterns representative of average vehicle speeds.